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An Interview With Gospel Christian Songwriter, Ray Boltz
Ray Boltz is a gospel Christian songwriter and singer, who has been performing his original music around the nation as a full-time career since 1986. Boltz came out publicly about being gay in 2008. The nature of his music and his faith may have become more complex, but both are still major components of his life.
Saturday, he performs in Richmond for the first time at Metropolitan Community Church. He spoke with GayRVA.com about his music, his journey, and faith.
GayRVA: What are your thoughts on gay activism?
Boltz: When I think about that, the Loving v. Virginia case comes to mind. That was the case involving an interracial couple, when interracial marriage was still illegal in many states. After the case turned into an activist issue, Loving said: “We weren’t doing this to be activists. We were in love.” I agree with this sentiment – just to be an honest and authentic person, and to live your life the way you want to is most important.
I do think it’s great to be outspoken. You know, it doesn’t take long after coming out to be confronted by this society, which says you can’t get married, you can’t get joint tax returns….it just doesn’t take very long before you see how society treats gay people. But I think things are changing for the better. When I was a teen and had all these feelings to deal with, I didn’t know about being gay. I did not know one gay person, there were no gay idols on any scene, nothing. That has definitely changed, and I think that’s great.
How does your music reflect your beliefs?
I do stand up for social change where I can. The song “Don’t Tell Me Who to Love” is about the Loving v. Virginia case in comparison with my own life, and the song “Swimming Hole” is about hate crimes against gays. Right now, I am part of a group called “Soul Force” that aims to help LGBT kids trump the fundamentally anti-gay policies at Christian-affiliated schools….My ex-wife is actually one of the Board of Directors for this group. She is just fantastic.
Are you partial to a certain branch of faith?
Actually, there are a few independent churches that I hang out with. I’m not partial to any one of them, although I do consider the Methodist community to be more accepting of its LGBT members than many other churches are. I got involved with the community when a pastor in Washington, DC contacted me after he had listened to my Christmas CD. He asked about the song “God Knows I Tried,” and asked me to perform it for his congregation. I like the accepting and supportive attitude of the church; we both believe in applauding people for being who they are, not persecuting them for it.
I think more churches should take this attitude towards people, because really embracing differences in people keeps those differences from turning people into stereotypes. I wish more churches saw it that way instead of being vocal about their anti-gay sentiments, even from the pulpit. Telling teenagers that they have a “broken” sexuality because they are gay will not change the fact that they are. It’s not a choice, in my opinion. Changing these attitudes takes time, but I do think it’s beginning to happen.
What messages do you want to send to your fan base through your music, particularly those struggling to navigate tensions between the church and the LGBT communities?
You know, I spent 30 years trying to do everything they said I should do. I did counseling, praying, deliverance, thinking that I could “choose” not to be gay. None of it worked, and they’re not going to come out with anything new now, after 30 years, that I haven’t already tried. In the end, I can change my behaviors; but I can’t change who I am, no matter what. God knows I’ve given my all, and I think that the church communities are widening their perspectives as time goes on to accept the notion of this quote, that “Honest doubt leads to great faith.” Faith, after all, is not necessarily having the answers; it’s about questioning the answers you are given.
Ray Boltz performs tracks from his new CD, All the Best, on Saturday, April 9, 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond, 2501 Park Avenue. For tickets and more information, click here.
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44 Comments
Homosexuality is choice that stems from mental,physical,emotional,and sexual abuse, It is A spiritual condition
@ Jordan – when did you choose to be straight? Was it 6th, 7th or maybe 10th grade? Please really think about it & give me a time frame that you made an actual decision and you were choosing to be straight.
@Jordan,
You’re a bigot and you’re ignorant. It is also obvious you are incapable of independent thought so you merely tout the hateful rhetoric your fundamentalist background dictates, just like a good little automaton.
Jordan — to put it bluntly, you’re an idiot. I suffered no abuse of any kind by anyone at anytime. I am gay because that’s the way I was created. Now bigotry and hatred is a learned condition from years of brainwashing from your fundamentalist indoctrinators. If you believe yours is a God of love, you’d better get with the program. Because your hatred and homophobia will not be well received.
Amazingly well-put, Taylor.
