Black, gay and Christian, Marylanders struggle with conflicts

Spiritual journeys brought those caught in between to very different places

Rev. J. Grace Harley and Rev. Harris Thomas

The Rev. Grace Harley of Silver Spring (left), who left her life as a lesbian behind and now opposes same-sex marriage, and the Rev. Harris Thomas, the openly gay founder of Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore, which serves LGBT Christians of color. (Lloyd Fox and Algerina Perna / The Baltimore Sun / October 13, 2012)

By Jonathan Pitts, The Baltimore Sun Baltimore Sun

4:37 p.m. CDT, October 13, 2012

Hometown: Philadelphia

Current residence: Washington, D.C.

Occupation: Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore, the local branch of a nationwide movement ministering principally to gay, lesbian and transgendered people of color. He preaches, has a busy counseling ministry and works with colleagues to promote the law to legalize same-sex marriage.

Question 6: Supports

The Rev. Grace Harley

Age: 58

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Current residence: Silver Spring

Occupation: Pastor of Fruit of the Spirit Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.; she counsels gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals in the Washington area and around the country, offering prayers for deliverance from what she calls the dangerous deceit of homosexuality. She has an Internet TV show, "God's Will & Grace."

Question 6: Opposes