The Advocate Profiles The Glee Project's Alex Newell

For those who love Glee but think the show could use a little bit more color (Mercedes has been holding it down as much she can), you may soon be in luck. Eighteen-year-old Boston native Alex Newell has competing on the popular Oxygen show The Glee Project, in which contestants compete for a chance to join the cast of Glee for seven episodes. In an interview with The Advocate, Newell, who is openly gay, talks about publicly revealing his sexuality during a recent episode, when he wore a sign with the word 'gay' in the middle of Los Angeles.

"The situation definitely made me vulnerable and uncomfortable," he said. "We all put ourselves out there on that day. It represented who I was and to some extent, what I am uncomfortable talking about. It was a bit tiresome, but at the same time, it was very good. It is said that things done in the dark always come to light, so it is better to embrace who you are and accept yourself."
Newell, who came out last December, says he hasn't experienced any his church or family since the show began airing.  

"No, there has not been. But, then again, I have not been back to my church since the show has aired. I grew up in the church and the members are very accepting, so I am guessing there will be no problems once I return."

Read the rest of the interview HERE.

Black Enterprise Examines Being Black And Gay In Corporate America

Via Living Out Loud With Darian:

In a bold move, Black Enterprise is taking a look at what it means to be black and gay in the corporate world. Writer Sonia Alleyne says finding black LGBT professionals that were willing to talk was not an easy task.

"Editor-at-Large Carolyn M. Brown and I spent months producing this feature," Alleyne writes. "Due to the topic’s controversial nature, we had some difficulty finding subjects. Even some of those who agreed to participate in our cover story,  "Black and Gay in Corporate America," felt some trepidation about how revealing their sexual orientation would affect relationships with family, friends, and associates outside the workplace."

In a short excerpt, the common stereotypes and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" environment many LGBT employees work in are discussed.

Who is the gay Black professional? If you were to rely on media images, they are overtly flamboyant and dramatic male hairstylists and fashion designers. Depictions are often skewed comedic renderings of members of a community who in real life too often lead separate lives to buffer themselves—and their families—from ridicule. “Many professionals are out in their community but private in the world,” says Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, executive director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization that seeks to empower the African American LGBT population. “There’s a healthy Black, educated professional class of the gay, lesbian, and transgender community in this country. But there’s no recognition of their existence. There’s no protection for their rights—for silent or overt discrimination. Black people in general treat the existence of gays and lesbians and transgender people in the African American community like ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” the former U.S. policy governing homosexuality in the military.

It looks like this could be a very interesting conversation piece. Read the rest of the excerpt HERE.

R.I.P Taylor Siluwe

Author/blogger Taylor Siluwe lost his battle with lung cancer Sunday. Siluwe was the author of SGL Cafe. While I was not as close to him as other bloggers, he was a follower K. Clark's Corner and I definitely reading his insightful blog and the occasional comments his left here. Rest in peace Taylor.

New York Pastor Calls Harlem Pride Celebration An "Abomination"

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Keith Boykin Accepting Submissions For "For Colored Boys.." Anthology

Via Rod 2.0:

Author and retired activist Keith Boykin will be accepting submissions until July 20th for a forthcoming anthology: For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough. According to Boykin, the project was inspired by "young Black gay men literally committing suicide in the silence of their own communities."

Boykin told Rod 2.0 :

"The immediate inspiration for the book was your web site. As you know, I've retired from black gay activism, I'm not as involved as I used to be and your web site is the first place I go to find out news about our community. Then last fall I remember seeing all those sad articles on your site about young black gay men who were committing suicide, and I was concerned that those stories weren't getting as much attention as other stories in the mainstream media. That's when I sent off an email to Don Weise, the publisher at Magnus Books, suggesting that he should get somebody to do an inspirational book for black gay men in light of all the suicides going on.



Since we announced the book on Thursday, we've already been flooded with submissions. I can tell this is going to be a lot of hard work figuring out what to include, but I think it's going to be an amazing book, and probably the most important book I've ever done."

I am loving this idea. So often our experiences as black and latino gay/bisexual men are ignored or dismissed as irrelevant in the larger black and Hispanic communities. This book could inspire and save so many lives. To learn more about the project and the submission guidelines, click HERE.

