June 13, 2018
Watch: Justin Bieber Comforts Queer Fan Seeking LGBTQ-Friendly Church
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A video of Justin Bieber comforting a queer fan who opened up to the singer about their struggle of finding an LGBTQ-friendly church is going viral this week, Billboard reports.
The video first popped up online Monday and it shows the "Sorry" singer in a two-minute clip taking photos and taking questions from fans. He apparently was coming from a church service and one fan asked whether his church was accepting of gay people.
"Isn't your church like really inclusive, like, of the gay community?" the fan can be heard asking. Bieber, who attends Hillsong Church and has made headlines for his close relationship with his pastor, said that it is and that anyone is welcomed.
The fan then tells Bieber about how they were raised Catholic, but haven't attended church in some time.
"I'm trying to find a place that is, like, inclusive of everybody, 'cause I came out as queer not long ago. So, I'm trying to find a nice place. 'Cause, like no one is nice. Everybody is so homophobic," they add.
The pop star replies by saying he's sorry and invites the fan to attend one of his church's services.
"Yeah, that breaks my heart for you. I'm so sorry. That's not okay," Bieber can be heard saying in the clip. "If you ever want to come to any of the services, any of them would love to have you. We'd love to have you in there, you're more than welcome to come any time."
Bieber the hugs the fan.
Billboard points out that some have speculated Hillsong Church may not be as accepting as Bieber believes. Singer Trey Pearson said the church forced a gay couple to step down from their worship team.
"A lot of churches say, 'Everyone is welcome. Gay people are welcome.' But until the leadership says, 'We affirm you, and we believe you're like everyone else. You can marry just like anyone else,' they're taking in LGBT people and then they're shaming them -- they're bringing them in only to marginalize them," Pearson told Billboard.
Bieber has been vocal about his religious beliefs, often taking to social media to show himself reading the Bible or posting scripture.
Watch the new video of Bieber and the fan below.
