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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
The Advocate delivers what I'm sure is going to be another controversial cover on our President's birthday with the word NOPE in place of HOPE under a picture of President Obama along with the tag line; "He was our greatest hope but he has yet to deliver".
I'm not even going to comment on the article itself because I'm having somewhat of a difficult time making it past the cover while simultaneously bracing myself for the politically charged and divisive dialogue that I'm sure will come.
Are gays really that disappointed in Obama? Or is it just gays of a certain race? Because according to a recent open thread on this blog it seems black gays and blacks in general are singing another tune.
Just for fun let's take a look at a couple of The Advocate's most recent covers that got quite a few people talking.
LZ Granderson: Gay Is Not The New Black
The Tyra Banks Show: Is Gay The New Black?
Queer Kid of Color asks: Seriously, The Advocate couldn’t find any Black gay couples at all?
So is it all a ploy to sell magazines and possibly further divide the gay community along racial lines, or do you think The Advocate is promoting a healthy discussion?
13 Comments:
What exactly have Obama done for the gays so far?Black gays are giving him a pass and i can't helping wondering if its because he's black. If that's the case then clearly we don't have any business calling The Advocate on any kinda racial prejudice they have.
August 05, 2009 10:36 AM
Give the man some time. REALLY!!?? At least the word gay is used in his administration. As for The Advocate, OUT, Genre and Instinct -- these gay publications have done very little for intra/inter Civil Rights amongst whites, Blacks, Latin and Asian gay communities. Check the covers of those publications - mostly likely a straight person on the cover. It starts at home.
August 05, 2009 11:11 AM
Give the man some time... I mean the natons financial issues i beleive take presedence ( did I spell thatg right) lol over most things at this moment. Hestill had 3 1/2 years to go and if he get re-elected another 4 on top of that. We must remember that he is being pulled in more ways than any other political official that came before him. I swear America needs to slow down and be a solution...not a hater. Maybe some of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters only pushed to get him into office because they thought the black community would feel their pain and cpmpare it to the civil rights movement. Meaning we would hold hands and sing we shall over come...NOT!!! That has not been the case because in mostr cases we are not even included in your ideas until it's been thought out and ready to be fired. So here we are in a crazy time in our nations history and our other brothers and sisters want to complain because this new president is not a microwave mover when it comes to LGBTQ rights. Our time will come but what will we do in the mean time. Also, What will we do once we get our rights... we must plan for the hereafer unlike our ancestors. They only faught for the moment and didn't really plan for today...which is why some of us in the black community don't know know our own history. Exuse me for my rambling but I'm just saying.
August 05, 2009 11:48 AM
One thing I was never disallusioned by was the order and immediacy of the administration's plans for change. The fact that we had relevant words on a page was good but there is still time to see if the plan is fully implemented. I was also never under the impression that there would be game changing legislation in the way of LGBT issues. However I do expect some movements in that direction. I remain hopeful because the end hasn't been reached yet. It's been 6 months.
As far as the Advocate, I haven't readthe current issue but have the others. I think the fact that these issues are being reported upon by non-blacks, at least at the advocate, it adds an element of racial tension to it. Can a white man give this topic justice? Will it be received well? I think there are many answers to those questions. However dialogue on LGBT issues has increased. Whatever the magazine's purpose matters not as much as what we do with the situation and the information. Activism and change begins with diaolgue but means nothing without action. When we, as black LGBT make our issues known and important and we also show what we're doing 2 improve the situation, it becomes more imporant to others. Right now it's out of sight and out of mind.
August 05, 2009 1:11 PM
Black LGBTs have no agenda of our own. If someone thinks we do, what is it?
Will black LGBTs ever do anything but react to what white LGBT activists do or don't do?
Will black LGBTs ever be in POSITION to do anything beyond speculating about whether this or that move by this or that white gay magazine/spokesperson/organization is racist or not?
Do black LGBTs understand DOMINANCE STRATEGY? If the answer to that question is no, black LGBTs will ALWAYS be on the outside looking in.
August 05, 2009 5:30 PM
Elg has a point. It is frustrating that the most we seem to do is speculate about what the white gay men are doing. Why are we so docile??
