Big Gay Closet

In September 2002, Knapp, now 33, walked away from her career as a million-record-selling, multiple-Dove-award winning Christian singer-songwriter. On the lineup of the first Lilith Fair, she had crossover appeal even then, though her name is most indelibly known to the fans of “Jesus music.”

The rumors dogged her then as they dog her now. They said Jennifer Knapp canceled all her gigs and sold every inch of gear save one acoustic guitar because she was a lesbian. She stopped answering her e-mail, going months without talking even to her mother or her manager, because she was a lesbian. She dropped out of sight because she was a lesbian. And now, poised to release her first studio album in years, Jennifer Knapp is ready to face those rumors.

Turns out they’re true: Jennifer Knapp is a lesbian.

via Christian Singer Jennifer Knapp Comes Out | Entertainment News | Advocate.com.

The saddest stories are the ones where people had to retreat entirely from their lives in order to be themselves. I probably think so because that is my story too. On the upside, she’s in a happy, confident eight-year long relationship… happy enough in that relationship that she’s willing to come out publicly.

Even though it sounds like her sexual orientation was the worst kept secret in Christendom, as we all know, it still takes guts to say the words.

Of course, in the US, people don’t have to choose between Christianity and being true to themselves. There are plenty of churches (even of the evangelical variety) that affirm the dignity of LGBTQ people and that they too can be part of a strong, healthy faith community.

I’m thrilled for her that she’s found that balance in her life.

She has a unique voice and I like her style. Have a listen and see what you think.

You can listen to her new stuff here.

Old video.

Update: She’s also done an interview with Christianity Today and they ask about where she stands theologically on homosexuality and the church.

What about what Scripture says on the topic?

Knapp: The Bible has literally saved my life. I find myself between a rock and a hard place—between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the “clobber verses” to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics, and various other Scriptures we could argue about. I’m not capable of getting into the theological argument as to whether or not we should or shouldn’t allow homosexuals within our church. There’s a spirit that overrides that for me, and what I’ve been gravitating to in Christ and why I became a Christian in the first place.

Some argue that the feelings of homosexuality are not sinful, but only the act. What would you say?

Knapp: I’m not capable of fully debating that well. But I’ve always struggled as a Christian with various forms of external evidence that we are obligated to show that we are Christians. I’ve found no law that commands me in any way other than to love my neighbor as myself, and that love is the greatest commandment. At a certain point I find myself so handcuffed in my own faith by trying to get it right—to try and look like a Christian, to try to do the things that Christians should do, to be all of these things externally—to fake it until I get myself all handcuffed and tied up in knots as to what I was supposed to be doing there in the first place.

If God expects me, in order to be a Christian, to be able to theologically justify every move that I make, I’m sorry. I’m going to be a miserable failure.

You might find these interesting too:

1. Video: Jennifer Knapp talks to Larry King about coming out and faith
2. Christian singer Ray Boltz talks about coming out
3. Volcanic Ash Sunday Closet