Bishop Cheeks: Taekwondo Grandmaster and LGBTQ+ Advocate

Bishop Rainey Cheeks, a celebrated taekwondo grandmaster and a pioneering pastor, died on August 11 at the age of 74. He was known for his dual legacy as an elite martial artist and a compassionate spiritual leader who championed the LGBTQ+ community and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Cheeks's life embodied the principles of Bushido, the warrior's code, extending far beyond martial arts to encompass respect for life and honor. He achieved recognition as a ninth-degree black belt and a grandmaster, competing at venues like Madison Square Garden and earning accolades from Black Belt magazine.

Beyond his martial arts achievements, Bishop Cheeks was a linchpin in Washington's LGBTQ+ community. He managed the ClubHouse, a historic nightclub offering a safe space for Black gay men, and founded Us Helping Us, People Into Living, an organization providing advocacy and support during the AIDS epidemic.

In 1993, Bishop Cheeks established Inner Light Ministries United Church of Christ, becoming one of the city's first Black faith leaders to fully embrace LGBTQ+ members. His ministry offered a refuge for those often marginalized by mainstream churches, promoting a message of acceptance and self-worth.

His later years were spent as pastor emeritus at Inner Light Ministries, continuing his outreach to the poor and those living with HIV. Bishop Cheeks openly shared his own HIV diagnosis, working tirelessly to combat the stigma surrounding AIDS and its intersection with issues like homophobia and homelessness.

Born Albert Rainier Cheeks in Washington, he came out to his mother at 16, an experience that solidified his strength. He trained in taekwondo from age 14 and was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2007. His partner died of AIDS in 1984, and Cheeks himself tested positive for HIV in 1985, defying his prognosis to dedicate his life to service.