I'm a black gay man who didn't grow up "in the church". My religious education and experience was very spotty, and I never had any complaints about it. Long before I accepted myself as a gay man, my opinion of religion (not spirituality) was that it was incredibly (and dangerously) delusional, ignorant and oppressive. I never singled out black churches. I was an equal opportunity judge and juror.
I've been an out gay man for over 12 years. When California's Proposition 8 passed in 2008, I have to admit I wasn't surprised. Outside of the metropolitan communities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, my opinion is that most Californians believe being gay is a choice that can be corrected through the power of prayer or worse.
After the passing of the proposition, one of the things that I began to hear within the mainstream gay community was that the African American community was one of the main reasons the proposition passed. I do believe the majority of black Californians who voted did vote for the proposition. But I don't believe it is the strongest reason why it passed. Black Americans make up approximately 10-12% of the U.S. population, and the percentage who live in major metropolitan areas is usually less than this.
That being said, hearing the comments from the mainstream gay community (some of which were racist), got me to wondering if African Americans are more homophobic than their non-black contemporaries. My perception is that those who are not black are surprised that blacks can be homophobic, assuming that because African Americans were socially and legally oppressed, they would not have these beliefs. This simplistic thinking doesn't seem to take into account that although the black community is a subculture, we are still Americans, influenced by the same thoughts and beliefs as the rest of the country. If blacks shouldn't be homophobic, then women also shouldn't be homophobic and members of the LGBT community shouldn't be racist.
However, I realize that because I didn't grow up with a solid or consistent religious structure, I needed to find out just how homophobic most black communities and churches are. What I've found so far has been disturbing. It explains the intense hostility I've felt at times from certain members of the black community. This is why I believe it's vitally important that more of our black LGBT people stand out and proud against this stifling and at times dangerous oppression. But it may be easier for me to say this as one who grew up on the periphery of the African American community; someone who can oftentimes be viewed as suspect, not 'authentically black'. Most black gay Americans live and socialize solely in black communities. It is home for them and because of the racist perceptions and beliefs that unfortunately can exist within mainstream LGBT communities, it is more inviting.
But it does give me hope to see individuals like openly gay stand-up comedian Sampson. He uses the universal elixir of humor to tackle the issue of homophobia within mainstream black America. The 1st clip is of him interviewing a husband and wife pastoral couple. The 2nd one is of him interviewing his mother. Watching his videos, and the clips of other out black gay men and women, gives me the continued hope and desire to continue pushing through my own fears and limitations.
GREAT blog! Very insightful and interesting, although I do believe that you are more forgiving of the church than the church is forgiving of you. LOVED the Sampson video of him interviewing the Pastor couple. The talk about the gay demons descending on him in the bus while watching the gay queens act up was rather interesting. I mean, did he suddenly start sashaying and pursing his lips? Did he start reading people and pretending he was on a runway? LOVED that! I wish a gay demon would possess ME!! Oh wait. It already has.
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