I am the daughter of an Assembly of God preacher, I grew up listening to his music, and preforming many of his songs at my church. He is an amazing man OF GOD!!! You can not fake the convicition that you hear in his voice. I understand that the Bible says one man and one woman, so I understand where the church comes from, on the whole how can we pick and choose which part of the Bible we are to follow, but I do believe that being a homosexual is something you are born being. Why would you choose it?? Yes, it is starting to be accepted, but with such hatred portrayed to them, Jordan is a perfect example, who would choose that???
Ultimately his sexual preference does NOT determine who he is, or where he stands in the kingdom of God, so who are we to judge him for it? His music is phenomenal, and he will always be one of the best men out there, musically, in my eyes.
All the comments will not alter he fact that God calls male & female homosexuality an abomination., First question should be “Do you want your church to be like the one Jesus died to seal” and “If you love him ,. will you obey his commands?” If you say “I do… then obey.” You cannot live in sin (homosexuality is a sin) and claim to be christian. God sees the sin and turns his face away. So, do you really want to obey Christ? Acts 2:38 .. all the rest will be cleaned by God.
May god forgive you for your judgements…
@Steve I believe that God is very unhappy with people who don’t use the intelligent minds that he/she gave them. Especially when they blindly follow a document that was written, rewritten, and translated by an extremely primitive people. I believe people who hate gays and others are in for a very big surprise when they meet their maker.
@Jordan please see above. Good luck. You’re going to need it.
@Jordan & @Steve AMEN! I agree whole heartily. The Lord is a loving God,and He wants us to love the sinner but hate the sin.
Ray has made a mistake that we should hope and pray he repents from. He belongs in Heaven.
Stop letting the devil blind you all! Pray. Never cease prayer!
Wow! All I can say is wow. Steve-way to go for standing up for truth! God bless for that! Being gay is a SIN, it is a CHOICE, snd everyone will be judged at some point in time. TC-it isn’t hatred towards gays/lesbians it is a distinct and often unhidden difference in beliefs. It seems that our freedom of religion only applies to those who are anything but Christian. I do not agree with the gay lifestyle but also I try my best not to judge it. It is not my place to do so.
Hate the sin not the sinner.
Hellooooo !!! wake up people.. what can you do with a penis and a penis.. they don’t go together.. and to put it in a place that is naturally “exit only”..is just not right.. We got to go back to basics folks.. gayness is a symptom of a psychological and/or spiritual imbalance that leads to abnormal sexual behavior.. ask the animal kingdom.. males don’t try to mate and adopt babies and register their relationships… I’m outtt !
Why are all you homophobes clearly so stoked to comment on a gay website?
@John D actually, same-sex activity is found in virtually every species of animals o the planet. And God created all of them, He takes care of them, and He loves them. And I think most creatures—male AND female—find all sorts of things to do with penises. As far as your theories about psychological and spiritual imbalances goes, I’m afraid you’re sadly misinformed. Every major professional medical, psychological and sociological organization completely disagrees with you. So do a large host of highly respected theologians, seminaries, and entire church denominations around the globe. God bless you, friend.
@Michelle Can you, or anyone else, please provide a shred of evidence or logic behind your theories that homosexuality is a choice? How and when exactly did you choose to be heterosexual? Have you ever once rethought that decision you’ve implied you’ve made? I’m betting the answer is emphatically no. Sadly, it is all too easy to assume that something that may seem foreign or unnatural to you must be a choice made by others. As a gay man of faith who finally began to come to terms with my true self at 35, I can tell you with absolute certainty that my sexual orientation is in no way a choice any more than yours is! No one chooses their sexual orientation. To suggest otherwise is, frankly, completely ridiculous.
All of you who admonish LGB individuals with your biblical quotes (or just your high minded nonsense) ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Do you suppose to know the mind of God? Look to your own sins before you begin throwing stones at others for their “sins”. Christ died for you, not so that you could set yourself higher than other people, but so that you might be compassionate, might care for the sick and the old and the outcast, and that you might be closer to His radiance. Christ came to free us from the requirements of the Old Testament. Do any of you, John or Michelle or Steve, do you keep Kosher? Do you light fires or do work on the Sabbath? So why do you threaten violence and make crude jokes about others based on the Old Testament when you don’t follow it yourself. Nichole, you pick and chose every day, when you combine the fibers of two plants in your clothing, or when you touch a pig. Nichole, do you withdraw from your husband every month while you bleed? Do you ritually cleanse yourself before coming back to his bed? If not, you have caused him to be unclean in God’s eyes, and he should be cast out of the city. Look to your own sins, and leave everyone else alone. You have sinned mightily against God, and you WILL experience his wrath.
what about people who have sex with animals or children are they born that way? Where and who draws the line? we are all born sinners ,but our job is to strive for perfection in all areas of our lives. I am born a murderer but i do not murder , i am born a thief,but does that give me a right to steal?
