Racism in the Community- The Buzz

 The big pink elephant in the room is raging and making more noise than ever.  Here is what a few influential people in the community are saying about the topic of racism within the LGBT Community.

"I think one of the most important lessons learned from the passing of Prop 8 is to never underestimate the power of people of color.  If the suggested figures are true, then more work needs to be done to reach out to our communities to educate and help them understand why this is so important, not just for us, but for all minorities.  It should be taken into consideration that most of the 'No on Prop 8' ads featured predominantly white couples.  It's not fair to blame any one particular group for this unfortunate crime against equality.  There is enough prejudice and hatred in the world for us to take one another for granted. If we want to show the United States of America that the queer community is made up of brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, sons and daughters, then we have to create a civil rights movement which represents all the colors within the queer community."

-Emanuel Xavier

Emanuel Xavier is a world renowned writer/poet from New York.  He has received several awards for his literary works relating to the gay Nuyorican experience. Visit him online at EmanuelXavier.com

"As a gay African-American man having grown up in the politically correct era of the 80’s, I cannot say that I know what if feels like to be called a nigger to my face but I definitely know how it feels to be called a faggot and if someone were to ask me to sum up the difference between the two slurs, I could do so with one word- “none.”  One would think an oppressed group such as the gay community would be exempt from such vile and racist behavior but as we’ve learned in the aftermath of Prop 8, this couldn’t be further from the truth. 
While I may have never been a victim of Jim Crow era racism, every time a gay organization chooses to ignore my existence as a gay person of color and as an important participant in the gay civil rights movement, I’m dealt a serious blow and reminder that white priviledge is not only reserved for the straight white community but the gay community as well.”  -Darian Aaron

Darian Aaron is a staff writer for Clik Magazine and Gay Community Activist.  He is also a professional dancer and creator of "Living out Loud with Darian," his own Blog Page, dedicated to representing the LGBT Community of Color. Visit him online at: loldarian.blogspot.com

"I've definitely witnessed racism in the gay community, even in places famous for embracing many cultures, such as San Francisco.  A friend of mine who was black told me that when he walked around the Castro District, no one would give him eye contact.  He felt as though they thought he was going to rob them or accost them in some way.  He said it was different when he walked with me, because maybe people didn't feel as threatened when he was obviously friends with a white guy.  

Another example that comes to mind has to do with relationships.  I have dated guys of various ethnic backgrounds, but for some reason, when I am dating someone who isn't white,  people assume I'm only into guys of that ethnicity.  My last partner was black, and it was common for people - gay and straight alike - to think that I was only attracted to black guys.  The same was true when I dated a Latino guy.  People thought I only liked Latinos.  I was constantly explaining to people that I am attracted to many different types of guys.  No one asked me those questions when I dated white guys.  It never came up.  This need to categorize people who date someone with a different ethnic background is apparent when we hear the terms, "rice queen," "bean queen," "chocolate-lover," etc.  I understand that everyone has certain types to which they're attracted, but the fact that we find it necessary to lump people together by the 'ethnicities' they date seems like racism to me, especially when there's any amount of ridicule attached to the categorization.

I have also been the target of racism as a white person when I've attended mostly black or Latino events.  I have had people say to me, "you don't belong here, white boy" and received many 'looks' that seem to say the same thing without actually saying it.  And if someone who isn't white gives me any attention in that environment, they are often subject to disapproving looks as well.  Racism is alive and well in the gay community.  Sometimes it is spoken, but more often, it is kept below the surface, only apparent in a look... or the absence of one." - Kurt Brown

Kurt R. Brown is a well know photographer from California. His work can be found in various magazines as well as his own  published coffee table book and several calendars.  Visit him online at KurtRBrown.com

“You can't expect Blacks and Latinos to fight your battles, and our own battles for that matter without being fully informed... Most people would have voted NO to Prop 8 if they were informed properly.  What do I do when I go to the polls?  How do I feel about this issue... I believe the White Gay Community didn't include the Blacks and Latinos, Gay or Str8 in the loop of this vote... so now this is a lesson learned for the rest of the country...  The divide is more than White Gay guys that love Black Gay men for their large endowments... More than White Lesbians who find the strong black skin color of Black Lesbians so intriguing... this goes deeper than that.  As one comment said... there were Gay White slave owners... So saying that... this goes back further than people want to recognize... Most people think the gay fight just cropped up in the last 20 years.... Ignorant fools... This White vs Black Gay will continue to be apart of our country as long as the subject never reaches the surface.... Hope that's not forever.” - DJ Baker

DJ Baker is a radio personality in New York with his own radio show, Da Do-Dirty Show, spinning the best mainstream and LGBT Hip Hop/R&B and addressing issues relevant to the LGBT community of color.  Visit him online at DaDooDirtShow.blogspot.com

"I can speak from personal experience.  I have faced more blatant racism within the gay community than the straight community.  I remember when I first started go-go dancing in Denver, the booking agent told me I’d never leave Denver to dance because they didn’t fly out “little Latino boys” to other cities.  I also remember another incident where a few white gay friends of mine laughed hysterically when they learned I called my boyfriend, “Papi,” remarking that it reminded them of some old toothless Mexican woman with bare feet.  I dunno, its like when I'm up on the box dancing and showing lots of skin, eveyone loves you and wants to get it.  When you are clothed, your just another dumb Mexican."