Sharpton to speak
on homophobia at national conference

The Reverend Al Sharpton will headline a national summit addressing homophobia in the black church later this month in Atlanta, the event's organizers said Tuesday. The conference, convened by the National Black Justice Coalition, will take place January 20-21. It will confront the role black churches play in the same-sex marriage debate. Some African-American church leaders, such as pastors Walter E. Fauntroy and Ken Hutcherson, have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage. Sharpton, a former presidential candidate, has been a longtime supporter of gay rights. He made headlines last year when he marched in New York City's pride parade and spoke with The Advocate about his lesbian sister as well as his efforts to try to reduce the high incidence of HIV among African-Americans. He also announced an initiative to battle homophobia in African-American churches. Joining Sharpton at the summit will be Yvette Flunder, a senior pastor at the United Church of Christ's City of Refuge Church in San Francisco. (Advocate.com)