LGBTQIA Pride: A Cornerstone of Inclusive Heathenry

Position Statement | June 26, 2023
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LGBTQIA Pride: A Cornerstone of Inclusive Heathenry

As a spiritual practice, Inclusive Heathenry embraces diversity, respect, and acceptance of all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQIA2S+ Pride is pivotal in promoting a more inclusive and welcoming environment within the Heathen community.

Promoting Authenticity and Self-Acceptance

LGBTQIA Pride empowers individuals to celebrate and embrace their authentic selves. Inclusive Heathenry recognizes that everyone should be able to express their true identity without fear of discrimination or exclusion. By embracing LGBTQIA Pride, Heathens foster an environment that encourages individuals to fully explore and embrace their sexual orientation and gender identity within their spiritual practice. This promotes a sense of self-acceptance, allowing practitioners to engage authentically and on their terms with the tradition.

Challenging Societal Norms

Historically, Heathenry has been influenced by the society that surrounds us, which has primarily been one that holds on to cisgender and heterosexual norms. LGBTQIA Pride challenges these norms by highlighting the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities. It encourages practitioners to question and transcend rigid binaries, fostering a more fluid and inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality within the Heathen community. By challenging these norms, inclusive Heathenry opens doors for exploration, dialogue, and personal growth within the tradition. This can lead to growth in our community and spiritual practices as we challenge “how it was always done” and become more open to change, development, and understanding of our spiritual journeys.

Creating Safe Spaces and Community Support

LGBTQIA2S+ Pride events and initiatives provide crucial safe spaces for individuals within the Heathen community. These spaces offer a sense of belonging, support, and understanding for LGBTQIA individuals who may have experienced discrimination or rejection elsewhere. Inclusive Heathenry seeks to create an environment where individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities feel at ease and can connect with like-minded individuals, build meaningful relationships, and find acceptance within their spiritual community.

Honoring Ancestral Diversity

Inclusive Heathenry recognizes that the diversity of human experiences and identities is reflected in our ancestral heritage. By embracing LGBTQIA Pride, Heathens acknowledge and honor the existence of LGBTQIA individuals within their ancestral lineages. This acknowledgment helps reclaim a more accurate and inclusive representation of ancestral diversity, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the past and dismantling the erasure of LGBTQIA individuals from historical narratives.

Promoting Social Justice and Activism

LGBTQIA Pride is inherently intertwined with social justice and activism. Inclusive Heathenry aligns with these principles by standing against discrimination, oppression, and prejudice based on sexual orientation or gender identity. By actively supporting LGBTQIA Pride and participating in related advocacy efforts, Heathens can contribute to broader societal change, fostering a world where all individuals are treated with dignity, equality, and respect.

Embracing LGBTQIA Pride within the framework of inclusive Heathenry is crucial for building a more inclusive, welcoming, and affirming spiritual community. By promoting authenticity, challenging normative constructs, creating safe spaces, honoring ancestral diversity, and advocating for social justice, Heathens actively contribute to a tradition that celebrates and supports individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. LGBTQIA Pride is an essential component of inclusive Heathenry, fostering a spirituality rooted in respect, understanding, and acceptance for all.