Who knew that a Motown recording artist would go on to create an opening and welcoming church for African-American LGBT individuals? Carl Bean was signed to Motown during the peak of the disco era. Decades before Lady Gaga would climb the charts with her hit, "Born This Way," Carl Bean had a disco hit with the exact same name. His tune was an anthem for gay pride and LGBT inclusion and equality.
Carl Bean would go on to find the Unity Fellowship Church (UFC). Now going under the moniker Archbishop Carl Bean, he created UFC because for many black queer folks, the black church was not a welcoming place.
If you would like to learn more about this remarkable disco diva turned spiritual leader, please check out his autobiography "I Was Born This Way: A Preacher's Journey through Gospel Music, Disco Stardom, and a Ministry in Christ."
Check out his hit below . . .
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