BLACK, QUEER, HERE To celebrate Black History Month, which runs throughout October, we would like to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Black Lesbians & Gay Men. Black Lesbian’s & Gay Men have been and continue to be an integral part of the struggle of Black people and Gay people everywhere, and here we acknowledge their positive contribution to the culture and history of both Black people and wider gay communities. A recent article in the Guardian by Peter Tatchell has suggested that Malcolm X, the Black US Muslim nationalist icon, may well have had a gay past. Writing in the Guardian, Tatchell claimed “Young black gay men and lesbians need positive role models. Who better than Malcolm X?” Of course there are many more famous black LGBT people, many of whom have been instrumental in human rights struggles – people like Bayard Ruskin, who was the main advisor to Martin Luther King, and the organiser of the 1963 March on Washington. Ruskin was always open about his sexuality. Not only have black LGBT people been prominent in politics but also in sports and music. Justin Fashanu, Nigerian born British soccer star who played for Nottingham Forest, came out to the tabloids in 1990. However once his private life filtered through to Clough he was soon suspended and moved on. Unfortunately he took his own life in 1998. When Ruth Ellis died at the age of 101 in 2000 she was the world’s oldest known lesbian. She was an advocate for the rights of lesbians and gays throughout her life. Other well-known black people who have been openly gay include the British film maker Isaac Julien, responsible for works including Young Soul Rebels; Lord Waheed Ali, co-founder of Big Breakfast, and in 1998 the youngest and only openly gay member of the House of Lords; and David McAlmont (born 1967) British Singer songwriter and one of the first black out gay personalities when his career kicked off in 1990. Obviously there has been a vocal and visible presence by black LGBT people in politics, music, club, culture and the arts. However it is evident that the wider black communities, the wider white communities, and the wider white gay communities, have on the whole ignored the significance of such voices. Some black human-rights organisations come across as homophobic, ignoring the contribution of black LGBT people and don’t report news stories affecting black LGBT people. Recent examples include the murders of the Jamaican gay rights leader Brian Williamson, the founder of the Jamaica Forum for lesbians, all-sexuals and gays (JFLAG), who was found dead at his home in June 2004 with multiple stab wounds, and the Sierra Leone lesbian activist hero Fanny Ann Eddy. However, despite this reluctance to accept and acknowledge black LGBT people by some organisations, many UK groups and organisations are openly supporting black LGBT people. The first BME float paraded in Pride London this year and there was a further black queer presence at the Notting Hill Carnival as well. A handful of black leaders publicly back the fight for gay human rights – like Jesse Jackson, Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela. Black LGBT people have helped to change not only Black History but also the gay scene forever, by their sheer force of nature. For further information look up www.ukblackout.com
It is also hoped to have a representative of The Black Gay Men’s
Advisory Group at the next Borough Councils LGB Forum on 17th November
2005.
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