A sermon of acclaimed gospel singer and pastor Kim Burrell recently surfaced via Facebook. In the video, Burrell refers to individuals who identify as LGBT as perverts, and goes on to say that “those wrestling with [the] homosexual spirit will die next year.” This rhetoric troubles me and highlights one of the many issues with the black church. Instead of using her platform to spotlight issues that are plaguing our community, Burrell took the path of least resistance.
Gay bashing in the black church is not new. I have attended church for almost 30 years and cringe every time this happens. I find myself in shock whenever preachers condemn the LGBT community, because during slavery and The Civil Rights Movement, sermons laced with hate speech were used to oppress blacks, and this tactic is still being used today to marginalize gays. Pot see kettle? The problem with this is that so much of black culture is intertwined with the black church, making it difficult for many to separate from this way of thinking.
Hate speech is one of the many reasons why members of the LGBT community are more likely to commit suicide, be bullied and/or turn away from religion altogether. I struggled with my own identity and hated myself during adolescence because I thought that I was doomed to hell because of my sexuality. It was not until I began developing a personal relationship with God during college, that I found out that a lot of what I had learned in church was simply not true. Today I attend a Mount Ennon Baptist Church, in Clinton, Maryland, where the doors are open to all people and, and the pastor has been at the forefront fighting for marriage equality.
All hope is not lost for black churches who are not as accepting, here’s what you can do:
1) Turn away from your archaic views and open the doors to the LGBT community.
Jesus rolled with all kinds of people including prostitutes, murders, liars, sick, poor, and other marginalized groups. What better way to be like Jesus than to open your doors to all people no matter their sexual preference.
2) Focus on the issues that plague our community.
For example, heart disease is the number one cause of death for African Americans. According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly 44 percent of African American men and 48 percent of African-American women have some form of heart disease. One way to have life more abundantly is through programs emphasizing the importance of proper diet and exercise.
3) Take a long hard look in the mirror.
Each member of the black church must take a long hard look at themselves and remember that none of us are perfect, and we are all on a journey called life. Remember the purpose of the church is to unify, not divide.
Black churches have a huge opportunity to rebuild their relationship with the gay community. If you find yourself wondering what Jesus would do, see John: 13:34.
Bradley Cannon is a writer with a passion for equality. He is a graduate of American University’s Strategic Communication M.A. program. He has previously work in advertising at The Washington Post and The Chronicle of Higher education. His work has been featured on JetMag.com and Blavity.com. You can follow him on Twitter @BradAsCanBe