I do believe you need to read your Bible. Interracial couple is not 2 men or 2 women it is a man and woman. My daughter is married to a black man.
Sex with animals or children??? Are you kidding me! I am a lesbian christian headed to seminary in the very near future. SO glad that God loves me and i love him and that the uneducated people here on earth are clueless. Born a murderer? Really? As my Great Grandmother, a very spiritual woman, “Christianity is in your heart and Religion is in your head” God Bless All……please get to know someone and learn the reality and truth before you judge.
i think he shuoldn’t do gospel songs if he is gay. that is christianity
if youre gay youre not a christian
no offence!!!
This is actually 2 questions:
“Can you, or anyone else, please provide a shred of evidence or logic behind your theories that homosexuality is a choice?”
“How and when exactly did you choose to be heterosexual?”
Regarding the first question, I think the question needs to be rephrased: engaging in homosexual acts is a choice just as engaging in heterosexual (or indeed any other sexual) activities. Unless you can say someone held you at gunpoint to force you to do it, it is a choice. It’s something you want to do.
Regarding the second question, once again, it needs rephrasing: People may not choose to whom they are attracted nor to what they think about (Even heteros can’t always control erotic thoughts & feelings), but people CAN & DO choose the who, what, where, when, & why of acting on it.
“please get to know someone and learn the reality and truth before you judge.”
This comment is a judgment itself.
Consider St. Paul’s words: 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. (1 Corinthians 1:19-25 NIV 1984)
“Look to your own sins, and leave everyone else alone. You have sinned mightily against God, and you WILL experience his wrath.”
Read Acts 15 for more on this–specifically the following: “24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.”
And this:
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[b] God made you[c] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.[d] (Colossians 2:13-15)
And this:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11(NIV1984)
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
It is still sin until one is made new in Jesus Christ & in the power of the Holy Spirit actively lives for Him & no longer for sin.
By the way — we ALL miss the mark. We ALL fall short of God’s holy standards. We ALL need Jesus Christ.
Herein the battle lies. It started with the fall of man and continues to the end of time(as we know it) There are two roads, the wide road that leads to destruction and the narrow road that leads to life. The thing I’m not hearing in all of this is that Christianity is a narrow road, you either have a biblical world view or a secular world view. We are told, by Jesus, that we will be persecuted for our faith by the “world”. But we are not “of” this world, this is not our home. Jesus says “fear not for I have overcome the world. So why should we think that anyone who is caught up in sin, I mean living willfully in it, is going to understand anything about Christianity or want to come back to it if they are willfully making a choice. I love Ray because it was “The Anchor Holds” that got me into gospel music, and eventually back into a right relationship with God. I not only love him for that but because jesus loves ‘Everyone” byt the kicker here is that God “Hates” sin and the homosexual lifestyle is definately a sin, just as lying, stealing etc… is a sin. If we “habitually” live in sin then how can we be a Christian? The answer is “YOU CAN’T”
The world would be a much better place if everyone would just live and let live instead of trying to force their beliefs and personal feelings onto others.
I am a Christian and my very best friend is gay. He is probably the most spiritual man I know and I am blessed to have him in my life. His sexuality has NOTHING to do with his spirituality!!
This is in no means judging any one but Christ thought us to identify or discern the ingenuity in those who claim to be truly of God by their FRUIT (character, attitude and behavior) and not by their worldview, talents and gifts.
Spirituality can be faked. Spiritual talents and gifts can be deceptive but the true character of Christ/ holiness cannot be faked. It is on this basis that Christ said many will say that did awesome things in His name but He will deny ever knowing them.
Homosexuality is sin and God frowns at it in all its form. We will be judged, according to the Bible, according to our DIDS. Sexuality, like every endeavour in our lives, as something to do with spirituality. We are spirit, soul and body.