CNN Anchor Don Lemon Comes Out

CNN anchor Don Lemon has come out in his new memoir Transparent. I particularly like this quote he gave in an interview with the New York Times:

“It’s quite different for an African-American male,” he said. “It’s about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You’re taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away.” He said he believed the negative reaction to male homosexuality had to do with the history of discrimination that still affects many black Americans, as well as the attitudes of some black women.



“You’re afraid that black women will say the same things they do about how black men should be dating black women.” He added, “I guess this makes me a double minority now.”

Lemon says he knows his coming out will cause speculation about other TV personalities (What's up Anderson:), and says he wishes everyone could be out.

“I think it would be great if everybody could be out,” he said. “But it’s such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that. I do have to say that the more people who come out, the better it is for everyone, certainly for the Tyler Clementis of the world.”



“I think if I had seen more people like me who are out and proud, it wouldn’t have taken me 45 years to say it.”

Being that there are so few openly gay journalists (let alone black gay ones) this is great news. The fact that Lemon is a high profile figure will further breakdown people's stereotypes about black gays and increase visibility. I've never clocked his tea, but I'm not shocked either, if that's makes any sense. And 45? I've got to learn his skin regimen lol.

Are We The Boys We Want? A Masculine Guy's Perspective

Recently a few blogs have been discussing the video/poem posted by Yolo Akili entitled Are we the kind of boys we want? In between spoken word rhymes black gay men talk about what they look for in a man and answer whether or not they would date themselves.

So would I date me if I saw me walking down the street? And started to cry each time we meet (oops that's Dionne Warrick). Anyway, I'm not sure if I would. On the one hand, I'm 5'10 with a medium build (damn am I on Adam for Adam?) and a handsome guy if I do say so myself, so I'd definitely catch my eye on a physical level. I'm creative, smart, very giving, easy going and have a wicked sense of humor. But on the other hand, I can be moody at times and very reserved emotionally. Plus my intellectual curiosity can sometimes get the best of me, and I can be over analytical about things and get lost in my own head. I think I would need someone who is earthy, more outwardly emotional and straight forward to balance me out. So...I'd love to be close friends with me, but I'd don't think I'd date me.

With that said, this emphasis (or let's be real) obsession with masculinity in the black gay community is problematic. So many guys are in search of the straight-acting gay holy grail, that they're willing to dismiss anyone who doesn't fit that criteria, no matter how good they may be. And what the hell does straight-acting even mean really? My dad is one of the most masculine men I know, but he watches soap operas (The Bold And The Beautiful to be exact). One of my roommates in college was straight but was a theater and dance major. Another straight guy I know hardly ever drinks hard liquor but loves daiquiris instead, while another guy loves Patti Labelle, but he is straight (hard to believe but it's true:). My point being, straight men don't always "act straight" so why should we as gay men expect that of each other?

While I personally feel I sway between the masculine and feminine, my overall aura/energy is more masculine, so I do feel qualified to speak more from that perspective. I can say from personal experience that masculine guys do feel pressure from fem guys to be the "man" in the relationship. I've had men expect me to always pay their way when going out(and their bills-so didn't happen!) and go to work everyday while they play the woman's role. I don't get why we would want to imitate straight couples, when clearly isn't working for them! Even in my current relationship, there was pressure at beginning for me to be more aggressive, to take charge and play more of the alpha male role. But I made it clear that that's never been who I am. I can be aggressive when it comes to pursuing things I want, but being some controlling, wannabe homothug is so not the business.

I like to lift weights. But I also love to read books. I like Ice Cube, Naughty By Nature, Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Slipknot and loads of other hip hop and hard rock. But I also love Madonna, Janet, Mary, Beyonce, Diana, Whitney and the rest of the diva brigade. I like Entourage, Menace To Society, Goodfellas, Diehard, American Pie, The 40-Year Old Virgin, Wedding Crashers, Friday, Family Guy and any other assortment of gangster, gross out and/or action flicks. But I can laugh my ass off at and appreciate films like Paris Is Burning, Changeling, Mean Girls, Bring It On, The Notebook, Waiting To Exhale  and Clueless.

I'm not some rough piece of trade that doesn't know that two plus two equals four. And I'm not a super femme queen who's sole purpose is to get their life in the club every weekend. I'm a whole human being, and so are other black gay men, be they more naturally masculine or feminine in nature. True, in any relationship each person is inevitably going to fall into some traditional roles. You may have an eye for interior design that your man doesn't. Or you may be more mechanical than he is, so you fix things around the house. But to resign ourselves to these cartoonish hypermasculine and hyperfeminine roles will only lead to disaster.

