During Black History Month–and the rest of the year–honor the contributions of African-American LGBTQ people. There are so many people have had a profound impact on the LGBTQ community, from the days of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s and 40s (see, for example, openly gay artist Richard Bruce’s Nugent’s 1947 drawing Jesus and Judas) up to today. Consider including in worship or study poets like Audre Lorde and Essex Hemphill, the political writings of Bayard Rustin, or the many wonderful contemporary resources from our friends at Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for Gay & Transgender Justice.
To learn more about Black LGBTQ religious history, check out some of the many oral histories posted by the LGBT Religious Archives Network: Candy Holmes, Pamela Lightsey, Renee McCoy, Louis Mitchell, and Jonathon Thunderwood. They join a number of other oral histories with African American religious leaders on the site.
Also, mark your calendars, register for, and help us spread the word about CLGS’s upcoming Souls ‘A Fire 7: A Gathering for Black Queer Theology Conference, taking place ONLINE the weekend of 13-14 March 2021. You’ll hear dynamic speakers, learn about cutting-edge scholarship, and enjoy community worship!
With polls showing that, for over a decade now, people of color are more likely to identify as LGBTQ than white people (see this one from Gallop for more info), it is important that we challenge the stereotypes about queer people and share the realities of our diverse and vibrant communities!
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