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By J. MATTHEW COBB Many are calling it the church's secret taboo. And while there have been strides in making the topic of homosexuality a comfortable conversation piece in sermons, debates, regular chit-chat and panel discussions across various communication lines, the eerie feelings and emotions continue to silence generations of those who are well familiar of the social occurrence. The success of "Brokeback Mountain", a recent motion picture depicting the secret lives of two young gay cowboys which received multiple awards and nominations from the Golden Globe and Oscars, may have shocked a few conservative circles, but these storylines are no match for what happens in Christian circles. Yet the church refuses to portray any hypocrisies to outsiders and have been even more successful in silencing the rampaging stories and the frightening lies of the discreet Christian. Just recently, the National Broadcasting Network (NBC) decided to pull the plug on "The Book of Daniel"; one of their newer television dramas. The storyline focused on a Episcopal minister whom lived a life of hidden secrets along with his dysfunctional family and church members. Battles of drug usage, promiscuity, and homosexuality were featured on all of the episodes. Viewers didn't buy the new drama - sending the show down the drain and never to return to the little screen. But the big fuss came from conservative Christian groups like Focus On The Family whom decided to boycott the show and showed great anguish towards the show's easiness on homosexuality. While Focus On The Family and other conservative groups may have a hard time realizing the current conditions of the public's acceptance on the controversial issue, they may want to take a good look at the gospel music community - if they have not already.
Even though the paths of gospel and secular have seemed to merge throughout the years and the public's exposure on homosexuality continues to increase, it is a tough task to point out information on individuals engaged in same-sex lifestyles comfortably finding a career in the gospel music industry, even though it does exist. Of course, not much is written about such patterns, but what can be learned using extensive investigation from various reliable sources is this is very much a part of the gospel community. Now why say gospel music - why not say Contemporary Christian? Many listeners can easily tell apart the differences of both sounds of music. Gospel music, labeled by music historians, is an American form of music birthed out of the African-American Protestant Christian doctrine and encompasses the influences of blues and jazz during the 1920s. The styles of R&B and soul, which were also birth out of the early African-American musical genealogy, were later incorporated into gospel music. Contemporary Christian is easily the mainstream Christian answer to pop music; which is easily considered to be a product of white America. And while both music communities may have their share of troubles in dealing with the sensitive subject of homosexuality, it is probably understood, from a world's point of view, that the gay community embraces gospel music far more than CCM. The proof rests in these important factors: 1) Disco music, a popular genre directly focused on heavy instrumentation and sophisticated rhythm patterns of funk and soul, was birthed during the mid-1970s. The style was a favorite with ethnic minorities and the gay community. According to disco diva Gloria Gaynor in the DVD documentary, "Disco: Spinning The Story", she claims that "gays were better dancers" and "rushed towards the black music." During its zenith, disco pulled in a larger white audience and helped to heal racial barriers and other social separations. Gospel music contains the same foundations of soul, funk, R&B and even the multicultural standards of disco music; making it easier to adapt for the GLBT community. 2) Gospel music is a genre to extensive to tame and is more performance-oriented than CCM; also another factor for the GLBT community to better embrace the dynamics of gospel music. 3) Historical traces can easily trace gospel music being serious winners in gay discotheques, clubs and dance halls. The Clark Sisters' "You Brought The Sunshine" was a #1 hit on the Billboard Club/Dance charts, while recent celebrities in gospel music including Vernessa Mitchell, Kenny Bobbien, Sounds of Blackness, Ricky Dillard, Ann Nesby, Donald Lawrence and Mary Mary have awarded the music genre of House (a product of disco music) with remixes of their hits. Important data further concludes DJ Frankie Knuckles, celebrated creator of house music, also playing several gospel-oriented records at the Warehouse in Chicago. 4) Many gospel superheroes have gay audiences and followings. Rev. James Cleveland, labeled as the King of Gospel, was seriously stricken with scandal after his death when rumors of AIDS surrounded the reasons of his death and the controversial statements from Christopher Harris, a former member of Cleveland's church, began to question the truth regarding his discreet lifestyle. This buzz remains a gospel taboo. Harris was bold to claim that the sources of Cleveland's death were not because of heart failure. Harris is living with the HIV virus; according to the 1994 article "And The Choir Sings On"; a virus he claims he contracted from Cleveland. Many Cleveland supporters attempt to refute these claims, but it is further documented in the latest gospel resource publication, "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia"; written by industry mogul Bill Carpenter. While it is known that members of the GLBT community supported gospel artists even before the passing of the Rev. James Cleveland, the percentage of gay followings continues to escalate as the gospel genre gains greater grounds of popularity. While the gospel music community has remained quiet on the sensitive subject, with fear of being labeled and avoiding serious backlash from conservative groups, it is important to stress that no particular industry expresses their personal ideals on morals or principles. There should be an understanding that their focus of work should be on marketing and manufacturing products from their artists. Yet the ministry of gospel music (church choirs, praise teams, community choirs, conference groups, etc.) should not be neglected in the process. With a burden of ministry at heart, music ministries that carry the gospel music mantle are qualified to deal with sensitive subjects. Amazingly, the issue of homosexuality is one that has been avoided with great resistance - even from a ministry standpoint. Recently, the Black Church Summit, a three-day black church conference held in Atlanta, was organized by the National Black Justice Coalition. The Coalition has been strongly vocal with their quest to promote their brand of civil rights upon ending racism and homophobia (the fear of ). Al Sharpton opened up the event with a statement of confirmation. "It's not a question of bringing the issue of the gay and lesbian community to the church," he proclaimed. "It's about having an open discussion because they're already there. All of us know that this is nothing new. The only thing new is to have an open discussion on how we deal with it."
