ALIYAH JACKSON
Staff Writer
Being Black and queer means existing in the intersection between two marginalized groups, never truly feeling whole as you look for yourself in the things around you and feeling you must choose one identity to embrace while suppressing the other.
The confines of this space often leaves people like me searching for a reflection of themselves in both real and fictional worlds. Whether it’s musicians, actors, characters or athletes, seeing Black queer people spotlighted validates the feelings of young, Black LGBTQ+ people and signals a progressive shift in society.
I realized I was bisexual my freshman year of high school and felt very isolated upon this realization. At the time, I didn’t know many people who felt the same way I did and my “representation” didn’t feel like it represented me at all.
If you’d asked me back then to name popular queer people or characters, I would’ve most likely given you a short list overwhelmed with pale faces who looked nothing like me. I’m sure they and I shared some experiences, but a crucial characteristic was still missing that couldn’t be ignored – my race.
Too often, Black LGBTQ+ people are faced with the impossible decision to either exist in spaces where they can embrace their blackness, leaving their queerness at the door, or in spaces that allow them to live in their queer identity, but only while snuffing out the things that remind people they are Black.
This is why showcasing individuals in media and pop culture who unapologetically live as both Black and queer is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of both communities. The cultural shift that society has undergone in the past few years is noticeable and Black queer people can now be found in many areas of media and pop culture.
When you turn on the TV, you see shows like “Bel-Air” (2022–), “Black Lightning” (2018–2021) and “First Kill” (2022), which all feature Black queer people and, just as importantly, their family dynamics. These shows stick out because they all establish the sexuality of the character without implementing homophobia from their family as a plot point.
Homophobia in the Black community is still very active and, although the stories of people who’ve faced those struggles are valid and deserve to be represented, showcasing Black families who are open and loving is a small step on the long journey toward acceptance. Many of our family members and loved ones watch these shows, like us, and allowing them to see a family that resembles their own accepting a queer child may teach them how to go about loving and accepting the queer child in their life.
On the other hand, for youth who’ve no choice but to find family elsewhere, “Pose” (2018–2021) is an impactful TV show that showcases the beauty of chosen families and how much these familial units have helped Black and brown queer kids with nowhere to go. The overarching message of the show is that you’re never truly alone in this world, even if it feels like the world has turned its back on you. To add to this message, “Pose” features Black, queer and transgender actors, including Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Billy Porter, MJ Rodriguez and Angelica Ross, who advocate for the rights of Black LGBTQ+ people in their day-to-day lives.
Furthermore, representation isn’t limited to fictional TV. It can be found in reality TV competition shows like “Legendary” (2020 – 2022), a competition inspired by the underground ballroom community where voguing teams, also known as “houses,” compete for a cash prize or “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (2009 – ), the well-known reality show where drag queens compete in challenges to determine “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
These shows feature many Black LGBTQ+ personalities, both as competitors and judges. Everyone loves a friendly competition and the widespread support of these shows has fostered a more positive attitude toward Black LGBTQ+ people, as fans around the world would tune in week after week to root for their favorite house, ballroom icon or drag queen.
It doesn’t end with the small screen. “The Color Purple” (2023) and “Moonlight” (2016) are two major depictions of Black queerness and sexuality that have resonated heavily within the Black community. They present intimacy between same-sex couples in a unique and gut-wrenching way, touching on topics such as toxic masculinity, female sexuality/autonomy and internalized homophobia.
Lastly, Black queer representation isn’t limited to TV shows and movies. It can be found in the stars we look up to, the individuals who create the art we consume and the world around us. The love that’s shown for artists like Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Kehlani and Victoria Monét is undeniable. These artists have been transparent with their audiences about their sexuality and have garnered fanbases filled with young Black queer people who not only see themselves reflected in the artist, but form unique bonds with their art due to their shared experiences.
It was just a little over a month ago when Sha’Carri Richardson, an openly bisexual Black track athlete, competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics and took home a silver and gold medal. Richardson built her fanbase through being unapologetically herself, and this touched the hearts of many track fans, and even converted some non-fans such as myself.
Throughout her career, Richardson has been spotlighted as one of the many queer athletes making a name for themselves, and her confidence has especially resonated with the Black LGBTQ+ community. Every win that she (or any other Black LGBTQ+ athlete) achieves, feels like a win for the entire community, as she continues to inspire the younger generation to live proudly in their truth.
Ultimately, there have always been Black people, there have always been queer people and there have always been people who find themselves tiptoeing the line between the two. However, I hope the difference between now and then is that, now, those people can look and see they’re able to live as both through TV shows, movies, music and the people around them. Through representation, it’s shown that you don’t need to pick a space to fit into. Create your own space and live wholly and freely in both identities, because the intersection of the two creates art, unity and winners.
