Carl Bean
Carl Bean, born May 26, 1944 in Baltimore, Maryland, was an American singer and
clergyman. Before entering the ministry, he began his music career as a Motown
and disco singer. His version of "I Was Born This Way" became particularly
notable for its early gay liberation themes. His other singles include
"Jellyroll" (1982) and "Love Will Show You the Way" (1982). In 1975, Bean
founded the Unity Fellowship Church Movement in Los Angeles, a liberal
Protestant denomination welcoming to LGBTQ+ African Americans. He was openly gay
and became an activist in 1982, working on behalf of pe...
