Azariah Southworth, Popular Christian TV Host, Announces He Is Gay

Out & About Newspaper:

Local Nashvillian and host of The Remix, a popular Christian youth show, Azariah Southworth, announced today that he has come out.

"This has been a long time coming. I'm in a place where I'm at peace with my faith, friends, family and more importantly myself. I know this will end my career in Christian television, but I must now live my life openly and honestly with everyone. This is my reason for doing this," Southworth says.

Southworth has been hosting and producing the popular Christian TV show, The Remix for a year and a half. It is in syndication and can be seen in more than 128 million homes worldwide. It averages more than 200,000 viewers weekly on one of three networks. It has featured major Christian acts such as Jars of Clay, Avalon, Superchick, Building 429 and Rachael Lampa.

Southworth has been featured in national publications such as Charisma Magazine and many other national Christian media outlets.

"I know I will be cut off from many within the Christian community, and if so, then they didn't get the point of the life of Christ. I believe by me living my life honestly and authentically now, I am able to be a better person and a better Christian. We all know there are so many other gay people in the Christian industry; they're just all scared. I was scared, but now I'm no longer afraid," notes Southworth.

Read the whole story: Out & About Newspaper

Comments

[rigveda]

Who isn't gay in Christian televsion?? The lot of them should just come out already!

[brainlego]

I'd like to recommend a documentary called "for the bible tells me so".

[willo]

No,... Really. For some reason this doesn't surprise me a bit. Let me guess,... he's republican.

[pchdriver]

In an ancient context -- where your family is your society/army and it's imperative that everyone reproduce -- taboos against homosexual sex and masturbation and all the other acts that "waste" semen can be seen as a practical way to keep a small band of people focused on procreation.

The problem: Something that was nothing more than common sense 5,000 years ago got encoded in a holy text. And suddenly it's sacred and inviolate, even though the rationale for the rule lost its relevance long ago. We got over dietary laws in a hurry. But you don't see evangelicals running around denouncing those who consume pigs and lobster. Why? Because the issue that inspired the rule no longer applies.

Further, Jesus, the person these people consider the human incarnation of their god, couldn't be bothered to say a single word on the topic of homosexuality. And since fundamentalists insist that every jot and tittle of the Bible was inspired, if it mattered that much, wouldn't it stand to reason that the subject would have been included in records of Christ's ministry?

I wish this guy all the luck in the world. Unfortunately, if he tries to stick it out with the TBN crowd, he's gonna need it.

-- Christian Gulliksen

[mommadona]

Brave young person.

I don't see why it should be the 'end of a career' - not in the least.

Good luck and good wishes.

[rebeccaj]

Good luck and God Bless!

[JustifiablyParanoid]

I like how he called it the "Christian industry". That pretty much sums it all up, no? That part is actually the main thing that stood out to me at least.. I could care less that he's gay, any more than I would have cared if he were "straight" - whatever that really means.

[NCGigi]

Hmm, he knows that others in the "Christian Industry" will reject him. Good riddance, and go ahead and shake the dust from your sandals, my brother.

"You have turned my father's house of prayer into a den of thieves. Get out!!" Jesus Christ Superstar.

[JustanAmericanview]

What you have done with your forthrightness and honesty can only be described as Christ like in action. You may even have saved lives, by example, to others suffering in closets imposed on them by other's ignorance and prejudice. Thank you for lighting that candle.

[klayton]

And I'd like to announce that he's hot. Haha.

[MissingAmerica]

It would appear that his search for the truth in Christianity has led him beyond that of the mainstream evangelicals and closer to the truth -- we are all one and we have the right to be who we are. While it may end his career in hypocritical media, it should certainly make him a better person to teach the true meaning of Christianity, including tolerance.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

The only person you have to answer to Mr. Southworth is God.

"Peace be with you, my peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. For I will give my angels charge over thee to keep thee. They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against the stone"

Go with God, and all will be right.

[ScandalousCandice]

He'd be perfect for Sally Kern's son!

[BrickSykes]

Apparently this man has become "More Christian" through his self-searching. Good for him! His followers should applaud him and stick by him when the inevitable backlash comes. He sounds like he has become "More Christian" than the leadership he must serve under. I can't see James Dobson, or James Kennedy, or Pat Robertson accepting this man's honesty.

Brick

[susane07]

Good for him (for coming out). People should be who they are and not pretend. We'll love you for who you are.

[protagonia]

They ALL are. Huge closet.