Black Church

On Saturday, the New York Times highlighted the LGBT-inclusive ministry at Rivers at Rehoboth, a Harlem-based congregation in New York City, in its article “A Rare Haven for Gay Men and Lesbians in Harlem.” The congregation, which is formed as the merger of Rivers of Living Faith and Rehoboth Temple, has its roots in the Black church tradition, while maintaining an active outreach to the Black LGBT population.

Black History Month is a time for honoring and celebrating the achievements of African Americans and their institutions, including the Black Church. In 2000, Union United Methodist Church (UUMC) in Boston adopted a unanimous resolution to enthusiastically welcome LGBT worshippers.

With the recent passage of marriage equality in Maryland, the media has begun to focus again on the supposed conflict between LGBT equality and the African American community.