When did Black Become Gay?

Question

How is it that Homosexuals can compare their "struggle" for equality, to the Civil Rights Movement of African American? Is sexual orientation not a Preference (i.e. choice), where as race is fate?

I’d like to first start by stating that my intentions were not to offend any one, and if you feel as if you were offended I apologize. Secondly I’ve read all the responses and think that arguers have made several excellent points for both sides of the matter. Hence I’ve decided to add more detail to the question, in efforts to further stimulate answers.

Key Differences:
Were homosexuals ever BOUGHT or SOLD as property?
Were Homosexuals ever taken from their families and forced to work?
Has it ever been ILLEGAL for Homosexuals, to attend schools with Heterosexuals?
Ever ILLEGAL for Homosexuals to VOTE?
Can I HIDE the color of my skin?

Similarities:
Both parties were (are) discriminated against.
Homosexuality just as Color, is not a choice. (Still don’t quite agree)
Homosexuals can not get married.


Question:
Where in history are the 400 years of homosexual forced labor? Though discrimination of any kind is wrong, Homosexuals have faced a tenth of the scrutiny Afri

icans have gone through. My question is, is the struggle of homosexuals as severe as the plight of African Americans?


Personal Note:
I am a heterosexual African American male, and though I feel strongly about the matter I’ve remained respectful at all times. I would greatly appreciate it, if those whom choose to post do the same.

Answer 1

They are trying to make a comparison that they are suffering just as the African Americans did in the times of slavery. I do not see the comparison as being close at all. When is the last time a gay person was forced to work, or was sold, or taken away from their family? The feat is an attempt to run a tear-jerker campaign.
P.S. Ethnicity and Race are a blessing.

Answer 2

I personally dont like anyone comparing their struggle to that of being Black. I can appreciate the different cultures and what they all went through and definately I would never knock what they went through BUT...BUT..BUT i dont think the LBGT communities struggle can be compared to the struggles of Blacks in America. No being gay is not a choice or being Lesbian or Transgendered but at the same time it is something that can be hidden. One can deny their sexual orientation to fit in, to keep a job, to make thier life easier (thus coming out the closet, Down low lifestyles) but for the most part if you are african american its fairly aparrent and cannot be hidden. Its just a totally different experience... gay people never were slaves, never had to ask for voting rights and all that stuff (unless they are gay and black of course)... but at the same time (currently) Blacks can be married and be legally recognized as such, in a majority of states LGBT cannot :-(...

Answer 3

I don't agree that sexual orientation is a "choice." I worked at the NIH in Maryland and saw plenty of evidence that it is not, especially work being done by Dr. John Money that some people are born with unclear genitalia and are raised as the incorrect sex and are later reassigned the correct one when it becomes clear. Also many people know little toddlers that showed signs of gender confusion and neighborhood people said he was going to be gay and guess what? They have a right to compete equally for fair housing and jobs. They should expect their civil rights to be protected. I left the Civil Rights Movement because of the prejudice against gays--black and other.

Answer 4

Like some people say above, the Civil Rights Movement, is NOT exactly like being gay living in this world. Blacks had to go through waaay more struggle. But What is similar is that homosexuals and blacks do not choose to be what they are, but yet they get untreated very poor and unfair.

Answer 5

I think the difference lies not in whether people can "choose" to be gay or "choose" to be black. I don't think either groups have a choice in that matter. However...

gays are afforded a choice that is quite difficult for blacks to enjoy. That choice is whether or not their sexuality is revealed. When I walk through a door it is apparent that I am a black woman (or a woman of color). I am COMPLETELY unable to mask that (unless for the sake of argument I wear heavy white make-up, straighten my hair, bleach my skin, etc.), whereas, most gays whose sexuality is is apparent without verbal confirmation or personal association reveal their sexuality through stereotypical homosexual behavior. Behavior can be modified much easier than skin color. THAT is the difference.

If desired, homosexuals could mask their sexuality. Black people can not hide their ckin color.

Answer 6

No two civil rights stuggles are exactly the same, however there are some commonalities that are shared:

Black people have been beaten or murdered because they were black.
Gay people have been beaten or murdered because they were Gay.

Black people have been denied jobs or housing because they are black.
Gay people have been denied jobs or housing because they are gay.

Black women have been raped because they are black.
Gay women have been raped because they are gay.


I could go on, but I trust that you can see how there are similarities even if the the total history is not the same.

Orientation is NOT a choice. I didn't decide to be attracted/interested to/in other girls when I entered puberty; it simply emerged the same way that YOU found yourself suddenly interested in girls.

A lot of our black folk are insulted by the comparison, but look at history and you will see what I am saying. Those who choose not to see it are being willfully blind.

Answer 7

"Is sexual orientation not a Preference (i.e. choice)"

I don't thank so, I know I never picked to be straight. how about you?

I wouldn't say the gay struggle is just like the Civil Rights movement but there are some similarities.

both movements are trying to get the rights to be threated like everyone else and have people over come there prejudices.

Answer 8

I think if sexuality were a choice, some would not prefer to go thru the harassment they do, so I do not think it is a choice for all. I do think they face a lot just as the African Americans have.

Answer 9

First off the gay people I know say they were born gay. It makes sense I'm attracted to women I don't remember choosing to like women I just always have. Secondly back in the day alot of gays were beaten, believe it or not raped, and even killed because of their so-called choice of sexual orientation. So I don't think we would have any gays if they had an option because of all the violence against them in the past.

Answer 10

You are misinformed. Sexual orientation is as immutable as skin color. Some people claim to be able to "cure" gays, but what they're really selling is an unhappy life of abstinance or enforced intimacy with someone the gay person doesn't want to be intimate with. In short, they're selling a kind of life they'd never choose to lead themselves. How would you like it if you were forced to limit your intimate relations to other men? You could do it - as we know from prison - but you wouldn't prefer it or be fulfilled by it.

So why should gays not have the right to love who we want without fear of violence or loss of job or housing? No reason other than that some bigots are offended by people who are gay. And that's what gays have in common with black people.

Both have to fight for the right to equal treatment. And while it's possible for gays to "pass" as straight, that doesn't mean we want to or should have to, anymore than a fair skinned black person should have to hide his heritage to avoid discrimination.

And yes, gays are engaged in a struggle for equal rights. Gay kids are routinely taunted and beaten if they dare show they're gay; gay teens have one of the highest rates of suicide because of societal abuse and disapproval; gays are still violently attacked by bigots for displaying affection in public; major institutions in this country are dedicated to ensuring that gays remain second class citizens and that our relationships are not respected. Yes, there is very mcuh a "struggle" for equal rights going on in the gay community.

I have no patience with anti-gay black bigots. Even if you have never had a gay thought and can't understand why some people are gay, you above all, should understand that equality for gays doesn't cost you a thing. Nothing.