What's important in any relationship, be it gay or straight, is that the individuals in it are not trying to fulfill some fantasy for the other person, but are being loved and appreciated for who they are. On a side note, it would be interesting to find out if this same thing goes on in the lesbian community (i.e. an obsession with femininity). It probably doesn't, since women are allowed to cross gender norms in their appearance and personal interests in a way men aren't, regardless of their orientation.

Anyway, watch the video below, and tell me what you think.

"Are We There Yet" Features Black Gay Teen

Well this was a pleasant surprise. Ice Cube's sitcom "Are We There Yet" tackled the subject of black gay teens in a non-stereotypical, fear-mongering way. On the episode "The Boy Has Style" Cedric, a tall, fashionable football player starts hanging out with Lindsay, who can't figure why her new beau won't make a move. The reason: he's gay.

After being clocked by the Nick's wife (I personally think most older women's gaydar is sharpened and refined from years of dating) he confronts Cedric who confesses. He eventually tells Lindsay, who accepts his offer of friendship and all is right with the world. I loved that Cedric was so comfortable with his sexuality and there wasn't any DL drama. It was dealt with like a simple, everyday family situation. Plus the E. Lynn Harris reference was unexpected treat.

On a slightly shady side note (say that 5 times fast!): Isn't a little sad that a straight, hardcore rapper (Ice Cube) will feature a positive/realistic depiction about a black gay character but he who shall remain nameless(you who I'm talkin' about) has yet to do so?

You can watch the episode here.

H/t Living Out With Darian

Darryl Stevens: "Envious Moon"

Darryl Stevens, a.k.a Noah from Noah's Arc (damn I miss that show), is now venturing into music with his first song "Envious Moon," which he wrote and composed the music for, according to Rod 2.0. The song has cool, laid back vibe to it, the kind of stuff tailor made for late night listening. Take a listen below:

Black LGBT Profiles: Audre Lorde

This being black history month and all, I figured I'd go beyond the obvious icons (Martin, Malcom, Rosa, Harriett) and profile those that are usually overlooked (i.e. black gays and lesbians). One of those individuals is Audre Lorde, a woman who was, in her own words, a "black, lesbian, warrior, mother, poet."

Born Audrey Geraldine Lorde in 1934 in New York City to Caribbean immigrants, Lorde was nearsighted almost to the point of being legally blind. However, that didn't stop her from learning to read, write and talk at four years old, and composing her first poem in her early teens. She changed her name to Audre, saying that she liked the artistic quality of both her names ending in "e."

While attending Hunter College in the 1950s, Lorde worked a series of jobs, including a factory worker, ghost writer and social worker. According to Wikipedia.com, "In 1954, she spent a pivotal year as a student at the National University of Mexico, a period she described as a time of affirmation and renewal: she confirmed her identity on personal and artistic levels as a lesbian and poet. On her return to New York, Lorde went to college, worked as a librarian, continued writing and became an active participant in the gay culture of Greenwich Village."

Lorde was married to attorney Edwin Rollins. The pair had two children before divorcing in 1970. She numerous relationships with women, becoming romantically involved with her partner Gloria Joseph until her death from breast cancer in 1992.

Her poety, regularly published by black literary magazines including Langston Hughes' New Negro Poets, tackled subjects such as love, motherhood, betrayal, and homosexuality. Lorde wrote about her own sexuality in the poem "Martha." Heavily involved in the civil rights, anti-war and feminist movements, Lorde criticized the women's movement for what she saw as a focus solely on the experience of white, middle class women, and its exclusion of differences among women such as race and sexuality. The concept of difference was a recurring theme in her work. "I am defined as other in every group I'm part of", she declared. "The outsider, both strength and weakness. Yet without community there is certainly no liberation, no future, only the most vulnerable and temporary armistice between me and my oppression."

Some Audre Lorde's famous quotations are below:

"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive."

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences."

“When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”

Black Gay Male Pledge of Allegiance

Via loldarian.blogspot.com.

The video by senior history major Derrick at Florida A&M University gives a list of things we as black gay men should pledge to do in 2010, from learning about important figures such as Bayard Rustin, to simply loving ourselves as we are.

Derrick tells loldarian.com "he was inspired to create this pledge while thinking about all of the black gay men who struggle daily with their sexual orientation"."It is my goal that black gay men will ground themselves in self acceptance and self love and will refuse to internalize the hatred of other people. This is a new day and this is our pledge", adds Derrick.

