With the support of black art being celebrated and supported, such as shows like Black Lightning, Grown-ish, and the most recent movie from Marvel, Black Panther on the rise, within the black community, there still lies a large flaw within that realm of support and celebration. Not stating that said art and other already celebrated art does not deserve all the praise they get because they definitely do. But, we must highlight one area of art that is almost always ignored. Our queer artists. With artists like Frank Ocean, Kevin Abstract, Barry Jenkins, Jussie Smollett, Steve Lacy, and many more, much support from the black community is lacking.
These artists do receive such support from those within the black community who do not withhold highly masculine heteronormative ideals for their entertainment consumption and support but, anyone else existing outside those ranks, tend to ignore or complain saying things like, “…they’re forcing a lifestyle,” “…they’re turning our kids gay.” and “…why must we see this gay sh*t on tv.” While the LGBTQ community continues to beg for representation and support while asking, “If this will turn you gay, please explain how there are LGBTQ people despite only seeing heterosexual relationships in every form of media since the dawn of network tv.”
Now, there is a large population of underground black queer artists that are knowingly deserving of a mainstream spotlight. To name a few from the top of one’s head:
–Lateef Thynative a YouTuber from Orlando, Florida now located in Los Angeles, California
–Francis Buseko Mubanga a model from Zambia
–Shelton Boyd is a fashion blogger from St. Louis, Missouri
–Reece King a model from the United Kingdom
–Shabez Jamal a photographer from St. Louis, Missouri
–Teacup Dragun a musician from St. Louis, Missouri
–Dorian “Scottie” Wilson a nomadic photographer from New York City
–Durand Bernarr an amazing musician from Los Angeles, California
–Ze Taylor a rapper musician from Atlanta, Georgia
–Jade Foxy Hot Mess a comedian YouTuber currently living in Los Angeles, California
–Kat Blaque a writer, YouTuber, illustrator, animator, and activist from Laguna Hills, California
–Crissle a podcaster and media personality from Oklahoma now living in New York
–Briyonce Bundick-Kelly a dancer and comedian from Alaska
And that is to just name a few. Honestly, if one was to name all of the queer artists deserving of a spotlight, you would be reading for months. But, then again, mainstream media alongside homophobic consumers refuse to grant those their deserved spotlight.
With all of the influence the LGBTQ+ community has had on mainstream media, those creatives are stolen from and ignored on a regular basis with the loose usage of their slang such as “slay”, “shade”, “yass”, “serving”, “fish”, “cock”, and many more, but I digress.
These black bigots have a plethora of excuses for not supporting black queer art. And with all of those excuses, it would take several eons to debunk all of the homophobic beliefs they have. So, as the token black gay in most “pro-black” spaces, one shall leave only one message:
Dear Hoteps and Friends,
Black queer art is black art. To be pro-black is to also, be pro-black queerness. To support black art and black businesses is to also support black queer art and black queer businesses. It is clear that you long to exclude black queer people from the black community and one is here to inform you that, that, is what you call “anti-blackness” or more commonly known as “coonery”. All that is asked of you, is that you support ALL black art, just as those black artists have, and do support you.
With much love and well wishes,
A Black Queer Artist
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I had the honor of seeing two queer Black men get married and it changed my life. September 30th outside of Memphis, TN I was present during a wedding that was unlike most of the weddings I was forced to go to when I was a child. I’m not the biggest fan of dressing up but dealing with two men who would give any TLC Bridezilla a run for their money, I had no choice.
This couple is no ordinary couple. Over the years I’ve become close with them as they have shared so much wisdom with me on what it is being a Black queer man and in a committed relationship. I’ve often talked about the lack of representation on TV and in real life when it comes to seeing Black gay men in love. I didn’t think it was possible because of this. I thought to myself several times “I don’t see Black men together so it must not be meant to be.” Seeing the two share their vows sparked something in me that I was sure was there.
I think about 14 or 16-year-old Justin and what the effect would’ve been on him if he saw Black Gay love in real life. Shows like “Noah’s Arc” gave some glimpse but was still TV. 
Even ‘Noah’s Arc’ wasn’t enough to combat the homophobic content that young me saw. I always asked myself was it something wrong with me and was it truly an abomination to attracted towards the same sex. Was I sick and twisted as my pastor told me almost every Sunday? No, I wasn’t. This Sunday would be different. This Sunday 31-year-old Justin would see two of his friends who are in love celebrate with friends and family and won’t be judged. A Sunday that I would always remember.
This is no ordinary love, and this is no ordinary couple. I met Erik at a time in my life when I was unsure about what I wanted to do, and I felt I had no choice because capitalism was on my neck. Erik reached out to me to express that he enjoyed my YouTube recaps of Real Housewives of Atlanta, and a friendship was born. He offered me a job opportunity when I really needed one, and he was a part of the catalyst that lead to the creation of KingofReads.com. He supported me (in more ways than I can share) with my move to Atlanta, and I will forever be grateful. Over the years I’ve become close with them, and they have shared so much wisdom with me about being Black queer men, choosing to be in a committed relationship. I am happy to have them in my life, and I am especially happy to have been able to share their special day with them. Seeing this couple share their vows in front of family and friends sparked something in me – Black queer love is possible. How revolutionary.
I’ve often complained about the fact that I rarely encounter Black gay men in love on my television or in my day-to-day life. Where are the Black gay men who love other Black gay men? It seems they don’t exist. They certainly aren’t on Shondaland shows, and they certainly aren’t on Netflix. They aren’t on any shows on Logo. The last time I saw two Black queer men show the love that I was about to was during Pray Tell’s kiss after disclosing his status.
Erik & Terrell exchange their written vows.
So seeing these two Black men come together wasn’t just important to me because of the ceremony but it was love they shared with each other that I have been fortunate to witness and it changed me. On September 30th, outside of Memphis, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Bible belt, their wedding ceremony began promptly at 5 pm. I’ve always seen photos from same-sex ceremonies but never attended or thought it was possible to even think I would have a chance at one. This wedding celebrated the love of two men who looked like me and loved like me. Although I’m not the biggest fan of dressing up, I put on my Sunday’s best – honestly, I had no interest in catching the wrath of two men who would rival any WE TV Bridezilla. Days before the ceremony I played dress up from head to toe. Terrell insisted and even went as far to purchase more shoes because the ones I had just wouldn’t do. You gotta love them. I walked in right as the ceremony began and I felt an instant rush in my blood that this was real. Not a viral video on social media but I was actually there.
I cried. Tears of joy. I was moved. As someone who made a decision earlier this year to leave monogamy alone and just have “fun” and focus on my career this told me that sometimes love truly does happen when you least expect it. At that moment I realized that I loved and appreciated my friends for inviting me to experience an important moment in their lives. I also came to realize that I, in fact, am deserving a love and for someone to make me loved. Love takes work no doubt it isn’t what we some might want us to see on Instagram or Facebook. There are moments when things might seem too much to get out of and those are the moments that show you rather the person in your life is truly the one for you or not.
I didn’t attend this wedding alone. I went with someone who I am in love with. If I hadn’t been for seeing the love between Erik & Terrell over the years I would’ve given up on love in general, but I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to truly open myself up to be prepared for whatever my heart deserves.
Check out some of the amazing photos taken by Uche Onyeyiri of Erik & Terrell and follow their Instagram.
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