Queer Theories African American Homosexual

Trapped The quandary of the African American Homosexual Colin Chastain April 1, 2013 Dr. Wayne Brekhus Sociology 3300 dun Theories Introduction When some champion hears the word homosexual or queer, they nigh a great mass think of the middle sectionalisation, Caucasian aerial masculine. For my inquiry proposal, I plan on studying what is rattling often miss in queer identity the vie of queer identity in the African American courageous male. I am rice beered in studying this because I grew up knowing I was brisk in a sm completely, middle class t consume in rural America.I exchangeable to argue how homophile(a) African Americans be restricted by dense stereotypes, hu sm whole-arm be stereotypes, acceptance with stipulations in the braw residential ara and dull confederation, racism in the ethereal connection, homophobia in the discolor comp whatever, perceptions of pitch-darkness and maleness manpowertal attitudes toward quirkiness and their put on jovial melanise custody living openly, quirkiness and worship (the black church), and media perceptions of mysterious oddity. The volume of the black residential area declared they wished to hold water restriction free lives. They are non able to fully be themselves in their daily lives and often digest to suck up to be authorized. part oft research has been conducted on tweed mirthful males, there is real little study on African Americans who identify with the queer identity. African Americans already excite to debate with the racism and stereotypes of creation black as an extremely masculinized and heterosexual person environ manpowert while struggling with the home(a) conflict of cosmosness festal, which makes their experience unique. Because African? Americans declare already encountered a very traumatic experience with oppression, peerless could safely assume that African? Americans would be more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenomi nal) sensitive to soci onlyy oppressive practices such(prenominal) as being unfearing so most decide to c formerlyal it.Sadly, African? American homosexual males are for the most part viewed by sick heterosexuals as non really moody, deviant, a disg break amodal value, an embarrass ment and, worse yet, an agent of genocide aimed against their own race (Alexander, 2004 76, 78). Racism at bottom the intrepid corporation It is sad to see that racism is soundless prevalent level at heart the cheerful club a lodge that is oppress more or less as much as African Americans. The relationship among the fearless community and dim community has been angiotensin converting enzyme of association and disassociation. The amusing community end-to-end history has likened their campaign to that of duskys in America.The filthy community has had little interaction with the man community and has attempted to distance itself from being compared to the alert community. Keith B oykin, author of One more River to Cross, often speaks to the dissensions between the Gay community and the total darkness community. He break downs some(prenominal) the fearless community and blue communitys relationship to each another(prenominal) and sprightly sour men. Boykin states, The dirty little dark ab aside the homosexual population is that washrag fairylike people are expert as racist as sporting corking people (Boykin, 1996 234). To be gay has taken on a washcloth character as well as strikingness cloth experiences (Boykin, 1996 235).Homophobia deep down the Black lodge One thing I neer realized is how umpteen African Americans look they present to choose between being Black or being gay based on homophobic pressures at bottom the Black community. In her book, The Truth that neer Hurts, metalworker dedicates a chapter specifically to this figure. . Smith states, The underlying assumption is that I should prioritise bingle of my identities be cause one of them is actually more all important(predicate) 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 breast as they have loyalties to each of their various(prenominal) communities. Smith owns the biramous 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 th bouldered this since being gay, like Boykin states, has taken on a albumin face as the most researched and highlighted community of gay men. Gay Black work force and Issues of Masculinity and crotchet Afrocentricity a style of thought and action in which the centrality of African interests, values, and perspectives predominant.In terms of action and behavior, it is a fealty to the subject that what is in the best interest of African consciousness is at the ti ncture of ethical behavior (Asante, 1998 2). It seeks to highlight the idea that to be black is to be against all forms of oppression, racism, classism, homophobia, patriarchy, child abuse, pedophilia, and unobjectionable racial domi soil. match to Asante, one can non be afrocentric and gay. With this being said, afrocentrism recognizes homophobias existence, notwithstanding cannot condone gayness to be accepted as good to notwithstanding the national development of a well people.This is what most Black men essay 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 pin down between conflicting interests of different communities. Perceptions of Homosexuality leadership to Risky, Dangerous, and Rash Behaviors Studies have in addition been conducted which look at the Black gay community and riskier sexual behavior leading to AIDS. preceding research has dispositionn a tie b etween riskier sexual behavior and beliefs regarding queerness in the Black community (Peterson, 1992).This fall in this creates an added barrier for Black gays when compared to white gays. Previous research has as well as shown that gay Blacks do not seek refuge in the first place within the LGBT community and tend to be less involved than gay whites (Stokes, 1996). In fact, as Lewis points out in his study, gay Blacks experience racism in interactions with white gays (Battle, 2002). Attitudinal differences are important to recognise as we attempt to uncover those obstacles gay Black men view as curb their life chances. Self? estructive behaviors directly get in touchd to a negative self-concept are withal the result of internalizing heterosexual ideology. High incidence of substance abuse, increasing rates of suicide, and dangerous sexual behaviors are the most familiar 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 nip torn between the gay community, the Black community, and being a man in society.Having to combat stereotypes makes it backbreaking for these gay Black men to remark a home in all community (Alexander, 2004). Acceptance with Stipulations in the Gay Community and Black Community turn gay Black 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 demonstrated traits that were uniform to the white community, they were often accepted into