"Noah's Arc" Actor Doug Spearman, Black Ministers Urge "NO" on Prop 8

Doug Spearman, the handsome openly gay co-star of Noah's Arc and the upcoming feature film Noah's Arc Jumping the Broom, headlines a news conference with several Los Angeles ministers to urge the black community to vote NO on California's toxic Proposition 8. The newser was held at the Lucy Florence Cultural Center in Leimert Park. From left to right,  Spearman; Rev. Eric Lee, President, Southern Christian Leadership Council of LA; Rev. Vanessa Mackenzie; Rev. Arthur Lawrence Cribbs; and Willie Pelote with AFSCME.

Spearman, who is on the board of Equality California and the No on Prop 8 campaign says, "When the Supreme Court authored its opinion, it effectively wiped away not just discrimination against gays and lesbians. They wiped away discrimination in the state of California in a way that had never been addressed before. They did a brave and beautiful thing."

Earlier this month the cast of Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom headlined a fundraiser for No on Prop 8 in Oakland. Spearman, Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood and the still not gay Rodney Chester urged black voters and the black gay community to turn down the ballot measure. The film opens in limited release on October 24 and features a wedding-themed plot.

Black voters could play a crucial role in the fight over same-sex marriage. The Los Angeles Times reports "they make up only about 6% of the electorate in California [and] are expected to vote in record numbers this election because of Barack Obama's presence on the ballot."

Ron Buckmire, who heads the black gay rights group the Jordan/Rustin Coalition, says black voters could be more progressive. "People have this impression that black people in general are more homophobic than the population as a whole." Buckmire tells Rod 2.0 the Mormon Church's substantial donations to Prop 8 are troubling to many blacks because of the church's racist history. "African Americans are fully aware that before 1982 Mormons openly discriminated against Black people and will be unlikely to agree with them amending the state constitution to deny civil rights to a particular group of people."

While surveys show a majority of black voters support the measure, many black gay activists push back on some attempts—Andrew Sullivan et al—to blame Proposition 8's passage on the black community.  Blogger and journalist Darian Aaron criticizes the largely vanilla complexion of the gay community's opposition anti-Prop outreach. "There are thousands of black gay and lesbian couples throughout the state, supportive clergy, and straight allies that could have been included in this campaign," Darian writes. "African-Americans understand what it feels like to not have a place at the table, to jump the broom versus having legal recognition of their marriages, to enter through the back door versus the front."

Thanks RON AND KAREN OCAMB
Donate here and/or here to fight Proposition 8. 

Black Clergy For, Against Gay Marriage Speak Out [LAT]
AAs Speak Out Against Prop 8 [Mad Professah]
Placing The Blame On Black California Voters [LOLDarian]

Did You Read ...
"Noah's Arc" Cast Urges "No" on Proposition 8 [R20]
Blige, Etheridge Raise $3.9M for No on Prop 8 [R20]
Doug Spearman in "The Advocate"[R20]
Darryl Stephens Talks Coming Out to "Instinct" [R20]
Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc": I'm Still Not Gay! [R20]
Behind the Scenes Video from Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom [R20]
Noah's Arc Has Sailed [R20]
Deal or No Deal? [R20]
Rodney Chester: I'm STILL NOT Gay!" [R20]
Beyond the Sassy Sidekicks? [After Elton]
What Does the Future Hold for Noah's Arc? [After Elton]
TV's Most Influential Gay Sex Scenes [After Elton]
Patrik-Ian Polk in "Genre" [R20]
Hamilton Cobb: Big Deal Playing Gay [R20]
Uno Dos TREY [R20]
"Honey, I'm Home!" [R20]
DVD Review: "Noah's Arc" [R20]
Patrik-Ian Polk in "Genre" [R20]

Comments

[Jose S]

This story makes me very happy. I think Doug Spearman is the 'quiet giant' of the Noah's Arc cast. I'm very pleased with his work on and off the screen.

[Thomas M]

This is very good stuff. I am glad to see Doug is so active in the marriage equality battle. I had no idea he was such an activist. I'm impressed.

[Former COGIC]

Hallejuah. Two great stories in one day about black Hollywood STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE.

Doug Spearman deserves credit, kudos, bravos and all that.

[Baltimore Femme]

And where is Rodney Chester?

oh that's right he is NOT GAY

[Timothy B]

Of course Doug Spearman is showing activism and leadership on this issue. Doug and the fine cast of "Noah's Arc" cast are very active on raising awareness for black gay causes. We owe these brave young men a huge debt of gratitude.

On the other hand it is also very disappointing ungrateful black gay men continue to target Rodney Chester. He was at the fundraiser in Oakland and lent his celebrity to the stuggle in our community. Is that no enough.

And the strike through about "still not gay" was a bitchy move Rod. Tsk, tsk would you write like this at the Advocate and Out?

[Anderson]

Oh Timothy please. You are like a one woman truth squad with anythin related to "Noah's Arc." This is a blog post and not a magazine article there is a different standard.

