21 Years of Black Gay Men on Television

In 1971, America was introduced to Steve, the first gay male character to appear on a sitcom during an episode of All in the Family. Since then, LGBTQ representation on television has increased greatly for men and women. However, it wasn't until 2005 that the first openly gay Black male lead appeared on scripted television, with actor Darryl Stephens portraying the character Noah Wilson in the series Noah's Arc.

It's hard to imagine that it took until 2005 for Black gay men to be seen and utilized as more than a punchline. Previously, my only frame of reference included Corwin Hawkins from A Low Down Dirty Shame and the drag queen RuPaul. Unfortunately, in the 90s, mainstream media rarely centered Black gay men, and when it did, it was often through comedy or spectacle. 

While both are pioneering examples of Black Gay representation in the 90s, the imagery did not resonate with me. I didn't recognize it at the time, but this created a type of internalized homophobia as the presented femininity became a caution sign of what not to be, as a closeted gay man in the south. 

Instead, I found myself living vicariously through the character Marco from the series Degrassi: The Next Generation, which, to this day, remains one of the best and most authentic portrayals of the growth from teenager to young adult on television. Then in 2006, I graduated from high school and was freed from the restrictions I'd placed on myself. During my college years, I educated myself and worked to combat my biases. It was there that I was introduced to the series Noah's Arc.

With the premiere of Noah's Arc on Logo on October 19th, 2005, Patrick-Ian Polk's vision changed how viewers saw Black gay men. Through its characters, Noah's Arc gave viewers a look into gay relationships, while also tackling subjects such as dealing with homophobia, coming out, gay bashing, and the risks of hypersexuality. Yes, as gay Black men, we could be funny, witty, and fashionable, but we're also layered, multifaceted, and most importantly, deserving of love within our own community. 

Although there has yet to be an influx of Black gay-led television shows, series like Pose and Batwoman, along with the continuation of Noah's Arc through film releases, are proof that audiences are still craving gay-focused media. Representation has grown, but it remains scattered and easy to overlook without intentionally celebrating it. 

2026 marks 21 years of Black gay characters on television, and while roles featuring Black gay men as leads are few and far between, their growth deserves celebration.  Between network and cable television, audiences have been introduced to a variety of characters that help showcase the diversity of the Black gay community. To celebrate the progress and spotlight the work still to be done, here are just a few of the Black gay men portrayed on television and the Gay men who portrayed them. 

Click here for video

Manhood Includes Gay Men Too

After an appearance on Vault Talk Show, actor Maurice Johnson is facing scrutiny for comments regarding homosexuality in film and television. During the interview, Johnson—known for his role in Beyond the Gates—took a strong stance against playing non-heterosexual characters. While he initially claimed he wouldn't "do the role any justice" as a straight man, his further comments have been labeled problematic.

“Manhood is okay. We've gotten into this society where everything is just being pushed down our throats. And I'm a heterosexual male; those are the only roles that I play. I'm not gonna play any other role, you know, I'm not gonna do it justice. I'm not gay, go get a gay guy, to play this role... but you know I think women want to see this."

I acknowledge that a straight male not wanting to portray a gay man isn’t a form of homophobia. However, fixing his decision as a personal moral choice is.

"I have a nephew, I have guys that I mentor, you know, and I can't flip-flop and then, 'hey man, I need you to be a man out here and, you know, do this for your family.' I can't do that. I'm not going to do that."

For many, Johnson's comments echo notions of toxic masculinity and homophobia, as, based on his own words, it is clear he doesn't equate gay men with manhood. Newsflash, gay men provide for and lead families and communities.

Since the episode aired, many on the internet have taken Johnson to task and called out his toxic comments. Most notably, openly gay actor J. August Richards publicly responded and attempted to educate him. Check out the exchange below.

Since the initial response and online backlash, Johnson has only doubled down on his stance and continues to stand by his tone-deaf comments. At one point, while engaging online, Johnson admitted he did not have any intended hate for the LGBTQ community, referencing his role in Beyond the Gates, where his character's son is gay, failing to realize that playing a tolerant character does not excuse making exclusionary remarks in reality.

