Queer Theories African American Homosexual

Trapped The Dilemma of the African American Homo familiar Colin Chastain April 1, 2013 Dr. Wayne Brekhus Sociology 3300 Queer Theories Introduction When some maven hears the al-Quran spanking or queer, they most a good deal think of the shopping center class, Caucasian ethereal male. For my explore proposal, I plan on studying what is very often overlooked in queer identity operator the splutter of queer identity in the African American queer male. I am evoke in studying this because I grew up knowing I was spanking in a small, middle class town in rural America.I wish to argue how dauntless African Americans be dependant by ignominious stereotypes, courageous stereotypes, acceptance with stipulations in the gay companionship and black fellowship, racism in the gay federation, homophobia in the macabre friendship, perceptions of blackness and masculinity attitudes toward transgenderism and their effect on gay shady work force living openly, quirk and religio n (the black church), and media perceptions of scandalous homo depend onuality. The majority of the black community express they wished to live restriction free lives. They ar not able to fully be themselves in their occasional lives and often stool to assimilate to be accepted.While much research has been conducted on white gay males, in that location is very little study on African Americans who identify with the queer identity. African Americans already pass to struggle with the racism and stereotypes of existence black as an extremely masculinized and heterosexual environ manpowert while fight with the internal conflict of being gay, which makes their experience unique. Because African? Americans have already encountered a very traumatic experience with oppression, whizz could safely assume that African? Americans would be more than sensitive to socially oppressive practices such as being gay so most decide to conceal it.Sadly, African? American homosexual males be l argely viewed by desolate heterosexuals as not really barren, deviant, a disgrace, an astonish handst and, worse in so far, an agent of genocide aimed against their own race (Alexander, 2004 76, 78). Racism within the gay Community It is disturbing to see that racism is tranquillise prevalent even within the gay community a community that is oppressed nearly as much as African Americans. The relationship between the gay community and obtuse community has been one of association and disassociation. The gay community throughout history has kindredned their struggle to that of sinisters in America.The black community has had little interaction with the gay community and has attempted to distance itself from being comp ard to the gay community. Keith Boykin, fountain of One More River to Cross, often speaks to the dissensions between the Gay community and the ominous community. He analyzes two the gay community and Black communitys relationship to each other and gay Black men. Boykin states, The dirty little secret about the homosexual population is that white gay commonwealth are fitting as racist as white straight people (Boykin, 1996 234). To be gay has interpreted on a white case as well as white experiences (Boykin, 1996 235).Homophobia within the Black Community One thing I never realized is how m each African Americans get hold they have to choose between being Black or being gay based on homophobic pressures within the Black community. In her book, The Truth that Never Hurts, Smith dedicates a chapter specifically to this issue. . Smith states, The fundamental assumption is that I should prioritize one of my identities because one of them is actually more important than the rest or that I must arbitrarily choose one of them over the others for the sake of acceptance in one particular community (Smith, 1998 125-132).This is an issue gay Black men face as they have loyalties to each of their respective communities. Smith acknowledges the d ouble consciousness that many gay Black men face in choosing between the gay community and the Black community. In my experience, being a Caucasian gay male, I never had to go through this since being gay, like Boykin states, has taken on a white face as the most researched and foregrounded community of gay men. Gay Black Men and Issues of Masculinity and crotchet Afrocentricity a mode of thought and action in which the centrality of African interests, values, and perspectives predominant.In terms of action and mien, it is a devotion to the belief that what is in the best interest of African consciousness is at the heart of ethical behavior (Asante, 1998 2). It seeks to highlight the idea that to be black is to be against all rebounds of oppression, racism, classism, homophobia, patriarchy, child abuse, pedophilia, and white racial domination. According to Asante, one cannot be afrocentric and gay. With this being said, afrocentrism recognizes homophobias existence, entirely c annot condone homosexuality to be accepted as right(a) to further the national development of a strong people.This is what most Black men struggle with yet again. To choose to embrace their black heritage and furthering an oppressed race over embracing their sexuality. Its almost as if Black men are trapped between contrary interests of different communities. Perceptions of Homosexuality lead to Risky, Dangerous, and Rash Behaviors Studies have in like manner been conducted which look at the Black gay community and riskier sexual behavior leading to AIDS. Previous research has shown a link between riskier sexual behavior and beliefs regarding homosexuality in the Black community (Peterson, 1992).This link this creates an added barrier for Black gays when compared to white gays. Previous research has also shown that gay Blacks do not seek refuge primarily within the LGBT community and tend to be less(prenominal) involved than gay whites (Stokes, 1996). In fact, as Lewis vizors o ut in his study, gay Blacks experience racism in interactions with white gays (Battle, 2002). Attitudinal differences are important to understand as we attempt to uncover those obstacles gay Black men view as restricting their life chances. Self? estructive behaviors directly related