Christian singer Trey Pearson comes out: ‘I am gay’

In light of the recent horrors at the Orlando gay club shootings, it behoves us to point out that we all probably know someone who is gay, in the closet, or at the very least conflicted about their sexuality.

If you think you do not know anybody who fits this description, it is most likely because they are scared of the ramifications and consequences of coming out – and the shootings at Pulse nightclub in Orlando is the reason why.

Come to that – and you don’t have to take this as fact, I’m just putting it out there – the more vehemently someone protests a way of life that doesn’t concern them in the slightest, the more it becomes clear that the aversion is more than just religious.

Recently, the frontman for Christian rock group Everyday Sunday finally decided to come out of the closet and announce that he is gay. Husband to a wife and the father of two children, Trey Pearson writes that he is, in fact, gay even though he “never wanted to be”

In a letter published online by Ohio-based (614) Magazine, Pearson writes:

“I grew up in a very conservative Christian home where I was taught that my sexual orientation was a matter of choice, and had put all my faith into that. I had never before admitted to myself that I was gay, let alone to anyone else. I never wanted to be gay. I was scared of what God would think and what all of these people I loved would think about me; so it never was an option for me. I have been suppressing these attractions and feelings since adolescence. I’ve tried my whole life to be straight.”

Commenting on the letter to the magazine, Trey Pearson has called his announcement “freeing”, but adds that he has lost some of the closest people in his life. He says some “church people” act like the worst people he has ever experienced. He says he’s starting over in many ways, “but it’s also starting out lonely”.

Several other popular Christian musicians have come out as gay, including Ray Boltz, Grammy nominees Anthony Williams and Jennifer Knapp, and Vicky Beeching. Pearson had earlier announced a single for later this year and a performance at the Wild Goose Christian festival in July.

Nobody chooses to be gay. Nobody would choose to be persecuted or beaten or killed as a lifestyle choice any more than anyone chose to be Black, White, Purple or every colour in between. We have to do better by our brothers and sisters and only then will we know true harmony.