Detroit NAACP Holds Historic Panel Discussion on LGBT Rights

Last Friday, the Detroit chapter of the NAACP sponsored a panel discussion featuring prominent black straight and gay voices entitled "Is Gay the New Black?" The discussion was spearheaded by Detroit NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony. The standing room only discussion attracted hundreds, reports say, and is the first time the local chapter and black churches publicly engaged LGBT issues.

Panelists included newly-elected Charles Pugh, Detroit's first-ever openly gay city councilman and council president, and straight ally National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon Lettman.

PrideSource reports:

"[Pugh] pointed to his own electoral success last fall as proof of growing acceptance of gays and lesbians within the black community. 'Homophobia could have reared its ugly head in that campaign, but that did not become an issue,' Pugh said, proudly ticking off the endorsements he received during the race from the Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors and the AME Ministerial Alliance.

'The gay agenda does not and cannot supersede the agenda for black people,' said Minister Malik Shabazz, a Detroit community activist and leader of the New Black Panther Party. 'Can you define the gay agenda?' Pugh interjected. 'Hold on Charles. This isn't a personal thing,'  Shabazz replied. 'OK, but I still want to know,' Pugh fired back.

Frankie Darcell of Mix 92.3 FM, who moderated the panel with Angelo Henderson from FM 105.7, asked why a gay person would want to "wear 'gay' on their forehead at work," saying it is inappropriate in the workplace. Curtis Lipscomb of Detroit's KICK, the agency for LGBT African Americans, answered by saying, 'It's not that we wear 'gay' on our foreheads, it's that we are who we are. I was fired because I am gay. Someone at work asked me if I was gay, and I answered honestly, 'yes,' and I was fired. What we want is simple equality.' "

And:

"On the issue of same-sex marriage, [Columnist Anthony Samad] asserted that socially conservative African Americans are being forced 'to choose between (the gay rights) cause and their church.' Disagreeing with Samad, Pugh argued that Christian leaders in the black community 'need to be drawing gay people to church, to draw people to God and spirituality and a center.' The comment was greeted by extended applause."

Pugh and Lettman also talked the importance of coming out. Says Lettman: "I would say being black and gay is the old black because the black LGBT community is the invisible 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' staple of the black community.

Absolutely right. And it's really a shame that too many in our community are comfortable with their glass closets and allow it to continue.

Read the full article and an editorial at PrideSource ....

Comments

[wondermann]

This is good, we need more of these

[Lukas]

Definitely a step in the right direction.

As for the comparison between being gay and being black, of course they are not the same -- since gay people do not wear their gayness on their skin. But, one could imagine it like this... suppose one have to hide one's race in order to keep a job or to be treated fairly?

Suppose in order for you to keep your job, you had to pretend, act, dress and *APPEAR* white? Imagine putting on heavy makeup to make your face and hands appear as pale as possible every morning and throughout the day, just so that you can keep your job, that you need to be aware of each and every word that you say and every move that you make, so that people won't suspect that you're black. That is what many gay people go through emotionally and physically every single day, just so that they can keep their job.

Now imagine what emotional turmoil gay folks have to go through, that they have to do the same thing in order to be accepted and loved by their own family?

[Kelvin]

Good comparison Lukas. I'm not sure do you read this blog often, but you do realize R20 audience is heavily black AND gay? So we know all about that.

[Grady]

we need one of these in every city

[Eric M]

@ Kelvin:

Oh i am sure he realized that, it sounded to me like he was speaking generally.

Good post. I'm reading this article now ...

[DT]

You stay on 'em CM Pugh hah. I LOVE a black gay man and/or woman that will nt back down but fight back homophobic ignorance even if it i coming from another black person. We need more black gay men and women having the balls to do that and we need to be that. I know I will..someday haha.
@Lukas I think what you're referring to is 'Passing" which some blacks have done. I know about half of my family can pass for white or latino. I would agree, I think that is a good analogy and can explain much about the similarities and differences of the two.