You Are My People

Yesterday was the most-spiritual day I have had, I would say, since Circling the Wagons.  Ironically (or not) a lot of the same people were involved with both of these days.

Yesterday was the day that Kate Kelly's leaders met to determine her fate in the LDS church.  Leading up to it, Kate had over 1000 letters submitted on her behalf, and 75 new profiles submitted to OW.  In addition, this INCREDIBLE BRIEF was filed on her behalf.

I met with Chelsea beforehand, at Cafe Rio, before we knew it, we had tables full of people going to the vigil.  It was just awesome.  One lady approached us,

"Are you going to the vigil too?  I just knew it, you look like apostates." So funny.

Then we all met at the Oakton, Virginia stake center.



This stake center has a history.  It was here, that Sonia Johnson was excommunicated for her work on... the Equal Rights Amendment (??!!) that got her in trouble.




When I got there, I was just SO EXCITED! So many of the people I have learned such wisdom and grace from were right in front of me.  I gave so many hugs that first half an hour.

Katie was playing the violin beautifully for us all.  She waved her foot at me ;-)  

Julia excitedly introduced her partner in all things life to me.

Gabe gave her enthusiastic thumbs-up

Marta and her daughter came up to me while I was giving an interview (LOVE THEM- they are singing here).

I met Shane in the parking lot, and raced to find Kimberly :-)

Once we got started, things really moved fast.  We had the traditional singing/prayer, then an incredible welcome by Gabe (who was born to lead).

Gabe is so at-ease in front of crowds

Danielle gave an absolutely incredible talk.  She made me cry.  She is having her first child, a daughter soon.  

Hugs were given, smiles were smiled.

Then "I wont stand silent because..." began.  It was just... heart-breaking.  These stories, these lives, these experiences.  These people who want equality and want to talk about why.  I have not felt so much love in years.

This is Kimberly.  She wants her daughters to know they have just as much power as her son.

There were quiet prayers, silent nods, much contemplation

this mom came because her daughter raised her hand when she was asked as a five year old, "who wants to pass the sacrament someday?"

There were people who could not be there, represented by Proxy candles

There were fathers and daughters

There were husbands there to support their wives who did not feel like they fit in because of their PhD

There were mothers and daughters

There were mothers and sons.

There was palpable, and real pain.  This one... she is on the list too.  I wanted to hug her, but she seemed like she really just needed time to process.

There were people driving by, honking, in support- one even stopped to take a photo

There was a handsome dog

Most of all though, there were people. United, together.  Even now, I get goosebumps thinking about the love that I felt in that place, with those people.  My people.  At last.  I felt SO not alone for the first time in forever at a church event.  

We tied handkerchiefs on this line, as a representation of being unsilent.  These will be made into a quilt like the quilt made for pants 2012 (the last week I went to church, incidentally).









There were Catholic sisters, who are embroiled in their own fight over the same issues, there to support Kate as well.


As I left, I felt so built-up and so glad to be part of something good. Something uplifting and positive. It was an honor to hear the heart-felt brokeness of so many for whom the church is a foundation in their lives. It was a priviledge to come together to support Kate while the meeting inside the church was taking place. For the first time in a long time, I felt spiritually filled. It was just such an amazing experience. That was sacred ground, those were my people.


All my photos are here