Azariah Southworth not only has the coolest name in Christian TV, he also has the coolest name of any gay guy who used to be in Christian TV. Southworth announced yesterday that he is gay. I know many of you think Christian TV is gay, but this is different; this is homosexual gay. This is Azariah outing himself. In a statement for the press, he said, "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's television show, The Remix, was seen on DirecTV channel 378: nrbnetwork.tv. I checked the site, and as of 6:30 p.m. CST, there was still no statement about Southworth's statement. I suspect that he is correct though; his show probably won't be airing again, even in reruns. However, you totally have to check out this page on the nrb site. The page explains that all programming will present a "solid Biblical worldview." (Oh, that Francis Schaeffer had never introduced Christendom to that word...) Apparently, solid biblical worldview includes creationism, factual history, and moral absoluteness. Delightful. Sign me up for DirecTV today!
Why is this story a big deal? I mean, it's just another Christian guy associated with music admitting that he's gay. Like we haven't met hundreds of Baptist and Pentecostal music ministers over the years who qualified, but who had managed to marry a portly woman who resembled the gay guy's mom long enough to get ordained, squeeze out some kids, and then have an affair with the tenor in the Gaither Vocal Band knock-off group after the church potluck. Turns out that Southwork's program was seen by about 200,000 viewers per week, mostly fundangelical teens and young adults. The Remix took viewers into the day to day lives of Christian music artists like Jars, Building 429, and Shane and Shane. In addition to its airing on NRB Network, The Remix was also seen on JCTV, TBN's youth-oriented affiliate. (By the way, I think jctv stands for Jesus Christ Television.) Can't wait to hear the Crouches address this one.
Hopefully Southworth will be able to avoid Haggard's restoration program and get on with his life. I wish him well, and since the SBC is headquartered in Nashville where Southworth lives, he should have plenty of music ministers to choose from for dates. Here's to people who have the courage to tell the truth. Peace to you, Azariah.
There is more on the story here and here, and thanks to Mohon for sending it along. By the way, Mohon's straight, so I think he read it on the Huffington Post not on Out and About.
