Black gay leaders threaten homophobic ministers with outing

[kweerwolf]

Two prominent black gay and lesbian activist have taken the first steps in an Internet campaign that could lead to the outing of homophobic African-American clergy.

Though launched only this week, the effort by Keith Boykin and Jasmyne Cannick already has the Internet crackling with controversy.


Cannick, a writer and social commentator who is profiled in the current issue of Essence magazine as one of 25 women shaping the world, and Boykin, a former staff member in President Bill Clinton’s administration who is an attorney, best-selling author, and reality TV star, are board members of the National Black Justice Coalition, a group established in 2003 to combat their community’s invisibility among both Africans Americans and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Americans.


Boykin and Cannick have decided to start playing hardball with Christian fundamentalists who oppose gay rights in the African-American community. Their targets are the private lives of influential black clergymen who consistently attack the queer community arguing that homosexuality is anti-family and incompatible with a Christian life. Homophobic beliefs inform these ministers’ sermons, their writings, and the Sunday school programs they develop for youngsters in their congregations. Some of them have become public figures beyond their congregations, casting their lots with influential Republicans, including President George W. Bush, and warning that the Democratic Party has been hijacked by militant homosexuals.


http://www.gaycitynews.com/gcn439/ontheoffensiveontheweb.html

Get your popcorn! This could get interesting! :popcorn:

[roguevalley]

1. go for it. these people aren't Christian to start with.

[madrchsod]

2. another "scandal" is that the

gospel community refuses to acknowledge that there is hiv problem. some choir members have died or are ill with hiv but the silence from the gospel community is deafening.

[donheld]

3. Do it.

They've brought it on themselves.

[terrya]

4. Good. Out them all.

I'm curious as to why there even is homophobia in the African-American community. Shouldn't we all be against discrimination in any form?

I fully, absolutely support any outing of any African-American clergyman who preaches homophobia. It's disgusting.

[davidinalameda]

5. everyone needs someone to hate

it's human nature

[kweerwolf]

6. I heard two theories about homophobia in the black community

I can't speak for how accurate they are, but both theories have their supporters.

First, homophobia is a holdover from years of slavery in which slaves or either sex were called upon to "service" white male slave holders and is a result of the sexual subjugation and humiliation of blacks.

Second, many blacks consider homosexuality to be a white issue because they see gays in general as being white, priveleged and affluent. Thus, they resent any comparisons between the "oppression" of "promiscuous white men" and their own history of oppression.

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. Hypocricy must *always* be exposed.

Especially when the hypocrites are the perceived regulators of All That Is Right And Good.