Comments on: Historically Black Homophobia http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/ Black. Gay. Father. Vegetarian. Buddhist. Liberal. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:47:01 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jonah Falcon http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-185195 Jonah Falcon Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:38:57 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-185195 Very enlightening in light of "the Obama Effect" written by LaDoris Cordell for Salon.com Very enlightening in light of “the Obama Effect” written by LaDoris Cordell for Salon.com

]]> By: William http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-21343 William Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:32:55 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-21343 The history of the black race has been so over burden by the "shames" of society for so long that they have bought into the fallacies that homosexuality is an evil towards god and therefore and evil towards our community. Although, Gays and lesbians fill a large portion of the pews and fund a significant amount of the collection plates in the black church they are still disenfranchised. But, still homophobia continues to be a matter that is condoned by member of the gay community who remain silent and passive during the fire and brim stone sermons that often induce hate and god forbid murder. Until we in the gay community stand up, speak out, and reject the lies that are invectively spewed from pulpits, and start accepting ourselves for whom we are and not living the secret lies religion often pushes us into. That means, no longer marrying women we don’t love; no longer engaging in and agreeing with homophobic conversations; no longer living DL lifestyles; no longer condoning DL lifestyles; no longer being oversensitive to people in our on communities for expressing themselves; no longer trying to always shock the next person; and no longer excepting lies without studying it for ourselves. In closing this is the only way we can expect our youth such as the students at Central to ever be able to accept and understand that God created a variety of people that he loves. The history of the black race has been so over burden by the “shames” of society for so long that they have bought into the fallacies that homosexuality is an evil towards god and therefore and evil towards our community. Although, Gays and lesbians fill a large portion of the pews and fund a significant amount of the collection plates in the black church they are still disenfranchised.

But, still homophobia continues to be a matter that is condoned by member of the gay community who remain silent and passive during the fire and brim stone sermons that often induce hate and god forbid murder.

Until we in the gay community stand up, speak out, and reject the lies that are invectively spewed from pulpits, and start accepting ourselves for whom we are and not living the secret lies religion often pushes us into. That means, no longer marrying women we don’t love; no longer engaging in and agreeing with homophobic conversations; no longer living DL lifestyles; no longer condoning DL lifestyles; no longer being oversensitive to people in our on communities for expressing themselves; no longer trying to always shock the next person; and no longer excepting lies without studying it for ourselves.

In closing this is the only way we can expect our youth such as the students at Central to ever be able to accept and understand that God created a variety of people that he loves.

