So I have been looking online all day at all the post I missed, and different ways to change the layout of my post ( I am still working on it). But I googled lesbian couples to see what I would find, looking for pics and examples of positive true love, something that would be nice and suitable as a representation of me. The layout sites are blocked from my job so I could only look at online articles instead of the art I was looking for. The first thing I found however, was this link .........lesbianlife.about.com/.../famouslesbians/...........and the only representation of color was Sheryl Swoops and her partner, the other 14 couples that were represented were all Caucasian women, seemingly happy out of the closet Caucasian women.
Is it really that simple. Although About.com I have learned is a great resource I couldn't find any site to give me any out and open African American lesbians besides Sheryl and Wanda Sikes for this decade. There are some great articles referencing the pioneers of Lesbian community from back in the day, but come on now there has got to be something missing, there has got to be African American lesbians open to pushing forward and knocking down the walls of oppression, there has got to be more women since the 1920's, 30's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. There is whole generations of "representation" missing.
There has to be some representation of color other than Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Barbara Jordan, and so on.I know we are out there so where did our public figures go, why is it only one or two at a time, especially knowing how large our community is. Are black women just as in the closet as the "down low brothers". No, of course not it goes so much deeper than that, it goes back to our community our foundation. When you google famous gay and lesbian couples the number of Caucasian far exceeds the number of open African Americans.
Why? Do we need famous "out" public figures? Will it help our cause, will it solve our plight? Does having positive, seemingly happy representation of black men and women of color in the LGBT community matter? Do we need role models?
As a go along my journey, I think I am making my own way, on my own beat. Learning lessons and making the grade, but part of me doing this is researching all that I can find, and turning over new pages and chapters on a regular basis. I won't even try to pretend to say that I have found the answers to all my questions or that my investigative searches are anywhere close to being over, for me its a learning process, so with that being said...
I would love to see more public figures, more openly LGBT African Americans. Do I think that it would solve the world no, not by a long shot. Will one standing in the Gap open amazing doors, it just might!!! I like to think it would open dialogue, acceptance, and tolerance among our communities. African Americans like other groups have a fear of the unknown, that fear tends to gradually fade when there is a recognizable face of someone they love, know, or admire. The issue has the power to turn from just an ISSUE to the FACE of compassion and growth.
Wishful thinking maybe.... tell me what you think?
I never get tired of reading what you write. Informative, entertaining and thought provoking. I think it serves positively to have public figures who represent you. However we have to do a good job of representing ourselves and making an impact on our communities. I agree though someone has to be out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I totally agree. You have to represent yourself but at the same time its nice to have someone that can reach the masses. I think if the African American Community saw more public figures that they could relate to that were in the LGBT community or anti homophobic it would help.
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