Of course, the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage not only dominated the headlines for most of the year but also had the most significant impact since their sodomy decision in 2003. The rush of gays and lesbians to make their relationships legal set off an economic boom in many communities that continues. Public opinion has radically shifted on the issue in spite of the predictable backlash in state legislation and comical grandstanding of people like Kim Davis.

Yes, that was the big story of the year, but other trends also were significant. The continued growth of movements such as the Reconciling Ministries Network, The Reformation Project, and the Gay Christian Network continued to narrow the wide gap between the LGBT communities and organized religion. Some denominations are more progressive than others, but the trend is clearly to more acceptance of gays into the church.

I am attending the first weekend of the annual North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival at the Carolina Theater in Durham. This is one of the biggest LGBT events in the Triangle, exceeded in numbers only by the annual spring OUT! Raleigh street fair that draws a large percentage of allies who come to join the fun.

We have moved out of the ghettos and are becoming mainstreamed into American society so why do we continue to need Gay Pride parades and festivals? First, we have yet to achieve full rights legally and are still discriminated against in spite of recent accomplishments in the courts. We need to push to cross the boundaries of homophobia not only in the courts and legislatures but also especially in our churches.

I Am Michael film poster

The recent release of the movie “I Am Michael” again has raised the question of whether sexual orientation can be changed. I haven’t seen the movie, but the storyline is that of a man who comes out of the closet and then goes back in again. The premise of the religious right is that sexual orientation is a choice, and with proper treatment and prayer it can be changed— although no one has ever claimed to make a straight person gay.