Naming the Rainbow - posted July 1, 2015

The United States of America Court of Appeals has finally ceased the battle about same sex marriage, rewarding the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community their desired right (visit Rappler.com/SC legalizes gay marriage throughout US). The news did not only affect the people of US, it also gained different responses from different countries. While others raise their brows, those who rejoices did not only click their goblets for wine but rather send different colors as celebration.

Rainbow flag has been raised by the said community symbolizing their shout for equality. As these different colors represent different genders, they also welcome different sexes. With this, flags are not just raised, colors illuminates the White House, colorful sidewalk is made in Seattle; waters in some fountains are also bursting in colors, and many more industries who proudly support  the celebration. Other cultures also participated including the Philippines through fun walks emphasizing their rainbow banners and outfits.

Opinions, reactions, and even debates inevitably arouse in this movement. Religion is not an exception.  In fact, the issue has a divisive effect to Christians. Media has spotted a group of Christian brothers with banners that states their apology, respect, and welcome for the LGBTs, who, on the other hand, hugged them back. The Vatican, though cleared out that they accept gay people, has been silent withe the Supreme Court’s decision. While some religious group run their fight by emphasizing man and woman marriage only.

As this issue continually grow, social media has a great contribution. In Facebook, aside from people can freely status their positions, they can participate the celebration by changing their display picture into rainbow color. It could have been a good idea of estimating parties perhaps promoting individual decision if not only for those who changed without prior knowledge to the issue and to simply fit in.

Rainbow has always been special for us human beings. Rainbow after the rain symbolizes hope; organization of different colors symbolizes aesthetic in art; chaos in colors may even categorize as abstract; a student who receives grades with flying colors equalizes achievement; for the believers, rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant; and for the LGBT community and those who supports them, this is their call for equal rights.

As for me, I cannot just shrug this issue off and plainly be a mediocre. As a devout Catholic, I believe in the sanctity of marriage as long as love is authentic but then having this hold is not enough. God’s commandment is also telling us to love our neighbor and guaranteeing my love and respect for the LGBTs seem to be not enough. They have feelings, yes. They have the right to be happy, yes. My side here would then be, let alone the law do its part and the church, with conviction, do their’s. Talking about the after effects, whether the society will benefit or not, I’m just praying that having this new law would not be taken into abuse as what many of us feared.  Lastly, let’s just hope the community will take this rainbow with great importance that they will not allow darkness to eat each colors.