Out the Archives is a recurring feature diving into the Windy City Times collection, offering a look back at the rich history of LGBTQ+ Chicago. In this edition, we look back at the April 1997 issue of BLACKlines.
Some sects of the Christian church and LGBTQ+ people have historically been at odds—often with preconceived notions on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Those attending a community meeting at St. Edmund’s in Englewood were hoping to change that.
In April 1997, people gathered at the church with Rev. Richard Tolliver for a forum titled “The Black Church Responds to HIV/AIDS,” which included a film and panel discussions.
More than 200 people attended and watched a screening of Sylvia Rhue’s All God’s Children, which discusses the role of lesbians and gays in the Black church and efforts toward including them more fully in the church. The film included testimonials from those in the church, elected officials and families of lesbians and gays.
Rhue, another HIV/AIDS speaker, and an episcopal church pastor then hosted a panel to address concerns. However, some of the preselected questions were reportedly deeply insensitive.
Reporter Jean Pierre Campbell, who covered the event, said input from the Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays organization could have been helpful in navigating or avoiding this. He also said that, due to so many preconceived notions about HIV/AIDS in the Black community, potentially two different programs could have been needed—one on HIV/AIDS in the community and another on different sexual orientations in the church.
Campbell said one couldn’t help but feel hopeful leaving the event, as the printed program’s message included a wish that this would be “the first of many dialogues among members of Chicago’s Black Church family.”
