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The Blacklist
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This list of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgendered people of
African
Descent was first
developed in response to requests for names of
lesbigay and trans people to include in
Black
History Month 1994
celebrations. It is called the "Blacklist" for two
reasons both of which are obvious. First, the
people listed are of African descent, black.
Second, unfortunately some members of the black
community have sought to disavow the contributions,
identities, or worth of many of the people listed
here.
The Blacklist was first made
available through the Queer
Resources Directory and
America Online. It was inspired by Mark Hertzog's
"The Out List" which is also located in the Queer
Resources Directory. This is an ongoing
project.
Terms such as Black
History Month and people of African Descent are
used because not all of the people listed here are
American. The term African-American
in this case is therefore incorrect.
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The list is in alphabetical
order by last name. A key and reference list are
included. Many of those listed are famous, while
others are less well known. An asterisk (*)
indicates those still living. Due to the lack of
confirming sources, many people known to be gay
have been omitted. It is impossible for any list to
encompass the history of a people. No list is
complete. Important people are always missed.
Significant contributions often go unnoticed,
unreported and unrecorded. While honoring those on
this list, take a moment to reflect on how you,
too, are making history.
The Black homosexual is hard pressed to
gain audience among his heterosexual brothers;
even if he is more talented, he is inhibited
by his silence or his admissions. This is what
the race has depended on in being able to erase
homosexuality from our recorded history.
The "chosen" history. But these sacred
constructions of silence are futile
exercises in denial. We will not go away with
our issues of sexuality. We are coming home.
--Essex Hemphill
*Indicates still
living.
Compiled by Chuck
Tarver at the University
of Delaware, nero@udel.edu. Please send
corrections, additions and additional sources
Chuck
Tarver.
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