Gays in the pulpit is a topic I shy away from in public for various reasons. However, gays in gospel music is an intriguing topic for me, in particular, because I so love Christian music of every genre and sub-genre. Sometimes, it’s one of these songs, as I’m driving down the road feeling low or cooking dinner with tears in my eyes, that comes to my mind and lips and revives my spirit, strength and resolve to persevere.
First, let me provide you a brief background, lest you think I’m some new kid on the block with a shallow, skewed perspective and no knowledge of the Word of God. I was born and raised in the church. Because my father was chairman of the deacons and Sunday Sunday superintendent, all of us 11 children were quite active in church activities, from Sunday School to choir to Bible study to ushering to Vacation Bible School. We spent a considerable amount of time in church, and it remains an integral part of my life today. I proudly am a practicing Christian.
I have sung in church and community mass choirs for most of my life and in three different states. I have been a member of some 10 churches in my lifetime and am an avid reader, so, I must admit, I have seen, read and heard it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. In addition — and I feel this is relevant — I have been involved with at least two “down low brothas” that I know of. All I can say about that is they need to get up.
There is no area of society that is not affected by homosexuality, and, as we’re learning more and more each day, that includes the church body, especially in the area of music ministry. I feel that church — ironically, one of the most homophobic institutions that exists — provides a “safe haven” for many homosexuals, whether they are living a lie or not. It is a place where people express their emotions, and men are not as threatened about displaying their more “feminine” sides. In church, men can cry, clap their hands, leap for joy, yelp, hoot and holler and even run with excitement. In many churches, people fellowship, hug and support one another openly, all in an environment that provides a message of acceptance, love, hope and forgiveness.
I could go through the list of confirmed and suspected gays in gospel music, a couple of whom were whispered homosexual legends who allegedly and secretly succumbed to AIDS. Some probably really are; others may be victims of what are similar to witch hunts.
Nevertheless, the question becomes do I care if the gospel songs that I like are sung by gays. First, I am not a fly on the walls of gospel artists, and, personally, I don’t have the time nor the energy to research, investigate or speculate about the mouthpiece of every gospel song that I like. One of my favorite contemporary gospel songs from a few years back was “Lord, Make Me Over” by Tonex, who now has come out and performs in drag. Do I dislike the song now? No, if I were to hear it today, it would still bring tears to my eyes and cause me to lift my hands in praise.
I feel about this question much like I do when I pass a $5 bill to a homeless person. People say, “Don’t you care that they might use that money for drugs or alcohol?” I always reply, “I don’t know what they are going to do with it. I just know that I have to give.” Likewise, with gospel music, I just know that I need to worship and praise my God through music and song.
As reported on the GCM Watch blog, openly gay Bishop Yvette Flunder of San Francisco said at a conference in Atlanta that if all of the gays in the church were taken out, the church wouldn’t have any music. Laughing, she added that the church would be left with maybe one or two songs that nobody wants to sing. I don’t know about all that, but she speaks some truth, to a degree. For generations, there probably have been more gays in gospel music than we could imagine. Many of their songs were or still are church favorites and nearly anthems or classics.
As one co-worker said during a heated discussion about some work issues, “Hey, don’t kill the messenger! I’m just the messenger!” And to me, that’s what gospel artists, straight or gay, are — just messengers. No matter what their motives or sexuality, I’m into the message because that’s all that I’m privy to. They don’t know how blessed I am by their songs, and I don’t know what they do … behind closed doors. –arnell pharr
