Shocking Video Clip: Is The City Toronto No Longer Safe Due To The Increasing Gun Violence?

LA Complex Season Two Premiere: Gay Couple Tariq & Kal Breaks Up Because Of Domestic Violence!!

I am conflicted about the LA Complex’s gay storyline between because a part of me loves the fact it focuses on a black gay male couple. I enjoy the chemistry between Benjamin Watson and Andra Fuller. Watson and Fuller are committed to their roles that I believe there is passion between their characters Tariq and Kal. It is rare to see young, masculine, black gay men on mainstream television.

However, I am disgusted at the stereotypes of black masculinity and sexuality. First, the character Kal is a down low rapper, he’s an ex con, and he’s a violent thug.

Kal is abusive towards Tariq  he treats him like dirt and he brutally beats Tariq it is simply too abhorrent to watch!

Black men we are already stigmatized  by a hostile and racist white society through essentialism. It is easy for racists to believe that black men are violent and dangerous.

I guess it was just impossible for the LA Complex writers to create a story about a loving and positive black gay relationship?

There is  a paucity of representation of black gay men on television, yet LA Complex has to present a negative image of black gay men.

It just seems like the LA Complex writers have ticked off all the racist and negative stereotypes about gay black men. Isn’t there another way to explore a black gay male relationship without violence? Couldn’t the writers have found another way to make conflict and compelling storylines for Tariq and Kal?

There are many black gay men we are confident and proud about our homsoexuality. I am aware there are closeted black gay men who struggle with being gay and black.

Was it necessary for the LA Complex writers to have Kal beat up his boyfriend Tariq? I am cognizant there are closeted down low black men out there. However, would a white gay male couple be treated the same way? I can’t recall ever seeing a white gay male couple on television involved in such a dysfunctional and violent relationship on television.

I think the LA Complex missed an opportunity to create a positive and loving gay black male relationship by focusing simply using violence to entertain the audience.