R&B Singer Donnie on Being "Out" and Gays and the Black Church
There is a substantial buzz around Donnie, the velvet-voiced R&B singer/songwriter formerly signed to Motown and now going the independent route. Much of the talk is around his newly-released sophomore album, The Daily News, whose messaging is evocative of Donny Hathaway or Marvin Gaye in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
Even more people are responding to Donnie's refreshingly honest discussions of his sexuality and social perceptions around black gay men. Jasmyne Cannick and John Polly at New Now Next just scored fabulous interviews where an emotional Donnie opens up on many topics—including being out in the industry, black gay men, and, the black church. He has substantial experience in the latter department—being a pastor's son and growing up in Pentecostal.
On being out in the industry:
I think it’s helped my career tremendously. I am not trying to be seen on tv just to sell millions and get Grammy’s. That’s not my goal...I’ve never been this vocal about about my sexuality. It’s liberating. People can’t handle us. I know men that call me a faggot but are attracted to me. Calling me a sissy and wanting to go home with me after the show.
On the black church and homophobia:
[T]hey do not think homosexuality is right. I don’t think it’s real with a lot of my people. Most of the church choirs you see on TV, the tenor section is a bunch of queens. And it’s the truth! And in the alto section and the soprano section, it’s a bunch of dykes. You have some straight women, but in certain choirs, the whole choir is gay. But you’re sitting up singing, "Oh Jesus!" to people who hate your very existence—and you hate your very existence.
And on the "down-low":
I had a friend, I went to his funeral because...He was a married man who would get these little thug boys, you get what I mean? He’s married but he would get these thug boys and get with them. And he was murdered...he picked up a little thug boy [who] had a gun, and they probably fought. People aren’t saying a bunch of stuff, but I know what happened. It’s like you have to do that, instead of being you, and it gets you killed.
As you can see, Donnie is most outspoken and refuses to be quiet about his sexuality and problems within the black community. At times during his rather emotional interview with John Polly, he touched upon issues surrounding abuse, mental illness and low self-esteem. The conversation probably became much more revealing than expected he abruptly ended the Q&A.
The Daily News: Donnie on Life After Motown [J Cannick]
Soulful Singer Donnie Interview [New Now Next]
Donnie [MySpace]
The Daily News [Amazon]
WOW! great read.
I'm happy for him. Think i'll go buy his sophmore album now.
Wonder what happen to his contract with Motown? They never did promote him right.
Posted by: seanndc | 11 July 2007 at 11:57
Donnie's first album was exceptional. Until now, I did not know whether he was still recording. I am proud of him for being unabashed about his sexuality since it has nothing to do with the integrity of his music.
Posted by: Waddie Grant | 11 July 2007 at 13:00
The Logo interview is great. Donnie get really deep, wow.
Posted by: caleb rexter | 11 July 2007 at 15:00
That was dead on .... and the main reason why when a negroe says "I am active in church" I stop hearing anything he has to say - because 99 percent of them are filled to the brim with self-hatred.
Posted by: Me | 11 July 2007 at 16:07
I hear you on that me!
Posted by: DFS | 11 July 2007 at 18:32
Dionnie is one of my favorite singers. This is a great wrap up of what is out there, thanks.
Posted by: Alan T | 11 July 2007 at 19:47
TONEX... instead of trying to appear thuggish on Youtube amidst spitting out words like "f---" and "n----" why don't you learn something from this talented and self-determined brotha?
Posted by: IsleZeus | 11 July 2007 at 23:22
I love DONNIE. "The Colored Section is a great disc"
I never even knew he was gay.
Posted by: latisha | 12 July 2007 at 10:46
I'm proud of Donnie for opening up to the public about his sexuality. Everybody can't handle it.
Posted by: j. brotherlove | 12 July 2007 at 13:24
Brave brotha. Very brave. Let's support him y'all. And IsleZues is SO right!
Posted by: Dluv | 13 July 2007 at 13:52
Who cares really? your sexual preferences has nothing to do with music,Everybody's just like to know gossip to judge whether gay,in the church black or white.mind ur business and worry about answering for your sins at the end of the world.nosey
Posted by: dex | 29 August 2007 at 16:57