Signs of gay friendliness among African Americans

[im10ashus]

A Darker Shade of Pink
From Kanye West to Louis Farrakhan, new signs of gay friendliness among African Americans

by Aina Hunter
August 30th, 2005 11:10 AM

Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam—a leader with a history of anti-gay rhetoric dating back to the 1980s—has invited a gay and lesbian advocacy group to help convene the 10-year commemoration of the Million Man March. Last week, Farrakhan sent a letter to the National Black Justice Coalition, the Washington, D.C.–based advocacy group, opening the door for its members to share in sponsoring the Millions More Movement slated for October 15. Even as the African American community debates the issue of gay rights, Farrakhan has taken a step that might be surprising to his longtime observers. In response to months of heartfelt letters, he wrote: "You are absolutely correct. The Millions More Movement is for all of us. . . . Please be assured that any member of our community that has gifts, skills, and talents to plan for the redemption of our people will be welcomed at the table."

Farrakhan's invitation comes even as other African American leaders, from Reverend Al Sharpton to hip-hop superstar Kanye West, call for greater acceptance of gay people. "This could signal a turning point in our community," says Keith Boykin, who heads the Justice Coalition. "We are seeing an unprecedented discussion about sexuality in the black community. I'm confident that 20 to 30 years from now we will look at homophobia in the same light that we now look at racism."

As evidence of the conversation reaching a crossroads, Boykin also points to the chatter in the blogosphere over remarks by the Grammy Award–winning West, who last Thursday told an MTV audience that "everybody in hip-hop discriminates against gay people," and that he just wants to "come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, 'Yo, stop it, fam.' "

Bit by bit, the closet appears to be opening. "This is in the shadows," says Anslem Samuel, editor in chief of The Ave, a hip-hop quarterly. "This is something we don't usually speak about openly—at least not in a positive light. Kanye says a lot of 'crazy' things, but this isn't crazy. It's quite brave, actually."

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http://villagevoice.com/news/0535,hunter,67312,6.html

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1. Its about time