Florida State House Candidate Elijah Manley and Filmmaker Discuss Documentary in Exclusive Interview

In a recent interview with Queer News Tonight, Reverend Darrell Watkins and Elijah Manley shared their thoughts on the importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy in the church. Both of these individuals have a strong background in advocacy work, and their insights shed light on the ongoing need for inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community within religious institutions.

Reverend Darrell Watkins, an openly gay pastor and founder of a progressive Sunshine Cathedral. Spoke on the role that faith can play in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasized that "Faith can be an incredibly powerful tool for social change, and we need to harness that power to fight for justice for all people, including those in the LGBTQ+ community." He further explained that the church has a responsibility to use its platform to support marginalized communities, and that includes the LGBTQ+ community.

Elijah Manley, a young advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Youth Advisory Council, discussed the challenges that still exist for young people in the LGBTQ+ community. He said, "It’s incredibly difficult to grow up in a world where you’re constantly told that there’s something wrong with who you are, and it’s even harder when that message is coming from the people who are supposed to love and support you the most." He went on to explain that the church can play a significant role in changing that narrative and providing a sense of acceptance and belonging for young people who are struggling to find it elsewhere.

Both Reverend Watkins and Mr. Manley emphasized the importance of advocacy work, both within and outside of religious institutions. Reverend Watkins shared that "We need to continue to push for progress, to speak out against injustice, and to show the world that love and acceptance can coexist with faith." Mr. Manley added that "We need to support one another, to be allies for those who are still struggling, and to never give up the fight for equality."

As the conversation came to a close, both Reverend Watkins and Mr. Manley expressed hope for a future in which the church is a place of inclusion and acceptance for all people. They both stressed the importance of continued advocacy and urged viewers to get involved in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. As Reverend Watkins put it, "We can make a real difference if we all work together, and I believe that change is possible if we stay committed to the cause."

In conclusion, this interview highlighted the importance of LGBTQ+ advocacy within religious institutions and the critical role that faith can play in supporting marginalized communities. Both Reverend Darrell Watkins and Elijah Manley emphasized the need for continued progress and activism, and urged viewers to get involved in the fight for equality. It is through the efforts of advocates like them that change can and will happen, and we can work towards a more just and inclusive society for all people.