Black, Straight And Against Prop 8

I find myself in an unusual position. Following the racial fallout from the Prop 8 win, I am examining myself in terms of my membership in a powerful, privileged majority.

The straight majority. It's funny, being straight, I often don't think about my sexual orientation and all the social benefits I enjoy because of it. It is just as I observe many white folks not examining the privileges of being white.

First I was pissed about the racially loaded reaction to the passage of Prop 8, but lately I've found myself deeply influenced by an incident that occurred during the Los Angeles Riots of 1992. ...

In the middle of that pitch black, fire lit first night of the riots, a young black man walked up to my white sound man, who was recording the chaos in South Central, and spit in his face. No warning, no exchange, just a vile biological assault. I did not see it happen, but when my sound man "Rob" told me what had happened, I began to vibrate with rage. He was not at all upset. "Rob" said to me, "Look I understand. It wasn't about me, he is frustrated and angry about the verdict. I am, too. It doesn't matter." I remember my eyes filling with tears at Rob's compassion.

Now back to Prop 8.

As I said, I was thoroughly pissed off as I read some of the reflexive responses coming from some white members of the gay community immediately following Prop 8's passage. I decided not to march last weekend because of a story Farai Chideya told on Bill Maher last Friday. She recounted how a black, gay friend of hers who was wearing a "No on 8" t-shirt, holding a "No on 8" sign at a "No on 8" rally, was called a 'nigger.' I refused to put myself in that situation.

But I have had a softening of heart. Racists will always be somewhere in every group. I cannot let them decided how or when I will stand with and for people I care about. I have always supported full equality for all people and have always* been an ally of lesbian, gay, bi and transgendered people. So, I've purchased my t-shirts and will wade into the next protest I can find. Last weekend I heard the marchers chant "Black or white marriage is a human right." I like it!

My most sincere hope is that Prop 8 opens a dialogue between the black Christian community and the gay community in a search for common ground. I know for a fact that the No on Prop 8 folks pretty much stayed on the mostly white westside of Los Angeles and didn't even try to approach black churches or canvass in black neighborhoods. I venture to guess that decision was made, at least in some part, out of some kind of fear. Absolutely some bridges need to be built and I will do what I can.

*When I say always I mean since early childhood. I remember asking my mom and grandma about Little Richard and why he dressed so flamboyantly and made gestures "like a lady." They answered with a candid non-judgmental discussion about homosexuality and explained that Rock Hudson was also homosexual, so I would not think in stereotypes. Cool, huh???