Paying tribue to LGBTQ+ contributions to gospel music

• Link to: Northwestern Now Story

“Gays and Gospel,” a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community and all the contributions it has made to gospel music from its genesis in the 1920’s until today will be held on “National Coming Out Day,” Tues., October 11, 2022.  It will take place on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus at 7 p.m. at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road.

E. Patrick Johnson, dean of the School of Communication at Northwestern, and Kent R. Brooks, director of special projects for the department of religious and spiritual life and assistant professor of instruction in the department of performance studies will lead the 90-minute program. Students from the Bienen School of Music will also participate.

The free event is a combination of lecture and song.  Johnson and Brooks will explore the tensions, challenges and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community in gospel music. The event will also trace the origins of the gospel music genre in Chicago and reveal how gospel greats like Walter & Edwin Hawkins, Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Shirley Ceasar and other recording artists, including Aretha Franklin, were influenced by and collaborated with the queer community.

Quotes from Johnson:

“No one would be surprised to learn that there are gays in gospel music. It’s kind of common knowledge. But I think it might be surprising about who some of those folks were. James Cleveland is a prime example. While he wasn’t open about his sexuality, it was kind of an ‘open secret.’”

“Many people go through a phase where it is difficult to reconcile our spirituality with our sexuality. That’s a long process for many people. For some, it’s an ongoing process. It’s not unusual to have people still singing in the church who are still struggling and it’s not uncommon to have people who are very famous now, who are still struggling.”

Quote from Brooks:

“Not a lot has changed in Black churches today. The Black church had one of the original ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ scenarios for queer people in congregations. We often see the trope of the middle-aged ‘Uncle Donnie’ sitting on the organ or directing the choir who hasn’t been married.  It’s more than ‘he just hasn’t found the right woman yet.’ More times than not, the church, as a whole, knows why he is single. But yet, he is so talented, they need his gifts and talents. The fact that he can make people dance and shout is celebrated, but not in his whole self.”

“Gays and Gospel” is open to the public. No advance tickets are required. Media interested in attending and covering the event should RSVP to stephen.j.lewis@northwestern.edu.