SMH
August 05, 2009 5:55 PM
This does seem to be a bit manipulative and underhanded on the part of the Advocate. But I understand that they have an genda that they intend on pushing forward as speedy as possible. I don't even remember any specific promises of change made directly to the gay community by Obama during the campaigne. But it's painfully obvious that for whatever reasons the black and white gays don't see eye to eye at times. However, if Obama were white this cover would not be an issue. I caution black people to not be overly sensitive anytime Obama is the target of an attack. He's the president of the USA which makes him the most powerful man in world. He won by a landslide because blacks & whites alike believe in him. So of course evryone is going to want a piece of him. Some will be willing to do more than others to get his attention and support for their cause. I also think the gay rights movement represents those who've aligned themselves and made themselves visible in the battle. It's just a fact that a large percentage of black gays have chosen to distance themselves from the movement. If we want to be included then more of us will have to come out of closet, roll up our sleeves, join the fight, and make our presence known.
August 05, 2009 7:10 PM
What did the previous administration do for the White gays, in 8 years?? What do they
expect Obama to do in the relatively short time he's been in
office? Uhhh, sorry White gay people, but the president has to deal with FAR more than j-u-s-t gay issues. His name is Obama,
not Zeus. He can't just change things with a mere thought, the wave of his hand. "They" never even
really acknowledge Black people, until its convenient for them, yet expect Blacks to align themselves to causes that they hold so much fervor for. Look at the magazines,
mentioned, and see how many times you see any of us......and the rare times you might, how often are they hugged up with Whites? If we are not on a stage in a dress and makeup, or in their beds, we don't really exist....until they want our undivided support. Give Obama TIME to do something. You waited
8+ years, prior. So STFU, and let the president BE the president.
So many of them claimed to be sooo
disappointed with Obama, but if he pulled out his dick, they'd fall on their knees so damn hard and fast they would need their kneecaps
replaced afterward. :-(
August 05, 2009 9:01 PM
Bruh L basically said everything that I was going to. No need to comment further. In total agreement.
August 06, 2009 10:13 AM
How many times did former pres. bush acknowledge gays while he was in office for 8 years besides to tear us down? so why is it that some white gays expect obama to change all things gay in gov in one year? as far as the magazines are concerned, do we really expect them to address us as a black gay community when they have never done so in the past on any real level? IN SHORT, WHITE GAYS CALM THE FUCK DOWN, CHANGE IS HAPPENING JUST AT A TURTLES PACE AND IF WE ALL REMEMBER THE TORTOISE WON THE RACE. BLACK GAYS STOP FEELING SORRY BECAUSE WE DONT GRACE THE COVERS OF OUT, ADVOCATE OR OTHER GAY PUBLICATIONS, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND CREATE A MAGAZINE THAT DOES OR A BLOG THAT CELEBRATES WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE. and thats just my two cents about the whole darn thang
August 06, 2009 10:31 AM
I am soo over the powerless role that the black kids seem to feel comfortable playing. First, I honestly don’t believe that the whites are necessarily against us. They just have their own agendas, as should we, and they aren't going to loose focus of their goals just to appease us. Second, the black gay kids spend way too much time on the sidelines complaining about everything!!!! We over analyze way too much and hold the opinions of the white kids in way too high of an esteem. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to them as if they are so much better than us. Meanwhile we aren’t really addressing any of the more serious problems within the black gay community nor doing anything to really advance our causes. It would be nice for us all to be a united force for gay rights. But if that never happens we still have inner workings and issues to contend with right here in the black gay community. Let’s do more for ourselves.
August 06, 2009 11:36 AM
The Advocate is wack and for old white gays. I read SGL Weekly there replacement.
August 08, 2009 2:34 PM
The way I look at the Advocate's display of neglect on Obama's part is strategy. It has been 6 months since Obama took office. I'm not sure where the gay agenda is on his list of priorities, but I do know the brotha is dealing with a sh*tstorm of sh*t. The Advocate could be petitioning the Administration not to be forgotten. Being disappointed in 6 months would be ridiculous. I'm not making excuses for Obama, but I have yet to hear his real intentions for our community, so I'm not ready to feed him to the wolves. If we don't get action, let's at least uncover his intentions so we can make an informed response. The Advocate wants what we want...right? What does Obama want and what is he going to do about it. Instead of jumping on The Advocate because they generally cater to non-black gays, let's jump on Obama's back for some answers. Let him know we're not going anywhere and we want equality in the purest sense. I don't mind lighting the fire under anyone's ass, so go ahead Advocate, let's just not get racial about it or we will have another sh*tstorm to deal with. Boop!
August 10, 2009 5:00 PM
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