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Recently, a gathering of Christian leaders took place outside the U.S. Capitol, primarily aimed at expressing opposition to the Trump administration’s executive orders affecting gender identity and advocating for increased support of LGBTQ individuals within their church communities. This discourse within Black denominations has emerged as particularly complex, as highlighted by Adelle Banks of Religion News Service.
The Reverend Anika Wilson-Brown, who leads the Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., emphasized unity among congregations during her address. “We lift up every queer clergy member who has gathered here today, every faith leader who dares to stand and preach love in the face of hate,” she stated. Wilson-Brown called for a collective and unwavering stand against discrimination.
Despite progressive shifts within some churches, there remains a lack of formal endorsement for LGBTQ inclusion among major historically Black denominations. For instance, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church has put restrictions in place regarding same-sex marriages, asserting that “unions of any kind between persons of the same sex or gender are contrary to the will of God,” according to its doctrinal guidelines. Bishop Reginald Jackson of the AME Church commented on the internal divisions present among Black denominations, observing, “Most of the major Black denominations, in terms of its membership, is divided,” which complicates the possibility of reaching a consensus on this matter.
Jason Shelton, a scholar affiliated with the University of Texas at Arlington, noted that the AME Church stands at a pivotal juncture. He argues that in order to rejuvenate connections with LGBTQ youth who have historically engaged with the church, a more welcoming atmosphere must be fostered. “If the AME Church is to be more open and affirming, some of those young people who were AME, who grew up AME and are LGBTQ might be willing to come back,” Shelton remarked, underlining the necessity of initiating that reconciliation.
The organization Pride in the Pews is actively working toward this goal. Founded by Reverend Don Abram, it aims to educate Black church leaders on how to extend a warm welcome to LGBTQ individuals while promoting their rights in broader societal contexts. “As queer and trans siblings are under attack, we’ve gathered simply to say not on our watch,” Abram declared, underscoring the urgency of the movement.
Abram believes that public displays of solidarity, such as the recent Capitol rally, play a crucial role in the liberation of Black LGBTQ individuals, yet he emphasizes that this liberation cannot be fully realized without the support of the Black church.
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