Womanist Musings Article: CNN Anchor Don Lemon Ignoring Racism In The Gay & Lesbian Community!!!
Don Lemon: Homophobia, Racism and the Wider Culture
When Don Lemon first came out, I was surprised. His sexuality makes no difference to me personally, but the conversations that have happened since he announced to the world that he is gay, are another matter entirely. Lemon has made it absolutely clear that he has experienced homophobia in the Black community. I have no intention of questioning his lived experience, though I absolutely refute the idea that Blacks are uniquely homophobic. This is something that has been inferred from his commentary, because he has continually failed to discuss homophobia as a systemic force. Homophobia exists not simply because some Blacks are homophobic, but because society is homophobic. The Black community is simply a microcosm of the larger community on this issue.
Much attention has been given to Lemon’s commentary about the Black community, while ignoring what he had to say about his fear of what kind of reception he would receive from the LGBT community. This kind of silence tells me that once again a very specific narrative has been chosen to present to the public. In an interview with Loop21, Lemon had this to say regarding his fear of coming out:
One of the reasons I didn’t come out earlier is because I am not the Ken doll that represents the gay community. I didn’t think anyone in the gay community would support me because I’m not the classic gay role model. I’m not the Clark Kent type. I would go and host events at gay organizations as a news anchor and I would be the only African-American in the room so I thought maybe, nobody’s going to care because I’m not the blonde, white guy. That was a concern for me. (source)
I have heard crickets chirp louder than the response to this quote. I found myself once again wondering why the focus is on the homophobia in the Black community and not the racism in the BLGT community? I certainly do not believe that White members of the TLBG community are uniquely racist, despite the continued appropriation of our history, assertions that Gay is The New Black, the false blame for the results of prop 8, and the racist rantings of Dan Savage. I know that any racism that occurs in the LGBT community, exists because it is a microcosm of the larger society. Don Lemon’s identity as a gay man, does not supersede his identity as a Black man.
Black people need to admit homophobia continues to proliferate in our community. It is poisonous and we must actively strive to eradicate it. White GLBT members need to admit previous acts of racism and identify racist elements in their community, while working to eradicate this injustice, because it is counter to any movement whose goal is equality. This one sided conversation suggests that homophobia is more of a problem to the LGBT community, than racism is to Blacks and that my friends is classic oppression olympics. It further completely erases people like Don Lemon and Wanda Sykes who straddle both identities. Conversations in the social justice community that continue to ignore intersectionality and focus on demonizing fellow marginalized people, instead of understanding that the true enemy is our belief in an hierarchy of oppressions ultimately limit our ability to make change. It is time that we realize that playing gotcha, gets us nowhere, because what is at stake is equality for all people, regardless of what ism we are currently negotiating.
Gayblackcanada 
I presume, your overall objective is to indicate that homophobia is an insidious mentality that permeates throughout all of society, not just the Black community. However, to ignore that fact that it is especially prevalent in our community, is quite malignant and does nothing to help the fact that it is a reality! Once we allow ourselves to accept that Blacks, as a culture are generally more homophobic than other cultures, we can begin to proceed towards evoking social change. I am not sure Don Lemon was attempting to do anything but state the obvious to those who are unaware of the fundamental prejudices and beliefs that lie within our community. People tend to think that because we are a minority that has been consistently disenfranchised, we aren’t capable of being intolerant or unforgiving. However, it is quite to the contrary. The Black community has never been open to the idea of accepting the fact that being gay is ok and not a ” mental disease” or choice. This notion stems partially from religion being such and heavily relied on faith of the African American culture. Lets continue to extol Don Lemon instead of criticizing him. After all ,he has liberated himself and simultaneously helped many other young black gay men who are struggling with their sexuality. After all, he is one of our own. Let’s revere him for his courage and contribution to the Black Gay community!
There they go! It’s always the church! What about the white church, and the asian church? The reason it looks so much like the black church is the most homophobic, is because you have been socialized to focus more keenly on the black church, and everybody is talking about how horrible the black church is. All for political gain IMHO. No other church is so scrutinized as the black church. To the point that black gays –even though they are in the black church on all levels, still believe that the black church is more homophobic.
Is it possible that Don Lemon’s “outing” was a political ploy to heap more crap on us as black people and to continue to divide us? Young black gay people look down on the black church for being the church, yet want to be accepted for being their gay selves!! We have to be wiser than this, and be able to see a divide and conquer tactic, even when Don Lemon might be the fall guy.
Don is Anglophile, his mind set Aloof from reality his cultural exclusion. African heritage is bias he equates his. Indifference of sexual freedom majority Blacks? Don what planet or you on? Hello,
I’m Gay the stereotype all people of color. Heterosexual since in public
eye which is joke. You must fit in no White male the image. All that society would ignore them still. Don it was your choice only. Problem
America perceives African men as non academic. If excel in thought
your “Sissy” yeah, attitude of Black women. Also what do I say Don
I support. Live your life including myself. Can’t get enough freedom!