Pride in the Pews: LGBTQ Christians and the Black Church

Pride in the Pews is a grassroots nationwide nonprofit that develops, equips, and organizes emerging Black LGBTQ+ leaders of faith and allies to advance social movements through civic engagement, political education, and storytelling. Historically, the Black Church has operated as a thriving social, political, and economic institution in Black communities, offering lifesaving and soul-saving resources. One constituency that is often overlooked in its advocacy is the LGBTQ+ community. Even though few Black religious traditions theologically affirm LGBTQ+ Christians, 71% of the 1.2 million US adults identifying as Black and LGBTQ+ are religious. At best, the Black Church has struggled to celebrate LGBTQ+ Christians. At worst, it has weaponized the pulpit to advance dehumanizing theologies. The tragic consequence of this reality is that far too many LGBTQ+ Christians are forced to choose between their faith and their identities.