Cothran goes on in the online edition's current "cover story" to describe her financial contributions to homosexual lobbying organizations, but says her life has now changed.

"As the publisher of a 13 year old periodical which targets Black gays and lesbians, I have had the opportunity to publicly address thousands, influencing closeted people to 'come out' and stand up for them selves, which is particularly difficult in the African-American community," Cothran writes. "But now, I must come out of the closet again.

"I have recently experienced the power of change that came over me once I completely surrendered to the teachings of Jesus Christ," she continues. "As a believer of the word of God, I fully accept and have always known that same-sex relationships are not what God intended for us."

Cothran details a discussion with a local pastor that galvanized the doubts she had been having while trying to reconcile her homosexual behavior with the biblical prohibition on sex outside of a one-man, one-woman marriage.

"The spirit of God spoke directly into my soul and said you will choose this day who you will serve and if you make the wrong choice, I will allow you to drift so far away from me that you will never hear my voice again," Cothran recalls. "I gave God my heart and soul in the parking lot of the mall, right there in my car. A river of tears flowed as Jesus washed me and forgave me and redeemed me for His work."

The author and activist says her work with the homosexual community will continue, but its focus will drastically change.

"I intend be just as 'out' about my transformation as I was about my lesbian life. I have given every gift I have back to God, including VENUS Magazine " Cothran added. "The target audience will remain the same but the mission has been renewed. Our new mission is to encourage, educate and assist those in the [homosexual] life who want change but can't find a way out."

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