While Flunder is no longer on top of things in gospel music, probably because of her openness in the media on such controversial subjects and her willingness to embrace the GLBT community. But she still pastors the "radically inclusive" City of Refuge United Church of Christ in San Francisco and hosts an annual fellowship conference and several gospel showcases throughout the year with the assistance of Bishop Carlton Pearson, Shirley Miller, B. Chase Williams, Ted & Sheri and Charlene Moore. Much frustrations have been made in the last few years from pulpits across America regarding intoleration towards the gay community. And it may be best to say that the tone of ignorance has shifted towards the obvious existence of homosexuals in Christianity. Within the PRAYZEHYMN Group alone, conversations have sparked and have fueled reminders towards scriptures found in Leviticus and St. Paul's letter to the church of Rome. The overall conclusion from those dialogues have only validated the acceptance of homophobia as well as the idea that homosexuals are "hell bound". It also helps cover up the deeper issues that lie in state; proving that there are many inconsistencies in both the LGBT community and the gospel community. The bigger one includes the "masculine makeover" attempt - a stride used to cover up or to discreetly clean up gospel stars and other public individuals within the industry. While flamboyance may be an obvious outward appearance for suspicious people, the idea of "sugar coating" a person's sexual lifestyle, usually brought on by the artist themselves, is still a rampantly-used trademark by major labels and marketing agencies. While the press and conservative-thinking industry vets attempt to used this system to help preserve the image of gospel music, another fight is brewing within gay communities on pushing acceptance to the forefront. If this agenda is graciously accepted, then the system used to hide truth from the industry will eventually hurt the legacy and purpose of the music. Plus, it would be unfair to leave out the knowledge that plenty of gospel artists whom practice homosexuality choose to live discreet lifestyles, while abandoning such sensitive issues in the public eye with fear of losing their credibility.
In closing, while hundreds of thousands packed the New Birth Cathedral in Atlanta for Coretta Scott King's funeral, many of the civil rights leaders reminded the listening audiences of the many accomplishments from Coretta towards the healing within the gay and lesbian communities. It is amazing, that in those moments observed by a watchful public eye, even the King family faces inner battles of opinions and indifferences; proving that being mute to this subject is far from a positive resolution to the mad confusion from the messages sent from our social outlets. OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
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The gay community has embraced gospel music for many years. The idea of being liberated, free and being guided by a higher power and spiritual authority brings comfort to the madness already branded on their lives. And while it may be hard to imagine, their contributions and dollars to gospel music and even Christian campgrounds including churches, bible colleges and various conferences of higher learning are highly observed. It should be no secret that renowned disco superstar Sylvester James, known for recording some of disco's biggest hits including "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance Disco Heat", willingly donated charities to the Love Center Church of Oakland, Ca.; pastored by gospel legend Walter Hawkins. Using only his first name as his official stage name, Sylvester stormed audiences and critics with his bold courage to dress as a drag queen and was one of the latter recording pop artists to confess to their homosexual lifestyle. Yet Hawkins and Love Center decided to love the faithful church member and even embraced one of his musical projects, "Call Me", in 1984. Sylvester constantly confessed his love for "church music" - especially since his religious roots were in the Pentecostal/Holiness church (Palm Lane Church of God In Christ). He explicitly thanks God in almost every album's liner notes, even quoting scripture (Psalms 117) on his last record. Sadly, Sylvester died at the age of forty-one of AIDS complications; while a memorial service took place at Love Center Church in memory of the music legend.
Pastor Yvette Flunder is, by far, no stranger to the gospel music community and she's no stranger to the church either. She is best known musically for bringing down the house on Walter Hawkins "Love Alive" projects and blessed songs including "Special Gift", "Thank You" and "Lord I Love You" while recording on the Aleho record label birthing powerful songs such as "There's Power". But a major side note: she's an author and a bishop now and she presides over an organization of believers that challenges the mindset of traditional thinking while helping to elevate gays and lesbians from their brokenness. This, in most minds, is a challenge all together because Flunder doesn't quite deal with issues of abstinence or same-sex marriage/unions, but her statements at the Black Church Summit on hush-hush topics like homosexuality are validated. "It's time for our church to have a nonpunitive discourse on human sexuality," she said. "It's time for black folk to get together and have a conversation so we can eliminate the opportunity for others to defile and separate us."
When Donnie McClurkin launched a national outcry regarding the sexual abuse he experienced while in his youth and his victory over homosexuality, immediate relief was shown from the gospel music community. Amazingly, the LGBT bit back with 