Jen Hibben

In the midst of grief and returning from a long trip to Costa Rica, I’m not sure I have much more to say other than the names, faces and lives of more beloved qu**rs have entered my life since last year and have continued to show me grace, love, justice and resilience.

From a few years ago:

Most years for pride I want to make sure that I affirm that I don’t believe q***r folx are in conflict with Christianity, that I love, accept and honor them as a pastor.

But I’m kind of tired that. Not because it isn’t true, but because it’s not enough. That power dynamic is still off. The real things I want to say during pride month (which I hope I live and embody the whole year) are:

THANK YOU q***r siblings for accepting me
THANK YOU q***r siblings for showing a clearer picture of the kin-dom of God.
THANK YOU for not giving up and continuing to give me and others your time, attention and acceptance even though you owe us nothing.
THANK YOU for showing me what q***r joy looks like and sharing it so freely.
THANK YOU for showing us what solidarity, intersectionality, mutual aid and chosen family are.
THANK YOU for showing me clearer picture of what I understand as the gospel.
THANK YOU for helping me become a better pastor, mother, spouse, colleague, community member, human.

Q***r folx are a gift. If you need my affirmation, love, acceptance, solidarity: you have it. But I hope you know that you reflect the image of God in the most beautiful ways and I am indebted to you. 💜

Very privileged to be able to take the day to protest at the capitol.
Grateful for these students who came along and made a contingency plan if I got arrested.
Grateful to stand with people like Alejandro and Anna and Bishop Betsy in the face of hateful counter protesters.
Deeply saddened that this legislation even exists and that horrible legislators aren’t hesitant to pass it.
Deeply embarrassed to be a part of this state I once took pride in. But so proud to stand among the Iowans who showed up today.
But not deterred, not giving up, not going to stop showing up. (And I hope I see the clergy who came out today continue to come out in such numbers)