Love is stronger than death

Because of the prejudice and scapegoating we saw we are particularly alert to the ways that COVID-19 is affecting black and Latinx communities, even here in the Bay Area. We note with alarm the increase of anti-Asian rhetoric and violence ignited by the president who has called the disease a “Chinese virus.” All of this is ridiculous from a public health standpoint and we urge all of us to stand in solidarity with one another. To paraphrase Dr. King, if this disease affects any of us it affects all of us.

This pandemic does affect all of us and COVID-19 brings into sharp relief society’s bias and inequities. This is as true for LBGTQ+ people in San Mateo County as anywhere else. Sometimes living in the largely accepting environment of San Mateo County we can feel invisible as LGBT people.

Young people who are not out to their parents or whose parents are overtly disapproving, are now living without the direct respite of friends who care. Those who are judged as gender variant — who need social services like the food banks and shelters, are at risk of abuse and even violence in every line, and so sometimes go without, because remaining hidden is the cost of help. Women make less than men, and for lesbian households this impact is doubled. The elderly avoid senior centers or attend while staying in the closet. They depend on friends they can no longer visit. Many elderly lack the tech skills to be online.

We don’t know how this pandemic will turn out. But, if you are LGBTQ in San Mateo County, know that there are many who care, even if you feel invisible.

So let’s start today making the invisible visible. June is Pride Month for LGBTQ people. Redwood City, San Mateo and Half Moon Bay have already agreed to fly rainbow pride flags at the city halls. The LGBTQ Commissioners of San Mateo County have asked every community to do so. Last year, Foster City issued its first pride proclamation. Regardless of what the cities individually decide, will those of you reading this who are part of a faith community ask your house of worship to fly a rainbow flag in June in celebration of diversity and as a way of extending welcome?

We made it through the epidemic decades ago, and we will make it though this one. In that spirit, we offer you a spiritual truth that sustained us then and is helping us still, “Love is Stronger than Death.” As Christian ministers we believe that we will once again see the people we love but no longer see. We still hear them say to us, sometimes in a whisper, “Don’t Give Up! You are stronger than you think!” And we know that if we all stick together in solidarity we will live through this pandemic to a better, stronger, more unified, more equitable, resilient society.

The Rev. Terri Echelbarger is founder and pastor of Many Journeys Metropolitan Community Church in San Mateo and an LGBT commissioner. The Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon is senior minister at the Congregational Church of San Mateo. The Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is interim pastor of Island United Church of Christ in Foster City. If you are an LGBTQ person in San Mateo who needs a friendly connection, mental health help or crisis assistance, the best contact is the San Mateo Pride Center. It can be reached at sanmateopride.org or (650) 591-0133.