to a negative self-concept are also the result of internalizing heterosexual ideology. High incidence of way abuse, increasing rates of suicide, and risky sexual behaviors are the most common self? destructive behaviors exhibited by homosexuals. This is even more prevalent among Black gay men because the way they perceive themselves correlates to W. E. B. DuBois double consciousness. Gay Black men research often feel torn between the gay community, the Black community, and being a man in society.Having to contend stereotypes makes it difficult for these gay Black men to find a home in either community (Alexander, 2004). Acceptance with Stipulations in the Gay Community and Black Community While gay Bl ack men did feel accepted at times within the gay community and the Black community that acceptance often came with a stipulation. Stipulations in the gay community were assimilation and/or sexual interest. The participants stated that if they present traits that were similar to the white community, they were often accepted into the community without any problems.Some participants even stated that they felt more accepted in the gay community when they muted their Blackness. The participants also stated that if the whites had an interest in gay Black men, then they also were accepted into the community. Stipulations in the Black community were usually silence (vocally and visibly) and explanations of what it essence to be homosexual. Black gays often felt that they were accepted into the Black community as long as they did not speak about their lifestyle or demonstrate their lifestyle (i. e. holding hands with other man, kissing another man, being flamboyant or effeminate, etc. . Many Black gays claim to feel accepted in the Black community once they get a chance to talk to a Black individual one on one to show them that not all gay people are what the media has portrayed. Ultimately, Black gays, like many gays, have to act straight and not reveal any inclination that they were homosexual. Homosexuality and Religion (The Black Church) The understanding of homosexuality within the realm of religion is also important to consider because religion has been a primary aspect of Black liberation for centuries.Homosexuality remains a major taboo in religious talk which has prompted many researchers to analyze why homophobic attitudes exist. In Delroy Constantine-Simms text, The Greatest Taboo Homosexuality in Black Communities, the question is asked whether or not homosexuality is the great taboo? Constantine-Simms, E. Patrick Johnson, and Horace Griffin all provide articles that analyze the relationship between homosexuality and religion (specifically the Black c hurch). All authors agree that the bible has been co-opted by the religious right wings placing a greater furiousness on separation rather than integration.The authors all compare the homophobia that revolves around religion to the racism and sexism that still straightaway clouds religion. Constantine-Simms states, With the interpretive grid provided by a critique of domination, we are able to filter out the sexism, patriarchalism, violence, and homophobia that are very much a part of the Bible, thus liberating it to reveal to us in fresh ship canal the in breaking, in our time, of Gods domination-free order (Constantine-Simms, 2000 87).In Keith Boykins book One More River to Cross, he speaks of several ministers hes interviewed regarding homosexuality and religion. The majority of reverends interviewed agreed that homosexuality is a sin often quoting the Bible to reinforce their opinion. Boykin highlights one reverend in particular who has targeted the gay community as sinners. B oykin cites the empyrean James Sykes as one of best known opponents of homosexuality in the Black church. Boykin quotes Sykes defending a Klu Klux Klan meeting, If I like pork chops and the Klan likes pork chops, nobody has nothing to say.But because the Klan agrees that homosexuality is wrong, and I agree that homosexuality is wrong, then all the sudden Im sleeping with the Klan (Boykin, 1996 127-128). This attitude toward homosexuality is appalling considering Sykes is the minister of religion of a four hundred plus member church. Boykin, along with several other scholars, assert that the dustup of religion has been corrupted by right wing moralists who want nothing more than to eradicate homosexuality from the church. Media Perceptions of Black Homosexuality Images of Black homosexuality have been predominately negative in popular culture today.Across the come on all individuals who have researched this topic agree that gay Black men are represented negatively in popular cult ure. Gay Black men have been portrayed as void of masculinity, hyper-sexual, sassy, and flamboyant. Marlon T. Riggs, author of Black macho Revisited Reflections of a Snap Queen, discusses his anger towards the straight men of the Black community. Riggs states that he evaluate the obstacles in life from the White community because of his race, only when never expected obstacles from his own brothers regarding his sexuality.Riggs believes that they should understand what it is like to be oppressed, and therefore should reject any notion of oppression since they have to face a form of it every day as well. Riggs cites several Black men who have done nothing but participate in the degradation of the gay Black male. His best example lies in a drollery show that used to air entitled In Living Color, in which two straight Black men portrayed gay Black men to review movies from a mans point of view. Riggs also brings the discussion up again regarding the trap of being gay and Black. I a m a Negro Faggot, if I believe what movies, TV, and rap music say of me. Because of my sexuality, I cannot be Black. A strong, proud, Afrocentric Black man is resolutely heterosexual, not even bisexual. (Riggs, 1991 389-394) Various video productions have been produced that attempt to acknowledge the difficulties of being both gay and Black. Films such as Tongues Untied intimately deconstruct the experience of the gay Black male. Tongues Untied is directed and produced by Marlon Riggs.The remove addresses the struggle gay Black men face hush and torn