Comments on: Sight Unseen

By: JW Richard

JW Richard — Sun, 30 Jan 2005 20:14:09 +0000

A suggestion: could we not implore that the National Black Justice Coalition, also speak out about such ommisions, along with their fight for gay marriage? That way, we work with organization that are already developed for the purpose of working for us.

By: Donald

Donald — Sat, 29 Jan 2005 01:38:05 +0000

I wrote Mena Trott last year and asked her how many Black people worked for Movable Type. I never got a response. I think she's a doll, but her silence really speaks to the core of the normalcy of our invisibility - especially in tech spaces. What incentive do white people have to ask "Gee, where are the Black programmers, pundits, bloggers, web designers, entrepreneurs, artists and writers?"

What I really don't understand is why some of those same white balk once Black organizations are formed. White gay children want to know "Why do y'all need to have a separate Black gay pride?" Well, because y'all ain't right - and spelling it out for you unnecessarily extracts my energy when your ass KNOWS shit ain't right. I'm speaking in generalities, yes, but just look around … at our administration, at our utter lack of effective cross-cultural gay organizations, at our ridiculous unemployment, incarceration and HIV infection rates.

By: Rod

Rod — Sat, 29 Jan 2005 01:19:41 +0000

But when your mission statement includes such charges as “promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation”, you’re going to be held accountable if you stray. And GLAAD has strayed far, far away.

Years ago, GLAAD's reputation took a nosedive. The common perception is that organization leadership became very cozy with media outlets. Many advocates seemed more interested in getting exposure and soundbites on the very outlets they were policing. There also has been substantial organization in-fighting.

Another problem is that some gay activists consider quantity more important than quality. The five Queer Eyes queens irritate me a helluva lot more than the psycho transexual in Silence of the Lambs. Movies are dramatic, fantastic scripts; most people watch them for some element of escapism. But news and reality television is a snapshot of our culture. Okay, okay we can't send everyone to butch camp. But let's be honest: Steven Cojocaru and Bobby Trendy are caricatures. That's why so many heterosexuals public will stomach them.

It never occured to me that the rainbow flag was anything more than a symbol. We're still people. And they're still white men, most of whom are accustomed to privilege, and getting their way.
Naturally, black gay men are even less of a priority for them.

I like your idea of establishing our own awards.

Rod
Brotha2Brotha

By: ClayStarr

ClayStarr — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 16:14:28 +0000

I totally agree with you although I can’t say that I am disappointed by the glaring omission of sexual minorities that also happen to be racial minorities and due credit and recognition for people that talk and write about us. I can't be disappointed because this is only what I have grown to expect. As much as "the community" likes to tout that they are open and accepting to all and that “we” are in a fight for equality I know it is [not a total truth.] People are fighting for their own equality, benefits and representation. And folks wonder why there are "black" prides…and I collect tokens for my tokenage…and I call GLAAD, sad…and wonders never cease.