[Act Now] The future of truth and justice is at stake. Donate

Raised as a Preacher's Kid, Now She's a Black Butch Lesbian Writing Jesus Songs

Crys Matthews / Graphic by Ryan McQuade/Sojourners. 

In her personal mission statement, Matthews says she strives β€œto amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope, and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice." Influenced by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Melissa Etheridge, Ani DiFranco, and, of course, Tracy Chapman, to whom she has often been compared, Matthews brings her whole self into her work.

Read the Full Article

To continue reading this article β€” and get full access to all our magazine content β€” subscribe now for as little as $4.95. Your subscription helps sustain our nonprofit journalism and allows us to pay authors for their terrific work! Thank you for your support.
Subscribe Now!