Doris’s Comments (group member since Jan 03, 2008)

Doris’s comments from the The Black Queer Experience group.

I think it is a very complex issue for the black lgbt community--the carving out of our own identity while still remaining relevant and apart of the mainstream lgbt culture that is in and of itself still a counter culture in society. I think those of us who live in gay friendly/tolerant cities and communities forget that in 99% of this country, we are still considered at best an underground society and at worst a perverse consequence of lax moral leanings of the country. I think that being black and gay in this society actually gives you a "triple consciousness" because, you're gay, black and trying to figure out your place as an American...it's very confusing and tiring..I often find myself at odds with the mainstream lgbt movement because it is so clearly an upper class white male movement--the issue of marriage rights being paramount--I get that...what i don't get is there is no focus on the very basic needs of most of the lgbt community in this country such as being able to walk down the street without being harassed or beaten just for being who you are...I'm starting to rant, lol. I would really like to see a more grass roots movement of lgbt peoples of color because we are the communities mainly dealing with these issues of basic survival in our communities. marriage equality is obviously important but if we can't even walk down the street safely, being allowed by the govt to marry seems meaningless.

well stated