Breakfast at Tiffany's – Because I Do Not Know

Here and Now

Earlier this week, BaT referenced an article about Malcolm X's homosexual past. The author addressed why this would be important now, some 40 years after his death. His answer was that gay black people (I rarely use the term "African-American," because a friend from way back told me, "I ain't African. I'm from the Islands.") need more role models.

Along comes this article, "Claiming Luther Vandross," from Keith Boykin:

And then there is Luther, the quintessential balladeer of our time, a wealthy and successful bachelor with a beautiful voice who, fat or thin, could have easily found a wife but never married and hardly even bothered to fake a heterosexual lifestyle. When asked about his sexuality in a 2002 interview with BET, Vandross simply said it was none of their business. It was an honest answer that no straight celebrity would ever give.

But in the black community, we still subscribe to the policy of "don't ask, don't tell," which may explain why some blacks are upset by efforts to out Vandross posthumously, as if being gay would somehow mar his already extraordinary career.

But what people don't understand is that black gays and lesbians are desperate for affirming images of ourselves. While the white gays get Ellen, Elton and the "Queer Eye" guys, we're stuck with J.L. King, the poster boy for the down low; Jonathan Plummer, a gay man who deceived a famous wife; and Othniel Askew, the black gay man who murdered a New York City councilman a year ago this month. We rarely see positive stories about us in the media, and when straight blacks attempt to tell our stories, they depict us as scandalously as the closeted gay pastor in R. Kelly's music video.

That's why we're so anxious to clutch onto Luther. We're eager to find realistic images that reflect the true diversity of who we are. And that's why we have to tell our own stories.

I find this attitude no different than gay whites who latch on to every "he's gay" rumor out there about some Hollywood superstar or professional baseball player. (Except in this guy's case. We all know he's queer.) Gay people -- young and old -- need role models and people to admire. Remember that the next time some awkward 18-year-old strikes up a conversation with you at the bookstore, or a recently divorced man with gray hair and "straight" clothes on finally comes out and just wants to make a friend at a bar.

It's not always about sex. Gay people are gay. We are also people.

POSTSCRIPT: FB, the offer is always open for a guest post on race and homosexuality. Just let me know. jakemccafferty AT comcast DOT net. (Tell me, however, if you send an e-mail, since I don't check that account very often.)

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