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

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 here.

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.

[rextrek]

As an X-Catholic..and someone who NO longer is affiliated with any religion...I applaud this man for being HONEST! Im sure he'll be RAKED over the Coals of religious dogma scorn in about 3,2,...1...yep...he'll be outa' there "Toot sweet"...but hey, at least he has Integrity! Go Join the UCC...and be openly accepted. MOst people have no problem with religion..until they start Interjecting thier DOGMAN on the rest of us..and Trying to Infiltrate our Secular Gov't and it's laws. Stay out of politics or be TAXED! The religious freaks are trying to TAKE OVER American political systems....but, people ARE wising up to them and thier HYPOCRACY! Man, I'd love the day that a UFO, or "BEINGS" from another word...actually came here,and SHOWED themselves....that would be a day of celebration...as it would IMPLODE religions...to thier blind thinking that MAN was made in SKY GODS image..and that LIfe revolves around US.

[Amalek]

Evangelicals are not Christians, and Christians are too forgiving to insist they stop using the brand.

[Gary47]

Amalek is absolutely right. Evangelicals are a faction of the Judgmentalists, a large religion spanning several continents. They like to co-op other religions in an effort to give themselves instant legitimacy. They are not Christian, any more than a band of middle Eastern terrorists are Islamic.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

It is a different denomination but it does fall under the brand of Christianity. Like Catholics, Baptists, Methodists etc.

[Rog49Thomas]

Matthew 6:5 and Matthew 7:21 are apt verses here.

As is Sura Al Baqarah Ayat 8

[buckbuck11]

Corporate Christians who have clothed themselves in self-righteousness for personal gain and prosperity are anathema to the spirit of the Christian scriptures. Fundamentalist Christians of the Pat Robertson ilk are no less terrorists than the Islamic Ayatollahs or the Zionist Rabbis. Fundamentalism perverts authentic religious belief with an extremist and oppressive political agenda.

There are many Christian communities who will welcome Azariah Southworth with open arms and rejoicing. Many gay folk live their Christian walk in far more authentic and moral ways than high profile self-righteous bible thumpers.

The Reformed Catholic Church welcomes all to all of the sacraments, including Marriage and Holy Orders. Check out www.reformedcatholicchurch.org

[DannyEastVillage]

uh..what the hell is the Christian "industry"?

[THORGODOFTHUNDER]

Surely you jest. Christianity is a real money maker. Plus they get all kinds of tax breaks, and are subsidized by the rest of us.

[Rog49Thomas]

They ain't making Jews like Jesus anymore

[Jinxykb]

It's acknowledgment that Christianity is a money making business (among other things).

[AxelDC]

Young people, even young christians, don't hate gays. They recognize homophobia as being as a great as sin as racism.

Good for Azariah to be honest with himself. His courage will inspire other closeted youth to seek out positive messages and lives instead of the bitter, dark closet of lies that leads to suicide or pathetic cases like Ted Haggard and Sen. Larry Craig.

[Mooyizz]

im speechless and in shock that y'all have a distorted view of the bible and sin, its sad enough there is a lot of information and God supported free will to do whatever you want to do, but come someday, all of us will answer to how we have lived our lives, and before you pounce on me for being judgemental, no I am not, but to God, Sin is Sin, Jesus ddnt come to molly cuddle sin and give us teh rigght to pander on teh grey areas, HOMOSEXUALLITY IS A SIN AS SIMPLE AS THAT!! when you read your bible, kindly lay aside your oerinformed,oerenlightned freewilled mindset and read it like its God speaking to your mind and it clearly says that!! oops, im sorry, you critical people dont believe in the bible just anymore right?

[brainlego]

http://www.evilbible.com/ The bible is not a good book for morality.
How do you do with all the contradictions?

[happytrails]

Yes Moo, you are right to say that some people do not believe that the bible is much different from the dictionary or GONE WITH THE WIND.....all man made and imperfect, some good ideas and some nonsense.

[deedrdo]

eating shrimp is also a sin so you'd better cancel your reservation at red lobster.

these cafeteria christians are the worst. pick and choose what you want to believe out of the bible and ignore the rest. if you want to use leviticus to damn gay people then use the whole god damned book...not just the parts that fit your agenda.

[Sumocat]

Oh please. Do you know how many people go out for breakfast after church each Sunday, thereby making people do work on the holy day? That's an explicit violation of one of the Ten Commandments performed right after attending church. By contrast, homosexuality is neither a violation of the commandments, nor listed as one of the Seven Deadly Sins. In fact, the Tenth Commandment leaves open the possibility. Can't covet thy neighbor's wife or anything else that "belongs" to him, but you're not forbidden from coveting thy neighbor. Assuming the Commandments are the highest law, it seems to me the bigger sin is the one being performed at the IHOP each Sunday. But that's just my "distorted view" that the rules carved in stone are more important than the ones hidden in arcane text.

[Nyk]

Could you please give me book, chapter and verse in the Bible where Jesus says anything about homosexuality? Not the old testament, not Paul: JESUS! Thank you in advance.

[Rog49Thomas]

Not a word on this subject.

And then there's all this Sermon on the Mount talk - sounds like a liberal to me.

Sort of makes you wonder what sort of Christian he really was.

[CindyKay]

Thanks to Phoney Christians & Other Self Absorbed & Judgemental Individuals Like Yourself Christianity has become a four letter word in My House.
I believe in a Higher Power YET I do Not Believe ANYONE on Earth can tell Me Exactly what this Higher Power Expects From Us . Individuals Like Yourself Partake in an Un- Holy My Religion Is Better Than Yours Addittude . UNLESS You can Provide Me With a Video or Handwritten BIBLE From This Higher Power Keep Your Religious BS to Yourself. Frankly as far as I am Concerned Your Style of Religion is More like a CULT! I Will Wait to Meet My So Called Maker & Believe Me Whomever that turns out to be Will have alot of Explaining to do as far as I am Concerned!!!

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Bingo, you are absolutely right. The problem Christianity is facing is a direct result of appointing "mouth pieces of God". Like the Pope, Jerry Fallwell, Pat Robertson, James Dobson etc. None of these men have any greater connection to God than the rest of us. They are not special in anyway. They just found a way to scam people by formenting this idea of religious intolerance and hatred.

[Syco]

Only the Pope is elected. The others are a disgrace to humanity.

[ejay579]

So why did Lot have sex with his daughters? By the way, if God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent how can any of man's actions be considered to result from free will? Can man act in any manner which God does not know about and which God did not pre-ordain? Call me an elitist if you will but I do not think you have a clue about the genesis of anything in which you believe. When the Bible talks about sheep, it definitely has you in mind.

[Syco]

knowing the future doesn't man you control it.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

God being omiscient, omnipotent and omnipresent does not mean that you have no free will. You are given free will to do what you will. It is up to you what you do with that free will. You have the power to help your brothers and sisters or you have the power to hurt. But whatever your actions God sees all. However, I do not believe that we as humans should be judging anyone based on the choices they make. Leave the judgement to God.

[Jinxykb]

Your bible has been translated, transcribed and re-transcribed hundreds of times. God only knows what he meant in the original. And 'homosexual' was not even a word until recent history. Many scholars believe the use of 'homosexual' in current versions was in reference to 'men who had sex with young boys for sport'--which to me sounds like pedophiles or rapists.