The day after Pride Week was over there was an event to be held on campus called 4•6•8.  It was a non-denominational worship celebration that included various praise bands, a handful of speakers, and a 24-hour prayer tent.  I figured that since I'd spent a week immersed in one community of identity, it might be fun to spend an afternoon with another.  It was interesting.

I will say that it was nice to see some faces that I'd not seen in awhile and I was disappointed by the faces that were missing... not surprised - just disappointed.  It was a testament to the previous week's events and conversations that I was able to feel so at ease in my skin although I was also acutely aware of my separateness - I was comfortable though.

I think I was also a little bitter.

It was hard to go from the candlelight vigil the night before and not bring something with me.  From the stage a speaker talked about praying for an end to Christian persecution while working to make a presence in all aspects of life.  I recognized the similarity with speakers from the Pride Rally as there was a common goal of finding acceptance and being a part of what was going on - but to talk about persecution was a little much for me.  After all, Jesus told His followers that they'd be persecuted and He even mentioned the blessing they'd receive by being persecuted in His name - persecution is part of Christian living... at least in this sense.

Unfortunately, Christians persecuting others also seems to be a part of Christian living and it was something that I've seen highlighted a number of times during the last week.

The greatest contrast that stood out to me - Christians who are persecuted in America rarely, if ever, die as a result.  GLBT persons who are persecuted in America routinely experience physical and mental abuse... and too often death.

On a lighter note:  I was asked by a friend, Eric, if I'd be willing to do tribal tattoo designs on his chest and back to celebrate the Pride event Heaven and Hell.  It was a fun project and reminded me of some experimentation with henna I did a few years ago... here's a picture of what his chest and navel looked like.  There was more on his back but he wasn't able to get such a good picture of that in the mirror...