Megachurch Pastor’s Son on Dad’s Coming Out

Jared Swilley, the son of megachurch pastor Jim Swilley and bass player for the band Black Lips, spoke about his father's recent coming out, saying that he only learned his father was gay months before he told the world.

Creative Loafing caught up with the younger Swilley in New York, where he was tracking his band's new album due in April with producer Mark Ronson. The son talked about his admiration for his father and the "progressive" Church In The Now in Conyers, Ga.

Jared said he was unaware that his father was gay until earlier this year. Jim Swilley came out to his congregation last month, citing the series of youth suicides caused by antigay bullying.

"I had no idea at all," he said. "He had been married twice and he's a preacher. When he called to tell me that he's gay I was in Berlin on tour. It was definitely shocking, but I was actually glad when he told me. I feel closer to him now because he's being honest with himself and everyone around him. It took him a long time to do it, and I honestly think he's hoping to live his whole life and never come out and do it, but now that he has I think he's a lot happier."

Read the interview here.