]]> By: Louis http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-10418 Louis Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:14:41 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-10418 Thanks for writing and posting this. You and I think very similar. I grew up with a religious fanatical father, in a religious ass-backwards town in southern Virginia. My mom is very religious too, but no where near as bad as my father; my mom realizes that the Bible is not meant to be read literally. My father loved his church more than he loved his own family; that church was his kids and wife; not us. I totally agree how you compared how black folks use the Bible to condemn gays just as whites used the same Bible to justify slavery. I am also baffled at most people’s logic; their way of thinking. They read and read their Bibles more than they read the newspaper or when in school/college; their text books, but it is ok to watch BET all day; I don’t understand it. When does common sense kicks in. Common sense should tell you that most of those laws in the Bible were in the Old Testament. If they were real Christians they would realize that Jesus came and did away with all that foolishness. Common sense will tell you that the Bible was written by man and translated over and over again by whoever was in power to help their political gain. Religion is politics for those people that did not realize that. I wish black people would ask the question Why? Asking that one word question on a daily basis will open their eyes immediately. Also I wish blacks would watch some other TV channels instead of watching soaps and BET all day. Watch CNN find out what is going on in the world. Watch the Sci Fi channel, The Discovery channel, The History channel. Read some books that challenge your thinking like the DaVinci code. Black preachers told there congregations not to read the DaVinci code. Sounds awfully familiar; the slave masters told slaves not to read either. History repeats itself; I definitely believe that now. These right wing evangelicals and moderate evangelicals preach love and tolerance, but it is really hate with a pretty bow on it. Why do they hate us so much? Why are straight people so concerned with what goes on in our bedrooms. We certainly don’t care to know what straight people do in their bedrooms. The black race is a conquered race; the slave masters did their job extremely well. We are divided and forever will be divided and they used the Bible as the main tool to do this. Thanks for writing and posting this. You and I think very similar. I grew up with a religious fanatical father, in a religious ass-backwards town in southern Virginia. My mom is very religious too, but no where near as bad as my father; my mom realizes that the Bible is not meant to be read literally. My father loved his church more than he loved his own family; that church was his kids and wife; not us. I totally agree how you compared how black folks use the Bible to condemn gays just as whites used the same Bible to justify slavery. I am also baffled at most people’s logic; their way of thinking. They read and read their Bibles more than they read the newspaper or when in school/college; their text books, but it is ok to watch BET all day; I don’t understand it. When does common sense kicks in. Common sense should tell you that most of those laws in the Bible were in the Old Testament. If they were real Christians they would realize that Jesus came and did away with all that foolishness. Common sense will tell you that the Bible was written by man and translated over and over again by whoever was in power to help their political gain. Religion is politics for those people that did not realize that. I wish black people would ask the question Why? Asking that one word question on a daily basis will open their eyes immediately. Also I wish blacks would watch some other TV channels instead of watching soaps and BET all day. Watch CNN find out what is going on in the world. Watch the Sci Fi channel, The Discovery channel, The History channel. Read some books that challenge your thinking like the DaVinci code. Black preachers told there congregations not to read the DaVinci code. Sounds awfully familiar; the slave masters told slaves not to read either. History repeats itself; I definitely believe that now. These right wing evangelicals and moderate evangelicals preach love and tolerance, but it is really hate with a pretty bow on it. Why do they hate us so much? Why are straight people so concerned with what goes on in our bedrooms. We certainly don’t care to know what straight people do in their bedrooms. The black race is a conquered race; the slave masters did their job extremely well. We are divided and forever will be divided and they used the Bible as the main tool to do this.

]]> By: James http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-10253 James Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:29:44 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-10253 Great article. I agree. I also agree about Ford, Jr. Great article. I agree. I also agree about Ford, Jr.

]]> By: janette http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9748 janette Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:13:55 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9748 I'm a white woman who was married for 16 years before separating and falling in love with an African American woman (what she calls herself) 14 years my junior but since I'm young at heart it works. This article spoke so much to me because while my family has been between accepting and tolerating, she can't be out at all to her family because they're already suspicious that she's 27 and not married or with a kid. Her mother shoves the Bible down my gf's throat (they're Presbyterian) talking about how homosexuality is a sin and is on the path to Hell. Her sister watches the L word, yet tells my gf that being a lesbian is disgusting. My gf is so scared of being out and being rejected by her family that this guy she was friends with is stalking her and other than telling him to stop, she can't do anything because the guy knows her sister's phone number and might out her to her sister. Sorry this was long but as you can see, your article resonated greatly. I’m a white woman who was married for 16 years before separating and falling in love with an African American woman (what she calls herself) 14 years my junior but since I’m young at heart it works. This article spoke so much to me because while my family has been between accepting and tolerating, she can’t be out at all to her family because they’re already suspicious that she’s 27 and not married or with a kid. Her mother shoves the Bible down my gf’s throat (they’re Presbyterian) talking about how homosexuality is a sin and is on the path to Hell. Her sister watches the L word, yet tells my gf that being a lesbian is disgusting. My gf is so scared of being out and being rejected by her family that this guy she was friends with is stalking her and other than telling him to stop, she can’t do anything because the guy knows her sister’s phone number and might out her to her sister. Sorry this was long but as you can see, your article resonated greatly.

]]> By: GoGodless http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9582 GoGodless Mon, 30 Oct 2006 03:04:34 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9582 Thanks again for another excellent post, you continue to blow me away with very thoughtful and well written posts. I remember, years and years ago when I was young back in the disco era, I was told by each group I had to choose an single identity of greatest oppression - Was I a person of color? A woman? A lesbian? A Marxist? etc? I was told that each was or could be antithetical (impure) to the other. (Being queer was "anti-dialetical".)(A feminist could not be racist.)(Homosexuality was a disease of white people.) (And true lesbian sepos didn't hang out with the enemy - straight or gay men.) It always struck me that we have so deeply internalized our oppression to such wicked level of self-destruction (and self-deception) that we could believe empowerment is finding and demonizing the (impure) "other" among us, rather than finding common ground and struggling together to end oppression for all of us. Thanks again for another excellent post, you continue to blow me away with very thoughtful and well written posts.

