Why I Outed Jonathan Merritt

Dear Southern Baptist Convention

I am not completely proud of "outing" your own, Jonathan Merritt, this week. I am very conflicted about what I've done. However, what is done is done.

What we have now is an opportunity. An opportunity to have a discussion with transparency and honesty.

So lets do that, okay? Not the typical fear based rhetoric, misinformation or half-truths. Let's have real talk.

Be love,
Azariah Southworth 

Jonathan Merritt: Come Out

Radical honesty = to state your feelings bluntly, directly and in a way typically considered impolite. Honesty can be scary and for this truth, I am scared. However, it is my personal belief that one should only be allowed to lead by living a transparent, honest and authentic life. 

Jonathan Merritt is a good man with great intentions. Jonathan pushes for a society which seeks to understand the “other.” He encourages conversation and relationship building over arguments and division. I agree with his approach and I know he is being genuine in this approach. I feel though what has led Jonathan to this thoughtful and effective approach is his hope for a future where people like me and him, gay people, are no longer excluded but included in every aspect of society. 

He rides the fence because of the strong anti-gay stance his religious community continues to take. He is brave by daring to push the envelope a bit but not enough to give himself away. 

Exposing this truth of Jonathan’s sexual orientation is not an easy decision for me. I take no pleasure in doing this. As I type this my stomach is turning because I know of the backlash he will receive. I have thought about what all of this will mean for him and for me. I base my reasoning in the importance of living an authentic and honest life.

True change in the “culture wars” may come through genuine fellowship and conversations but if there is not complete honesty and transparency when we come to the table than we are simply building a foundation which will soon deteriorate. 

We must have radical honesty in the character, intentions and identities of our leaders.  I truly hope for the day when leaders of the LGBT community and leaders from the anti-LGBT community can come to the table with no secrets or agendas but simply to know one another. As Howard Thurman said, “Contact without genuine fellowship breeds hatred.” 

May we begin that genuine fellowship with complete transparency of who we are so that our foundation is solid. 

(The nature and history of my relationship with Jonathan will not be disclosed. However, if evidence is required to back my claim it can be provided).


UPDATE: My response is the same to everyone... Transparency is required of anyone who chooses to lead discussions on a large public platform. In order for those discussions to be successful and effective the identities of the leaders must be made known especially when those identities effect how the conversation is constructed.

UPDATE II: I strongly condemn all mean-spirited and hateful comments against Jonathan. This is a time of reflection and dialogue, not hateful speech.

Gay In Iraq

Iraq is believed to be the most dangerous place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to be out. In March 2012, it was reported as many as 58 gay Iraqis have been murdered since the beginning of 2012. Further, an estimated 750 LGBT Iraqis have been murdered in the past six years. In this episode of Faith Matters, we turn our attention to Iraq. 
Gay In Iraq from Azariah Southworth on Vimeo.