An 'SGL Ally': In Praise of Jeremiah Wright

[denem]

One gay black man's experience of Trinity Church Chicago:

I was first introduced to the ministry of Dr. Jeremiah Wright back when I lived briefly in Chicago in 1995....and I have been hooked ever since.....and have stayed connected to this ministry over the years. Along with being a well educated theological scholar, a compassionate pastor, and a profilic preacher of the gospel....what I have found most inspiring is his committment to social justice....for EVERYONE....including gays and lesbians.

While Dr. Peter Gomes was the first black openly gay preacher I've ever had the privilege of having as a pastor while a student at Harvard, Dr. Jeremiah Wright is the first straight black preacher I've ever come across who has repeatedly denounced homophobia....particularly in the black community....from his pulpit and in sermons. Over the years Wright has fought to make Trinity United Church of Christ a welcoming place for his gay parishioners....and for that he earns my utmost respect.

Now he will be quick to tell you that he hasn't always felt that way. But after losing members and close friends who he knew well and whom he knew were just as if not more so faith filled as many of his heterosexual members...and after careful re-examination of Bible texts...how could he in good conscious condemn any of God's children. Soon after his own personal revelation he began the hard task of convincing his own congregation. Considering the time in which this took place....late 80's and early 90's....this man was way ahead of his time in making such declarations....especially using his capacity as pastor and voice in the pulpit to do it. Of course he faced much opposition....from his parishioners....from his ministerial colleagues....but he did not waver in his beliefs that God has unconditional love for all of His children....and gays and lesbians are included in that. Trinity not only has an HIV/AIDS ministry, but they also have a very active gay and lesbian ministry within the church...

The retirement of Dr. Jeremiah Wright...while well deserved and earned... is bittersweet. There are already few men of God like him who has made their church a place of acceptance for its gay members and who has used his platform to publicly denounce homophobia. It is a cause of great concern to me as I ponder where are the ministers who gonna take up that mantle and continue to spread the messages of love and acceptance to a community in dire need of it.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-czB75Io1eqqXs8uqNdYUuP1Q?l=6&u=10&mx=296&lmt=5

Title edited for clarity