Gay is Not the New Black.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/16/granderson.obama.gays/index.html

Discuss.

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I responded to this on Facebook. May print my response here also. Phyllis, I understand where he was going with that statement but I really don't think it applies to our President and he probably should not have included it in the article or said it a different way.

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I'd like to hear your thoughts, UNCAGE! I've cross-posted some of mine on Pam's House Blend, where I first saw this article.

I've tried to parse that comment a million times, but I can't make any more sense of it than what I said earlier. Criticizing the president for his inaction (and turnabout) on these issues has nothing to do with his race, and I resent the implication (not from you, of course!) that if we want race relations in the gay community to improve we better STFU when it comes to criticizing people who happen to be black.

Here's another thing I posted on Pam's regarding the racism in the gay community.

Anytime there are a lot of white people anywhere a percentage of them are going to be racist. Gay, straight, Christian, etc, whatever.

But when it comes to the greater gay community (whatever that actually entails), who really DOES feel included?

When I read the comments about "not feeling like a part of the larger gay pride movement," I really wish I could have the explained to me in detail.

It's not that I'm trying to say there isn't a point to be made about racism in the GLBT community, because there is. I've seen it and I know it continues to exist. But when we're talking exclusion - especially when it comes to bar behavior and pride, because I hate to break it him, but as a pudgy, extremely hairy, average looking gay (and admittedly white) male, I don't necessarily feel all that "included" when I attend events, bars, rallies, etc with the gay community at large - I don't necessarily think it's all about race all the time.

As for those who snort that we are looking for "instant gratification," I don't know that many of us are. I think we'd like things to improve in our lifetimes, and indeed they have. Maybe we'd like to see things move a little faster simple because we're operating on the (possibly false) assumption that humankind SHOULD be be a little wiser than they were four hundred (or even forty years ago).

And just out of curiosity, who is perpetuating the "gay is the new black" meme? Generally when I hear the gay community's struggle compared to that of African-Americans that's immediately shot down (and often by a well meaning white person). I sometimes feel that the people constantly reminding us that gay is NOT the new black are the ones reminding us that anyone believed that in first place.

Updated On: 7/17/09 at 01:27 PM

This is one of those threads that I wish we could all be in the same room actually talking about the subject as opposed to posting our thoughts.

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Come on over! I will have food and cocktails ready! We can sit on the patio! Madbrian, the waether has been wonderful this summer. Actually needed heating blankets the other week up in the mountains at the cabin!

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taz, I have heard it a bit out here and it is never from a black person.

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Chance - seriously - you need to take a prozac and chill. All this talk about kicking people and guys being castrated...it's not healthy. And no, I am not joking or jumping on you. I am serious

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No, I don't. People have the right to keep secret what they want to keep secret. And you saying that just showed how immature you are. It's just like saying "Let's blame the gays for the AIDS epidemic because it was God's plague to them for their sins." If people would stop screwing each other without protection or getting tested first then THAT would help. It's not WHAT you do but how you DO it and how you keep yourself and your partner safe.

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Updated On: 7/17/09 at 02:11 PM

Trying to equate forms of discrimination is impossible and unproductive. I've never heard an intelligent person even try to make a valid comparison. Any attempt will do more harm than good.

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But - and I say this while acknowledging that the racial struggle IS ongoing - it kind of implies that gay people appeared out of the blue in the past quarter of a century or so. It ain't like people suddenly decided in this century that same-sex loving was offensive to their sensibilities.

Like I said earlier, this all just becomes a circular arguement. I think comparisons can be made to other struggles, but I don't think it's wise to try and equate one group's oppression with another's.

I find it offensive.

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And really, I don't think that guys on the DL are really included in this.

They are in this specific article, though.

Amen.

I also believe that acceptance of those who are of a different race, creed, sexual preference, etc. is not an inherent trait, but something that must be learned and worked on as people.

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