Dating website caters to gay Christians

Like many good ideas, necessity was the mother of invention for RainbowChristians.com, an online dating website and meeting place for gay and lesbian Christians.

The site's founder, Justin Cannon, a student at Berkeley's Church Divinity School of Religion, said he was led to create the site by the lack of gay Christian dating sites available.

"I realized that there are Christian dating sites online, but not one of them was for gays and lesbians. There are a lot of gay and lesbian dating sites, but there aren't many of those that have religion tied into it," Cannon, 22, told California's Contra Costa Times. "So where do gay Christians meet? I didn't really have an answer to that question, so I decided to start one."

Cannon's site is a one-man operation; he charges $3.95 a month to contact other members. Surfing the site is free.

He admits that his own dating life can get interesting. When he mentions his calling (he's studying to become an Episcopalian priest), a date can grow chilly or blossom into a lively conversation. Either way, it leads him on a path he enjoys walking - spreading the word of Christ and discussing sexuality.

Cannon says the church often fails to talk about sex. By ignoring the issue, it complicates spiritual matters.

"I would say the problem isn't homosexuality," said Cannon. "I believe it has to do with a problem with sexuality."

Cannon said RainbowChristians.com often receives emails from critics who assert that Christianity and homosexuality are incompatible. He says he attempts to engage his critics, "but my ministry is to uplift the oppressed, not fight the oppressor. It's to empower those who have been pushed down."