This week, singer and sex symbol Tank set the internet ablaze, once again, with his comments surrounding sexuality. Previously the unapologetic R&B crooner was catapulted into the spotlight of public opinion when he spoke out in support of his LGBT fans and decided to perform at DC Black Pride in 2017. Now the singer has once again drove his heterosexual fans into a frenzy with his comments about sexuality among men and experiences with other men.
On October 21st, speaking with Angela Yee and co host on her Lip service podcast, early into the interview the conversation segwayed when Yee pushed the conversation further when she asked "what if a dude sucks a dick once, does that make him gay?" And of course candidly stating, " He sucked dick once, right? Then, he's like I'm not sure if I liked it or not. Let me try it again," and upon not liking it, "it doesn't mean he's gay... the art of being gay is being gay. It's a continuious state of being." Naturally the star was met with mixed reaction afterward, sparking an ongoing debate.
Tank, like many other Black male celebrities, read more here, is helping to change and improve the conversation surrounding homosexuality. Exploring ones sexuality, no matter the age, and engaging in a sexual act with someone of the same sex doesn't eternally etch one's sexuality into stone. Sexuality is fluid and there should be no shame or stigma engaging in something to decide if it's something you like. Challegnging the stigma of black sexuality has been an ongoing fight. The subject has also been touched on through other outlets such as Issa Rae's series Insecure.
Furthering the conversation only helps to end the stigma once and for all, and that only helps makes the world a better and less judgemental place.
Black men are stepping to the forefront to help change the narrative surrounding LGBT existence and acceptance within the African American community. There are two major misconceptions regarding homosexuality in the African American community. One, that our community is somehow more homophobic than any other ethnic group and two, have only helped to nuture and enforce homophobia for generations with black gay men carrying the weight of the argument. This misconception has been enforced for generations through religion and the media but as we near the end of 2019 however Black men are now stepping to the forefront to combat this misconception and change the narrative about homophobia and its existence in the Black community.
Recently the rapper Jidenna did an interview with Sway's Universe where he discussed the presence of homosexuality existing in Africa long before the invasion of Europeans, combating the myth that homosexuality was something introduced. "If you go to Zimbabwe...you'll see homosexual acts in cave paintings...there was never a time where this didn't exist, or where it was hands down that homosexuals were wrong." Jidenna, born in Nigeria, is the perfect person to shed light on the subject to his American fanbase.
As an ally of the LGBT community he's very aware of the daily struggles of Black men facing homophobia within the African American community. The artist even touched on the recent suicide of Maurice Willoughby, the young man who committed suicide after being bullied on the internet and in his everyday life for dating a transgendered woman. Speaking on his suicide and the circumstances that led up to it, he questioned whether the bullying is what ultimately led to his drug addiction and abuse of his girlfriend before eventually overdosing.
Maurice Willoughby
The existence of homophobia within the African American community created the environment for this young man to be bullied into suicide simply for loving someone. Long have black men, and celebrities, been shamed for their attraction to transwomen but finally a celebrity is speaking out to also combat that taboo.
Addressing Maurice Willoughby's suicide as well, Malik Yoba shared a lengthy post where he addressed how intolerance led to the circumstances of Willoughby's suicide, "...the uniformed young men around him haven't been taught by us that love and acceptance if Trans love is ok..." The actor also announced his support of trans attracted individuals and came out as a trans attracted individual himself ending the post with, "as a self identified cis heterosexual man I too am learning what it means to be trans attracted. Many of us famous and otherwise that have struggled with accepting our attraction so we do nothing. This must change."
With entertainers like both Jidenna and Malik Yoba using their platform to lead these discussions and promote change maybe this much needed change isn't far away and more Black Male celebrities will join in on the conversation. You can check out Jidenna's full interview below.
With homophobic thoughts and comments ending careers left and right nowadays, one would think that celebrities would be more cautious of their words, especially when it comes to the usage of social media. It seems as if every week there’s a new person in the hot seat for either their past or current comments; this week’s celebrity facing the wrath of the internet is comedian Jess Hilarious. Known mostly for her shade room commentary on Instagram, the comedian responded to a comment on a post, allowing her inner homophobia fly.
When fans began to call her out for usage of the slur, Jess initially doubled down with her comments, void of any remorse. It wasn’t until the sparks of a backlash grew into a wildfire that she offered an apology to the LGBT community, although there was no mention of the male she actually insulted.
While Jess has enjoyed a small rise to fame, comments such as these will undoubtedly stall, if not completely stop, her from reaching A-list celebrity status.
