Talking Diversity with Student Activist Jonathan Perry
Jonathan Perry is a 26-year-old, third year student at Johnson C. Smith University, a historically black college in Charlotte, N.C. Concerned about the lack of support for openly gay students, Perry organized two forums on sexual orientation and race, and founded the school's first official gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organization.
In an interview with HRC National Coming Out Project Manager Candace Gingrich, Perry talks about being an African-American gay male coming out in church and on campus.
GINGRICH: Jonathan, you've been quite busy on campus with your GLBT advocacy work. I'd love you to tell us about that. But first, would you share your coming out story?
PERRY: I came out in my first year of college. I was majoring in sacred music at an Assembly of God college in Florida and was in the praise and worship choir rehearsal. Out of the blue, the choir director began discussing how one could not worship God with sin in their lives, and specifically mentioned homosexuality, which hit me really hard. After rehearsal, I disclosed to him that I was gay and explained that I would give up anything to worship God. He offered to get me help, but that help would come in the form of a letter of suspension for what he called my immoral ways. The only way he said I could return to college was to be counseled by an accredited Assembly of God psychologist. Needless to say, I did not return.
GINGRICH: Where did you go from there?
PERRY: I went home to North Carolina and came out to my grandmother. She reacted with unconditional love. I also returned to my old church where the pastor had graduated from the same college. He must have received word from the administration of my sexual orientation because one Sunday he called me a faggot from the pulpit. The following Wednesday, I was not allowed to attend church services. My grandmother and I met with the pastor and two elders of the church and we were told I was no longer welcomed there. Traumatic as it was, I came out of it a very content gay black man blessed by God. The best part of my coming out was the unconditional love and support from my grandmother and my God.
GINGRICH: How did you end up at the historically black Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, N.C.?
PERRY: I was in the military for a year, then worked some odd jobs for a year, then enrolled at another school in the Historically Black College and University system. While there I attended an away basketball game against Johnson C. Smith University and just fell in love with the campus. I wrote a letter to the dean of students for entrance and was accepted. During my first semester in August 2000, I began my calling, advocating for human rights for all.
GINGRICH: It takes dedication to carry a full course load and try and change the world! What form did your advocacy take?
PERRY: One of my first actions was to put together a forum on diversity and sexual minorities, a first for Johnson C. Smith. The forum was based on what I had witnessed and heard about the needs on the campus. There were so many people on the down low [someone who is not open about being gay, lesbian or bisexual]. I had heard stories of attempted suicide because of difficultly coming out. Under the circumstances, I would have been happy had a dozen people shown up. What I got was nearly a hundred!
GINGRICH: Were there any lasting results or changes because of the forum?
PERRY: I started a campus group, African-American Alliance for Gay & Lesbian Education. It took us almost two semesters to get our group approved. Unlike other organization's approval process, the administration had to consult with their attorneys for fear that the school would somehow lose funding if they recognized our group. I contacted people in the GLBT African-American community, such as Brandon Braud of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Mandy Carter of Southerners on New Ground and my pastor, Rev. Tonyia Rawls, for direction. After threatening to go to the press [about the delay], I finally received a letter from the administration approving the group.
GINGRICH: What else have you done on campus?
PERRY: Last year, with the help of HRC, we organized another forum. It was the first time a gay flag was openly flown on campus. The forum was held in the most hallowed hall on our campus, the university chapel. The dean tried at the last minute to halt our gathering, saying it was an inappropriate place for our group to meet. Unbeknownst to him, we had already received permission from the president's office. My thought was that of all places, we needed to have this discussion in the church!
GINGRICH: It seems that a lot of African-American community life revolves around religion. How do you, with your love for God and strong sense of spirituality, handle those who try to use religion against you?
PERRY: They use the Bible to justify their prejudice, and forget that it's the same way that whites once touted the Bible's so-called approval of slavery. I think we often blindly accept what is preached from the pulpit. W.E.B. Du Bois said, "The black church really represented all of what was left of the African tribal life." So it was only natural that any movement of freedom centered on religious life.
I think black churches are trying to preserve our heritage, but much of what they preserve is righteous, not necessarily right. They are content with what's on the surface and don't bother to understand the historical context of what was written in the Bible. I know my experience with God has validated my life as a black gay male. It is sad that these so-called religious people see me as shackled in sin. It could be said that others are shackled in ignorance.
GINGRICH: Last November, a student perceived to be gay was brutally beaten at another historically black campus, Morehouse College in Atlanta. What was said about that on your campus?
PERRY: I sent an e-mail to students and explained why it's so important to have campus events on GLBT issues. I also sent a letter to the administration to get them moving on our task force on multiculturalism and diversity.
GINGRICH: Is the church you are now attending a gay-affirming church?
PERRY: Yes, it is part of the black GLBT fellowship known as Unity Fellowship.
GINGRICH: Tell me a little about your role models.
PERRY: One of my biggest influences is my grandmother. I want to love as unconditionally as she does. And Bayard Rustin, the fact that he was the man behind pulling the 1963 March on Washington for Civil Rights and Freedom together but was rendered almost invisible by those who didn't want it known that he was gay.
GINGRICH: Think how many of lives would be changed if we could see GLBT people acknowledged in history. If Bayard Rustin was given his due in our history books as a gay black male…
PERRY: Yes! So much of our history is invisible, GLBT and black history. Young gays, especially African Americans, need to know that Bayard Rustin was a major player in shaping the civil rights movement!
We in the black community have an issue with acknowledging that the reason the '63 civil rights march was such a success was because of a black man who was gay! Some have moved from white oppression to our own black-on-black oppression, in particular targeting and scapegoating African Americans who are gay. Some forget that freedom is the right to be wrong not the right to do wrong.
GINGRICH: Wrapping this up, what advice would you give to a young GLBT person in high school?
PERRY: You only have one life. Have as few regrets as possible. Love yourself a little bit more than the world does. Love all of you - your hands, your heart, your sexuality - love all that God has given you. Attend any dang school you want in the meantime! (laughter)
GINGRICH: Thanks so much for the work you are doing!