Allies vs Friends

One of the cornerstones of Gay Pride is education. From its inception, Pride has always offered opportunities for members of the community, and outsiders, to be educated on safer sex practices, activism through community organizing, and educating the world at large about the spectrum of being Gay. Although society has come a long way in accepting Homosexuality and gender expression, there still remains a divide in allyship, especially when it comes to trans individuals. Thanks to a recent interview with NeNe Leakes and TS Madison, we're reminded that there is still work to be done.

On here June 11th podcast episode, Leeks sat down with TS Madison, one of today's most visible trans women working in the entertainment industry, to discuss Madison's upcoming projects and most recent accomplishments. It's a great interview, but things quickly take a left turn when the subject of dating sexually fluid men arises and leads to an uncomfortable exchange between the two as Madison attempts to educate the podcast host on the topic. In real time, Leaks demonstrates how she, and many members of society, continue not to view trans women as women, and how toxic masculinity can also be upheld by women, as she fails to equate a man who is attracted to a female-presenting trans individual as a real man.  (See Below)

Conversations regarding anything related to the LGBT community are often difficult, but are made easier when met from a place of understanding. This exchange is only made more shocking given that Leakes has been a long-standing presence in gay culture and spaces, with many considering her to be an ally. 

When it comes to sexuality, Black men are often the most harshly judged group. Burdened by expectations and limitations based on toxic masculinity, many aren't ever given the space to nurture their curiosities without facing judgment from peers. Having a one-off experience with someone of the same sex doesn't immediately or indefinitely define one's sexuality. 

Following the release of the episode, backlash regarding Leakes' comments has been swift, with many outright condemning her lack of understanding and perceived willful ignorance; however, what should be focused on is how TS continued to speak with grace while educating. 

As we celebrate Pride, we must remember that pride should be celebrated every day, and even the closest ally can still need to be educated.

Changing the Conversation of Black Homosexuality

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.