I am really pleasantly surprised by the support I’m hearing from Black men in leadership positions being given to the LGBT community. They are recognizing the parallels to the civil rights movement and the blatant hypocrisy of the behavior demonstrated by many homophobes of color. As historically marginalized peoples, we are natural allies. Obama is merely the most prominent crest in a shift that is gaining momentum. For a long time, I have felt like a minority within a minority; it can be very isolating at times. But that is changing.
Also, I’ve forgotten that there have always been allies in the community. Linked is a speech given by Huey Newton of the Black Panthers in 1970!