Pastor of the University City Church

The church's official response to the epidemic of DOWNLOW living

Runway: Thank you for your time Pastor Stevens. First and foremost and maybe for those that truly don’t know, tell us what exactly is Downlow living? 

Down Low living is a recent popularized phenomenon in the African American community made up of closeted homosexuals who consider themselves heterosexual, or straight, however are engaged in sexual relationships with other men.  It has been estimated that over one million African American men live on the downlow.  

Runway: What is your response to those that say down low living is not the same as being homosexual?  

How can it not be?  When two men are engaged in sexual relationship, homosexuality is the result.  One of the strategies of the downlow community is to continually provide the “smoke and mirrors” of misnomers and deception.  Though there are many popular names, titles and terms for this sinful and deviate lifestyle, it is still biblically considered homosexuality—a lifestyle in which God is not pleased.   

Runway: I normally start my interviews by saying tell us about you the author.  In this case, tell us what it took for you a pastor to write about this topic? 

Straight Up was written out of a grave concern and conviction regarding homosexuality in the church and African American community.  It was also written as a classical refute to J.L. King’s book “On the Downlow”.  As a pastor of a predominantly African American church with so many young, promising men of God, how could I not write about this sin-laden situation?  After all, King was using the African American church as a backdrop and punching bag for his scenarios.  He states in his book, "I've been in small-town churches where pastors are running programs to "convert" men of questionable sexuality back to the literal straight and narrow and then marry them off-as if laying hands and praying will make a man who has sex with men (MSM) into a heterosexual!  This is crazy and just asking for trouble down the road.  A person can call himself whatever he wants, but nature is going to find its way, and when it does, all hell will break loose." (p. 23) The church needed a response—an official response that would boldly address the myths and misconceptions about African American men in the church.  As a pastor, I felt it was my divine call and commissioning to lead this campaign.        

Runway: It seems as if society has placed homosexuality into 2 categories: born that way or Choose to be.  What are your thoughts on that?  

The old “nature verses nurture” debates has long been put to rest.   Time and time again, scholars and leading experts have concluded that there is no such thing as a “homosexual gene”.  When God created man, He created all man, in his totality, image and form—and likewise with the woman.  It is our actions, our decisions and our choices fueled by lustful desires that have created this ungodly appetite and lifestyle.  

Runway: As a pastor, have you had to counsel parishioners about leading this type of lifestyle? Couples?  You mention in your book about Terri McMillan’s public breakup with her husband who admitted to being homosexual. Have you counseled any couples who have been together for quite some time and then they had to face this issue?  

Straight Up Book Cover

Runway:  How has your congregation received you writing about what some would call a taboo topic?  

As expected, the congregation has been overly supportive, celebratory and prayerful.  They’ve been my greatest support in addressing this national epidemic.  It is as if we’ve all enlisted in this fight to save our families and children and our churches.  

Runway:  It seems as if everyone is giving a lot of vocal solutions to this growing problem that undoubtedly is exposing more African American women to HIV and AIDS. Tell us what you propose to reach and redirect these men? 

Well obviously, my purpose and passion is to see men delivered from the sin of homosexuality and be totally restored and healed.  This would automatically and immediately stop the onslaught of transmission of AIDS/HIV particularly to our beautiful women of color. 

Runway: You have written a very detailed response in your book that can help anyone dealing with this problem to break free. If some of our readers out there are struggling with this issue, can they come to you for counseling?  Or do you have a support team that can assist them?  I am assuming they will have some confidentiality.     

Yes, in the most confidential manner, we have men in our church as well as others around the country that have consented to offer a solid plan of mentoring and modeling for those ready to be healed and made whole again. 

Runway: Pastor Stevens, are there any last words of encouragement you would like to share with our readers?  

Although Ephesians 4: 15 reminds us daily to “speak the truth in love”, it seemed for a moment that the church couldn’t win for losing.  If we didn’t address issues such as downlow living, we were ignorant and fearful of addressing it.  If and when we did address these and other issues, we were too hard, homophobic and condemning.  The good Samaritan in Matthew 10, had the delicate balance of applying oil and wine to a man who was left bleeding and half dead.  Men on the downlow are today bleeding with guilt and shame masqueraded by a false since of “gay pride” and acceptance.  These same men have been left to die—slowing but surely.  The church must apply the oil and wine through confrontational preaching and teaching as well as provide proven modeling and mentoring to those that are in need of healing and wholeness. 

Runway: Thank you for your time Pastor.