On Friday, Oct. 11 ( National Coming Out Day ), Many Voices released the first of six videos featuring the personal stories of African American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) people who came of age in Black churches. The web campaign features lay people as well as high-profile clergy like out, lesbian Bishop Tonyia Rawls of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement and out, transgender faith advocate Rev. Brendan Boone of Metropolitan Community Church.
"The time is now for the Black Church to fully embrace our tradition of calling for freedom, liberation and justice for all of God's children — especially for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family and friends," said retired United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, an outspoken partner in the work of Many Voices.
The Many Voices videos were created to engage church leaders and LGBTQ people about fostering a movement for gay and transgender justice in Black churches. Each interview captures a range of experiences that include Rev. Boone, who grew up as a male-identified lesbian and later transitioned to become a man, and who only recalls experiencing supportive affirmations in his home church, to Jermaine Lee, a community leader who grew up in a condemning Pentecostal setting that ultimately led him to "break up" with God until he was able to affirm his own worth.
A new video will launch every week until just prior to Transgender Day of Remembrance ( November 20 ). The interviewees include:
- Bishop Tonyia Rawls - Founding Pastor, Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte ( Charlotte, NC );
- Jermaine Lee - Executive Director, PowerHouse Project ( Charlotte, NC );
- Ai Elo - Writer and youth advocate ( Charlotte, NC );
- Julia Wallace - Co-Founder of the Mobile Homecoming Project ( Durham, NC );
- A'Omaré Kyyam - Activist and poet ( Chapel Hill, NC );
- Reverend Brendan Boone - Transgender Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church Raleigh ( Raleigh, NC ).
All interviewees are based in North Carolina. Detailed descriptions of their personal stories may be found onwww.manyvoices.org/video-campaign-launch .
"Generally speaking, Black gay and transgender ( LGBTQ ) Christians in North Carolina, and in the country at large, desire to worship in safe and affirming faith communities, and to enjoy the same protections in all areas of life—employment, housing, health care, and more. North Carolina presents a great opportunity for organizing because of the substantial presence of Black same-gender loving people in the major cities; a pre-existing network of dynamic community-based organizations; and the strong sense of connection between families, churches, and communities," said Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Co-Director for Many Voices. Rev. Harmon adds: "The truths of the personal testimonies represented in the Many Voices Video Campaign are hard to deny. I pray we hear the message and eagerly engage in efforts to eliminate the inequalities and injustices affecting the lives and aspirations of so many."
In addition to being distributed through social media, press, and community collaborators, Many Voices will share the videos with those who want to move the Black church toward gay and transgender justice, but who lack the resources or the personal relationships to do so. Many Voices offers training, resources, and relationship-building opportunities for interested church leaders and Black LGBTQ people.
The Many Voices Visibility Campaign was funded in part by the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Foundation and The Aquila Fund of RSF Social Finance, and was created by Katina Parker, a filmmaker and PR specialist. The music was composed and performed by Laila Nur.
To follow Many Voices visit:
www.youtube.com/manyvoicesorg
www.vimeo.com/manyvoicesorg
www.facebook.com/manyvoicesorg
www.twitter.com/manyvoicesorg
www.pinterest.com/manyvoicesorg
manyvoicesorg.tumblr.com
Many Voices is a non-profit whose mission is to fostera Black Church movement for gay and transgender justice.
