A queer-friendly pastor who dressed in drag on HBO's 'We're Here' claims he was forced out of his church

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A queer-friendly pastor who dressed in drag on HBO's 'We're Here' claims he was forced out of his church
Pastor Craig Duke on "We're Here"Jakes Giles Netter/ HBO
  • An Indiana pastor says he was pushed out of his church after appearing in drag on HBO's "We're Here."
  • Reverend Craig Duke appeared on the show in part to support his daughter, who came out as pansexual.
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An Indiana pastor who appeared in drag on HBO's "We're Here" says he was forced out of his church from the backlash after the episode aired.

Reverend Craig Duke — who was a pastor at Newburgh United Methodist Church — told Religion News Service that he requested to be moved to a different church at the "insistence" of his church's Staff-Parish Relations Committee after mixed reaction to his performance on the show.

Duke previously said he chose to appear on the show to show support for his daughter, who recently came out as pansexual, and has been vocal about showing empathy to LGBTQ members of his community.

"My message all along has been: 'God loves you, period, as you are, where you are.' Not, 'God loves you if —.' God loves you unconditionally, and that hasn't changed," Duke told Religion News Service.

Because of his outspokenness on equality, the River City Pride organization nominated Duke to participate in "We're Here," a docu-series led by famed drag queens Shangela, Eureka O'Hara, and Bob the Drag Queen who travel to small towns in the US, "transforming locals into fierce drag queens," according to the show's description.

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Last month's episode featured Duke in full drag, dancing and lip-syncing to Kesha's "We R Who We R."

"It was an incredibly wonderful, refreshing, deepening, powerful spiritual experience," Duke told Religion News Service at the time.

"I was surrounded and immersed in a culture that I've never been immersed in, and one of the things in ministry, if you want to involve people different than yourself in your ministry, you have to go to where people different than you are. The invitation to be part of the show allowed me that," he added.

But after appearing on the show, Duke said he started getting critical messages from members of his congregation. Though some messages were supporting, Duke told Religion News Service the harsh responses became too much.

"It just got to the point where the conflict, the anger grew too much, and so for my mental health, too, I started to back away, and I told my district superintendent that the conflict was so much, it was at such a level from some, that I was unable to be an effective leader," he said.

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Interim Pastor at Newburgh United Methodist Church Mark Dicken told Insider that the situation "breaks my heart to see what has happened to this congregation and to Craig."

In a statement to Insider, the church confirmed he had been "relieved of pastoral duties."

"While there is a diversity of opinion regarding the moral implications of Rev. Duke's actions, he has not been found to have committed any chargeable offense or other violation of the United Methodist Book of Discipline," the church said. "In short, Craig has reached a place where he feels unable to continue to serve in parish ministry at present."

He will continue to receive a reduced salary from the church until February 28, according to the statement.

Because of his senior status, he is guaranteed a salary and a new position from the United Methodist Church, Religion News Service reported.

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A GoFundMe page set up for Duke to help cover living expenses has raised over $45,000 for the pastor, and called him an LGBTQ ally.

"Please join us in praying for Pastor Craig as he (and his family) navigates this time of transition," the GoFundMe page said.

Shangela posted an Instagram video encouraging people to "show love and support" to Duke by donating to the GoFundMe page set up for him on Monday.

"As an LGBTQ community, when we don't agree with everything, we don't go and get people fired from their jobs, but they've been doing it to us for years, and now they're doing it to our allies," Shangela said in the video.

Eureka O'hara posted a statement on their Instagram story that said Duke "truly restored my hope that a minister could love and accept me for who I am" and Bob the Drag Queen tweeted that it's "a shame that even proximity to queerness is reason enough to fire someone."

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HBO did not return Insider's message seeking comment.

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