Articles
Religion and Coming Out Issues for Latinas and Latinos
The message that many Catholics hear is that merely being gay is sinful. This results in condemnation of GLBT Latinas/os in communities of faith and has led some to remain closeted when involved in religious activities.
Religion and Coming Out Issues for Asian Pacific Americans
The presence of GLBT-supportive clergy can send a powerful message to Asian Pacific Americans who are coming out. While there may not be many Asian Pacific Islander-affiliated houses of worship that call themselves gay-friendly, the support of their leaders sends an important message.
Religion and Coming Out Issues for African Americans
The church has traditionally informed, influenced and guided the day-to-day lives of many African Americans. "The black church is not just a place of spirituality and enlightenment, but a place of empowerment for African Americans," says David Neale, founder of Black Lavender Resources. Yet some in those churches have been unwelcoming to people with a different sexual orientation or gender identity.
Profile: Audre Lorde (1934-1992)
The daughter of Caribbean immigrants who settled in Harlem, author and activist Audrey Lorde was a self-described "Black lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.”
Profile: Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
Rustin's activism began at 25 when he moved to New York City to organize youth around desegregation. While others in the movement hadn't yet embraced commitments to non-violence, Rustin refused to sign the draft based on his pacifist beliefs and spent three years in a federal penitentiary.