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Gay Is Not The New Black But Gay Rights Are Civil Rights

Nov 23rd, 2009 | 8 responsesPosted by OIA Staff in Opinion

Gay is the new Black is one of the most offensive slogans that the LGBT community has employed to help fight for their civil rights. If these claims originated with same gender loving people of color, it would be problematic but hardly the racial offense that it constitutes coming from Whites. There has been much tension between the GLBT community Blacks regarding gay rights, culminating in an all out attack after Prop 8. Ignoring that there are many in the African American community who have worked alongside gays and lesbians to fight for gay marriage, Black people were painted as uniquely homophobic.

It is fair to state unequivocally that gay is not the new Black or that gay rights are not the same struggle that is faced by African Americans, however; to deny that an oppression is occurring is simply an expression of heterosexist privilege. At what point does fighting for the right to live openly not considered a civil right? At what point do you decide that sexuality means that you should have a closeted experience?

[ Read more @ Womanist Musings ]

Tags: Black, civil rights, Gay Marriage, gay rights, lgbt community, oppression, tension

Victor from VA

As a Black person, who is gay, I absolutely agree with the editorial. Gay is not the new Black and while the struggles are similar they are different. While I can’t hide my race, I can hide my sexuality. I would like it known that the most racism I have received or experienced has been at the hands of white, gay men. Now, these very same people, in great numbers want to compare themselves to Black. It is unfortunate, but I will never support White gays, interest in comparing themselves to Blacks. Especially when the White gay community does nothing to stop the racism that is rampant in the gay community itself. How many times have you seen or heard of a White gay man indicate they will not date a Black person, because it is a sexual preference. It is indeed a preference, a preference to be racist, which the larger gay community turns a blind eye.
WTF

The greatest wrong here is to compare your lifestyle or sexual choice to the struggles of the black race. You are asking for the meaning of marriage or a natural couple to be redefined, so that marriage b/t same sexes is a norm.
There are way too many ramifications associated with this change.

Tony

WTF…………….You’re an idiot, homophobic ass ! Your reply only shows just how norrow-minded and stupid you really are….!!!! Do, us all a favor – go back under the rock, that you climbed out from under !!
Tony

excuse my typing………NARROW-MINDED !

Ricardo

NOT to sound like the poster child of black gay people, but I do believe the struggle is the same. It’s even harder on my end when I have to listen to family members pronounce my sexuality as a sickness.
Saskplanner

Ok. SHOW me that black people aren’t largely homophobic…. I suspect you can’t because I don’t believe the evidence is there. I agree with Thug – some gay kid gets beat up in Des Moines or wherever and he feels alone.
Thug

It’s a disservice to compare the struggle of gay people to the struggle faced by black people. Blacks certainly faced terrible oppression but at least they went home to families and communities of indiviuals like themselves to find comfort, support, and positive identity. Gay children grow alone in a world of violence and hatred where even God hates their guts.