Sexuality and the Black Church

“Kelly Brown Douglas’s book is both a challenge and gift.”—Emilie M. Townes

“This book is one of the most important works by an African American theologian in the past decade. . . . One wonders why we have waited so long for such a helpful treatise on this crucial subject.”—Peter J. Paris, Princeton Theological Seminary

“If a diagnosis is indispensable for a cure then the Black church and the Black community, as well as the church in general and White society, should take seriously this searingly honest yet sympathetic exposé and then perhaps they may be set on the road to healing their ills.”—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"This book probes the conundrum of black sexuality, especially as it relates to black theological silence about sexuality. Douglas aims to understand why sexuality in general has been a "taboo" subject for the black church and community, attempts to advance "womanist" discourse on black sexuality, and seeks to promote theological discourse that might nurture healthier attitudes and behaviors toward sexually related concerns, especially homophobia/ heterosexism. Douglas, an Episcopal minister and associate professor of theology at Howard University Divinity School, is also the author of The Black Christ (Orbis, 1994). Her discussion offers food for thought. While readers may not concur with some of her broad conclusions, they will likely appreciate the deepened discourse. Recommended for collections seeking to cover issues affecting the black church and community." - A. Leroy Hommerding, in Library Journal

This book tackles the “taboo” subject of sexuality that has long been avoided by the Black church and community. Douglas argues that this view of Black sexuality has interfered with constructive responses to the AIDS crisis and teenage pregnancies, fostered intolerance of sexual diversity, frustrated healthy male/female relationship, and rendered black and womanist theologians silent on sexual issues.

The Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas is a Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School, and the Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral. Previously, she served as Dean of of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, NYC. She is considered a leader in the field of womanist theology, racial reconciliation, and sexuality and the black church. Her Orbis books include The Black Christ, What’s Faith Got to Do with It? and Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God winner of the Grawemeyer Award in Religion.

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