Erica Mason & Jai Black, Queer Christian | Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈

In the 74^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight “Queer Christian” performed by Erica Mason & Jai Black. 

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E 🏳️‍🌈! Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musicians, analyze, plus go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When songs dictate deeper and more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome, whether the songs are classics or brand-new. So, without further ado, in the 74^th edition of Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 (2025), we highlight “Queer Christian” performed by Erica Mason and Jai Black.

“You know what’s crazy? / I struggled so long to accept all of me,” rapper Erica Mason reflects in the intro of “Queer Christian”. I concur that that is crazy, but not far-fetched.  Mason adds, “Meanwhile God, you see me the whole time / You know the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between.” Amen 🙏. On “Queer Christian,” Mason shares the story of self-acceptance of her queer identity, also identifying as a Christian.  In the opening track from her 2023 album, also named Queer Christian, she concludes, “Everybody who loves God and struggles with being queer / Just know you not alone in God, there’s no fear / And no matter what they say, know that God is still here.” That deserves another amen 🙏 despite what the non-queer Christians might say.  Mason taps Jai Black for the assist in this rare, thought-provoking cut that approaches being both queer and Christian.

Accompanied by a warm, gorgeous backdrop, Erica Mason has lots to say. If you have followed a pathway where faith and sexuality conflicted, many of her experiences are relatable.  First and foremost, the ineffective praying the gay away.  Her pastor advised her, “You keep praying, serving God, these feelings will go away.” Of course, that wasn’t the case for Mason, who asserts, “I just learned to  suppress / And bottle up all my shame,” and adds, “Long as you don’t talk about it, we’ll keep handing you this mic / We don’t wanna hear about that struggle keep it private.” In the black church, there are queer parishioners.  However, it’s more of an open secret and don’t ask, don’t tell, as Mason raps about.  Of course, Erica tries to do everything to stop her desire, hoping, “You’ll stop wanting women when you go through some deliverance.” Wrong, wrong, wrong.  Ultimately, after being told what to do and how she’s wrong, Mason realizes she must be true to herself because her suppression didn’t allow her to be free, despite trying everything to free herself from homosexuality.

“But look, suppressing who you are doesn’t mean that you’re free

And a lot of y’all are gay, but you won’t say anything

But yet you quick to tell somebody how they need to be free

And if you never had that struggle

Put your feelings aside

Because the word without love is really nothing but pride.”

Erica’s letter is a powerful one filled with truth, something so many members of the LGBTQ+ community struggle with, particularly those who are Christian or part of some faith.  Beyond a terrific performance by Mason, Jai Black lends his gorgeous vocals in the background and following Mason’s meaningful verses. “We celebrate you ‘cause you are truly amazing,” he sings, and continues, “So, who are we to judge?” Again, amen 🙏. “Queer Christian” is a song that every queer person of faith needs to add to their playlist.  Non-queer Christians should listen, too.

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Erica Mason » Queer Christian » Erica Mason / RUN Inc. » 2023

Erica Mason & Jai Black, Queer Christian: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 No. 74 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Erica Mason / RUN Inc.; Elias Souza, Mario Spencer, Mizuno K from Pexels; AcatXIo, All_CC0_Public_domain, CatsWithGlasses, David, ernestflowerss, Kelly, M. Harris, Marek Studzinski, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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