Pastor Jamal Bryant, leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and known for spearheading the recent “Target Fast” boycott, delivered a sermon on June 18 at the iElevate National Conference hosted by Bishop O.C. Allen III of The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta — an LGBTQ+ affirming church under the United Progressive Pentecostal Church Fellowship.
Bryant, who has publicly criticized Black church leaders for “selling out” by accepting donations from Target, sparked controversy among conservative Christian commentators with his appearance at the inclusive gathering. Several YouTube personalities known for critiquing the Black church and other faith-based events interpreted his presence as a tacit endorsement of homosexuality, which traditional Christian doctrine considers sinful.
During the conference, Bishop Allen introduced Bryant as “this great voice, our voice, our leader.” In his sermon, Bryant focused on the theme of overcoming shame — particularly shame imposed by others and internalized by individuals — as a barrier to fulfilling one’s divine purpose.
Though his appearance at Vision Cathedral surprised some observers, it aligns with Bryant’s increasingly public evolution on LGBTQ+ issues. In a March 15 episode of “The Jamal Bryant Podcast: Let’s Be Clear,” he discussed this shift in thinking with civil rights leader Dr. David Johns. Reflecting on past views, Bryant admitted that expressing support for the LGBTQ+ community had drawn significant backlash, including from within his own congregation.
“I felt like what it feels like to be gay for a day,” Bryant said, describing the “vitriol” he received for what he called a “demonstration of love” toward the LGBTQ+ community. He recounted having to clarify to concerned deacons who questioned whether New Birth was becoming a “gay church” that it is, in fact, a “love church.”
Bryant’s views have undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. In 2012, he made headlines for condemning then-President Barack Obama’s support for same-sex marriage, declaring from the pulpit that Obama was “Black and wrong” and “Black and out of order.” At the time, he preached that while homosexuality was not the only sin, it remained “a sin.”
In contrast, Bryant’s more recent remarks suggest a deeper theological and pastoral shift. He has cited alarmingly high suicide rates among Black LGBTQ+ youth — particularly those ostracized by their faith communities — as a driving concern. In a 2023 appearance alongside Bishop Allen, Bryant stated that the Black church owes the LGBTQ+ community “an apology.”
As debates continue within Christian communities over the intersection of faith, sexuality, and justice, Bryant’s presence at The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta signals a continuing rift between traditionalists and progressives in the Black church — which has historically maintained that same-sex relationships are incompatible with Christian teaching.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
