Black Gay Oppression

In a society where being gay is a problem in its own other oppressions tend to interlock into one creating more problems. The oppression or racism and the oppression of heterosexuality interlock causing major issues. As a black person we face negative assumptions, images and stereotypes. Racism goes way back to slavery, lynching, burning and maiming. This has left its footprint on the oppression faced today. Black gay have trouble fitting in with others. According to Gay Racism by J. R. G. DeMarco, “black gays are largely and invisible minority. They are invisible, that is, until they attempt to mix with the White gay community. Then, all the negative stereotypes leap to the minds of the people involved.” Although they share a common interest

Inside the bars there were looks over “why are you here?” It can be a mental or physical challenge to overcome dealing with the hostile looks and stares. On top of the feeling of not being accepted they faced stereotypes dealing with sexuality. They were not a real person; they were a fantasy. According to DeMarco black people were pictured as being “sexually uninhibited and passionate.” White men wanted that passion and did not want to give anything in return. They also faced negative assumptions. They were seen as thieves and less than the white male. From experiences people faced the text refers to Jimmy’s experience of going to a white male’s home and being escorted from place to place as he thought he would steal from him. Another example comes from Dean, who states, “…the waiters always give the check to the white man. Or they assume that the credit card belongs to the white man.” These issues are a major problem with the double edged sound of oppression as a black gay or lesbian. These interlocking oppressions are coming together to create bigger issues. No only does the black gay male experience a lot of issues, the black gay lesbian endures just as