Carl Bean (June 26, 1944 – September 7, 2021), known professionally as Archbishop Carl Bean, was an American singer, songwriter, activist, and spiritual leader. He was renowned for his powerful gospel performances, his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, and his work as the founder of the Unity Fellowship of Christ Church. Bean’s music blended gospel, soul, and disco, with his most notable work being the 1977 disco anthem "I Was Born This Way," which became a groundbreaking celebration of self-acceptance and identity. His ministry and activism focused on inclusivity, particularly for marginalized communities, combining spiritual leadership with social justice.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bean faced challenges growing up as an openly gay Black man in a conservative environment. He moved to New York City in the 1960s to pursue a career in gospel music. In 1977, he recorded "I Was Born This Way," a song originally written by Bunny Jones, which gained prominence in the disco era and later became an anthem for the gay rights movement. Bean later relocated to Los Angeles, where he founded the Unity Fellowship of Christ Church in 1982, a denomination focused on affirming the dignity of all people, particularly within the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. His work as a minister and activist earned him recognition as a pioneering figure in both spiritual and social spheres.
Inspiration[]
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", both album and track, were inspired by Bean's "I Was Born This Way" and his broader legacy as an activist and spiritual leader.
| “ | Born This Way, my song and album, were inspired by Carl Bean, a gay black religious activist who preached, sung and wrote about being “Born This Way.” Notably his early work was in 1975, 11 years before I was born. Thank you for decades of relentless love, bravery, and a reason to sing. So we can all feel joy, because we deserve joy. Because we deserve the right to inspire tolerance, acceptance, and freedom for all. | ” |
I Was Born This Way (Documentary)[]
2025 documentary, I Was Born This Way, examines the life of Archbishop Carl Bean, the singer and activist known for his 1977 disco anthem "I Was Born This Way," which later inspired Lady Gaga’s song “Born This Way.” Directed by Oscar-winner Daniel Junge and Emmy-winner Sam Pollard, the film chronicles Bean’s journey and contributions to music and social justice.
Gaga is one of the notable figures interviewed for the film, alongside Billy Porter, Questlove, and Dionne Warwick, to discuss Archbishop Carl Bean’s influence.