To McClurkin Black and Gay Is Beautiful

In response to "ex-gay" gospel singer and minister Donnie McClurkin's rants against "evil" and "vampire" gays in Memphis, Tenn., at a Church of God in Christ convention, a group of activists has purchased a full-page ad in Metro NY, according to Rod 2.0:Beta.

Written by Pastor Joseph Tolton of Rehoboth Temple, the ad reads in part, "For those of us in faith who have always loved the black church, the defining issue of our lives has been the church's damning stance on homosexuality. As children, the condemnation broke our spirit. As adolescents, this ridicule broke our hearts. As young adults, this disdain has attempted to drive us to the brink. Spiritual violence is wrong and it kills the spirit. The black church must find new ways to talk about sex and sexuality."

The open letter addresses McClurkin directly as well: "You are not a man who loves men because of being molested as a child. That grave and despicable tragedy broke your spirit and damaged your mind; however, it did not have the capacity to change your DNA."

Read the full article here.