Sorry the biggest mistake Ray keeps making is in the saying …I tried … 30years etc. Life in Christ is not about you, you trusted in yourself all this years and up to now you fail to know that is all about Christ and the cross. Full of I, I, I, has lead you far from the power of the cross which is grace. Pls return in your powerlessness and find strength in God through Christ. Gay is sin and will only compound your sorrows. I believe somewhere deep in your heart is a battle, a tiny voice saying Ray you are wrong, Gay is sin. Is hard to kick against the prick. The gospel you once preach to us that made us strong is still hunting you. Life is not about you or what you think you should be but is about Him Christ and Him crucified is not in the convience you wanted. God bless you Ray we love you pls don’t hate yourself.
Well no offense, but I am Gay and I AM a Christian and to all of the people on here with the Gay is sin…. “Let those without sin cast the first stone”
Pharasees and Scribes stop with the hatred and judgement, it started in Christs day and with the ignorance of man it continues into today…
May God Bless Everyone.
We all have a choice. We choose to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves, or, We choose to believe and do all that God commands or we choose to do some of what He commands. We choose to believe all of His Word or we choose to believe some of His Word, and discard the parts we don’t like. We choose to take up our cross daily, and deny self, or we choose to lay it down and do what our flesh desires. Narrow is the way that leads to Life eternal, and few there be that find it. Wide is the way that leads to destruction on earth and in eternity and many choose to go down that road. Choose Life.
Your religion is a choice. Your sexuality, gay or straight, is not. If the Bible, a book written by primitive men, gives you comfort then I’m happy for you but don’t push your archaic beliefs on others.
Scientific research has shown that same sex attraction occurs naturally in essentially all other species of mammals on this planet. It’s also been proven that sexuality is decided by many factors, all in the womb.
I find it interesting that some people ignore this research when it comes to homosexuality. They cling to what they think the bible says about this yet they have no problem trusting in science for their own medical care or most other aspects of their lives. Hypocritical much?
What was Sodom punished for? Is it not what people are trying to defend. Please I know we chose to become what we want. Spare us that genetic attitude of this act. Have any man witness two male or female animal in this act. I think and know it is Adam and Eve. And only that is approved. By God.
I dont know whats wrong with you people. Ray must have done a good job with his music but being gay has never been right. God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Stev. So get real guys and read your bibles. For it clearly says in Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13. so those who are supporting this act read your bibles more often.
How confused the world still is today. I see Ray’s mistake as the classic “in the last days, many will fall away from The Faith”.
Homosexuality has never been right. The comment above about Soddom is what every “gay believer” should assess. It is unfortunate that those who say they’ve chosen the blood of Jesus forget to acknowledge their sins and seek to stand right before Him.
Please understand that I do not say homosexuality is a worse sin than any other. If i have heterosexual sex outside of wedlock i am as guilty of sin as the homosexual. If i lie my way to the top, or have an unforgiving heart, i am as guilty as the homosexual. If i choose to sit through a movie where Christ’s name is used in vain, do i really love the one who suffered and died for me?
There are so many areas where we get it wrong and forget that the Christian life must be one of obedience, one of love and loyalty to The One who has spared us hell fire. Otherwise we are in a worse state than the sinner who never came to weep at the foot of the Cross. Our judgement if we reject the facts, The Bible, our map for life, will be worse than that of the atheist.
CHRISTIANS, WE KNOW THE TRUTH!! Ray knows the truth!!
my God,how painful it is to see Ray being pluked out from the faith..’Ray Boltz’ I love u and I want u to know that JESUS still loves u..being gay is totaly wrong in the sight of God..remember JESUS said those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth..i am from Nigeria and Rays songs made me stronger as a believer in Africa..please Ray remember u once sang in front of Billy Graham and to millions of believers encouraging them to drop their burden before the Alter of the lord…before the door is clossed come back to Jesus.he still cares about Ray Boltz….be free in JESUS NAME.AMEN..
Ray will be back in concert tomorrow night, Wednesday March 28th, at Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond. This is part of our Living Wednesdays series at MCC Richmond. Come at 6:30pm for Lenten worship, and the concert starts at 7pm. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to attend. Join us, won’t you?
