Black homophobic pastors normalize intolerance in black communities. Black homophobic pastors standardize bigotry in black communities. Black homophobic pastors sanctify hate in the name of religion. These pastors are misogynists. They live the homophobic lifestyle, a lifestyle that brings with it the spread of hate, pain, and oppression.
Children are polluted with words of bigotry and hate. Often they hear these negative words come out of religious institutions.
Men, even men who have sex with other men, are pressured by white zealots and their black preachers to join in the hatred of lesbians, gays, and women. Often the pressure is strongest and most organized within religious institutions.
Women are bullied by men to hate themselves and each other or risk being ostracized as lesbians. Often the most powerful bullies represent religious institutions.
Meanwhile, our children come out of schools unable to read. Our old people wonder how they will pay for food and medication. Our families are headed mostly by single women and they scrape to get by. Our neighborhoods are striped of their historical value in the name of gentrification.
Maybe we should start to be tolerant of each other and intolerant of threats to our harmony, equality, and safety. With this as our commitment, we could actually start following the teachings of Jesus when he tells us that unless we become like children, we will be denied the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:2-4).
Perhaps we should stop following those who spread ignorance and misinformation about the ‘gay lifestyle’ all while they pollute children and destroy families through their homophobic lifestyles. With this as our commitment, we could finally hear Jesus when he tells us that those who pollute children should be ‘drowned in the depths of the sea’ (Matthew18:6-7).
Maybe we should stop waiting for the word to come down from a male dominated pulpit and start remembering that women were the first to know that Jesus had risen (Mark 16:4-6; John 20:1; Luke 24:1-8; Matthew 28:1-6 ). Women were the first to recognize Jesus as Savior (Mark 16:9; Matthew 28:9; John 20:16). Women were the first to preach the Word as Christians (Luke 24:10; John 20:17-18).
Black homophobic preachers stand against everything and everyone that Jesus died for.
These are unprecedented times and they call for unprecedented actions. Now is the time for black people and our allies to look for new leadership. Listen to different words.
On Monday, November 13th at 6:30pm our community will have an open conversation about the pain and disconnect caused by days of terror.
Chicago: Monday, November 13 (6:30 to 10:00pm)
75 East Wacker Drive—Bella Bacino’s (located in Club Quarters Hotel. Between Michigan & Wabash. Near the Michigan Avenue bridge).
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