I'm Black, I'm a Minister, and I'm Gay

As a proud Black gay minister, Benjamin Carlton gives you a firsthand account of the difficult lived experiences of the intersections of race, faith, and sexual orientation in America. In 2015, cutting against the grain of an entire culture, knowing all that he might lose, Benjamin made the brave decision to come out as a gay minister on TheRoot.com. Sparking national debate, Benjamin’s story resonated with millions who struggle to accept who they are because of society’s prejudices. For years he prayed earnestly in hopes of God “delivering” him from homosexuality, not realizing that his being gay was all a part of God’s perfect design. This spellbinding book shatters the myth of the petty, vengeful, fault-finding God and reveals a God who is loving, compassionate, and wants you to win. Through riveting stories of triumph and defeat, Benjamin uses his wit and unfailing humor to take you on his journey of resurrecting unconditional love. The book is written to help those who are struggling to accept themselves or struggling to accept those who are different from them. Benjamin intends to empower that precious soul that is looking for a path forward that speaks to their identity This book explores: - The founding of the Black Church - The whitewashing of Christianity - The start of discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ Community in the American church - The journey to gender - The path to living a free authentic life - The celebration of Black queer pioneers.