ATLANTA — Traditional African American churches are not known for being tolerant of homosexuals -- especially not in the Bible Belt.
But on Friday, more than 100 pastors and theologians from around the country filled Atlanta's First Iconium Baptist Church for a summit on homophobia in black churches.
"We may not all agree on gay marriage, but at the very least we can say that every child of God deserves to be affirmed in the family of God," the Rev. Kenneth Samuel, senior pastor of Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Ga., said in an interview.
Once a Baptist who condemned homosexuals from the pulpit, Samuel now is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, which welcomes gays and lesbians.
As the national debate continues over whether same-sex marriage should be legalized or constitutionally banned, the Black Church Summit organizers said their goal was to encourage greater understanding.
"It's time," said Sylvia Rhue, religious affairs and constituency development director for the National Black Justice Coalition, the gay rights group that organized the summit. "HIV and AIDS is a major concern in the black community, and churches can't deal with it if they can't deal with human sexuality."
Perhaps more than AIDS, however, it was the political ramifications of black pastors' attitudes toward gays and lesbians that motivated the landmark gathering.
Many civil rights leaders argue that conservative Republicans have used the issue of gay marriage to manipulate black ministers and gain minority votes. President Bush boosted his share of the black vote from 8% in 2000 to 11% in 2004.
"We have sat back and allowed the right wing to shape the political agenda," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who addressed the summit. "Now it is important that the black church break the backs of those who are trying to use homosexuality as a political weapon."
Rather than asking pastors to change their beliefs and condone homosexuality, Sharpton appealed for greater tolerance: "If we can forgive adulterers, why do we allow the right wing to attack homosexuals?" he asked.
The relationship between black clergy and homosexuals is particularly strained in Atlanta -- home to the largest population of African American gay and lesbian couples in the South, as well as a growing number of conservative black megachurches.
Last year, nearly 40,000 people attended the city's gay pride celebration, which organizers say is the largest such black gay event in the world.
