Category Archives: Blog

Find fresh ideas, enriching experiences, inspiring stories and provocative questions here. Comment freely and advance the dialogue leading to new steps toward hospitality and welcome.

My journey began with one small step

For over 30 years of going to my workplace and being fearful that my sexual orientation would be found out, I never dreamed I would be standing in the Oval Office with the President speaking with him about LGBT Rights. …

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Black Lives Matter to the Black Church

When I came home from college for winter break I noticed a flyer on my church’s Facebook page that said December 14th was designated as “Black Lives Matter” Sunday. It was a couple weeks after the Grand Jury decision to not …

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God’s will is killing black people: Rethinking antiquated theologies

In the dust of the streets lie the young and the old; my young women and my young men have fallen by the sword; you have killed them in the day of your anger, slaughtering without a pity. Lamentations 2:21 …

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Leading by Example

Rev. Reggie Longcrier appears in the Many Voices Video Campaign, a visibility platform that illuminates the powerful presence of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians and allies within the Black church. Watch and share the videos here. It took …

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Addressing injustices everywhere they are found

Eric Garner’s death at the hands of a policeman was alone distressing, sad, unsettling, and painful–even more haunting is to see the video of it happening. The Grand Jury decision not to indict the policeman inflamed an already raw and unhealed …

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When I spoke out, support poured out

Rev. Dr. Terence Leathers appears in the Many Voices Video Campaign, a visibility platform that illuminates the powerful presence of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians and allies within the Black church. Watch and share his video here. When …

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Southern Clergy Voices Signal a Shift throughout the Black Community

  For many, the very idea of an African American pastor or clergy person publicly embracing LGBT equality is unimaginable. You know the story; the Black Church is conservative and homophobic. That story is shifting. While the larger society has …

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Things I thought I would never say: An open letter to COGIC

My dear Church of God in Christ, I am about to take a risk and say some things that I more or less thought I would never say. I have concluded that it is time. I am approaching my 60th …

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Reflecting on Black Sexualities, Black Religiosity, & Black Lives in Anti-Black Times

These reflections were first shared on October 20, 2014 at the Columbia University conference, “Are the Gods Afraid of Black Sexuality? Religion and the Burdens of Black Sexual Politics,” and published in TheFeministWire.com Seventy-three days ago, Mike Brown, Jr., an …

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Posted in Blog, Bullying/violence, Community questions, Gender, Sexual orientation, Theology, Transgender, Youth and young adult | Comments Off on Reflecting on Black Sexualities, Black Religiosity, & Black Lives in Anti-Black Times

Having the conversation, even when you’re not sure how

Rev. Dr. Terence Leathers appears in the Many Voices Video Campaign, a visibility platform that illuminates the powerful presence of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians and allies within the Black church. Watch and share his video here. As …

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Posted in Blog, Church leaders, Congregational life, Gay/lesbian, Hospitality, Opening to change, Straight allies, Theology, Transgender, Youth and young adult | Comments Off on Having the conversation, even when you’re not sure how