Black Lesbians In Pop Culture, Is It Sexist If Men Are Curious?

tasha-the-l-word.jpgshe-hate-me-lesbian-scene.jpg

I was watching Spike Lee’s movie “She Hate Me” the other day and one scene I really found interesting was the sex scene between Kerry Washington and Dania Ramirez. I was intrigued, as a gay man I rarely ever see women of colour in mainstream films have an erotic lesbian scene together. Even in gay culture lesbians are invisible and black lesbians are displaced due to race, gender, and sexuality.

Spike Lee’s film “She Hate Me” didn’t really explore the relationship between Washington and Ramirez’s characters though. My perspective is both women were used as a plot device for Anthony Mackie’s lead character. I won’t spoil the ending of the movie but it was completely unrealistic. I think a mainstream movie should be made that explores a romantic relationship between two black women. I wonder if this will ever happen?

Sure, I’ve seen straight porn movies that have lesbian scenes but those films are just not realistic or authentic. I already know how lesbians have sex but I think in “She Hate Me” was the first time I saw a romantic and erotic sex scene between women of colour. I found it interesting. Does this make me sexist? I wonder?

I have looked at lesbian erotic magazines before though out of curiosity. However, I think this was the first time I had ever seen an intense sex scene between two women of colour. The lesbian sex scene is rare because it is a lesbian sex scene between two women of colour.

I also was on You Tube the other day and it showed two gorgeous black women making out. I have read comments on various websites that some lesbians were offended by Spike Lee’s movie in the depictions of lesbians being sexually attracted to men. I understand the concerns. However, Kerry Washington’s character in “She Hate Me” clearly was bisexual and not a lesbian and she is sexually attracted to men.

We rarely get to see black lesbians in mainstream films. The last major movie with a black lesbian was Queen Latifah’s character Cleo in the hit indie film “Set It Off”. “Set It Off” I believe jump started Queen’s career. Although rumours still exist about Queen Latifah’s true sexual orientation I thought her performance as the butch aggressive lesbian Cleo was excellent. I think it was brave on Queen Latifah’s part to take on this role.

I would like to see more movies and television shows with black lesbian characters where black lesbians are the lead. I know that Tasha a black lesbian woman is a secondary character on the Showtime Lesbian television show the L Word. However, why did it take the producers until the fourth season to include a black lesbian? We already had a black gay series Noah’s Arc on television.

I think it is time for black lesbians to shine on the silver screen or on television with their own series. According to media reports Meagan Good is going to star in a film “Sundays In Fort Greene” this year and her character is a lesbian. I am so pleased that Meagan is willing to take on this role.I think it really shows the Meagan is willing to stretch her acting skills and diversity her roles.

You Tube isn’t porn or anything but I thought the kissing scene between the two women was sensual. I have to admit I don’t know much about lesbian sex. I do remember seeing two female friends have sex in front of me during high school though at a Halloween party. I have noticed in the lesbian community some lesbians are really upset if men say we find lesbian sex erotic or interesting. So my question is it exploiting lesbian sexuality for men to be curious about lesbians in pop culture?

Unknown's avatar

About orvillelloyddouglas

I am a gay black Canadian male.

8 responses to “Black Lesbians In Pop Culture, Is It Sexist If Men Are Curious?”

  1. greyday's avatar
    greyday says :

    I find your post…interesting.

  2. Baby Please's avatar
    Baby Please says :

    Damn; she sure is the hotness in this photo. LOL.

    I hate how they make her look like an old ass woman on that show. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

    I know she in the army and ish, but they could fix her hair better.

    I’m just sayin.

    Straight men are always intrigued by lesbian sex, for some reason. And as a first, I have a gay female acquaintance who enjoys watching male, homosexual sex. I think people have their own feelings about what they enjoy sexually. So, as long as it’s legal and consensual and no one’s being harmed, why should one take issue with a man — gay or straight — who likes watching lesbian sex. I have a butch friend — and interestingly enough, gay men are sexually attracted to her. I’ve been in gay clubs and have known the erotic stare (or sneaky feel) of homosexual men.

    To me, the fact that men – straight or gay – take pleasure in watching lesbian sex is just not that big a deal.

  3. orvillelloyddouglas's avatar
    orvillelloyddouglas says :

    Hey Baby Please nice response. I agree I think there shouldn’t be a problem with men being curious about lesbians. I know I am curious about black lesbians I want to know more about them. The actress that plays Tasha on the L Word she is gorgeous. I don’t know why on the L Word they have to make her look so ordinary and plain looking.

  4. Mes Deux Cents's avatar
    Mes Deux Cents says :

    Hi,

    You mention The L Word not having a Black Lesbian until the 4th season but Bett (Jennifer Beals) is one of the main characters and she is Black.

    Don’t get me wrong, I wish The L Word had more African American women on the show every time I watch it. I always wish there was a Black equivalent of the show too.

    Interesting post.

    And please no more spoilers! I’m just finishing watching season 2! Lol

  5. orvillelloyddouglas's avatar
    orvillelloyddouglas says :

    But isn’t Jennifer Beals biracial? I heard that Beals doesn’t consider herself to be just black? Isn’t Beals white and black and a mixed race woman?

  6. Mes Deux Cents's avatar
    Mes Deux Cents says :

    Hi,

    Her dad is African American and her mom White, so yeah she’s bi-racial, but I’m claiming her as Black! đŸ™‚ Jennifer is the only reason I watch The L Word.

  7. dancemaple's avatar
    dancemaple says :

    Hi,

    Actually I believe that there’s a character whose name is Yolanda being the first black lesbian character on the L word(S1). She made several appearances in Bette and Tina’s therapy sessions where she challenged Bette for not coming out as a black woman. Your query about Beals’ identification remind me those episodes.

    Jennifer Beals is the one who suggests Irene Chaiken, the creator of the L word, place her biracial background in the show. “As a biracial girl growing up in a divisive world”(Quote Bette in S4), “I fully accept and enjoy who I am, but it was important to me to have that represented for a young girl who perhaps hadn’t seen herself represented before.”(Quote Jennifer in a January 2006 interview in The Advocate) Besides, She won and has been nominated for several NAACP Awards, just FYI. đŸ™‚

  8. II's avatar
    II says :

    Hey.

    A really good show on HBO is “the Wire” where the main female character is a black lesbian. It explores the characters of her and her partner and their lives. Check it out, its one of the best shows ive ever seen.

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