Comments on: Withers: Prop 8 aftermath shows homophobia and racism http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/ The daily news source for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:11:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Jonathan http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-31310 Jonathan Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:11:57 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-31310 Sometimes I feel like I'm being asked to chose. I am a Black man I am a Gay man The two can't be separated. They BOTH make me who I am. Defending Black folks against bigotry is 2nd nature. Defending Gay folks agains bigotry is the same. So when I, or other Black people, lash out at the unbalanced views of some of those here, that's why. Sorry, White Gay folks have the luxury of separating their race from their sexuality. I, as a Black Gay man, do not. Unfortunately, many of the Gay White people here cannot understand that. Sometimes I feel like I’m being asked to chose.

I am a Black man
I am a Gay man

The two can’t be separated.
They BOTH make me who I am.

Defending Black folks against bigotry is 2nd nature.
Defending Gay folks agains bigotry is the same.

So when I, or other Black people, lash out at the unbalanced views of some of those here, that’s why.

Sorry, White Gay folks have the luxury of separating their race from their sexuality. I, as a Black Gay man, do not. Unfortunately, many of the Gay White people here cannot understand that.

]]> By: Aber http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-30234 Aber Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:06:44 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-30234 I am a multi-racial lesbian living in California. I worked long and hard on the NO ON 8 campaign; holding signs on corners, calling, walking, blogging, texting, emailing, etc. I did everything I could do to gain support for our rights. My family (Black, White, Asian, and otherwise) stood behind me (walking, holding signs, calling, etc). It is important, in this sensitive time; we do not misdirect our energy! If we start placing blame or hating those who lack understanding we are no better! I was almost physically attack by a group of Samoan YES ON 8 protester, while holding a NO ON 8 sign with my daughters, but I will not single out the whole culture of people. If you look at the percentages of what Pacific Islanders voted I bet it would look about the same. Again, hating the hater makes you no better. It is my believe that to win a war you have to think like, for lack of a better term, the enemy! There are those who will not change their views no matter what we do, there are those who don’t hate us but they are acting according to their religious teachings. In understanding as to why African Americans supported prop 8 so much I believe we have to put ourselves in their shoes. For years black people have had nothing. Even after civil right it is a well known fact that the public schools in urban communities lack the recourses (teachers, programs, etc) to effectively teach a dog let alone a child. Drugs, crime, broken families have ravage their communities, not excusing them but I’m making a point. They have developed a crippling reliance on “GOD” and “FAITH LEADERS.” They put their trust and money into these organizations truly believing and waiting on their “Blessing.” While in 90% of cases the pastor is more crooked them most politicians; taking money from their improvised members to support their grand lifestyles! If their leaders say GAYS are the devil, then that’s what we are. If their leaders say YES ON 8, and they did, then that’s what they vote! Wining the black vote would require someone to bridge the gap; someone to pull these people out of their Religious box. Not only for blacks but for the population in the religious world that we will need if we are to continue to vote on such rights. In actuality the real fight here is whether human rights should be up for a vote in the first place. If we travel back in time and ask on a majority vote on some of the pivotal equal rights issues, a lot of the rights we enjoy now we would not have. I think our effort should be to give others understanding; however, I think our energy need to focus on the following: 1. A Federal Law banning anti-gay or discriminatory legislation 2. Reversal of the Anti-gay legislation that has been passed 3. Federal restrictions on religious influences on government I could go on and on…. I am a multi-racial lesbian living in California. I worked long and hard on the NO ON 8 campaign; holding signs on corners, calling, walking, blogging, texting, emailing, etc. I did everything I could do to gain support for our rights. My family (Black, White, Asian, and otherwise) stood behind me (walking, holding signs, calling, etc). It is important, in this sensitive time; we do not misdirect our energy! If we start placing blame or hating those who lack understanding we are no better! I was almost physically attack by a group of Samoan YES ON 8 protester, while holding a NO ON 8 sign with my daughters, but I will not single out the whole culture of people. If you look at the percentages of what Pacific Islanders voted I bet it would look about the same. Again, hating the hater makes you no better.
It is my believe that to win a war you have to think like, for lack of a better term, the enemy! There are those who will not change their views no matter what we do, there are those who don’t hate us but they are acting according to their religious teachings. In understanding as to why African Americans supported prop 8 so much I believe we have to put ourselves in their shoes. For years black people have had nothing. Even after civil right it is a well known fact that the public schools in urban communities lack the recourses (teachers, programs, etc) to effectively teach a dog let alone a child. Drugs, crime, broken families have ravage their communities, not excusing them but I’m making a point. They have developed a crippling reliance on “GOD” and “FAITH LEADERS.” They put their trust and money into these organizations truly believing and waiting on their “Blessing.” While in 90% of cases the pastor is more crooked them most politicians; taking money from their improvised members to support their grand lifestyles! If their leaders say GAYS are the devil, then that’s what we are. If their leaders say YES ON 8, and they did, then that’s what they vote! Wining the black vote would require someone to bridge the gap; someone to pull these people out of their Religious box. Not only for blacks but for the population in the religious world that we will need if we are to continue to vote on such rights.
In actuality the real fight here is whether human rights should be up for a vote in the first place. If we travel back in time and ask on a majority vote on some of the pivotal equal rights issues, a lot of the rights we enjoy now we would not have. I think our effort should be to give others understanding; however, I think our energy need to focus on the following:
1. A Federal Law banning anti-gay or discriminatory legislation
2. Reversal of the Anti-gay legislation that has been passed
3. Federal restrictions on religious influences on government
I could go on and on….

