Gay gospel
Gay musicians in Black churches have always held a peculiar status within Black culture and the church organisation. Somewhat heard but unseen. Closeted but accepted. Until the AIDS epidemic they were often a welcome piece of the church fabric.
Anthony Heilbut’s essay The Children In Their Secret Closet expands on the subject. Helibut worked closely as a producer with many gospel artists, including Mahalia Jackson and Alex Bradford. The book reveals how even the most conventional artists were either surrounded by – or they themselves – gay.
This program explores some dynamic music by hidden gay contributors to the Black gospel cannon.