between both the gay and Black communities. Riggs video encapsulates the pain, fear, and hatred gay Black men deal with negotiating their identities within a community that does not recognize their race and a community that rejects their sexuality. The film presents a positive message for gay Black men to love not only themselves but their Black brethren. Tongues Untied presents the best visual representation of what it means to be Bl ack and gay in America.Current media is attempting to expand cultural stereotypes. While some of those negative stereotypes that have been reinforced by popular media still exist, these new forms are seeking to eliminate those past stereotypes and show the world that there isnt just one image of the African American gay man. Attitudes toward Homosexuality and their effect on Gay Black Men Living Openly White and Black attitudes toward homosexuality have directly affected gay Black men to a greater degree than gay White men. Previous studies have yielded an troops of mixed results.Levitt and Klassen (1974) found in their research that whites significantly maintain more negative attitudes toward homosexuality than Blacks. geezerhood later Hudson and Ricketts (1980) and Schneider and Lewis (1984) found the opposite. The most common results regarding Blacks and whites and their attitudes toward homosexuality displayed that Blacks were more likely to support anti-discrimination laws bu t Whites were typically more accepting of the homosexual lifestyle. Gregory Lewis (2003) conducted research that measures Black-white differences in attitudes toward homosexuality and gay rights.His article uses responses from almost vii thousand Blacks and forty-three thousand whites in 31 surveys conducted since 1973 to give more definitive answers on Black-white attitudinal differences and their demographic roots. Lewiss findings correlate with the research of the past displaying Blacks as character points more likely than whites to condemn homosexual relations as always wrong and percentage points more likely to see them warranting Gods punishment in the form of AIDS, but no more like to favor criminalizing gay sex (Lewis, 2003 63).Lewis also found that while Blacks attitudes regarding homosexuality were predominantly negative Blacks are percentage points more likely than whites to support laws prohibiting antigay job discrimination. Difference in attitudes matter because as L ewis states, First, Black lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) may rely on same-race heterosexuals for acceptance even more than white LGBs do (Icard, 1986) (Lewis, 2003 61). Those same researchers cogitate that Blacks attracted to their own gender often experience more pressure than whites to hide their homosexual behavior, have children, or marry (Icard, 1986).This fear of coming out represents a problem within the gay Black community and they become trapped which prevents them from living the lives they feel they ought to be living. Conclusion The Black gay male struggle certainly is a rough one. Compared to my experiences with homosexuality, it seems that Black gay males have much more pressure on them to conform to the heterosexual social sanctions of society, their own black community, and racism. I can definitely relate to the substance abuse and acting straight (such as pushing the thoughts out of my mind).The way society views all homosexuality needs to change, and is s lowly changing. Black gay males should be paid a little more tending to in the media, research, and other forms of communication so that the weight of these pressures may be lifted off of their shoulder. even out other minorities such as Hispanic, Asian, or Indian should be more looked upon to open the nations eyes to the diversity and struggle of all homosexuals, not just the white gay male. With this being said, I feel we are taking great strides with the LGBTQ community to further the goal to include all who are struggling.We just need to find a way to eliminate any prejudices that make it even harder for Black gay males or any ethnicity/orientation to find happiness and acceptance. Works Cited Alexander, William H. (2004) Homosexual and Racial indistinguishability Conflicts and Depression Among African? American Gay Males, Trotter Review Vol. 16 Iss. 1, Article 8. Available at http//scholarworks. umb. edu/trotter_review/vol16/iss1/8 Bailey, Robert W. (1999) Gay Politics, Urban Politics Identity and Economics in the Urban Setting. Chichester West Sussex, spic-and-span York Columbia University Press.Boykin, Keith (1996). One More River to Cross. Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Anchor Books. Constantine-Simms, Delroy. , ed. The Greatest Taboo Homosexuality in Black Communities. Alyson Publications. 2000. Hudson, Walter W. , and Wendell A. Ricketts. 1980. A Strategy for the Measurement of Homophobia. Journal of Homosexuality 5(4)357-72 Icard, L. (1986). Black gay men and conflicting social identities Sexual orientation versus racial identity. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 4, 83-93. Levitt, Eugene E. , and Albert D.Klassen. 1974. Public Attitudes toward Homosexuality Part of the 1970 Nation Survey by the Institute for Sex Research. Journal of Homosexuality. 1(1)29-43. Lewis, Gregory B. Black-white differences in attitudes toward homosexuality and gay rights. Public Opinion Quarterly. Chicago Spring 2003. Vol. 67, Iss. 1 pg. 59, 20 pgs. Peterson, J. L. (1992). Black Men and Their Same-Sex Desires and Behaviors. In Gay Culture in America, edited by Gilbert Herdt. Boston Beacon Press Riggs, Marlon T. Black Macho Revisited Reflections of a Snap Queen.Black American Literature Forum, Vol. 25, No. 2, Black Film Issue. (Summer, 1991), pp. 389- 394. Riggs, M. (director). Tongues Untied. 55 min. Frameline, Inc. , 1989. Available at http//www. dailymotion. com/video/xe80ww_tvxs-gr-tongues-untied_people. UWRkFE7n9Ms Smith, Barbara. The Truth that Never Hurts. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and London. 1998. Pgs 125-132. Stokes, Joseph P. , and John L. Peterson. 1998. Homophobia, Self-Esteem, and Risk for HIV among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Education and Prevention 10(3)278-92