Yesterday started like a normal day for the popular Christian TV host Azariah Southworth. He had just been in touch with Out & About, a local Nashville GLBT newspaper, to do a brief story on his decision to come out as a gay Christian. Everything would soon change.
The story went live in the early afternoon of April 16, 2008. In it, Azariah explained how it’s important for the Christian community to be loving and accepting of gay people.
Azariah was the producer and host of a syndicated Christian TV show called The Remix, which reached young viewers all over the U.S. He went on to explain that he didn’t mind his career in the religious media being over because he felt it was more important to spread the message of acceptance and tolerance.
Within hours, the story took on an unexpected life of its own. It was picked up by The Huffington Post, and then spread to popular gossip site Perez Hilton, as well as many gay-themed news blogs. By early evening, the modest story of a young Nashville man coming out of the closet had reached millions of readers around the world.
Blogs and news forums were flooded with support for Azariah. Despite an expected backlash from conservative Christians, the overwhelming theme was positive and deeply supportive. Azariah’s simple message of love seemed to connect with everyone.
Now there are so many more questions people want to ask Azariah. He was generous enough to devote some of his time for an exclusive interview with Nathan Exposed:
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Nathan: What made you decide to come out yesterday? Most people usually don’t wake up and say “I think I’m going to come out in a newspaper today. ” Instead, it’s usually after a situation reaches a boiling point and they feel they have no other choice. Was there something or someone that urged you to come out?
Azariah: Well some things have happened in the past year that have caused this to come out. It was a mix of life experiences, maturing, and studying what the Bible really says about being gay. After I watched the documentary, “For The Bible Tells Me So” I became confident in who I was and was ready to deal with this. So it was a mix of all those things that really brought this on.
Nathan: You seemed to anticipate the worst before it ever happened. Isn’t there a chance people already suspected you were gay and accepted you? Your show has an audience of young viewers, which do tend to be more open minded and probably already know gay kids in their schools.
Azariah: I tend to think the worst and hope for the best. In this case so far, only the best has happened. I do think some people suspected I was gay, I mean lets face it, I am by no means flamboyant but I’m no jock either. The reaction so far has been 99% positive. I’ve received hundreds of emails from people all over the world telling me their story and saying how inspired they are. From all the emails I’ve received, I have realized that I must have a voice for these people and to all the others who need to know there is hope and they can still be a Christian, even if they are gay.
Nathan: Tell me about your life before you came out and the process of getting here. Did family and friends know you are gay? Did you (and do you) have a support system to help you through this?
Azariah: My life before publicly announcing I was gay is the same as it is now. I was active in the gay community. I have been attending a gay affirming church, Covenant of the Cross. Most of my friends are gay and they are VERY intelligent people who love God. My family and friends have known for a while. It was no secret to them. Yes, I do have a very strong and amazing support system here in Nashville. I have some very amazing friends who have already been down my road.
Nathan: Do you have role models in the gay community that you look up to?
Azariah: Oh my gosh yes! I can not tell you how much Ellen Degeneres’s story has helped to bring me where I am now. I use to go on YouTube when I was feeling down and watch her interview on 20/20 when she was just coming out and find so much comfort in that. She has been such an encouragement. I also really admire Anderson Cooper on CNN. His story is fascinating. Ellen however, is my role model, hands down.
Nathan: Now I have to ask this, because I know someone else will if I don’t. Are you currently dating anyone? Have you been in relationships with other men in the past, or is this all new for you?
Azariah: LOL!!! Awww… 
Sorry I’m just thinking about a guy I have a crush on. I need a moment… Ok… over it! I have been in relationships in the past. I’m currently not in a relationship. I do want to find someone to love and who can love me soon, but I’m patient, so no rush.
Nathan: A lot of gay people struggle with religion and what the church teaches them. I thought it was interesting that you pointed out that true Christianity is about accepting and loving everyone for who they are. But religion can breed very hateful reactions to gay people that contradict the core message of Christianity, which is love. What is your spin on it? How did you overcome all the darkness and see that you can be Christian AND gay?
Azariah: It’s been a long hard road and the journey is not over. I received an email from a guy named Matt who just came out to his parents this past week and they’re not taking it well at all. Neither is he. Matt said he needed advice and already tried to commit suicide twice. This broke my heart when I read that. Its emails like that that I read and ask myself where is the body of Christ to love and comfort him? I believe the church needs to lay down their stones and start to speak love into people like Matt’s lives. I was able to overcome much of the oppression and guilt by just doing my own research and having long conversations with people about it.
