Originally sent to pastors, deacons, and synod council members.

Across our synod, from June through September, community members will be showing up at Pride Parades and Festivals as one way to support our LGBTQ+ siblings. You might wonder what in the world this has to do with being a Lutheran Christian today. 

One of our starting points is this excerpt from the Statement of Purpose section in the ELCA constitutions: Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity, justice, and equity for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, caring for the marginalized, embracing and welcoming racially and ethnically diverse populations, and standing in solidarity with the poor and oppressed and committing itself to their needs (C4.02.d).

Further, our synod is a Reconciling in Christ Synod, which means we believe that God made us each Imago Dei, in the image of God. We believe that whenever the image of God is denied in our LGBTQ+ siblings, whether by law, policy or hatred, the Imago Dei is diminished in all of us. We encourage our ministry sites and larger communities to support and advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of our life together. We strive to interpret scripture boldly through the Lutheran Christian lens of God’s unending grace and abundant love for the world. Love is at the very heart of our faith, as Jesus himself invites us to “Love one another.” Our love is welcoming and faithful. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7, NIV).

When the LGBTQ+ community uses the word “pride” it refers not to pridefulness but rather about having pride in — celebrating — an identity that is God-given. We hold our LGBTQ+ siblings in prayer and pray for them, for their families, and for our community this month and beyond. May God ever guide and bless our journey toward justice, inclusivity, and hope in our synod and beyond.

Do we still need Pride parades and festivals in 2025? The world’s first permitted gay parade was organized for June 28, 1970, to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Since then, we have seen denominations, including the ELCA, change their positions on committed same sex couples and LGBTQ+ people in committed relationships serving as pastors and deacons. We witnessed the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) Supreme Court case. But our responsibilities go beyond adjustments to policies and laws, and LGBTQ+ people are still not seen by all people as made in God’s image. So yes, until the time when all shall see their neighbors as God has always seen them, I believe we still need Pride Parades and Festivals. If you have never attended one, maybe this is the year to be curious and attend. Ask compassionate questions. Listen to stories. Wonder what the Holy Spirit is up to.  

I also commend to you the documentary 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. Watch it with a friend or as a congregation and then discuss it. Finally, if you are ready to dive in more, check out what our friends at Reconciling Works have to offer for Pride Resources. 

–Bishop Meggan Manlove

2025 Pride events within the NWIM Synod territory (not comprehensive)

May 30 – Ontario, OR

May 31 – Ellensburg, WA

June 6 – Jackson Hole, WY

June 6 & 7 – Southern Idaho (Twin Falls) 

June 7 – Coeur d’Alene, ID

June 13 & 14 – Spokane, WA

June 14 – Pocatello, ID

June 21 – Wenatchee, WA and Rexburg, ID

June 22 – Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, WA)

June 28 – Idaho Falls, ID

July 11 – Sandpoint, ID

July 26 – Goldendale, WA

Sept 5-7 – Palouse Pride (Moscow, ID) and Boise, ID