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Wednesday, January 12, 2011
That's the question TheLoop21 writer David Dennis is asking following the well publicized false coming out of former B2K bandmate Omarion as bisexual last weekend via a fake press release.
Here is the fake statement: "I pride myself in being an honest, God Fearing, respectful man. I have kept my personal life private and wanted to keep it that way. Unfortunately, other's are interested in profiting from my anguish; so before they can do that, I will clarify things. I am not at all what certain ex-band members are trying to paint me as, I am however a respectable, mature, proud, bisexual man.
Of course it wasn't long before Omarion took to Twitter to deny the claim:
From The Loop 21:
This press release (which Omarion later denied) came after former B2K band mate Raz-B – who has only been relevant in the African-American community and gossip sites for his insistence on giving details about his alleged molestation at the hands of former B2K manager Chris Stokes - accused Omarion of being homosexual. Stop me if this all sounds like high school.
Meanwhile, in White celebrity news, Elton John and his husband welcomed the birth of their first son via a surrogate mother recently. Clay Aiken and his adopted son are doing well. And Ellen DeGeneres still hosts a talk show every day. She’s still gay.
Of the hundreds of mainstream African-American artists, there isn’t a single one that has professed his or her homosexuality (though it's worth noting fringe artists Donnie and Rahsaan Patterson for their acts of bravery). The same can be said for sports, where there aren’t any African-American athletes in any major sport who have come out of the closet. The sole exception that comes to mind, John Amaechi, waited until retirement to announce his sexuality. The statistics just don’t add up. This will continue to be the case until there is some sort of dialogue and understanding about homophobia in the African-American community.
I tweeted my thoughts on the Omarion press release and the subsequent reaction from black fans.
What do you think it'll take for a black star to feel it's safe to come out? It may happen one day but I can't imagine it happening any time soon.
6 Comments:
It will be "safe" for a black R & B artist to come out of the closet on the same day it will be safe for me to openly wear a gay Pride T-shirt all the way home from the Pride March. That is, when society has reached a level of acceptance and maturity we have yet to see today. It's sad, but this is how I see it. Your earlier post on the hateful response to the HIV-prevention posters in Schenectady speaks volumes on the state of society's attitudes towards the LGBT community.
January 12, 2011 11:50 AM
Many won't agree with me but you can't wait for "acceptance"... you have to step to people and tell them "I will not compromise myself for the sake of making you more comfortable." As long as we believe one day people are going to wake up and start treating us as equals, we will continue to be in the position that we are in.
January 12, 2011 2:46 PM
It will be safe to come out when someone who isn't an entertainer or a ball player can come out and not feel threatened by the environment that they live in or a society that dictates the way that live.
January 12, 2011 6:44 PM
D,
Don't forget Tonex aka B. Slade, who, by the way, is making some GREAT music since coming out.
January 12, 2011 8:32 PM
I'm a 40+ Alabama native and resident. It would be a great day when African-American LGBT members can be themselves openly. However, I feel it starts with a love of self and a support system. No one wants to come out and be isolated. As for celebrities, we all know it would hurt their finances/future earnings. Unfortunately black entertainers still can't get away with things that white entertainers can.
January 13, 2011 4:59 PM
It's not like straight black people will ever "give" a black (male) entertainer/athlete "permission" to come out. It will be "safe" when a black (male) entertainer/athlete decides to 'fall on the sword' (so to speak) and just come out.
It is not the job of straight black people to make it "safe" for a black gay male celebrity to come out of the closet.
Freedom will never given by the oppressor (straight black people) to the oppressed (black GLBT people). It has to be TAKEN by those confident enough in their essential humanity to seize the day.
January 14, 2011 7:22 AM
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