Music You Should Know: Carl Bean

Carl Bean is a treasure and inspiration. As the founder of Unity Fellowship Church, he has created a platform for black LGBTs to fulfill their spiritual needs in an affirming environment. Originally centered in Bean’s home in 1982, Unity Fellowship churches now exist in fifteen cities.

Prior to his ministry, Bean recorded one of the all-time disco classics. “I Was Born This Way” was originally recorded in 1975 by Charles “Valentino” Harris for Gaiee Records. The song’s lyrics were written by Bunny Jones, a heterosexual woman who conceived the song as an anthem for her gay friends. The music was provided by another straight person, Chris Spierer.

Once the record became an international underground hit, Motown acquired the rights to the song. Jones requested that Bean, who had recorded gospel albums in the early 1970s with the group Universal Love, sing the new version. Legendary Philadelphia soul musicians Norman Harris, T.G. Conway, and Ron Kersey came up with a new arrangement, and the result was the first major label disco release specifically made for the gay community.

But rather than becoming the first openly gay r&b star, Bean asked to be released from his Motown contract after they tried to force him to cut more traditional material. He started Unity Fellowship, and the rest is history.

“I Was Born This Way” was revived by new mixes in 1985, 1994, and 2005, but you just can’t beat Bean’s 1977 original.
Listen and enjoy!