Confession: We aren’t the hugest fans of Christian rock. But hey, lots of people love to tap their toe to Jesus, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
And now that Christian folk rocker Vicky Beeching has come out of the closet in a totally unapologetic way, we’re willing to give it another listen.
She said recently:
“What Jesus taught was a radical message of welcome and inclusion and love. I feel certain God loves me just the way I am, and I have a huge sense of calling to communicate that to young people.”
Still not sold on him, but that’s definitely a message we can support.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Certainly a different interpretation of the world’s best-selling historical fiction than we’re used to hearing from the religious right’s squawk boxes.
It’s always the crazy ones who seem to be the loudest, which is why Beeching’s story is a breath of fresh air, and we couldn’t be happier for her.
She told Pink News:
“The next big hurdle the church faces is the discussion around sexuality. So it felt important for me to add my voice to that debate as it will be the key topic for the decades to come. And my voice will make much more difference if I’m open about my sexuality, as I can share more honestly about what it’s like to be a gay Christian.”
Amen, sister.
And her positive attitude is inspiring no matter what your take on organized religion is. Vicky knew she was attracted to girls from age 12, and grew up in an environment where that simply wasn’t an option. She even had a public exorcism performed on her in front of 4,000 people at a bible camp in the UK. So there’s that.
But where many would find only bitterness and resentment through those experiences, Vicky is steadfast in her commitment to being an agent of positivity.
“I am not angry with the church even though it’s been a painful journey. I still hold as tightly to my christian faith as ever. I have a lot of hope for the future of the church – that we can see a move towards inclusion, welcome and love for LGBT people. Even if everyone in the church cannot agree on theology, I hope we can dialogue with graciousness and kindness toward one another. That’s the kind of conversations I hope I can now be part of.”
Here’s a video of Vicky doing her Christian Bob Dylan thing, and say what you will about the whole spirit of the lord business, she’s pretty darn adorable. Bob Dylan did his Christian Bob Dylan thing in the late ’70s and frankly we’d take her any day:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0evqzm_iGE?rel=0]
mcflyer54
The “religious” right are NOT going to be nice to her. Basically she’ll be on her own from here on out. She’s not the first in the field of religious music to announce something that the people fail to accept – just ask Sandi Patty how they turned on her after her divorce. But good for Vicky, I hope she steers her career away from just christian music and gains a million new fans.
yaletownman
As a child of the 80’s I lived in Nashville and saw the rise of the contemporary Christian music biz. You could go to any gay bar on the weekend and they would be filled with aspiring and beyond aspiring artists of this genre. It was the same in the 90’s when I finally left the “music city”. It was almost a joke how many closet cases this industry is filled with. For many it was a less crowded avenue to fame and success and since making it in most any branch of the entertainment industry meant you were probably gonna have to stay in the closet anyway, why not give this potentially easier route a try. Of course, when it’s time to come out they do have a much more difficult audience to deal with. I wish her luck and I hope she’s writing some secular material as well. It might be time to crossover.
revjshoregoss
Actually she is joining a growing community of out and proud Christian Artists such as Ray Bolts,Marsha Stevens, Shawn Thomas, and Jennifer Knapp just to name a few. These artists are welcomed and celebrated at many christian churches!
Paul Nadolski
Always nice to be reminded that, although there are a LOT of intolerant Christians, not all Christians feel that way. Sometimes I feel like the progressive, accepting minority (?) of Christians–in other words, those who are most like Christ–get lost in the shuffle. Rock on!
Ogre Magi
@revjshoregoss: Why would any LGBT person want to be associated with a religion that has devoted the past 2000 years to persecuting their own kind?
ricardo2
@revjshoregoss: You forgot jason and demarco
DickieJohnson
Good for her!!! The message of love, respect, and inclusion coming from the inside of Christianity, where it SHOULD BE, may help many believers who’ve heard only the negative BS all their lives. Pastors, preach the Gospels, not lies and hate!
Masc Pride
What a bold statement. Good for her!
@revjshoregoss: Agreed. I think it’s great that LGB people are becoming more of a presence in the Christian community, and even greater that they’re actually being embraced as well. Sadly, Vicky will probably get the most hatred from the LGB community (just look at any Ogre Magi comment).
Nuttypea
@Ogre Magi: Many GLBT people believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ in spite of the opinions of his other followers.
Merv
Is she going to stone herself? Doesn’t make sense.
bradharden1
HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — On the summer night Ellen Gerber and Pearl Berlin committed to spending their lives together, the No. 1 song was “When A Man Loves A Woman.”
Lyndon B. Johnson was president. NASA had just landed the first unmanned probe on the moon.
Gay NC Couple Fighting for Recognition
Gay NC Couple Fighting for Recognition
14 hr ago 1:50 Views: 32k AP Online Video
“We’re still in love, after 48 years,” Gerber, better known as Lennie, said recently. “We still can’t begin the day without a good cuddle
randalaw
This young woman is pushing past the confines of human-made religion and on into the real faith element of Christianity, as many people are doing more and more. Her music is a wonderful, heartfelt expression of her faith and will bless many people as she creates and performs it. More power to her!!
Charlie in Charge
A bold move; good for her.
Ogre Magi
@Nuttypea: THEY ARE OUR ENEMIES! WE MUST NEVER LOOSE SIGHT OF THAT
Xzamilio
I love… the more they secularize religion, the more it is recognized for the ideology it is, and not the feelgood nonsense it’s masked as. Sorry, but all this is is superstition wrapped in gumdrops and rainbows that does as all of the other denominations of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc. and just picks and chooses what to follow and what to ignore, making a new denomination that claims to be better. No thanks to that hogwash.