Diversity in the Craft can mean many things. It could mean that we have a diverse ethnic culture of practitioners in the craft. It could mean that we have a diverse offering of Craft "styles". It could mean that we have a diverse culture of sexual preferences too.
I would like to give you a few thoughts on each of these because I feel that diversity in the Craft is the one thing that keeps us together.
Within the practice of Wicca/Witchcraft or any other earth based tradition, you can see a tremendous amount of variations within Craft practices. Beyond the typical variations of pantheons, you find a wide array of differences within each and every pantheon out there. Not only are you a Celtic practitioner, but perhaps you follow a patrilineal path or a matrilineal path. Perhaps you are Celtic but your deities of choice come from northern France rather than the British isles. You get the idea.
It is the same with Craft "styles" too. Perhaps you are part of a coven based tradition with a strong Priest/High Priestess. Maybe you prefer to be part of a smaller group or not even join a group at all and you prefer to practice and learn as a solitaire. Again, there is no right way or wrong way. The Craft is strong enough and flexible enough to accommodate all styles.
One very positive thing about the Craft is that practitioners not only practice different sexual lifestyles but it is highly unusual for any sexual lifestyle to be seen as "unusual" or "unnatural" within the Earth based community. One of the items that one must investigate as they are looking for a community to participate in is to determine if their policies and practices are in line with what their personal values are. Sexual practices within the Craft community is still one of those things, in some groups, that are not fully discussed within their respective groups. Open and honest discussions of Pagan sexuality is an integral part of ones personal practice and in some instances, addressing shadow aspects of themselves. This is also an area that is open to predatory practices by those who only use the Craft to carve notches on their bedpost. Having said all that, there is little doubt that you can find a group that would accept you for who you are and not who you choose to sleep with or have sexual relations with.
One of the things that I enjoy most is the diversity of people within the Pagan community. Not only are we all shapes and sizes but we are truly representative of the communities within which we live and practice. The diversity of our groups encourages us to learn about other people other cultures and practices while at the same time letting us know that even though someone may be Native American, that they are still Bob, the guy who repairs our computers when they break. Having the richness of diversity while still seeing the trees within that forest make us better human beings.