WOW ! Talk about God’s mysterious ways. I grew up listening to Ray Boltz’s song, “Thank You” when I first bought it as a teenager as a part of a Compilation CD. Ever since, I admired the lyrics and it trully spoke to me about continuing to be faithful amidst life’s everyday adversities.In an almost paralleled universe, I was asked to perform on March 28 at a Methodist Church in northern California, and I chose this song to be my opener. The day after, I wanted to know who the Real Ray Boltz is about and his passion for Music. I had tears in my eyes because, as he reconciled with his true self, about being who he is:gay, he proves and keeps proving to the world that God loves ALL his creations. And indeed everyone is beautiful and WORTHY in his precious sight ! THank You Mr. Boltz, as an up and coming young and yes, gay Christian singer, may we be that beacon of light for others to look up to as oppose to look down upon, which OUR REAL GOD, the GOD of ABRAHAM WOULD NEVER DO anyway ! Amen.
OH, and to finish the “mysterious” part of my story, Ray Boltz was performing on March 28th at a MCC in VIrginia. I performed one of his greatest hits, “THANK YOU”…and at the same time, somewhere in the WORLD at the same time, the composer of the song, MIGHT HAVE BEEN SINGING his song to a Multitude of PEOPLE. I got emotional in the middle of my song, it was as if Mr. Boltz was asked by GOD to extend his hand to me thousands of MILES AWAY as I was in the West Coast, and Mr. Boltz in the EAST so I would finish the song and DO JUSTICE TO IT. I did. I felt that almost Miraculous touch that trancended both SPACE and TIME ! Thank you for the loyal supporters of Mr. Bolts both GAYs and Straights. Now lets sing his hit: THANK YOU for giving to the LORD, I am so glad you GAVE!-Ray Boltz. ANd for these people who are appreciative of Mr. Boltz ‘s TALENT no matter his SEXUALITY, THANK YOU for your countless LOVE ! AMEN.
I felt blessed to listen to Ray Boltz for the 2nd time at MCC Richmond last nite. Unlike many gays who just started liking his music because of his sexuality, I have been a fan of Ray’s since the 90s…one of his huge hits,”The Anchor Holds” was played at my partner’s funeral. He may be a gay man and congrats for that, but first and foremost he’s a man of God and that’s what matters to me the most.
Brothers and sisters. I want to start by saying how greatly blessed I have been by the music of Ray Boltz. For many years now, I have used several of his accompanyment songs as a powerful tool for outreach and witness to individuals of many walks. What a privlege to have a talent such as Ray that puts his heart and being into his music. As a matter of fact, I just sang the song, “Watch the Lamb” again for Easter, twice in the same day, for an Easter service and a concert. The reaction is always the same, lots of tears, emotions, and decisions. That is the gift of music that was God-given to Ray Boltz for use in the Lord’s service. Having said that, I want to state emphatically that I do not agree with the choice that Ray has made in his lifestyle. Brothers and sisters, we need to be careful, especially when calling ourselves Christians, that we teach the truth, but that we do it in LOVE! All too often, we rightly want to call sin by it’s right name, but we don’t do it in LOVE. Make no mistake, God LOVES Ray Boltz, as well as his chosen partner, however God simply and honestly looks at homosexuality as an unrighteous act. It further explains that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many verses that talk about this, I want to display 2. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and Romans 1: 26-27.) Brothers aznd sisters, neither you nor I have any right to lay judgement on a fellow man, but certainly the Creator of us all, He who bought and paid for us with His blood, and purchased our lives upon the cross of Calvary will. We as Christians do need to call sin by it’s right name. But it needs to be done in LOVE. “SELF” is the biggest obstacle that we must overcome if we hope to have eternal life. We are called to deny ourselves of those things that we desire that are not in line with God desires for us (Matthew 16: 24-27). I pray that our brother Ray will reconsider- 1) why we are Christians. And 2) Who we are to live for. We are Christians because we love our Lord for paying the penalty that we could not pay. The payment that allows us the hope of Heaven. We owe our very lives to Jesus Christ, and if we love “anything”, including ourselves or another more than God, then we are not worthy of eternal life, and hence, will be eternally lost. Brothers and sisters, it is time that all of us start living for God, and not just for ourselves. Your brother in Christ- In His service——Wayland.