Gay Gospel Singer Rejects Church Wardrobes and Criticism: “LGBTs Are God’s Work”

A career in gospel music and his dedication to Catholicism since childhood did not protect the artist, who has seen his concert program dwindle.

About a month ago, Gil Monteiro, 38, exponent of national gospel music, has decided to tell the world about his homosexuality. The video shared on social media surprised the singer’s followers and generated a mixed wave of support and criticism.

The long career in gospel music and his dedication to Catholicism since childhood did not protect the artist from the boycott. After the announcement on the Internet, it didn’t take long and the artist saw her concert schedule decrease. For Landhe says that exposing himself was the result of so much therapy, but he does not forget that in the difficult years he even asked God to “save him”.

“In church I learned that it is wrong [ser gay]. This internalized in me even as an adult. I prayed to God to heal me, I looked for alternatives to get rid of it, “she recalls.

“Everything I did for the church was no longer worth it”

Paraná based in Sao Paulo, Gil Monteiro in 2018 he felt a little of what he would experience years later. The singer attended a parish in São José dos Campos, where the community and religious leaders knew in a veiled way about his sexuality.

Busy, the artist has always tried to be at the forefront of projects, campaigns and volunteering, but has never succeeded. Gil was the subject of a rumor that he would marry, with the right to the party and all the pomp. The religious authorities of the community did not like the story and prevented him from carrying out any projects within the institute.

“I felt invalidated. Everything I did up to then was invalidated, it was no longer useful. I felt invited to a party where I could only watch, but I couldn’t enjoy myself,” he complains.

After that, Gil Monteiro decided to take a break … Not from faith, but from religion. She continued to attend mass via video streaming and used art as a spokesperson for her grief.

From this distance two pieces emerged that mark his new phase: ‘Gravidade’ and ‘A Cor do Amor’. The songs made him question why he was banned from performing in church.

“Just because I’m gay? The church is made of LGBT. If homosexuals are removed from the institution, a large contingent of volunteer work, free work and faithful are removed “, she argues. LGBT they are God’s work, they are not errors. God intentionally created me as a gay man. “

“Being gay is contentment”

Despite the criticism he receives on social media, Gil Monteiro claims he has never been so good in his personal life. Married for five years to Leandro, an anonymous guy met on a dating app, he has collaborated with other LGBT religious singers, such as Bruno Camuratti, to create spaces where they can be heard.

With the support of inclusive Catholic groups, the singer has had some success. He already performs in various dioceses in Brazil and is becoming a point of reference for young Christians.

Before telling the world about his sexuality and acting as a mirror for the younger generations, Gil Monteiro recalls that he considered celibacy a solution to what he felt. He was young and realized that being like many religious boys and pursuing celibacy was an escape.

“I’m glad I didn’t! Being a priest for escape is suffering, being for love is joy. Being gay, like me, is fullness of life and everyone deserves it,” he adds.

* With editing by Estela Marques.

Source: Terra

Camila

Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.