J. August Richards should be applauded for having this conversation in public. Hopefully, Johnson will eventually reflect on his comments and become receptive to the feedback he was given.

In the meantime, do you believe his comments crossed the line, or do you think the internet is overreacting? You can find the full interview on YouTube with comments beginning around the 15-minute mark.

Chucky Kills in Onscreen Diversity

When it comes to diverse characters, there is always room for more, and who knew the next great addition to television royalty would come from a television series based on a movie franchise from the 80s. Despite being a horror fan when I heard the news "Child's Play" was rebooted as a television series, I was skeptical of its potential success. However, after the core four episodes, my faith in horror television is restored. From its inception, "Child's Play" has always had a way of resonating with queer viewers, with fans finally being rewarded with LGBT characters such as Glenda and Nica from the movie series. And now, thanks to the series, America is seeing one of the first portrayals of an adolescent Black LGBT character.

The series introduces the character Devon, portrayed by actor Bjorgvun Arnarson, as a potential love interest to the series protagonist. His introduction offers an authentic look into a struggle many LGBT youths face with realizing and accepting their sexuality. Many of us remember how difficult it was to navigate family expectations while also seeking to be our true selves. Unfortunately, there weren't many Black LGBT characters displayed on television twenty years ago, and it was rarer for a character to be under the age of 18. While the depiction of black male LGBTQ characters on television has grown over the years, a large majority of these characters are always adults who are either dealing with: hypersexuality, bisexuality, repressed sexuality, or family drama because of the character's sexuality with no further exploration beyond. Notable examples include the character Curtis from the CW series Arrow, the Black cisgender men from FX's Pose (Ricky, Pray to Tell, and Damon), and the character Ambrose from the Netflix series the Misadventures of Sabrina.

Seeing a character who happens to be black, gay, and a fan of horror on television resonated with my inner child. The character positively sets a precedent on television as a first. Hopefully, this will help lead to a new wave of diverse characters and series. The series is certified 96% fresh by Rotten Tomatoes and is quickly gaining more fans with every new episode. Now that Halloween has passed, the true test of the show's creativity to keep viewers invested begins.

Who are some other Black LGBT characters that you feel have been presented authentically throughout the years?

Black, Gay and Married: the Primetime Relationship We've Longed to See

Despite the number of LGBT characters presented onscreen today only a small fraction are of color. Furthernore, of that percentage very few are safe from falling into the category of being portrayed stereotypically. As the diversity of LGBT characters continues to be featured more prominently in film and television, Black gay men are finally getting the chance to see themselves reflected as something more than that of a comedic prop, or as an accessory to an interracial relationship. NBC's newest series, Council of Dads, features the first married Black gay couple on a prime time television sitcom, a huge step even in the year 2020. Playing the roles of Oliver and Peter, are J. August Richards and Kevin Daniels, with Richards' character being one of three fathers helping the Perry family adjust after the death of the family's father, an event that completely changes the dynamic of the family going forward.

Daniels is an out actor who has appeared on shows such as Modern Family, Sirens, and Why Women Kill. Richards became a household name as a series regular on Angel, and has interestingly enough, despite having played predominantly "straight" roles previously in Hollywood, Richards also used this casting opportunity to officially come out to the world, revealing that he also identifies as gay. Needless to say, having gay Black characters protrayed by actual Black gay men is a refreshing step away from straight actors taking on gay roles. Speaking with the advocate about his coming out and incorporating it into the show Richards stated, "It was important to me that the nuances of the experience of being a Black gay man were represented on this show, because otherwise, why am I even doing it?"

Outside of the couple, the series also features a transgender child in the Perry family. This visibility is important and continues to highlight the diversity that exists within the LGBT community. Years ago I asked the question where were all the happy black gay couples on prime time television. It seems we finally have the answer.

Watch new episodes Thursdays, 10pm et.