Award-winning gay author hopes to spark discussion

Award-winning gay author hopes to spark discussion
By Amy Wooten
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
September 27, 2009
http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/3893


Terry Angel Mason, author of the Pulitzer nominated book “Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent,” is coming to Chicago soon in hopes of sparking a dialogue about sexuality and same-sex relationships within the African American community.

The openly gay minister and author will speak at an upcoming event at Affinity Community Services, 5650 S. Woodlawn, on Sept. 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. Affinity’s Youth Leadership Institute Initiative will host the discussion, which will cover the many topics addressed in Mason’s book, including sexuality and the Black church and other issues. A very limited number of books will be available for sale during the event, which is open to the public.

“Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent” is a collection of stories on a range of topics, from coming out to the Black church. Mason’s book provides a chapter for everyone, from gay teens and their parents to pastors and everyone in between. Many of the tales are interwoven with Mason’s life experiences as a Black gay man and minister.

Mason, who heard the call to ministry when he was a small child but chose to ignore it until he was in his 40’s, said he became inspired to write a book after becoming a pastor. He would post messages online and receive positive feedback, including advice that he should pen a book. “I ignored it for a long time,” Mason said, “but they eventually bugged me to death!”

After Proposition 8 passed in California, where Mason lives, he started seeking publishers. He said that although he was “absolutely devastated” by the news, he knew that it would be a perfect time to share what he had to say. He felt that both gay and straight people could benefit from his words of advice.

“That book has transformed by own life so much, not because it was published, but the content of it,” Mason said.

Soon after it was published, people from all over the country started reaching out to Mason, from gay teens who identified with Mason’s life story to the parents of gay children who said that it helped them with the coming out process.

“I wish my book could be in the hands of every gay child and parent,” Mason said.

As for his own coming out story, Mason said that, in a way, he didn’t officially come out until his book was published. “I’ve always been in an environment that is loving and affirming,” Mason said of his family. He never said, “I am a gay man,” but instead figured everyone just knew.

“When I wrote that book, suddenly everybody in the world now knows,” Mason said with a laugh. “I feel like my coming out was recent.”

But now, Mason said, he can say those words—“I am a gay man”— with pride, and he hopes that other GLBT people who read his work can do the same.

“If you are gay, I hope you will read it and feel pride and self worth,” he said.

Mason hopes that during the event, the audience will participate in a lively discussion of several topics.

“It’s going to be quite an event,” Mason said. “It’s going to stimulate so many questions.”

Visit terryangelmason.com and affinity95.org for more information.