Crossing the Gay Color Lines

If you haven't had a chance to check out the new article over on our main page, let me take a moment to strongly recommend reading it, as the topic is something that everyone should consider: the relationships among the gay community and communities rooted in race. Over the past few months several high-profile events (most notably the Isaiah Washington "faggot" incident on the set of Grey's Anatomy and former NFL star Tim Hardaway's anti-gay public comments) have deeply impacted two communities: the gay community, and the African American community. And in reacting to both of these incidents, many of us have not taken the time to think about where these communities intersect, what their relationships are, and how their perceived differences may actually point to shared similarities when it comes to ingrained prejudices, uninformed assumptions, and ongoing struggles. What's the difference between the "N word" and the "F word"? Just how inclusive is the gay community, and what has led to the perception that the black community is inordinately homophobic? And -- perhaps most prescient to our discussions here -- how do these events affect those who belong to both groups? Writer James Hillis tackles these questions head-on, interviewing five black gay men who work in entertainment to discuss attitudes in both communities. Joining the discussion are filmmaker Lee Daniels, journalist and producer Rod McCullom, Noah's Arc creator Patrik-Ian Polk, music producer Tori Fixx, and author, producer, and pastor Kevin E. Taylor. These men have strong opinions on the topic, and no doubt you'll agree with some points and question others. But chances are, the dialogue will lead you think about the subject in a way you hadn't considered it before. We invite you to check out the article, and share your thoughts in the comments.