]]> By: no on hate http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-30207 no on hate Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:16:55 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-30207 WOW its sad when anyone no matter who you are tries to tell someone how to vote.. it is a persons right to vote how they feel.. if its no on prop 8 or yes on prop 8... YES We all should have the right to marry and be happy but when you say 70% of blacks voted yes and blame them for the down fall of prop 8.. then u are no better then the any other hate group the fault lies with us not doing more to get the No vote how may Latino-American or whites voted yes? How many of you have looked or asked that question?.. LOOK at the big picture people before you pass your jugdement on African Americans people HATE IS HATE no matter what its about WOW its sad when anyone no matter who you are tries to tell someone how to vote.. it is a persons right to vote how they feel.. if its no on prop 8 or yes on prop 8…

YES We all should have the right to marry and be happy

but when you say 70% of blacks voted yes and blame them for the down fall of prop 8.. then u are no better then the any other hate group the fault lies with us not doing more to get the No vote
how may Latino-American or whites voted yes? How many of you have looked or asked that question?..

LOOK at the big picture people before you pass your jugdement on African Americans people HATE IS HATE no matter what its about

]]> By: Jenn from Philly http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29740 Jenn from Philly Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:21:51 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29740 Diego, I'm still in Philly however I'm interested in knowing how you’re going to make this splash. Diego, I’m still in Philly however I’m interested in knowing how you’re going to make this splash.

]]> By: diego http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29737 diego Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:11:03 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29737 Jenn, are you in NYC? I hope that NONE of the gay whites on this site are from NYC. In my mind they all live in SC or Texas. If you are in NYC, or plan to come up I know some people that you would like and can help us make a SPLASH in the whites only pool on saturday. Yes, when I was in philly, back in 1995-2001. I am 33yrs now but studied African American and latin American studies while gettin another degree in Crim Justice before leaving and going to law school and also getting a MA in public policy. See, unlike these wads, I am an expert in people of colour. Jenn, are you in NYC? I hope that NONE of the gay whites on this site are from NYC. In my mind they all live in SC or Texas.

If you are in NYC, or plan to come up I know some people that you would like and can help us make a SPLASH in the whites only pool on saturday.

Yes, when I was in philly, back in 1995-2001. I am 33yrs now but studied African American and latin American studies while gettin another degree in Crim Justice before leaving and going to law school and also getting a MA in public policy. See, unlike these wads, I am an expert in people of colour.

]]> By: Jenn from Philly http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29733 Jenn from Philly Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:54:26 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29733 Diego – When you were in Philly I was probably too young to hang. I'm only 20 now. Any way, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. I just don’t know how we all suppose to protest on Saturday if we can’t get passed this issue. Diego – When you were in Philly I was probably too young to hang. I’m only 20 now. Any way, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. I just don’t know how we all suppose to protest on Saturday if we can’t get passed this issue.

]]> By: diego http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29731 diego Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:41:30 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29731 Jenn from Philly, where were you when i lived in philly? we would have had fun! From a legal perspective we have to look at the fact that with DOMA, only those living in CA are directly effected. This does not mean that I support the vote but that we must think wisely to keep this from happening again or disenfranshise our supporters so much that civil unions and domestic partnerships are next. Protests, working with politicians,voting and outreach--with dollars as well as ears, works. Threats of violance and racism don't. Many whites speak of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, but are silent on Malcolm X. You,whites, hated him, and didnt support his versions of gaining equality BUT are acting worse than he ever did. To me, true outrage should be for AZ who was so willing to stop gay rights that they sacrifised the rights of ALL SINGlE PEOPLE and the parentless children that need them. I was an attorney for ACS, NYC childrens social service agency. I know how much kids need parents and so do those living in AZ. Showing that gays only care about themselves does not get assistance from straights. Also, dividing our house between race will put this movement back 25 years. Much has been gained but can easily be lost. Learn from the civil rights movement but move on. This fight was fought like it was 1968, not 2008. Resources were not properly used and many misused. Please, they put Mary J. Blige in Bev Hills NOT COMPTON? They did not utilize Micheal Basden. They spoke to the NAACP, like any person of colour under 60 cares about them. They didnt reach out to gay groups of colour for guidence or support and addressing these issues to straights of colour. They, I say "they" because they are nameless faceless whites, did not put ONE gay couple of colour in their ads. No ads where done in spanish. Spanish net works were not called. No spanish radio ads and no gay latino groups were contacted. But, whites were suprised at this vote? White people, and the gay people of colour on their dicks, would not understand my references but gays of colour understood them all. That is called outreach and speaking to ALL in the community. GAYS come in all colours not just white. The sooner you learn that, the sooner we can work togther. I know you still feel justified in stating that you will burn down black churches but how is this helping? Time and time again, i ask for solutions and NO ONE on this board, who is white, has given any. I am still waiting. Much damage has been done from these comments. But much much more work will be needed to repair the damage and pull together. Oh, to my "I am black and never seen gays as racist" "brothers and sisters". Please baby, sit down, shut up and not tell lies for no reason. Because i will start saying that I am gay and never met a homophobic straight person. See, thats how stupid you sound when you speak. Even the whites are laughing at you! Jenn from Philly, where were you when i lived in philly? we would have had fun!

