Arnold Zwicky's Blog

In recognition of President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, this image from the United Church of Christ:

Two things: the slogan “God is still speaking”; and the rainbow comma. (You might have thought it was a single close-quotation mark, but it’s supposed to be a comma.)

(Hat tip to Ben Zimmer.)

The slogan is for the Stillspeaking Ministry, explained here:

In 2004, it was concluded that there was a present and real need for genuine welcome, openness and acceptance for all within the church. The UCC responded to this call of extravagant welcome and radical hospitality with a new branding campaign to proclaim to the world that anyone could find a home in the United Church of Christ.

(Note “extravagant welcome” and “radical hospitality”.)

Then the comma:

In the United Church of Christ, God IS Still Speaking, and we show that with a comma (Never put a period where God has put a comma. – Gracie Allen). (link)

And, from the same site, the rainbow version of the comma:

The Rainbow Comma also celebrates our LGBT sisters and brothers. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome in the UCC.

… Saying a setting of the UCC (a local church, campus ministry etc.) is “Open and Affirming” means that it has publicly and specifically declared that those of all “sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions” (or “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender” people) are welcome in its full life and ministry (e.g. membership, leadership, employment, etc.) It bespeaks a spirit of hospitality and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways.

The comma is available in pewter pendants, etc., and the rainbow comma in many forms. Here the rainbow comma is fused with the “God is still speaking” slogan:

On the rainbow as a gay symbol, on this blog:

Gay flags, 8/6/10: link

Return to rainbow flagwear, 8/21/10: link

Rainbow bull, 4/29/11: link

NY logos, 6/25/11: link

Cultural celebrations, 6/26/11: link

It’s heartening to see churches welcoming — even extravagantly welcoming — lgbt people and supporting them, in light of the enormous outpouring of venom from prominent religious figures following Obama’s affirmation of same-sex marriage, based on two of their deepest beliefs: that marriage is the province of the churches, not the state; and that homosexuality is against God’s law.

This entry was posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:14 am and is filed under Gender and sexuality, Signs and symbols. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.