Desert Notes September 4, 2025

Over the last year I’ve become a WNBA fan, following the Mercury here in Phoenix (X Factor!) and attending games with my family and various friends and even UU colleagues.  It came as a surprise to me how much we all fell in love with our team and with being at games. It’s hard to describe what makes this such an amazing experience, but let me try.  Mercury games are a different spectator/fan experience than anything I’ve ever participated in. It’s a woman of color, queer-centered space. It’s also a family space–lots of people bring kids of all ages. From the DJ, to the host, to the hip-hop squad, the atmosphere is boisterous, warm, and collaborative. Even the team and player rivalries have a different flavor. Last night we witnessed a proposal! (between two women).  The entire orientation of the experience is in contrast to the heteronormative + white culture of so many other spaces I occupy. Guess what? It’s super inviting to belong in this space. Rather than feeling like an outsider, I feel invited to be the most authentic version of myself.  

Sometimes when we talk about doing the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression I think we are imagining something like rock climbing–exhausting, difficult, dangerous work that we need special training and skills to engage. What if the work was more like going to a WNBA game?–fun, exhilarating, frustrating, empowering, and transformative? Plus, you get to meet new and interesting people and dance spontaneously? I’m not suggesting the danger, difficulty, and exhaustion aren’t also there, or that we don’t need to learn new skills. I am suggesting there is also joy and connection and something worth fighting for, together. You may find you are learning from new voices and perspectives, or that you have a voice or perspective we need in order to do this work together. 

–Rev. Sarah