Presence of Gay Harlem Pastor Creates Divide in Harlem Pride Event
Your Black World Reports
The debate of whether a person can be both Christian and gay won’t end anytime soon. This won’t stop Pastor Joseph Tolton from going to the Second Annual Harlem Pride festivities and celebrating who he is: a black, gay, Christian pastor.
The Harlem Pride events are scheduled for the weekend of June 24th.
Pastor Tolton plans to host a service at the Pride picnic on June 25th in Marcus Garvey Park and will be supported by his congregation at Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church, 90% of whom belong to the LGBT community.
“My church will be there in full force,” he said.
Several pastors, including Pastor Ronald Ferguson of Antioch Church of God have denounced Christian involvement in pride activities and have even compared homosexuality to pedophilia or having sex with animals.
“This gay pride nonsense is an abomination,” Ferguson said, adding he will stay home on that day and expects his congregation to follow his lead. “God does not want to see homosexuals in our parks.”
Pastors Michael Walrond Jr. and Rev. Calvin Butts support the efforts of the gay Pastor.
“I honor and respect their right to do what they want to do,” said Walrond, adding that many people in his congregation are gay. “I trust God will lead them….My task is to love them.”
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