LGBT Activist and Pastor Rainey Cheeks, Pioneer in HIV Advocacy, Dies in Washington

In Washington, D.C. (USA), Bishop Kwabena Albert “Rainey” Cheeks, an LGBT activist, founder of the inclusive Inner Light Ministries church, and pioneer of HIV support programs, has died at the age of 74. He passed away on August 11 at Georgetown University Hospital, Watermark Out News reports , citing statements from his affiliated organizations.

In 1985, Rainey Cheeks founded “Us Helping Us, People Into Living”, which was the first organization to purposefully provide HIV prevention and treatment services to vulnerable populations in Washington, focusing specifically on Black gay men. The project began as a small initiative but eventually grew into a large-scale health and support center.

In 1993, Cheeks founded the Inner Light Ministries church and became its senior pastor. The congregation openly welcomed LGBT individuals, offering a spiritual refuge for those who faced alienation in traditional religious institutions. He led the church until his retirement in 2018, retaining the status of Pastor Emeritus.

Additionally, in 1975, Cheeks and his partners opened the Clubhouse nightclub in the American capital, which remained one of the main meeting places for the city’s Black LGBT community until its closure in 1990. For his service to the community, Rainey Cheeks received numerous awards, including the Community Service Award from then-Washington Mayor Anthony Williams and honors from the Whitman-Walker Health center.

Interestingly, alongside his spiritual and activist endeavors, Cheeks held the title of Grand Master in Tae Kwon Do (9th degree) and was inducted into the Tae Kwon Do International Hall of Fame in 2002. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 29 at the First Congregational Church in Washington.