Living Out Loud with Darian

If you're like me then I'm sure bet.com isn't the first website that comes to mind when you're searching for content specifically addressing LGBT news given their past history of either ignoring us altogether or exploiting us to stoke the fears of black heterosexuals.


Around this time last year a black LGBT website was launched, although well intentioned, BET missed the mark when they included a section created to give black women tips on how to determine if your man is gay that relied heavily on stereotypes and inaccurate information. The reaction from many in the gay community in the form of e-mails was swift prompting the removal of that section.


A year later the site has been revamped and shows promise. There's a section that debunks the myths about gays and lesbians (that should be required reading for every God-fearing, homophobic, black heterosexual) as well as must see films and who's who in the black gay community. The usual notable public figures make the list but there's also some less known faces. Get into some of them below and the newly revamped website here.





Lawrence Webb is the first openly gay African American elected in the state of Virginia. Lawrence was elected to the Falls Church City Council in 2008 after his first run for political office.





Kecia Cunningham is serving her fourth term on the Decatur, Ga., City Council. The African-American lesbian first won in 1999 and has since run unopposed.





Ken Reeves is the first openly gay African-American man to have served as mayor of any city in the United States. The Harvard College and University of Michigan Law School graduate was mayor of Cambridge, Mass.