Over the years I've worked with some of the most incredibly talented people in a variety of forums. One thing I do know is that some of those talented people are LGBTQIA people.  They would never tell you that, and many are afraid to live their truth for a variety of reasons but I do know that there are so many very talented artists and gifted people who are gay.  I'm sure there have been volumes written about the subject and I really don't know why many gay people are extremely creative, but I can speak from my own experience.

When I was a child I found solace in creating.  I wasn't strong enough or fast enough.  Neither did I have great hand-eye coordination, but I did have a propensity for creating music…well more like thunderstorms or whatever came to my 8 year old mind; and for writing plays for my little friends and performing them in impromptu presentations in the basement of our house.  It was a way I could control the outcome.  I wasn’t letting the team down. I received recognition for my gift, and I appreciated all thing aesthetically beautiful.  Getting dirty or sweaty wasn’t really a part of that process.  Although I knew from a very young age that I was gay, the taunts I received because of my solitary creative bend seemed to recognize what I knew all along but was never in a place to admit that truth at a young age. 

I grew up in a society where being gay was unacceptable in church.  And like many artists before me decided to continue to grow and thrive within the confines of my environment through the creative process. It’s interesting to me that some of the most well known gay artists in history were engaged by the church to create great massive works of art that the church and society still revere today.  Sometimes these artists are caught between what they know in their heart about their sexuality and the rules and confines of making a living with their art for their patrons.  Michelangelo was caught such predicaments many times.  In the book The Sistine Secrets (I highly recommend it) the authors note that Michelangelo was at odds with the church and pope who commissioned the painting of the sistine ceiling.  He decided to not only paint the ceiling in Old Testament motifs, an idea which was at odds with the churches request. In addition, above the door that the pope entered he painted something barely recognized.  A crouched man flipping the pope the bird.  Michelangelo in the end had the last laugh and is remembered for his extraordinary artistry.  I believe that Michelangelo reaches down through history and says, I am who I am, a gay artist working for the church and no man or organization can dictate my faith, my passion for God or my love to create.  I am a part of this community and I’m here to stay.

Take the LGBTQ+ people out of the church and I dare say you have lost some of the most talented singers, musicians, worship leaders, painters, pastors, teachers, and gifted people who bring life, energy and passion to their craft.  Unfortunately the church has showcased the art and disregarded the much-needed affirmation of who many of these artists truly are. I encourage artists to continue showcasing their gift but to begin to come out and be recognized for being a proud member of the LGBTQ+ society AND a member of the church community.  It’s one of the most critical and important things to do at this point in history. It is time.