Black and gay in the church
Uganda’s LGBTQ Church Is an Act of Faith
A revelation
In Uganda, homosexuality is outlawed and anti-gay violence is a serious problem, in part because of hateful rhetoric spread by religious leaders. Now, an LGBTQ-led church is defying the threats, providing a protected, joyful place to worship for Uganda’s Christian sexual minorities.
Formed near Kampala in 2019 by Pastor Ram Gava, a gay guy, Adonai Ministries has over 40 members who appear services physically, and dozens more who attend virtually. Its existence speaks to the dilemma of Uganda’s gay Christian community, which is deeply devout depsite the fact that the church is their leader antagonist. “In this gathering, you get confidence, your self-esteem is boosted, and you start being yourself,” said one congregant.
In Uganda, the need for such a space is particularly acute. But Black LGBTQ churches exist all over the world, not just in Uganda as Minority Africa reports. In London, House of Rainbow CIC, a fellowship for Dark LGBTQ Christians, carves out a space for those who feel rejected by other Black churches. “A lot of pastors, priests, or theologians do not understand human sexuality,” said its reverend. “The
'God loves you': Black, homosexual faith leaders find frequent ground in experiences of racism, homophobia
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sandra Lawson, Wanda Floyd and Paully Adams each have different religious views, but the trio initiate joy in sharing intersectional identities as Black faith leaders in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Lawson, a rabbi, Floyd, a reverend, and Adams, a pastor, recently met for the first period earlier this year to discuss their experiences.
"I'm just so happy to be around Black people," Lawson joked.
"To be with Jet queer clergy -- we may not share our theology, but we distribute our experiences being in this country, in this society," she added.
Despite their similarities, each had distinct relationships with religion in their early life and unique connections to their communities now.
Floyd, the online pastor for St. John's Metropolitan Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, said she grew up going to an affirming Baptist church in a minor town.
"The pastor talked about God being of love," Floyd sa
This post was originally published on Fresh York Amsterdam News
By Jimmie Briggs
Last May, two successive gatherings occurred in the neighboring African nations of Uganda and Kenya less than 24 hours apart. Despite being geographically distinct, their respective attendees held disturbingly coordinated agendas: to promote policy, legislation, and cultural practices intended to curb the visibility and rights of LGBTQIA+ Africans.
In Uganda, the first Pan African Family Values Conference was held from May 9–11, while the subsequent one in Kenya, the second Pan African Family Values Conference, took place from May 12–17. Delegates came from throughout the African continent and the global West, including donors, faith-based leaders, ngo representatives, and government officials from Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, and the Gambia, among scores of others.
These two events depict a growing and existential threat to Africans who self-identify as queer on a continent where 31 of 54 nations legalize varying forms of oppressive restrictions on organism openly so.
At the forefront of the movement of African and Black American faith leaders to counter the tries of the
Holler If You Notice Me: Black and Gay in the Church
Holler If You Hear Me: Ebony and Gay in the Church puts the narrative in the hands of Black LGBT people who are struggling with the intersections of sexuality, faith and race. The stories in... Interpret allHoller If You Hear Me: Jet and Gay in the Church puts the narrative in the hands of Black LGBT people who are struggling with the intersections of sexuality, faith and race. The stories in the documentary are varied, passionate and inspiring. Clay Cane, who created and produced... Read allHoller If You Hear Me: Black and Queer in the Church puts the narrative in the hands of Black LGBT people who are struggling with the intersections of sexuality, faith and race. The stories in the documentary are varied, passionate and inspiring. Clay Cane, who created and produced the motion picture, traveled to Atlanta, where church and LGBT culture cross paths like nowhere els... Read all
See production info at IMDbPro
Religion and Coming Out Issues for African Americans
The church has traditionally informed, influenced and guided the day-to-day lives of many African Americans. "The black church is not just a place of spirituality and enlightenment, but a place of empowerment for African Americans," says David Neale, founder of Black Lavender Resources, a consulting firm specializing in diversity within the Queer community.
Bishop Kwabena Rainey Cheeks, of Inner Light Ministries in Washington, D.C., agrees. "Spirituality is almost unfeasible to separate from inky life," says Cheeks. "The church is a stabilizing force and a place to connect not just to God but to community, as well."
Yet some in those churches possess been unwelcoming to people with a different sexual orientation or gender identity.
"The black church, the oldest institution and pillar of the black community, has historically dictated the community's stance on homosexuality — either you don't discuss about it, or you condemn it," says reporter and blogger Lynn d Johnson. It is daunting to come out only to face the anxiety and misunderstanding of world in general, but many LGBTQ+ African Americans must face that same ignorance