ROLAND MARTIN AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF HOMOPHOBIA

Homophobia ALWAYS has consequences. The only thing different about Roland Martin is that the perpetrator also has to feel it. Gay people know that homophobia has consequences. It’s homophobic straight people who are waking up to this reality. When I think of the many gay people who have lost family, jobs, their lives to homophobia, Roland losing his speaking gig does not equate.

MY HOMOPHOBIC EXPERIENCE AT NEW MT. ZION AME

One of my close friends invited me to church a week or so ago and I complied. While I don’t believe in the supernatural I can appreciate a positive message no matter what method is used to deliver it.

Well I arrived to church with an open mind and heart and prepared to listen to some encouraging words as referenced from Jesus Christ who had a lot of them.

I was pleased to see so many gay men and women in the church from the choir stand to the pews.

What I got in return was homophobia and a church all too willing to cosign those views.

The pastor who was invited to speak from Miami didn’t wait 10 minutes before launching into a tirade against gays. He claimed “In the old days gays used to sit in the church and be quiet now they want to take over.” He then made a call for a return to order? Of course the church clapped and amen’d away.

He then launched into a story about his gay brother who died of AIDS. I guess to highlight the point that gays are disease ridden? That heterosexuals can’t acquire and die from HIV/AIDS? The church members once again clapped and amen’d.

Sigh.

I am a gay man who takes my self respect and self worth very seriously and I will not sit as it is assaulted by fake men of god. So I stood up and walked out. The ushers tried to block me and I told that woman if you know what’s good for you you will move. I was prepared to shove her through the doors.

When it comes to homophobia in your church I can care less about your protocol.

What’s sad about the entire situation is that people have come to think of this type of hatred in church as normal, as just something that comes with the territory of going to church.

If the church is supposed to be a sanctuary I certainly did not find that to be true today.

If church is supposed to give you an encouraging word I guess that only applies for heterosexuals.

But yeah that was my day.

In a way I feel bad for even thinking that this Sunday would be different and this church would be different. But I can’t blame myself for wanting to support a friend.