Charlene Cothran

Charlene E. Cothran is an American journalist, publisher of the magazines Venus (named after her friend Venus Landin, who was killed by an ex-girlfriend in 1993)

Venus was tailored to the interests of LGBT people of African descent. The magazine was credited with breaking ground in several editorial areas, such as educational resources for HIV and AIDS prevention and care, dialogue between closeted and open LGBT populations, politics concerning homophobia, and the relationship between Christianity and homosexuality, among others.

Venus featured a roster of significant writers, contributors, and interview subjects, including Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman), Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories), James Earl Hardy (B Boy Blues), Shirlene Holmes (1958-2023), Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc), and Shay Youngblood (Talking Bones). Following these events, Venus Magazine ceased operations in 2007.

Personal life

Charlene Cothran is a former lesbian.

Cothran established The Evidence Ministry, Inc., an evangelical mission that encourages people to renounce homosexuality.