THE RELEVANT QUEER: Reverend Peter J. Gomes, Theologian and Author

Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, attends Senior Class Day exercises in Tercentenary Theatre in 2006. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, attends Senior Class Day exercises in Tercentenary Theatre in 2006. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

“Religious fundamentalism is dangerous because it cannot accept ambiguity and diversity and is therefore inherently intolerant.”

TRQ: Peter J. Gomes Born May 22, 1942

Theologian and author Reverend Peter John Gomes, the first black person to serve as chief minister to Harvard University, was born in May 22, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts. His father Peter was born in the Cape Verde Islands while his mother Orissa was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music. 

From an early age, Gomes expected to become a minister. He delivered his first sermon in a Baptist Church at the age of 12. Gomes graduated from Plymouth High School in 1961 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the abolitionist-founded Bates College. 

“It does not take a great deal of imagination or courage to believe that God is on your side when you are prospering or winning; it takes a great deal of courage and imagination to believe that God is on your side when you are suffering or losing.” — Peter J. Gomes

He attended Harvard and earned his divinity degree in 1968. Afterwards, he taught Western civilization at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama for two years before returning to Harvard as Pusey minister at Harvard’s Memorial Church, and Plummer professor of Christian morals.

When a conservative campus newspaper published homophobic articles that lead to hate crimes against gay men and lesbians on campus, Gomes stood in support of angry students, faculty and administrators. Gomes declared himself “a Christian who happens as well to be gay. Those realities, which are irreconcilable to some, are reconciled in me by a loving God.” Coming out changed the course of the reverend’s career.

“I’m always seen as a black man and now I’m seen as a black gay man.” — Peter J. Gomes

Gomes became known as a “gay minister” who used his spiritual voice to fight intolerance. Aware that the Bible has been used to defend slavery, support racism, spread Anti- Semitism, and oppress women, Gomes condemns using religious texts to stigmatize homosexuality as immoral. 

His best-selling The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart, urged readers to embrace the spirit of scripture rather than the letter.

“The Bible alone is the most dangerous thing I can think of… You need an ongoing context and a community of interpretation to keep the Bible current and to keep yourself honest. Forget the thought that the Bible is an absolute pronouncement.” — Peter J Gomes

Becoming something of a Republican celebrity, the conservative Gomes gave the benediction at President Reagan’s second inauguration and delivered a sermon at President George Bush’s inauguration. However, in 2006 Gomes became a Democrat and supported Massachusetts’ first black governor, Deval Patrick.

Reverend Peter John Gomes died on February 28, 2011 from complications arising from a stroke. Gomes never married and was celibate by choice.

Commencment 2010
Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, attends the Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises inside Sanders Theatre in May 2010. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
103007_YoYo_322.jpg
Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, speaks before a performance by cellist Yo-Yo Ma ’76 at a benefit concert for the 75th anniversary of the Memorial Church in 2007. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Edward Kennedy Convocation
Harvard Professors Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. (left) and Rev. Peter J. Gomes attend a Loeb House reception following the special convocation for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in 2008. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, reflects a moment inside Sparks House in September 2002. Kris Snibbe/ Harvard Staff Photographer
The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church, reflects a moment inside Sparks House in September 2002. Kris Snibbe/ Harvard Staff Photographer
The Reverend Peter J. Gomes in 2007. Photo Erik Jacobs for The New York Times
The Reverend Peter J. Gomes in 2007. Photo Erik Jacobs for The New York Times
The Rev. Peter Gomes ’65 is shown with members of his class during the Reunion parade in 2005. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen:Bates College
The Rev. Peter Gomes ’65 is shown with members of his class during the Reunion parade in 2005. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College
Rev. Peter J. Gomes preaches at the 2010 Alumni Memorial Service in the Chapel. In 2012, Bates named the Chapel in his memory. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen:Bates College.
Sunday morning of Reunion Weekend: Memorial Chapel Service in which the community worships in honor, remembrance, and celebration of the lives of Bates men and women who have died during the past year; held in the Bates College Chapel, and presided over by Multifaith Chaplain Bill Blaine-Wallace, along with Associate Multifaith Chaplain Emily Wright-Timko. The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, ’65, D.D. ’96, dleivers the sermon and greets participants after the service, including Professor of History Emeritus James Leamon ’55. “College is the search for integrity,” said Gomes. Bates, he said, “is one of the few places on earth where the living and the dead can feel comfortable in each other’s presence.” Also, he commented: “It is our duty to remember, to recall that which was, to preserve the best of that for time to come.” Bates, he said, has a “beloved community of memory and hope.”
Harvard Sustainability Celebration
Harvard President Drew Faust chats with Rev. Peter J. Gomes in the Memorial Church prior to the arrival of former Vice President Al Gore ’69. Gore and Faust were featured speakers at Harvard’s University-wide “Sustainability Week” in October 2008. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Portrait of Peter J. Gomes by Yuqi Wang. Harvard Art Museums, © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Portrait of Peter J. Gomes by Yuqi Wang. Harvard Art Museums, © President and Fellows of Harvard College

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About the Authors

Troy Wise is currently a PhD student at UAL Central St Martins and teaches fashion and graphic design at London College of Contemporary Arts. His background is in marketing and is founder and co-editor of Image Amplified. He lives in, and is continually fascinated by, the city of London.

Rick Guzman earned his most recent MA at UAL Central St Martins in Applied Imagination in the Creative Industries. He currently holds two MA’s and an MBA in the New Media, Journalism and International Business fields. Co-editor at Image Amplified since its start, he lives in London, is fascinated by history and is motivated by continuing to learn and explore. 

Sources:

NY Times

Q Spirit

Harvard News

NPR

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