HR3, Russia, and Me, Oh My. . . .

I'm blogging today because the Indiana General Assembly is still in the midst of its stand on Human Rights, the Olympics are about to begin in the former Soviet Union, and I feel as if I just got back from Russia.  Some of you were there when Scott Lakin make me promise--right in front of the church--that even though I was The Church Within pastor and found myself each year somewhere in the world making conversation with local people-- wherever I happened to be-- about two of my life-long passions--health care and marriage/other human rights for all.  That day Scott, on behalf of the congregation, asked me to stay out of trouble during our travels in the previous Soviet Union.  You see, Madonna had just gotten in trouble for her stand there, Elton John had followed--and now Yvonne!  I couldn't imagine anyone would care about any ripple I might make, but said I'd just be a normal tourist for my month there--I promise.  Scott gave me a look that said something like, "You haven't ever practiced 'normal' in your whole life, and the church budget has no line item for bailing you out."  With that the next day--we left for Russia.

My story seems worth telling at this time, because Russia and the other countries of the previous Soviet Union will get a slanted version of who they are, if we listen only to the occasional comments about the Russian stand on GLBTQA issues during the Olympic coverage.  And in that 'alphabet' I've always been an 'A', an ally.    Why?  I'll answer that in another blog someday.  How a little girl of the 50s from a tiny, southwest Indiana town, formulated her passion for the cause.  Another blog day.  This day is to make certain those of you who are interested know of the diversity that is within Russia and 'the rest of the story.'

What I have done in every country to which we have traveled these past 19 years is observe.  Observe and notice someone who seems likely to be in dialog with a pastor and her passion.  While I planned to keep my 'Lakin Promise", there was a day that started with a lecture from a university professor who was to be our guide for the next couple of days--  following his lecture about the history, sociology, and future of his country.  Sitting there and taking notes, I thought--He is the one.  A University professor will have entertained a variety of ideas and challenged others to do the same.  So, following the lecture I asked to speak with him a moment.  "I have a special interest in the rights of men and women in the gay and lesbian community in the United States and like to talk with people from countries to which I  travel about this subject in their country."  His demeanor and tone immediately changed.  Looking more like someone from a James Bond movie, he said:  "There is no tolerance for this in our country.  No acceptance at all."  I said, "We have many in our country who feel the same way.  What I was wondering, though, is what about those of this community who live here.  Must be at least 12% in the gay and lesbian community.  Is that something that stays more 'underground?'  He said, "There are people in this country who would be very angry for you to ask that question.  You see there is no tolerance by anyone in this country for that issue."  I said, "That is amazing.  In our country there are people promoting change.  They invite people to sign petitions and make sure their legislators know their views.  More and more states every year open up to gay marriage"  He said, "There are people in this country who want change.  But there is no tolerance at all in this country."  Truthfully, I was confused.  I wanted to make certain I had not missed something.  I said, "Are you saying there are a lot of people who want to see change, and there is no tolerance in the country for them?  He said, "YES!  THAT  IS WHAT I AM SAYING."  And then we left with the others on our two small busses-- for the first of our days in and around the city and countryside.

          The next day we all got on the bus again.  Our month-long guide (a kind of nanny to us all) said, "I have an unusual  announcement to make.  Usually we have the same guide for both our days here, but this time we are trading guides with the other bus.  I looked at Cal.  It couldn't be because I had talked to him after the lecture yesterday, right?  Onto the bus came a delightful woman, full of life.  She, we were to learn, had a masters in economics and one in business, working with banks during the week and giving these weekend tours on occasions, because it broadened her life so, she said.  I promised all to whom such promises are made, I'd have no 'conversations' that second day.  She seemed at times, though, to speak in my direction and certainly had an inviting personality.  At the end of the day while most were perusing hand-crafted items in a gift shop, she ventured my way.  Yes, I told her of my 'travel interest.'  She was certainly ready to talk.  It was as if she had been waiting for me.  Somehow, someone--maybe God--didn't want me to leave Russia without a glimpse of truth.  She said, "Last year we had our first Diversity week.  Activities were planned each of the seven days.  I was the city's organizer of Friday.  It was to be Library Day.  Only instead of coming to the library and checking out a book, people were invited to come, check out a person.  There was all kinds of diversity available to borrow for the day.  People of different faiths.  We had Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, as well as different versions of Jewish and Christian faiths.  We had people with physical disabilities.  We hardly make any allowances for physical limitations throughout the country.  So, there were people in wheel chairs, those with limbs amputated, people who were deaf or blind.  And we had men and women from the gay and lesbian community, as well.  It was our first year.  It was amazing the eager organization and advertising that was done.  Can I say it was a huge success.  Some might point out many came to watch.  But many came to 'take out' a person, too.  The guide said, 'One person left with someone in a wheel chair who had both legs amputated.  She came back and said, 'I'll never be  the same.  I had always told my children, don't stare or make any comment, and my new friend told me, we want your children's questions.  We are made to feel different when they peak and you whisper to them.  When you introduce your children to us, we can talk and laugh with them and they see we are really whole--with just some challenges.'  Then she went on to say, there was one woman who said, 'I'd like to take out a lesbian, to see what is wrong with her and how she got that way.'  I told her this week was for people who wanted to expand their understanding and enlarge their experience--not for someone who wanted to find more reasons for how they already felt.  I told her she could not take part in the program.  I had another woman I'll never forget.  She said, "I've come to see if there is a gay man who can spend the day with me.  I have not knowingly ever known one.'  I made the introduction, and they left together.  They returned late in the afternoon and she said to me, 'I left with someone I did not know, and I come back to say we are good friends.  We have the same hopes and fears for life.  The same worries.  We have the same dreams for ourselves and those about whom we care. And do we laugh the same.   I 'took out a stranger--and brought back a friend.  It is that we will stay.'  Then, my 'second day guide' said, 'This was the first Week of Diversity.  It was a great success in so many ways.  Not just what happened with the people, but what such a plan says about who we are and where many of us are working to  head. Sadly, as a straight woman, I have had several friends move to another county, for there are many countries now where thankfully they have the same rights as everybody else.  I am sad they have had to leave.  There are many of us intent on this work and all the ways it takes us to make a difference'

Scott Lakin always says he loves to ask both Cal and me about our yearly trips.  He says Cal tells all about history and geography and geology and economics and the vistas he has seen.  Yvonne tells all about the people,  children, dogs and cats-- and all about their healthcare and the real story of the people.  Hearing them, Lakin says, you might think they have gone on two different trips--together.

As far as Russia is concerned, it is right there at the top of the heap in its thousand plus years with historic mass slaughter,  starvation, and the usurping of rights.    That is true.  We have our own such collection of stories in our short years of United States history.  But it is also true that in our quest what we find--all over the world-- is an actual assault of the senses--with differing smells, sights, sounds, taste, and understandings.  In and through it all, though, is truth--and all the ways truth shows up --showing us we really are all different versions of alike.  And like the US, as well, the former Soviet Union will always be finding someone to call the outsider and reasons they are right.  And like the US and everywhere else, there will always be ways people come up with and invite the exit of men and women from this Earth--their Spirit, though,  never exits Universe and Forever.  And our call--is to be some part of shedding our light onto the stairs of others, that they might find the way out of their darkness.  And the very good news is, that opportunity is all around us--and there is always someone casting their light on our own stairs, as well.  Let's keep the shine going!