Chains and independent bookstores offer mixed response over one-time favorite’s lesbian revelation

Response has been mixed from Christian retailers in the wake of singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp’s recent revelation that she is a lesbian.

Singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp—who rose to fame with a series of best-selling albums on Gotee Records in the 1990s and disappeared from the Christian music scene after her 2001 release—The Way I Am—announced in April that she has been in an eight-year relationship with a woman.

Letting Go, released in May through Sony Music-owned independent distributor RED but not marketed to the Christian retail channel, marked her fourth album and first release since The Way I Am—which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.

Chains and independent Christian bookstores contacted by Christian Retailing were divided on whether they would carry Knapp’s music.

LifeWay Christian Stores, which operates 156 stores in 26 states, said that it would not carry Knapp’s new release on its Web site and shelves.

“Jennifer Knapp has been out of the music scene for a long time, and we have not been carrying her product in our stores for several years,” LifeWay Director of Product Standards and Customer Relations Chris Rodgers said in a statement. “Stocking her music is not an issue since there is no demand for her product in our stores or on our Web site.”

Rodgers declined to comment on specific questions about Knapp’s music, citing a company policy on proprietary business decisions. Meanwhile, Parable Christian Stores and Christianbookstore.net—at press time—both carried Knapp’s music on their Web sites.

Parable declined to comment, as did Mardel Christian & Education—which does not carry Knapp’s music on its online store.

CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said the association had not been contacted by any stores about whether retailers should carry Knapp’s albums.

“We don’t make decisions for stores on what products they should or should not carry,” he said. “Consumers—both believers and non-believers—that purchase from Christian retail stores would make that determination through their votes with their dollars. Jesus is all about redemption and reconciliation. Jennifer Knapp needs to know that Jesus truly loves her and died for her.”

Kirk Blank—president of Munce Group, a retail marketing group that serves more than 560 bookstores in 49 states and Canada—said Knapp’s latest release “would not necessarily be picked up by Munce member stores” since it does not have strictly Christian content.

“It has been quite a while since Jennifer’s releases have been promoted,” he said. “In some cases, even availability is a hurdle for the stores to purchase. What we can do is continue to pray for our industry that we will all have discernment in the products we do produce, promote and carry.

“And we need to continue to pray for the artists and authors who are creating the products that we sell,” Blank added. “Romans 2:4 reminds us that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. Let us be a loving community that reflects the love and kindness that we’ve been shown.”

Rick Lewis, co-owner of Logos Bookstore in Dallas, said his store carries Knapp’s albums, including the latest one, because “her songs still minister to people.”

“I’m sure she’ll get bashed in the Christian media and from some pulpits,” he said. “I tend to think this is for her and God to work out. The image that comes to mind is Jesus and the woman caught in sin. Let the guy who has no sin cast the first stone.”

Steven Marsh, retail floor manager at Pee Dee Christian Book & Supply in Florence, S.C., said Knapp’s music was pulled after her disclosure.

“Currently, we only have her newest album in stock, which has been pulled from the shelf to be returned to the company,” he said. “We feel her products would be offensive to our customers by leading them to believe we support this lifestyle. … None of our customers have commented on Knapp’s decision, but several employees were disheartened to learn that she is gay, as they enjoyed her music.”

Bill Beyer, co-owner of Skia Christian store in Bentonville, Ark., said he would not carry Letting Go.

“We’ve had her albums in the store before, but they haven’t sold well,” he said. “We currently don’t have any in the store. I did ask several of our customers—ages 20-25—what they thought, and the general consensus is, “Thank God for grace.’ ”

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