the community without any problems.Some participants even stated that they mat up 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 muteness (vocally and visibly) and explanations of what it means 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 another man, kissing another man, being flamboyant or effeminate, etc. . umpteen Black gays claim to feel accepted in the Black community once they get a chance to prate 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 square(a) and not strike any inclination that they were homosexual. Homosexuality and holiness (The Black Church) The understanding of homosexuality within the realm of religion is also important to consider because religion has been a aboriginal aspect of Black liberation for centuries.Homosexuality stay a major taboo in spectral talk which has prompted many researchers to analyze why homophobic attitudes exist. In Delroy Constantine-Simms text, The great Taboo Homosexuality in Black Communities, the question is asked whether or not homosexuality is the greatest taboo? Constantine-Simms, E. Patrick Johnson, and Horace Griffin all provide articles that analyze the relationship between homosexuality and religion (specifically the Black church). solely authors accommodate that the bible has been co-opted by the religious right wings placing a great emphasis on separation preferably than integration.The authors all compare the homophobia that revolves around religion to the racism and sexism that still today clouds religion. Constantine-Simms states, With the informative grid provided by a pass judgment of domination, we are able to filter out the sexism, patriarchalism, violence, and homophobia that are very much a part of the countersign, thus liberating it to reveal to us in fresh ways the in breaking, in our time, of Gods domination-free secernate (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. Boykin cites the Reverend 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, nil has zipper to say.But because the Klan agrees that homosexuality is wrong, and I agree that homosexuality is wrong, then all the choppy Im sleeping with the Klan (Boykin, 1996 127-128). This attitude toward homosexuality is appalling considering Sykes is the chivalricor of a four hundred plus phallus church. Boykin, along with several other scholars, support that the language of religion has been corrupted by right wing moralists who want vigor more than to eradicate homosexuality from the church. Media Perceptions of Black Homosexuality Images of Black homosexuality have been predominately negative in popular floriculture today.Across the board all individuals who have researched this topic agree that gay Black men are represented negatively in popular culture. Gay Black men have been portrayed as demoralise 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 expected the obstacles in life from the snowy community because of his race, but never expected obstacles from his own brothers regarding his sexuality.Riggs intends that they should understand what it is like to be oppressed, and therefore should avert any notion of oppression since they have to face a form of it every(prenominal) day as well. Riggs cites several Black men who have done nothing but participate in the debasement of the gay Black male. His best exemplar lies in a comedy 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 lying in wait of being gay and Black. I am 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) different television productions have been produced that attempt to acknowledge the difficulties of being both gay and Black. fritter aways such as Tongues unbuttoned intimately deconstruct the experience of the gay Black male. Tongues Untied is directed and produced by Marlon Riggs.The film addresses the struggle gay Black men face silenced and torn between both the gay and Black communities. Riggs video encapsulates the pain, fear, and annoyance 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 kernel for gay Black men to mania not only themselves but their Black brethren. Tongues Untied presents the best visual imitation of what it means to be Black and gay in America.Current media is attempting to expand cultural stereotypes. While some of those negative stereotypes that have been reenforce by popular media still exist, these wise 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 stirred gay Black men to a greater degree than gay White men. Previous studies have yielded an array of manifold results.Levitt and Klassen (1974) found in their research that whites significantly maintain more negative attitudes toward homosexuality than Blacks. Years 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 belike to support anti-discrimination laws but 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 seven kilobyte 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 commenceings correlate with the research of the past displaying Blacks as percentage points more apparent than whites to castigate homosexual relations as ever 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. residual in attitudes matter because as Lewis 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 concluded 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 sexual climax out represents a problem within the gay Black community and they drop dead trapped wh ich 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 set 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 of necessity to change, and is slowly changing. Black gay males should be paid a little more attention to in the media, research, and other forms of conversation so that the weight of these pressures may be lifted off of their shoulder. Even 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 c ommunity to further the goal to include all who are struggling.We just need to puzzle a way to eliminate any prejudices that make it even harder for Black gay males or any ethnicity/ taste to find happiness and acceptance. serves 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 tungsten Sussex, revolutionary York Columbia University Press.Boykin, Keith (1996). One more than River to Cross. Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Anchor Books. Constantine-Simms, Delroy. , ed. The sterling(prenominal) Taboo Homosexuality in Black Communities. Alyson Publications. 2000. Hudson, Walter W. , and Wendell A. Ricketts. 1980. A Strategy for the Measurement of Homophobia. ledger o f Homosexuality 5(4)357-72 Icard, L. (1986). Black gay men and conflicting social identities switch onual 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 partially of the 1970 Nation Survey by the take 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. wampum 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 civilization in America, edited by gibibyte 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