Black Daddies Club tackles homophobia in the black community

2 December 2011 No Comments

Panelists Lorelai King (left), Lance T. McCready (right)

By Tendisai Cromwell

The Black Daddies Club facilitated a public discussion about homosexuality in the black community, a topic that is often swept under the community rug. The George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre downtown was the setting for the second installment of the club’s Taboo Discussion series, Queer as Black Folk.

It was an interactive and honest discussion between panelists and audience members exploring issues such as identity, homophobia, blackness and faith.

Many believe that the black community ignores the reality of homosexuality and is not willing to have the discussion. However, panelist Lance T. McCready, a professor at University of Toronto said that the fundamental challenge in the black community is not the recognition of being black and queer, the reality is well known, rather the issue is preventing people from publicly proclaiming their homosexual identity.

Much of the discussion centered around religion. Faith institutions, in particular the church, play such a central role within the black community therefore the dialogue should begin there, said panelist Davina Japaul, a Christian radio personality.

Some audience members echoed Japaul’s sentiments calling for more inclusive and tolerant religious institutions while others believe that religious leaders are simply not ready for the dialogue.

Kelly Cummings (left), Dianne Lewis (right)

David Lewis-Pert, an ordained interfaith minister and active member of the community, questioned the foundations of faith institutions. Lewis-Pert said addressing homosexuality within the confines of these institutions cannot be done in any meaningful way.

Audience members shared their individual experiences of being queer and black. A man revealed that he endured his own internalized homophobia, which brought him to the brink of suicide. He did not believe that God could love him while being a gay man, but has since overcome his struggles.

Panelist Michael Went revealed that he is combatting his internalized racism against his fellow brothers and sisters in the black community. He says as a gay man, he expects more rejection from black people and never truly felt a sense of belonging among blacks.

Calls to continue engaging in open conversation beyond the walls of the auditorium were expressed and in tackling homosexuality within the community, this discussion represented an effort to remove the veil of silence that has stifled the much needed dialogue.