Rector Regina Laba Walton of Grace Episcopal Church in Newton, MA at Pride.
Wonderful.
What works about this is that head-to-toe, Regina is outfitted for fun, BUT CONTROLLED, gaiety.
She did not just slap on a bunch of wacky prints and a rainbow boa and go out there. For all the color and flair, she is dressed very neatly and looks like a priest who supports the GLBTQ community, not like a sloppy eccentric in clericals.
PeaceBang is SO VERY TIRED UNTO THE DEPTHS OF HER BEING by ministers who think that dressing like unruly maniacs is a radical statement about authenticity. No, it ain’t. Choose one or two accessories: the big sunglasses, the pop of bright lipstick are all you need. You do not need the big floppy hat, the fire engine red lips, the huge cat eye sunglasses, the huge canary yellow bag AND the purple tights. That’s not a statement, that’s a desperate cry for attention. It always makes me want to draw that person aside and ask them about the love they didn’t get in their childhood. Don’t be a living, breathing, shrieking plea for center stage.
The last time I saw a photo of a minister dressed that way, I thought to myself, “I bet that girl grew up very, very rich.” And I was right. Wackadoodle, “LOOK AT ME AIN’T I THE LIFE OF THE PARTY” attire is often an expression of privilege and entitlement.
Or it could just be garden variety bad taste and inability to edit one’s outfit.
Don’t let that be you!
Notice details: Regina is a petite person, so she chooses patterns that are appropriate to her proportions. The small poka dots, the slim cut pants.
She’s got a lot of movement going on with the boa so she very wisely styles her hair neatly and holds it away from her face and safe from the wind with a barrette.
The parasol is terrific. The smile is welcoming and beautiful and matches the message on the sign.
Betcha ten bucks she was even wearing a good sunscreen!
Behold the delightful, wholly appropriate get-up. Brava, ma’am. Thank you for your presence and your participation. God Loves Everyone.
I have just come from an interfaith vigil in my city. It seems wrong to snark at such a time, so all I will say is that you haven’t worked yourself out of a consultancy job yet, PeaceBang–there are still many who have not heard the BTFM news. I will say that every Episcopal cleric in the crowd was in clericals and at least business-casual attire: skirts or pressed slacks, some sport coats.
[Vigilance. – PB]