From a legal perspective we have to look at the fact that with DOMA, only those living in CA are directly effected. This does not mean that I support the vote but that we must think wisely to keep this from happening again or disenfranshise our supporters so much that civil unions and domestic partnerships are next.

Protests, working with politicians,voting and outreach–with dollars as well as ears, works. Threats of violance and racism don’t. Many whites speak of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, but are silent on Malcolm X. You,whites, hated him, and didnt support his versions of gaining equality BUT are acting worse than he ever did.

To me, true outrage should be for AZ who was so willing to stop gay rights that they sacrifised the rights of ALL SINGlE PEOPLE and the parentless children that need them. I was an attorney for ACS, NYC childrens social service agency. I know how much kids need parents and so do those living in AZ. Showing that gays only care about themselves does not get assistance from straights.

Also, dividing our house between race will put this movement back 25 years. Much has been gained but can easily be lost. Learn from the civil rights movement but move on. This fight was fought like it was 1968, not 2008. Resources were not properly used and many misused. Please, they put Mary J. Blige in Bev Hills NOT COMPTON? They did not utilize Micheal Basden. They spoke to the NAACP, like any person of colour under 60 cares about them. They didnt reach out to gay groups of colour for guidence or support and addressing these issues to straights of colour. They, I say “they” because they are nameless faceless whites, did not put ONE gay couple of colour in their ads. No ads where done in spanish. Spanish net works were not called. No spanish radio ads and no gay latino groups were contacted. But, whites were suprised at this vote?

White people, and the gay people of colour on their dicks, would not understand my references but gays of colour understood them all. That is called outreach and speaking to ALL in the community. GAYS come in all colours not just white. The sooner you learn that, the sooner we can work togther.

I know you still feel justified in stating that you will burn down black churches but how is this helping? Time and time again, i ask for solutions and NO ONE on this board, who is white, has given any. I am still waiting. Much damage has been done from these comments. But much much more work will be needed to repair the damage and pull together.

Oh, to my “I am black and never seen gays as racist” “brothers and sisters”. Please baby, sit down, shut up and not tell lies for no reason. Because i will start saying that I am gay and never met a homophobic straight person. See, thats how stupid you sound when you speak. Even the whites are laughing at you!

]]> By: Jenn from Philly http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29705 Jenn from Philly Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:18:11 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29705 I think you Jerry for your comment. I think you Jerry for your comment.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29689 Jerry Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:47:25 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29689 I refuse to blame any one group for the gay marriage debacle in CA and here in AZ. Money was a big issue but so was religion, and I blame them the most. But, race? C'mon people, what Jenn said is TRUE. Racism is STILL found in society, even in the gay community. My Hispanic and African-American friends were a big source of comfort for me and now they are speaking out! I vote that we all look at ourselves first and put an end to prejudice everywhere. I refuse to blame any one group for the gay marriage debacle in CA and here in AZ. Money was a big issue but so was religion, and I blame them the most. But, race? C’mon people, what Jenn said is TRUE. Racism is STILL found in society, even in the gay community. My Hispanic and African-American friends were a big source of comfort for me and now they are speaking out! I vote that we all look at ourselves first and put an end to prejudice everywhere.

]]> By: Jenn from Philly http://www.365gay.com/blog/111008-race-and-same-sex-marriage/comment-page-4/#comment-29630 Jenn from Philly Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:27:47 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=4129#comment-29630 I feel a little naïve. As an African American, I know that homophobia exist in the community. But I just feel that we can’t pass Prop 8 ALL OFF on the black community. Homophobia comes in every race, creed and, form. So please, stop putting Prop 8 off on the African American community. Instead we need to channel our anger at the guys that decided to put our issue up to the citizens of California, Arizona, etc. I know that I’m going to receive a lot of criticism for this but I think that the comments really have to stop! Please let’s work together and find a way to fix this without the rude and nasty comments. I feel a little naïve. As an African American, I know that homophobia exist in the community. But I just feel that we can’t pass Prop 8 ALL OFF on the black community. Homophobia comes in every race, creed and, form. So please, stop putting Prop 8 off on the African American community. Instead we need to channel our anger at the guys that decided to put our issue up to the citizens of California, Arizona, etc. I know that I’m going to receive a lot of criticism for this but I think that the comments really have to stop! Please let’s work together and find a way to fix this without the rude and nasty comments.

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