Reverend Frazier is a queer woman who grew up ashamed of her orientation. It took many years for her, and her family, to accept and celebrate who she was. Finally, in 2016, she came out—and in the pulpit of her church, no less.
Attendance at Frazier’s church, the First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, has shot up exponentially in the last several years, thanks to its commitment to acceptance. In a society where folks often feel like they have to choose between their faith and their orientation, FCBC offers a safe haven to explore both.
The executive pastor, Rev. Michael A. Walrond, Jr., preaches not only faith, but also inclusion and compassion, warmly welcoming the LGBTQ community and people from all walks of life.
Word has spread, and the church has become so popular that long lines of attendees curl around the block every Sunday morning. All three of the Sunday services are often at full capacity.
“We as people of color have so many things that we battle with,” Rev. Frazier told Upworthy. “For many of us, not only are we Black, … we’re also queer. Churches have to do the work that centers those folks and remind them they are still valid and loved in such a challenging time.”
In tandem with regular service, the church is home to the Healing On Purpose and Evolving Center, or HOPE, a first-of-its-kind program that offers therapy and mental health services for free. The program is led by Rev. Frazier, who Rev. Walrond saw as the perfect person to help other queer people of color feel seen in a world that still doesn’t know how to accept them.
One member, Tanzania Stone, told Upworthy: “To finally be in a place where I’m being told, no, you’re a child of God, you’re worthy of God’s love, it was so liberating.”
We hope other Churches are taking note.
Feature photo: Peter Smith / Wall Street Journal#HopeInnovation @FCBC_NYC Ribbon cutting!! pic.twitter.com/0Iu99eZWUy
— ✨💫Hall Lee💫✨ (@BritanicaLee) December 15, 2016
