Reverend Mel White remembers Jerry Falwell

The Advocate by Rev. Mel White, Michelle Garcia | May. 17, 2007 (Special Report)

During his years of concealing his own same-sex urges, the Reverend Mel White was a ghostwriter for iconic antigay evangelical figures such as Pat Robertson and Billy Graham. When the Reverend Jerry Falwell got wind of White's prowess, White was recruited to pen "Falwell: An Autobiography," published in 1987.Eventually White came out and became a voice, as the cofounder of Soulforce, for open and closeted LGBT people against the religious right's condemnation. Here, White remembers his relationship with Falwell, who died May 15, and looks to the future of the antigay movement.

I was in the dentist's chair when I heard that Jerry Falwell passed away. I couldn't believe that I started crying. I had to find an office and I just cried. I was trying to think, "Why the heck am I crying?" I think I was crying for his family. He was a great father and husband, and he was a really good pastor - I've been going to his church for years, so I know -- and he was a really good president of a university. There are 20,000 students at Liberty ... Full Story »

Posted by Dale Penn

4.4

by Dale Penn - Oct. 1, 2008

Personal account from Rev. Mel White on the state of the culture war between evangelical Christians and the gay community following the passing of Jerry Falwell. White has a rare talent for being able to disagree without becoming disagreeable. I heard him speak once and he promised to "outlove" those who hate gay people. This is the story I've been waiting for since Falwell's death.

Dale posted this story.

See Full Review » (10 answers)