Christian gospel singer Roy Boltz gay - 09/16/08 06:48 AM
Christian gospel singer Roy Boltz has come out of the closet to announce he is gay in an interview with the Washington Blade. The contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter said he has struggled with the truth of his sexual orientation for over 30 years. Boltz told the Blade he came out to his family and friends in 2004, including his four children and now ex-wife. The Dove Award-winning singer, who has sold over four million records, said he simply could no longer avoid the truth that he was gay.
In a message posted on his website, Boltz says he was afraid that if people �knew who I really was, I would never be accepted.�
However, during the past few years he has learned there �are many people who feel the same way I do.� Boltz said one church in particular has helped him to find acceptance, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). The MCC was created decades ago by Rev. Troy Perry and gives extensive outreach to the LGBT community. MCC now has over 300 congregations in 18 countries.
Although Boltz officially retired from contemporary Christian music several years ago, in part due to his struggles regarding his sexual orientation, he announced he will begin performing once again soon. Boltz has accepted an invitation to perform at two MCC locations in Indianapolis on September 14 and Washington D.C. on September 21.
In an interview with the Washington Blade published this week, Boltz said that he �prayed hard and tired for 30-some years� to overcome his inherent feeling that he was gay. �I�d denied it ever since I was a kid,� Boltz told the Blade, �I thought that was the way to deal with this��
Eventually, Boltz reached the realization that he just could no longer hide the truth of his sexual orientation any longer. Boltz came out to his family in December, 2004 on the same day as the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Although he says it was a very �tough time� for everyone, in the end he was given �support and love from each member of my family.�
In a message posted on his website, Boltz says he was afraid that if people �knew who I really was, I would never be accepted.�
However, during the past few years he has learned there �are many people who feel the same way I do.� Boltz said one church in particular has helped him to find acceptance, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). The MCC was created decades ago by Rev. Troy Perry and gives extensive outreach to the LGBT community. MCC now has over 300 congregations in 18 countries.
Although Boltz officially retired from contemporary Christian music several years ago, in part due to his struggles regarding his sexual orientation, he announced he will begin performing once again soon. Boltz has accepted an invitation to perform at two MCC locations in Indianapolis on September 14 and Washington D.C. on September 21.
In an interview with the Washington Blade published this week, Boltz said that he �prayed hard and tired for 30-some years� to overcome his inherent feeling that he was gay. �I�d denied it ever since I was a kid,� Boltz told the Blade, �I thought that was the way to deal with this��
Eventually, Boltz reached the realization that he just could no longer hide the truth of his sexual orientation any longer. Boltz came out to his family in December, 2004 on the same day as the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Although he says it was a very �tough time� for everyone, in the end he was given �support and love from each member of my family.