A couple of weeks ago, I attended a meeting where we were talked about Black LGBT peeps in the industry.
We all know they're there, but none of them are out. I mean, we have a few actors and music artists, but no mainstream, big time people. We have no version of Ellen, Elton John, Neil Patrick Harris or Jane Lynch... none.
So why is that? Well, there are many reasons: religion, career, image, self-awareness; the list could go on. But I think it's time to change that.
If more Black entertainers (including athletes and politicians) come out, think of the impact that could make?
- More young Black teens would fill more comfortable coming out.
- There would be more examples of Black LGBT in the limelight.
- The myth of gay issues being White issues will begin to cease.
- HIV and AIDS cases could decrease.
- The Black community will have no choice but to acknowledge the Gay community within.
4 comments:
A few weeks ago I met William Brown at Bearapalooza. He's a black comedian/singer and a really fun person.
Check him out: http://www.luggagerackproductions.com/central.html
Well, given the rampant homophobia in the black community it would get worse before it got better.
Imagine what would happen to Tyler Perry if he came out? His entire livelihood would go up in smoke.
I am not excusing their closeted ways(Neyo, Queen Latisha, John Legend, and etc)...but it is understandable.
Who is Queen Latisha, Toddy??? LOL! Truthfully we'll never know if anyone's career would go up in smoke. Nobody seems brave enough to give it a go. I'm not speaking for the people Toddy mentioned because I have no idea if they were gay or not. But Luther to me is a good example of someone who went to his grave miserable over what other people thought of him. No one deserves that.
I would hope that by now, some of them would be financially secure enough that their careers could come second to the truth and there own personal happiness. Maybe when they are old and grey. I've met many people who don't feel comfortable coming out until they are very old or their parents have passed away. So instead of waiting I say we big up the gay, black and out artists that we do have. Like Rahsaan Patterson, Meshell N'Degeocello, Lee Daniels and Tonex(to name a few). All examples that you can be you and still have a career. Granted these people are also genuinely talented as well. That helps a lot!
yeah but what we need is a famous Black person to come out as gay (i.e. someone on the level of Tavis Smiley, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, etc)
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