Doug Spearman should be commended. I admire him he is working very quietly behind the scenes for equality. And he was always out there was no mystery attached to his sexuality and he has a much more impressive resume than Rodney Chester.

[David]

"Rodney Chester was at the fundraiser in Oakland and lent his celebrity to the stuggle in our community."

CELEBRITY???

Surely you jest.

[305]

Of course if the Prop 8 vote passes they will blame it on black folks, they are already making the case. The white gays will blame it on the black churches and the black Obama voters. So be it.

[305]

Both sides, meanwhile, are contending that Obama would approve of their view. That's because the first black presidential candidate of a major party has said that he is against Proposition 8 but has also expressed opposition to gay marriage.

"He said both sides. We are picking the one we like," said Derek McCoy, a minister who came from Washington, D.C., in August to organize African American clergy across the state to oppose the measure.

Standing on the lawn at the Crenshaw Christian Center, Nyesha Scott said she is thrilled to vote for Obama -- and is also firmly in favor of Proposition 8. "It's just wrong for gays and lesbians to marry," she said. "It's supposed to be a female and a male."

Outside First African Methodist Episcopal Church in the West Adams district on a recent Sunday, meanwhile, many parishioners said they plan to vote against the measure.

[Tyler G]

Jensen Atwood may be the sexy symbol of the cast but to me Doug Spearman is the most sexy. He reminds me of a sexy teacher I had in grade school.

[Harry A]

I said this in another Noah's Arc thread, I'm always pleased when celebrities stand up for something besides a paycheck. Mary J Blige and Doug Spearman are role models.

[Mann]

We were just talking about Darian in the Mary J Blige post. He is a good up and coming blogger and won the BWA's. I like this post, good deal. Thanks for link up.

[Amistad]

The Yes on 8 forces are better funded and are unveiling new commercials. They are using this as a wedge issue and are trying to count on massive black voter turnout for Obama to pass this amendment. NO ON PROP 8.

[abel]

I'm confused. Where does Obama stand on Prop 8? or does he have a stand? i dont blame him for not getting involved, it could cost him votes

[Chris Buckley]

Obama supports civil unions, not gay marriage. But he does not support this amendment and urges a no vote.

But I don't think he should shy away from this issue. At some point he is going to have to handle a difficult issue and not take a middle position that makes everyone happy. As president he will have to do this all the time. I think many of his fans will be disappointed.

[Red Bone]

I am enjoying Doug Spearman's character more. I didn't give Chance a chance during the show and concentrated too much of Noah, Alex and Ricky. But I am watching DVDs and love him.

This is splendid news. I am so happy Doug Spearman is an out and proud gay black man. That is pride.

[Big Tex]

Obama fans disappointed?

Never. We're already rationalizing why he shouldn't support unpopular positions and issues that will be help our community. Obama fans will never be disappointed, they will rationalize everything.

[M. Mark]

I'm not a major "Noah" fan but am very impressed with Doug's commitment to marriage equality. Actually the whole "Noah" cast has impressed me with their activiism on marriage.

I have a partner and we are in Arizona and we have a marriage amendment here that was defeated two years ago and is up for another vote.

Thank you Doug and bless you in your health, work and career.

[Young]

Ron Buckmire is cute.

[Preston Holiday]

Props to Doug Spearman for working on this important campaign. Darian Aaron is right, this mainstream white gay organizations have mostly ignored black SGL input. They have no embraced black couples.

The face of gay marriage is white white white. On the recent cover of The Advocate on gay marriage, all of the couples were white. Care to comment on that Rod?

[Rod Mc]

PRESTON I agree with your points on Doug Spearman and Darian, but, that last question was extra.

I am a columnist and contributor at the magazine, not the executive editor or art director. Had nothing to do with it. Write to them.

[FQ]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU DOUG SPEARMAN AND MARY J BLIGE.

Just as soon as we say no black actors or gay black actors are doing anything for the "community" we see they are. Doug Spearman is a wonderfully gifted actor and he is sharing his gifts and his passions with everyone. Watching him act in my favorite television show is a JOY and reading his words on marriage and gay rights is another JOY. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

And while I am at it let me give another THANK YOU to ROD 2.0. I have disagreed with you in the past for some of your views. But I am very IMPRESSED with you find news about Doug Spearman, Darryl Stephens and this movie every few days. We can talk about the issues raised in the movie and have a real DIALOGUE.

This is Doug's PARADE. Let's not rain on it by saying who didn't do this or that or the other. Please let us RECOGNIZE this man and let HIS deeds speak for themself. EACH ONE TEACH ONE.

[Noah Fan 4 Lyfe]

I agree with FQ 110 percent about Doug Spearman.

Doug has shown what it means to be a true proud black SGL man in Hollywood and be very successful.

I am very proud of him as well as the other members of the cast of "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom". I cannot wait until October 24.

[patrick s]

fq, that is funny, i think there has been very little about the movie on this blog.

[Allen H]

Very little about this movie? This post ... plus one yesterday ... plus several posts in the past two weeks that attracted hundreds of comments. I'd say that's more than enough.

Perhaps you're looking for a fan site or the movie's official web page?