Red Ribbons of Love

When AIDS first hit, LGBTQ+ patients were roundly treated like lepers by much of American society, but Hollywood United Methodist Church decided to take a bold stand. This inspiring short doc, by America's favorite goth sweetheart, Pauley Perrette, presents HUMC clergy and congregants who were there thirty years ago. Most supported mounting two giant AIDS ribbons on the church bell tower to serve as a beacon of hope, even as some feared it was a bridge too far. If you suspect the folks you pray with every Sunday would also be opposed to such a gesture, I highly advise you to go find a more compassionate house of worship. This doc is what true Christianity looks like.

Just watched this illuminating short film on Youtube and I'm very grateful to Pauley Perrette for making the movie.

Living in New York (and not a traveler to the West Coast) I was unaware of the contribution of this church, which provides a very good example of community service, something that needs constant celebrating wherever one finds it in this era of the Rise of the Reactionaries.

Instead of spreading hate, Pauley's fellow congregants were all about spreading love and compassion for the underdog. I hope there are many similar institutions today near our Southern Border, where a constant barrage of news stories reflect the rise of anti-immigrant hysteria, designed to scapegoat asylum seekers everywhere as the new bogeymen. Imagine how productive these eager immigrants could be if they were welcomed and offered gainful employment rather than shunned? Just typing that obvious sentence I realized that millions of MAGA types would be hating my sentiment and probably have visions of that ephemeral beastie "wokeness" dancing in ther heads like sugar plums.

I am wide awake, as were the members of this church who invited people suffering from HIV-AIDS into their midst at a time of fear, misinformation and disinformation. Pauley salutes them well, and I salute her and only wish that the folks spreading hate and lies would turn their energies instead to helping people, especially people who do not belong to their clique or imaginary master race.