It was a dark and windy night. Because of the very real threat of tornados and the like, most people stayed inside the upstairs bar at City Grocery. Not me, though. I have always loved walking in the wind and the rain so sitting in it was no big deal. After all, every time I’ve gotten wet, I’ve gotten dry again. Sir Coonie and the other Knights of the Long Table were kind enough to leave me alone. They know how stubborn I can be.
It was getting late and no one was coming out, so I was reveling to the sounds of nature and my solitude. Trees were swirling and flags were flapping fiercely and freely. The PRIDE flag on the front of The Balcony was no exception. In fact, it seemed to get down and dance like Tina Turner did when she sang “Proud Mary,” something to be extremely proud of.
Suddenly a great burst of wind made the PRIDE flag snap loose from its moorings and fly my way, getting snagged on the chair across the table from me. I swear I heard squeaks for help just like Vincent Price in The Fly: “Help me! Help me!” Thinking I had nothing to lose I called out to the flag, “Hey, PRIDE! What can I do for ya’?”
(I admit to taking advantage of the flag by doing little beyond asking questions, but I’m glad I did.)
“How come there are so many variations of flags for the LGBTQIA+ community?” I asked.
“How come there are so many different denominations in Christendom?” they asked.
I responded, “There are legions of varieties of Christianity because they don’t all believe everything just alike. Each denomination has their own doctrinal issues that distinguishes them from the others and many of them have created their own flags and banners in addition to the traditional Christian flag.”
“Well,” said the PRIDE flag, “It’s pretty much the same with us except that our flags try to be inclusive of as many in the LGBTQIA+ family as possible. There are more than twenty PRIDE flags, all focused on inclusivity. We even have a Straight Ally Flag.
“A what?” I asked.
“A Straight Ally Flag,” said the PRIDE flag. “It’s for straight or cisgender people who support the Gay Pride/Equal Marriage Movement. They believe, correctly I might add, that LGBTQIA+ people face discrimination and thus are socially and economically disadvantaged.” (The Volvo Group Internal LGBTQ+ network, V-Eagle)
“So the multiplicity of flags in the LGBTQIA+ community is an attempt to make sure no one is left out?” I asked.
“Exactly,” said the PRIDE flag.
“Are you, then, saying that the plethora of denominational flags are exclusive?” I asked.
“Well,” said the PRIDE flag, “I don’t want to make such an assumption. I just know that the LGBTQIA+ flags are inclusive. Our arms are open wide for people of all faiths or no faith at all.”
“I’m going to have to think on that one,” I said.
“See that you do, Randy,” said the PRIDE flag, “and be sure to think long and hard and deeply.”
“I assure you I will,” I said. “Is there anything I can do for you tonight?”
“Yep,” said the flag. “Fasten me back on The Balcony. I kinda like it here. I feel at home.”
“So do I,” I said. “So do I.”
With that I reattached the PRIDE flag to the front of The Balcony and bade them good night. As I exited the bar I looked up at the PRIDE flag and saluted. Maybe it was the storms, but I could swear it waved back at me.
…and that’s the Rainbow View from The Balcony.
Randy Weeks is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Shamanic Life Coach, an ordained minister, a singer-songwriter, and an actor. He may be reached at randallsweeks@gmail.com.
