Church cancels funeral during wake because man was gay

A church in Florida cancelled a funeral during a deceased man’s wake after learning that he was gay, the man’s family has claimed.

Julion Evans died late last month (July) of Amyloidosis, aged 42, and his funeral was due to be held at the church in Tampa that he and his family had worshipped at since he was born.

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s pastor, TW Jenkins, is said to have called Evans’ mother, Julie Atwood, during her son’s wake and informed her that the scheduled funeral service could no longer take place the following day.

Jenkins reportedly told Evans’ mother that he didn’t know her son was gay until he read a newspaper obituary that named Evans’ partner of 17 years, Kendall Capers [pictured with Evans], as his surviving husband.

“Everyone who knew us knew about our relationship,” Capers told local news organisation KSDK. “We didn’t keep secrets. This is 2014, this is not the 60s or the 70s. So at the end of the day I just want [the pastor’s] wrong-doing to be exposed.”

Pastor Jenkins has since released a statement to the press, saying that he felt unable to perform the funeral service in his church because he is a “man of God”.

“Based on our preaching of the scripture, we would have been in error to allow the service in our church. I try not to condemn anyone’s lifestyle. But at the same time I am a man of God and have to stand upon my principles,” he said.

Julion Evans’ funeral later took place at the location where his wake was held. However, because of the last-minute change of venue, some family members arrived at the wrong location and missed the service.

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