25 Jun 05
 The following editorial is an excerpt adapted from the book Black, Gay & Christian: An Inspirational Guidebook to Daily Living, to be published in next month.
Herndon L. Davis 

Sadly, it's a trend. Last night's State of the Union address included President George W. Bush speaking out against the perceived threat of homosexual love. And last year saw several high profile black ministers jumping aboard the "Christian" gay-bashing train to heaven by joining their white clergy counterparts in stepping in front of the cable TV cameras waving their bibles and screaming scriptures from Romans and Leviticus. They vehemently affirmed heterosexuality while proclaiming that black manhood and the black community as a whole are facing a genocidal threat from the unconscionable, non-Afrocentric ill winds of homosexuality. 
Many of us, myself included, have grimaced and endured fiery homophobic sermons, nervously breathing as our fellow congregants stood to their feet in overzealous applause, proudly beaming with joy, and reveling in their heterosexuality as the preacher rabidly yelled through the pulpit microphone "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve"; this the salient rallying cry for approved Christian hatred, bigotry, and discrimination. 

As we enter 2004, our silent response will no longer pass muster. Today we live in a world too complex and ever-changing for us to remain silent in the Black Church. It's time to speak out concerning our experiences and spiritual walk with God as black gay Christians. Too much progress has been made in the arena of gay rights and mainstream inclusion to allow the Black Church to somehow slip through the cracks of social progress and change. Now's the time to begin to individually and collectively stand up to the Black Church. 

This won't be easy. On top of being notoriously fundamental concerning its scripture, the Black Church heaps an extra helping of cultural/ethnic shame upon the gay community. 

With racism still energetically and widely in existence, along with a myriad of other social issues facing the black community, the mere thought of black people tip-toeing their way through the swishy waters of homosexuality is enough to motivate some congregants to hurl their bibles at the nearest suspected "threat" to the black community. 

But we must withstand and endure, much like we withstood and endured as a race during the civil rights struggle of the 1960s. We need a plan of action and very brave soldiers to march into battle. For those seriously up to the task, the following are six crucial steps we must take in standing up against the Black Church. 

1. Remember that the inclusion strategy used at Mt. Liberal White Methodist Church across town probably will not fly at Greater Conservative Black Baptist Church in downtown. Get to know your congregation, pastor/bishop etc. It helps to know the political dynamics of your church before initiating a dialogue. 

2. As a collective group of gay (and gay-supportive) parishioners, peacefully speak directly to your pastor/bishop/ministry staff about your concerns. Believe it or not, a calm, intelligent, and articulate conversation about the issue is far more effective than a fire and brimstone debate over homosexuality and its inclusion in the church. Remember Proverbs 15:1: "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." 

3. If you cannot find other gay church members to join you in your mission, then you must summon up the courage to go at it alone. Be fully prepared to be outed and even preached against by name. No one ever likes being the first pioneer on this journey, but it must be done. We must recognize that our efforts are not just about us, but about the many generations to follow. There comes a point in life where we must stand, walk and eventually run our faith. 

4. During your dialogue with your church clergy, do not debate scripture or the interpretation of scripture! Provide them with literature from your local gay bookstore that speaks to this issue, if you like, but you should speak to your own personal experience, path, and growth with God as a black gay individual. Also, speak to how you are no different in your beliefs, understanding and spiritual walk, and that your personhood in part is a reflection of your sexual orientation. 

5. Recruit heterosexuals in your church in order to broaden your base of support. It may seem like an impossible task, but think again. There are too many gay folks in the Black Church, along with their family members and friends, for straight people to avoid taking a stand for what's right. We cannot make the mistake of automatically assuming that absolutely no one in the straight black community will join us in our quest. 

6. Continue to pray and have lots of patience. Follow up with your pastor/bishop to continue the dialogue. Time and prayer can work wonders on the stoniest of hearts. God can do the impossible, and we must have faith that he will indeed move the mountain of homophobia within the Black Church.


First published: January 22, 2004 

About the Author
Herndon L. Davis is an inspirational speaker and author of the book Black, Gay & Christian: An Inspirational Guidebook to Daily Living, which is scheduled for release in early 2004. He can be reached directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it