I remember, years and years ago when I was young back in the disco era, I was told by each group I had to choose an single identity of greatest oppression – Was I a person of color? A woman? A lesbian? A Marxist? etc? I was told that each was or could be antithetical (impure) to the other. (Being queer was “anti-dialetical”.)(A feminist could not be racist.)(Homosexuality was a disease of white people.) (And true lesbian sepos didn’t hang out with the enemy – straight or gay men.)

It always struck me that we have so deeply internalized our oppression to such wicked level of self-destruction (and self-deception) that we could believe empowerment is finding and demonizing the (impure) “other” among us, rather than finding common ground and struggling together to end oppression for all of us.

]]> By: drydock http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9537 drydock Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:08:42 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9537 Great post. A true enemy of ignorance. I would ask posters here-- is the black church (or specific denominations) a progressive institution? I think the answer overall is no. However because of the (black) church's role in the civil rights movement, I believe most progressives would answer yes. This is a somewhat complex discussion, which I'd love to hear people's opinions on. Also I would disagree about Harold Ford. The issue isn't really him- it's racism and that's what needs to be opposed. Great post. A true enemy of ignorance.

I would ask posters here– is the black church (or specific denominations) a progressive institution?
I think the answer overall is no. However because of the (black) church’s role in the civil rights movement, I believe most progressives would answer yes. This is a somewhat complex discussion, which I’d love to hear people’s opinions on.

Also I would disagree about Harold Ford. The issue isn’t really him- it’s racism and that’s what needs to be opposed.

]]> By: terrance http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9521 terrance Sun, 29 Oct 2006 15:11:03 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9521 The irony is that if confronted with merry and NancyP's argument, the students would probably have claimed to be "speaking the truth with love." That logic, or lack thereof, is pretty much impenetrable. The irony is that if confronted with merry and NancyP’s argument, the students would probably have claimed to be “speaking the truth with love.” That logic, or lack thereof, is pretty much impenetrable.

]]> By: merry http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9516 merry Sun, 29 Oct 2006 13:41:43 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9516 this type of behavior is seen across black campuses. it is ignorance and arrogance shown for all the world to see. how sad! because the truth is that those kids really don't know the bible , neither do their parents or the ministers of their churches. they use the bible as a convience. if they were really following jesus then they would love without conditions. too bad they ignore the move ethic and opt out for the god of hate and damnation. this type of behavior is seen across black campuses. it is ignorance and arrogance shown for all the world to see. how sad! because the truth is that those kids really don’t know the bible , neither do their parents or the ministers of their churches. they use the bible as a convience. if they were really following jesus then they would love without conditions. too bad they ignore the move ethic and opt out for the god of hate and damnation.

]]> By: NancyP http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/comment-page-1/#comment-9478 NancyP Sun, 29 Oct 2006 01:23:38 +0000 http://www.republicoft.com/2006/10/27/historically-black-homophobia/#comment-9478 The Biblical illiteracy of conservative Christian layfolk is astounding to me. The lack of curiousity about the various writers of gospels and epistles, the process of assembling the canon - and don't even get me going about the ignorance re the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh). The lack of historical context. The lack of ability to expound a given text on several levels. Astounding. And then these layfolk are unable to keep in mind the Great Cliff's Notes Version, as made by Jesus: Love God with all your heart, mind, strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. That alone should have prevented the rudeness with which they treated KB. The Biblical illiteracy of conservative Christian layfolk is astounding to me. The lack of curiousity about the various writers of gospels and epistles, the process of assembling the canon – and don’t even get me going about the ignorance re the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh). The lack of historical context. The lack of ability to expound a given text on several levels. Astounding. And then these layfolk are unable to keep in mind the Great Cliff’s Notes Version, as made by Jesus: Love God with all your heart, mind, strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

That alone should have prevented the rudeness with which they treated KB.

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