Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Rev. Darlene Franklin, Former Senior Pastor at Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church

Darlene Suit — Rev. Darlene Franklin. Courtesy photo

Published: September 13, 2024 | Last Updated: October 3, 2024

Our "Where Are They Now?" series will get you up-to-date on the lives of LGBTQ+ community advocates who have contributed to Michigan with years of tireless activism before embarking on new chapters, whether in retirement or pursuit of fresh opportunities elsewhere. In this space, we'll trace the paths of these trailblazers as they navigate life beyond the limelight, offering insights into their current endeavors, passions and the legacies they continue to shape. Join us as we celebrate their resilience, achievements and the lasting impact they've left on Michigan's LGBTQ+ community.

Few know the power of faith to empower and support more than Rev. Darlene Franklin. Throughout her professional career, Franklin has worn many hats. Be it as a pastor, an HIV/AIDS hotline coordinator or a domestic violence shelter worker, Franklin’s work was clearly defined by a call to service.

Through coming face to face with her own identity and finding a disconnect between her ideals and what was being preached at local churches, Franklin found her voice for LGBTQ+ advocacy. A voice that, even as the backdrop of her life has changed, has remained unwavering in ringing out for those pushed aside.

How would you describe your connection to Michigan, and what were some of your proudest moments while working here?

A year after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, at Beale AFB in Sacramento, and leaving a troubled marriage, I arrived in Mount Clemens, Michigan in 1985 with two daughters under 5 years of age. From 1985 to 1990, I spent those years working odd jobs, living in the closet by day and hanging at the gay bars at night, while taking my children to the Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesdays and Sundays.

In 1990, things changed. I was hired at the newly opened domestic violence shelter in Detroit, My Sister’s Place, in the position of house manager, organizing residential safe spaces and food provisions for abused women and their children. I worked there from 1990 to 1992. The shelter housed the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which added to my duties of overseeing the maintenance of the 24-hour crisis line and the training of the staff to provide connections to safe spaces across the country and maintaining the database of resources and referrals. The journey continued when I was hired at AIDS Partnership of Michigan as coordinator of the Michigan HIV/AIDS Statewide Information Hotline from 1993 to 1998.

From there, the winds of change began to blow and I became unemployed and found myself without a church home. I came out to my children on a Tuesday and the next day, in the 12 p.m. prayer service, the leader announced in front of my daughter that “all homosexuals are going to hell.” I never returned to that church.

In November of 1998, I joined Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church and became ordained as a deacon in the Unity Fellowship Church Movement. By 2001, I had been ordained as the senior pastor under Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy and served in that position from 2001 to 2010. During that time, we provided spiritual counseling, worship services and programs to support those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as connecting with and supporting other community services and agencies. I founded Getting the Word Out Center for Biblical Studies where I and nine others received degrees in theology granted through Destiny School of Ministry Roseville, Michigan. I was also the first openly gay pastor to host a Christian radio show, “Getting the Word Out," on 1440 WMKM in Detroit.

What has your path looked like since moving on from Full Truth Fellowship Church?

My journey since leaving Full Truth has been nothing short of amazing and was not without its challenges. From 2010 to 2023, I was on a spiritual journey, trying to find myself while helping others to do the same. I returned to complete my education, earning a master’s degree in social work at Wayne State University. From there, I was hired at Hegira Health Inc. in 2018, where I continue to work remotely part time, providing mental health and substance abuse counseling.

My purpose in life has always been to serve — especially those who live on the margins of society. Full Truth started me on the journey to awakening from within and accepting myself just as I am. It is my intent and continued life’s passion to assist as many as I can to embrace themselves as the magnificent human beings that they are purposed to be.

What was the importance of having Full Truth Fellowship Church as a welcoming space in the ‘90s?

Having this space was a refuge and salvation for a lot of people and not just for the LGBT community. It came about at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Detroit was hit the hardest. Families were losing loved ones at a rapid rate. The founder and co-pastor of the Full Truth during those times were eulogizing people every week. People were being kicked out of their homes and churches for being gay or infected with HIV, and Full Truth was there with the message and spirit demonstrating that “God is love and love is for everybody." All were welcomed and embraced. People were served and cared for, fed and provided for, at the Monday night Empowerment Meals. The Full Truth Choir sang songs of hope and celebration not only in service, but to support other community events like Hotter Than July, Candlelight Vigils and more. The spirit of Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church was, and still is, a lighthouse to those who seek to find their way. And that light continues to exist under the leadership of pastors who were ordained at Full Truth and moved on to create other ministries.

From your perspective, what role should a pastor serve in their community?

The pastor’s role is to preach truth. The truth is that the will of God is that we all be and live in health, wealth, prosperity, joy, harmony and well-being. That is what Jesus came to proclaim and exemplify; he did not come to be worshiped, but to proclaim the good news that we would all come to know that we are unified with God in spirit, we are not wretches, we were not “shaped in iniquity or conceived in sin." We are unique and individualized expressions and made with the same nature as God and embody the same spirit and made in the same image. With that truth we serve, and with that truth, we proclaim and empower people. Empowered people will stand for justice and equality.

Where are you now?

I married my wife of 16 years legally in Michigan — we were one of the first 300 to do so in Michigan. We currently live in Dallas, Texas. We have created Soul-Full Purpose LLC, which is an umbrella for several organizations created for spiritual and health and wellness coaching. Our newest business is Besties Vegan Bliss, a bakery creating delightful vegan and gluten-free desserts.

This interview has been condensed and reformatted for publication purposes.