I think this pledge should be taken up by every black gay man. We've all either struggled or watched others struggle with being gay, religious condemnations, alienation from family, and self-esteem. Hopefully more and more of us will be able to live out this pledge throughout the new year and beyond. Watch the video below:

Black and Gay Is Beautiful

In response to Donnie McClurkin's recent speech at a COGIC convention, gay activists and religious have taken out a full page announcement declaring an end to spiritual violence:

"For those of us in faith who have always loved the black church, the defining issue of our lives has been the churches damning stance on homosexuality. As children, the condemnation broke our spirit. As adolescents, this ridicule broke our hearts. As young adults, this disdain has attempted to drive us to the brink. Spiritual violence is wrong and it kills the spirit. The black church must find new ways to talk about sex and sexuality."

Anyone who's grown up in church knows all too well the lethal effects homophobia can have on the mind, body and spirit. Hopefully more churches will get the message.
H/t Rod 2.0.

O Donnie Boy...

If you follow or have followed gospel music for the past 10 or so years, you know all too well about Donnie McClurkin and his story. If not, here's the short version: Donnie was molested at age 8, lived "the gay lifestyle" for 20+ years, was eventually "delivered," and is now straight as a (celibate or "single") arrow. Now I don't want it to seem as though I'm making light of child molestation or abuse. It is awful and disgusting, and can no doubt leave lasting scars on its victims.

However, I am sick of Donnie and others like him using this as an excuse for why they were(are) gay. If anything being molested by someone of the same sex would probably turn you away from further sexual contact, not embracing it. And why is that women or girls who are raped or molested by older men do not cite this as the cause of their heterosexuality? Or young boys who are taken advantage of by older women for that matter? There are many people who've never been abused, were raised by loving parents and are still gay. Furthermore, what does walking or talking a certain way have to do with who you are as a man or woman? If all men suddenly became super butch and women are became ultra feminine there would still be gay folks. These people need gender and sexual orientation classes *smh*.

All of this ranting comes from an unhinged tirade Donnie gave at the COGIC Holy Convocation Youth Service. Listen to the three part foolishness below and see what I mean.

Michael Eric Dyson On 'Gay Is The New Black'

This is classic Michael Eric Dyson. Intellectual, passionate and hilarious all at once. Watch the clip below:

Question of The Day: When Will We Rise Up?

Pretty much every black gay blog I've read has talked about our lack of cohesion/action as black LGBTs. I've responded on threads and blogged about why it seems so hard for us as black gays and lesbians to truly form a cohesive, outspoken community willing to stand up to the homophobia in our communities. Some say this apathy comes from the lack of outreach from mainstream (i.e. white) organizations. Others say it's because the homophobia we grew up with in church and the neighborhood have been drilled into us so deeply that at their core most black gays feel a degree shame over their sexuality. And some believe that most black gays just don't give a damn about marriage equality, hate crimes legislation, DADT, etc.

So my question is, after all the analysis and open threads and editorials have been written, what will it take? What will it take for us as black gays to rise up as an organized force and say 'No More.' No more sitting quietly while being degraded by the pastor. No more hiding our relationships or sexuality out of fear of being accused of "flaunting our lifestyle." No more feeling like we should just go along to get along, accepting whatever table scraps we can get.

I'm honestly at a loss as to what it would take for this to happen. So what do you think? Please leave comments and don't hold back (I have 8 followers so I know somebody reads this blog lol:).

Panel Discussion: Religion, Masculinity and Homophobia

Cleo Manago, founder of Black Men's Xchange and AmASSI Health and Cultural Centers and other activists and authors discuss these issues at Al Sharpton's National Action Network 2009 Summer Conference in Atlanta. It's a fantastic, respectful discussion. Get into the clip below:

A Candid Debate On Black Manhood, Same Gender Love & Civil Rights: Fact & Fiction from Cleo Manago on Vimeo.

BET Updates Their LGBT Section

Usually the words BET and LGBT community don't conjure positive feelings or images. Lawd knows that gay folks are few and far between on the channel or usually ignored altogether. However, with the recent updates to their LGBT section on the station website, they seem to be taking a step in the right direction. The dreadful "How to Know If Your Man's Gay" section is gone. The page also includes info about important figures in the black LGBT community and a page that discusses (and debunks) common myths about gay people. Check it out here.