Nathan: What is the current status of The Remix? Has it been canceled, and/or do the networks even know you came out yet?
Azariah: I do know that as of today (Thursday) the second day of all the chaos, one network has taken The Remix off the air. I have not heard from the other two networks. I do know they are soon to follow.
Nathan: Is the show something you’d want to fight for? If you love it and it’s your passion, would you be curious to see if you can stand up and insist that the show go on, since you are the producer?
Azariah: I know these people, and this crowd. It’s the whole Pat Robertson and TBN crowd. There is no way in this lifetime they will allow a openly gay person on their networks. I wouldn’t fight for it because I know the fight would be in vain. I’m hoping that secular networks will come forth and be interested in picking it up. It really is a great show concept and very fast paced and I still own the rights to it! 
I know it would do great on something like MTV, FUSE, LOGO, etc.
Nathan: I’m sure there are many gay men and women in Christian media who are hiding in the closet. Is it something everybody knows but doesn’t talk about? Do you know if anyone else plans on coming out specifically because you did?
Azariah: I have actually received several emails from people actually coming out to me that are in the Christian industry. Sometimes everyone does know about “that one person in the office” but no one dares talk about it. No one has come to me saying they have plans to come out but I have been told they wish they had the courage to.
Nathan: In closing, is there anything you’d like to say that came to your mind after the initial article was published yesterday? Anything you wanted to say after the fact? Anything that has been misinterpreted and you’d like to clarify?
Azariah: Everything I’ve seen has been pretty fair and accurate. The only thing I would like to add is, to all those who are struggling with who you are as a gay man or lesbian and your faith, know that there is hope and you’re not going to hell. God loves you and accepts you, just believe in him and be loving to others and you are saved.
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Thanks so much for agreeing to this, Azariah. The poor guy had been reading and responding to e-mails all day, and was still enthusiastic about filling out these answers. I’d like to end this post with a very touching video message he posted on YouTube:
Again, admiration and respect. It can’t come soon enough in people’s lives. Including my own. And as for the christian community being loving and accepting? Not so much, in spite of it being the very topic of a million different sermons. There is a serious disconnect there.
Posted on Fri, Apr 18, 2008 @ 9:29 am
You can’t begin to imagine how comforting his video message is to me - thanks for posting it. Truly a breath of fresh air. Thanks nathan!! xxoo
Posted on Fri, Apr 18, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Yes, I was also comforted by his video and I’ve been out for a few years now. I love Azariah already. I only want the best for him.
Posted on Sat, Apr 19, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Thanks for the great interview! I linked back from http://gayspirituality.typepad.com
Now that I’ve found your blog, I’ll check it out more often!!
Posted on Sun, Apr 20, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
There are many online resources for gay Christians to ease the coming out process — we need to get the word out more successfully! One of my faves is the http://gaychristian.net forum — I’ve read so many stories like Matt’s on that site, and it always seems to be a relief to people to discover they aren’t alone and that they aren’t abnormal!
How can we get these resources more publicity for the Matts of the world?
Posted on Mon, Apr 21, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Azariah, My dear gay brother, I am a 70 year old man who no longer calls himself a Christian. You have made the first step of a very long journey and I urge you to follow it to the end which will lead you to the knowledge that TRUE LIBERATION IN CHRIST IS REALIZING HE WAS ONLY A MAN!
Posted on Mon, Apr 21, 2008 @ 11:50 pm
Interesting. Very nice interview Nathan. Oh yeah and he is cute.
Posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008 @ 4:29 am
What an inspiration! I am a fully ordained pastor who is gay. I’m out with all my friends and family… just not with my church (I’m an associate pastor). After hearing this it really inspired me. There is so much TRUTH that the church will not teach. Many “straight” pastors know the truth but will not speak of it because of the backlash from the Christian Community. I hope to one day start my own Gay Affirming church that will teach the message of God’s love… because it’s not the method but the message that counts. Thanks Nathan for posting this. Today is a good day!!!!
–Ceelo
www.myspace.com/ceelo30260
Posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Awesome, Nathan!
Great interview.
What a scoop. You are totally “our” Baba Wawa
Posted on Tue, Apr 22, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
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