· Black leaders call on churches to address HIV/AIDS. About 75 black ministers in Washington DC gathered for a summit to boost awareness and encourage pastors to discuss testing and prevention with their congregations. HIV rates in the District are up to 12 times the national average and some pastors think local churches shoulder the blame. "If you bash people from the pulpit and focus on sin, you aren't doing it like Jesus did," says Rev. Christine Y. Wiley of the gay-friendly Covenant Baptist Church, which offers HIV testing and condoms. "This issue has been out here so long, and now people are realizing the church hasn't had a significant impact—and it could."

· Apparently E. Lynn Harris' story about gays and the black church has resonated with many readers. I Say a Little Prayer is still riding high on the New York Times bestseller list. "I'm very happy at the response of African American gay brothers on this book tour," E. Lynn tells Rod 2.0. "People are loving the new book and I'm relieved. I had over 900 last Thursday night in Fort Worth at Bass Hall." The book is now in its second printing after an initial press run of 250,000.

Comments

[greg]

Rev. Wiley and her husband Rev. Dennis Wiley have a wonderful church. They have always been supportive of the black gay community.

[Tony R]

"Prayer" is a decent novel. I'm just happy that Harris took on the hypocrisy that we sometimes see in the the black church. Rod, it's obvious by these regular religion reports that you also attend services somewhere. Good for you, we need more black gay Christians to speak up.