Photos from Rainbow Sash Event
at the Cathedral of St. Paul
on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005


Sash-wearers, along with a few media folks gather at the southeast entrance to the Cathedral.

Joe Schmidt (in red shirt) responds to questions from a reporter as other
sash-wearers prepare to enter the Cathedral for the Noon Liturgy.

Many rainbow sashes are visible on the backs of those entering the Cathedral
as they sing "We Shall Overcome."

Brian McNeill, Organizer of the Rainbow Sash Alliance USA, thanks and commends the participants as they assemble after the liturgy
for a group picture on the front steps of the Cathedral. He reminds them that their group of 130+ was a record for any Rainbow Sash event to date.

The group of 130+ Rainbow Sash-wearers after the Noon liturgy on Pentecost Sunday, 2005. Almost all of them chose not to honor Archbishop Flynn's request to remove their sashes before approaching the Eucharistic ministers. Instead the group wore their sashes, were given a blessing instead of the Eucharist, and returned silently to their pews, continuing to hold out their empty upturned palms. The group then stood in silence, continuing to show their empty outstretched hands -- as others who had received the Eucharist either knelt or sat -- until the rest of the congregation stood up for the closing prayers and recessional hymn.


Close-up Shots of Sash-Wearers on the Front Steps of the Cathedral
As they sang "We Shall Overcome," standing at the front of the group (l-r) were: Char Madigan, CSJ; Doug Hughes, convener of the local Soulforce chapter; Brian McNeill, organizer of the Rainbow Sash Alliance USA, and Mary Beckfeld, mother of a gay son and CPCSM Board member.

Among those identifiable in this close-up are (center of photo) Bill Kummer, CPCSM Cofounder and Board Member, and (upper right corner) Michael Peller, a member of Dignity/Twin Cities.

Paul Fleege, CPCSM Treasurer (upper left corner), is among the sash-wearers identifiable in this photo.


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