Commentary: Fresno, Clovis pastors right to voice their concerns about gay pride events

It was a long time coming, but just a couple of weeks ago we saw something many in this community thought could not happen: Hundreds of community members gathered to support dozens of pastors and ministry leaders from Fresno and Clovis who had called a press conference to express their deep concerns with a couple of incidents.

These pastors had met together and, in less than a week’s time, shared with each other about a danger they saw for our children, and crafted a statement to share with the community about what they believe. In opening the press conference at Eaton Plaza, pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church in downtown Fresno said, “Never before have I seen such a unified response by pastors in such a short period of time.”

At issue was the blasphemous “prayer” offered at the gay Pride flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall and the “Family Pride Night” hosted by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, including “Family Friendly Drag Performances” and “Meet and greet with the queens after the show.” The pastors felt compelled to stand up and speak out against the attempt to normalize the sexualization of our kids and eliminate their innocence.

Across the country we have seen mobilization of communities and parents when sensitive and controversial topics of sexuality and gender have been brought to their children. In recent times, Christian churches and their leadership, have held back from engaging on some of these hot-button issues, dismissing them as “political discourse.” But, once again, we see that when it is our youngest, most impressionable minds being targeted, things have been pushed too far and inaction was not an option.

It is probably safe to say that none of the more than 60 pastors and leaders (representing all races, ethnicities, and neighborhoods) who signed onto the statement or attended the press conference wanted to have to talk about something that happened at Fresno City Hall or an event being held at the zoo. It is not a comfortable thing to do. It puts one in the spotlight for hatred and vitriol.

But, as the pastors’ statement read, “Activists should not co-opt this publicly supported community institution to target our kids and expose them to overtly sexual behavior.” And those who have accepted the calling as spiritual leaders were obligated to speak against it.

But so what? A bunch of pastors got together and read something. It was lightly reported on and now we have not heard much in the last few weeks. The “Family Pride Night” took place and the pictures that came out on social media showed kids giving dollar bills to drag queens as if they were strippers. Have the pastors made any difference? Is the faith community waking up to what has been going on and the escalation of what we are supposed to accept?

In some ways, that remains to be seen. Even so, the fact that our pastors are connected in a meaningful way and found a united voice and message indicates that we may be hearing more from them in the future. Even more impactful will be if the tens of thousands of Fresno and Clovis residents who attend these churches hear them sounding the alarm from the pulpit.

Those of us in the faith community need to thank our pastors for taking the lead on this and encourage them to continue these efforts. We will be hated and we will be called names, but when it comes to protecting our children or a direct assault on our faith at City Hall, I am glad to see the pastors and churches of Fresno and Clovis are willing to bear the cost.