HOT TOPIC: Is There a Rift in the Gay Community Based on Race?

by News

Is there a rift in the gay community based on race? Why or why not? Tell us your stories. We want to know what your life and your eyes have seen.

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Posted on March 5th, 2009 under Hot Topics, News • RSS 2.0 feed • Both comments and pings are currently closed

6 Responses to “HOT TOPIC: Is There a Rift in the Gay Community Based on Race?”

1
Sporty G:
March 4th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Well, I just know that most of the gay events and or gatherings I’ve ever been around seem predominately white. Where are all the other beautiful people? (I know they’re out there somewhere!)
2
Boiscout:
March 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I don’t like hanging out in the East end for many reasons. Sometimes all those rich WASPs act like they have never seen a dyke before. Also its not fun having little old grey haired ladies running out of the restroom in terror. Basically I hang out where I feel most comfortable. Perhaps our black sisters have a similar hang up with our venue choices? Are we not being inclusive?
3
Shimmie:
March 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
This issue I believe is something that needs to be tackled by Fleur de Lez. We have been invited to participate in newer events, such as Saturday nights at the former Tailgaters. Apparently that is a much more diverse crowd and a group that we haven’t been able to reach.

I want to make it a priority to get more involved around the city — just not in the same old places that we find most comfortable. I ask each and every one of you to come with me.
4
shavens:
March 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I think it’s more of a Louisville issue that just happens to trickle down into the lesbian community. How can we unite?
5
jessijames:
March 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am
It’s not an issue exclusive to Louisville, it’s an issue in other cities as well. I’ve been on both sides of the fence when it comes to the division of race within the community. Part of it stems from gender roles and how in the black community play a big part in the barriers with the community. Some of you may laugh or disagree with me, and it seems very silly, however it is true. I could go into detail about this, but that would be an entire article, not just a comment.

At any rate, I feel that now things are changing and barriers are being broken in an attempt to unify us as women. There will still be a little tension within the community and that will ease over time as we work towards unification. I feel we should attend events that we are invited to by them and vice versa. I think we should also have discussion panels or something to that nature to break down the barriers so we can be unified.

Anyone have some suggestions for this?
6
angie:
March 9th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
This is a topic that I have come across in my studies on both lesbian history and social movements. As I white woman, I do not feel “fully” qualified to address the issue. However, I will say from my readings and from glbt seminars that I have attended that my understanding is that historically, many early feminists and lesbians were not supportive of women of color. Either they were downright hostile to women of color, or they kept neglecting/ignoring/shoving aside the “elephant in the room” (race) for other issues. I hope that this is changing. Through working with Fairness this semester, I have learned that “coalition work” between social justice organizations is a huge step in the right direction for addressing the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.