Unfortunately, only a handfulof historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recognized LGBT student groups. In some cases, the colleges outright prevent gay students from forming groups. In other casess, such as at Virginia's Hampton University, the LGBT group was only founded after years of red tape and bureaucracy. The plight of black students on campus becomes all the more critical in the wake of recent news stories, such as the controversial new dress code at Morehouse College.
The Human Rights Campaign has just launched a new interactive website for HBCU students. Joey Gaskins of HRC's Diversity Department writes: "The issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on Historically Black College and University campuses are many. Discrimination motivated by homophobia and intolerance is rampant, and LGBT students are suffering because of it... there are brave HBCU students living openly on campuses that are not LGBT friendly—not only dealing with issues at school—but in their homes and churches too. Students like Dustin Baker, Howard University School of Divinity’s only out seminarian."
Baker is featured in a new video targeted at HBCU students. The openly gay second year seminarian says his colleagues are very accepting "but outside there are churches that will not allow me to preach in their pulpits or allow me to teach a Bible study. I became a seminarian because I got tired of seeing this."
Reminiscent of the teen exorcist video at a Pentecostal church, Dustin says pastors and the congregation attempted to remove "the demon of homosexuality" from him ... when he was only 12 years old. Dustin also tells the heart breaking story of attempting suicide. Watch Dustin Baker's inspirational story WHEN YOU JUMP.
this is great! I don't know Dustin Baker but I have heard of him. And there are so many gay students here at Howard but not all out of course. Very much like DC and the black community. I think to complicate matters some of these students are from good families and the black middle class frowns on homosexuality even more so than working class imho
Posted by: HU | 12 November 2009 at 16:09
HU! YOU KNOW! I'm very proud of my big brother Dustin Baker as he has definitely inspired me as a future openly gay seminarian
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1292868878 | 12 November 2009 at 16:29
I'm an openly gay black male on an HBCU campus, fortunately for me though my campus is pretty progressive. Florida A&M University is making good strides in making equality accepted all around campus. A note gay activist and educator is coming to speak in a few days and I am super excited! There's work to be done but the school is leading in a lot of areas.
Posted by: History Major | 12 November 2009 at 17:54
Wow. Dustin & Joey! This is amazing. I have never been SO PROUD! If people would just sit down and listen, maybe they would understand. I love you guys SO much! Keep up the great work!!
Posted by: daynuh | 13 November 2009 at 00:24
BRAVO! Love this
Posted by: ETIENNE | 13 November 2009 at 08:03
Very Proud of this Bro. See him in Chapel, very intelligent and progrssive. Thank God I went to HU, and did'nt have to deal with the Hyper-Homophobia at MoreHouse... Bison, all the way, everyday!
Posted by: BLKn DC | 13 November 2009 at 14:02
this is awesome.This is a very courageous young man.
Posted by: robert | 15 November 2009 at 10:12
20 November 2009
Blessings & Peace to ALL!
Brother Dustin Baker is a blessed, gifted and enlightened young Black man, in responding to the call of his own heart in faith to serve the Gospel and ALL Humanity to whom he is sent.
That he is bettering ALL of us by "lighting a candle rather than by cursing the darkness" of fear, hate and homophobia, is to his great humility before God and great courage before Humanity.
He deserves our real respect and social and spiritual support, most especially during his formative studies.
While earning my Master of Divinity degree [1987] at The Catholic University of America, I took several classes at The Howard University School of Divinity, where I also had found my Spiritual Director, who was bi-sexual professor and brilliantly supportive of me, a same gender loving graduate student.
I pray Dustin claims and achieves all his Gospel and Life goals with his grace, gifts and gratitude in all the Spirit has given to him for the Common Good.
May Dustin Baker, Joey Gaskins and ALL our youth, especially
our Black LGBTs, know their goodness and Creator's will, and really realizing their dreams are from the power within each of us.
I am proud of Y-O-U! BE OUT! BE PROUD! BE Y(OURSELVES)!
Let's count our Blessings, feel our Bliss and carry one an-Other's burdens in OneLove!
All I Am,
Yours-in-OneLove,
Steadfast in Spirit & in Truth,
Michael-Vincent Crea, M.Div.
Pastor & Founder
One World Life Systems
owlsmvc@gmail.com
Posted by: Pastor Michael-Vincent Crea | 20 November 2009 at 00:41