The Rev. Brandon Thomas Crowley, a 37-year-old pastor at Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, Massachusetts, faced significant challenges in his journey to self-acceptance and authenticity. Born in Atlanta and raised in Rome, Georgia, he was drawn to the church from a young age, but struggled with his sexual identity. Despite feeling called to be a Christian pastor, Crowley felt compelled to hide his sexuality, even dating a girl to maintain appearances. However, after being named the senior pastor at Myrtle Baptist, Crowley grappled with the decision to come out to his congregation, ultimately realizing that he could only do God’s work authentically by embracing his true self.
Throughout his life, Crowley experienced moments of clarity and guidance from what he believed to be the voice of God. These instances reaffirmed his same-sex attraction as a child and supported his journey toward self-acceptance and honesty with himself and others. In 2015, while sitting in the pulpit at Myrtle Baptist, Crowley heard the voice urging him to come out as gay to his congregation. Despite initial fears of rejection, Crowley tearfully shared his truth with his church, receiving overwhelming support from many parishioners.
After coming out as a gay pastor, Crowley faced both challenges and triumphs. While some members of the congregation chose to leave, many new members joined, creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals at Myrtle Baptist. Crowley’s decision to be open about his sexuality led him to write a book, “Queering the Black Church,” in hopes of inspiring other congregations to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals. The book explores the history of homophobia in Black churches and advocates for dismantling heteronormativity in African American religious communities.
Despite the progress made at Myrtle Baptist, broader challenges still remain within Black church communities in the United States. While some churches are becoming more inclusive, many still oppose same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly LGBTQ+ clergy. The Rev. Karmen Michael Smith, author of “Holy Queer,” believes that for many LGBTQ+ individuals, Black churches have been sites of trauma and exclusion, making reconciliation difficult. Despite these obstacles, Crowley remains committed to serving his Queer and Black communities in both spiritual and scholarly contexts, hoping to inspire others to embrace inclusivity and acceptance in all aspects of life.
In his quest to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ identities and the Black church, Crowley has become an influential figure in the religious community. After earning a Ph.D. from Boston University’s School of Theology, he aspires to become a professor and continue serving his communities through both preaching and scholarship. Mentored by experts in Black preaching and advocacy groups, Crowley’s resilience and dedication have made him a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking acceptance and affirmation in the traditionally conservative landscape of the Black church. Despite the challenges ahead, Crowley remains steadfast in his commitment to promoting inclusivity and dismantling heteronormativity in religious institutions.
