LA Complex Gay Storyline: Tariq & Kal Are Not Getting Back Together.

I know Kal was wrong for beating up his ex boyfriend Tariq but I must admit I want them to get back together. The scene inside Tariq’s apartment in Montreal is so emotional. I yearned to see Tariq and Kal have one last kiss.  I wish there was a television show specifically about gay black men. On American television this fall there are two gay shows NBC’s The New Normal and CBS Partners focus on white gay men. I believe it is time for network television to have a television show specifically about gay men of colour because this would be groundbreaking.

The paucity of queer men of colour’s storylines is deleterious because it erases our realities. I believe the Tariq and Kal storyline is positive specifically because they are both black gay men.

Although the LA Complex gay storyline is not perfect, it still illustrates to the audience that gay black men we do love each other. The negative aspect of the gay storyline is the violence which I still believe is pernicious. Couldn’t the writers have done something else to create conflict for Tariq and Kal? Why was it necessary for Kal to be violent and beat Tariq? I am concerned about the subliminal messages of racism about gay black men.

The writing is flawed because the audience needed to see Tariq’s journey from being a domestic violence victim to regaining his self confidence. The LA Complex writers only focused on Kal’s storyline because I guess it is more sensational to deal with a closeted gay rapper. I can’t help but think Tariq deserved more attention and screentime. I wanted to see Tariq go into therapy, speak at a domestic violence group, and battle with his conflicting emotions about Kal. The LA Complex writers robbed the audience of Tariq’s journey from pain to resolution.

The acting by Benjamin Watson and Andra Fuller is flawless. The facial expressions  of Watson and Fuller express the pain, regret, sadness, and unhappiness of their break up.

Kal clearly loves Tariq he knows he is wrong for physically abusing him. However, the sadness on Tariq’s face he held it together long enough and stayed strong he wants nothing to do with Kal.

After Kal left, Tariq cried it was heartbreaking to see him so upset because I believe he is torn. Tariq still loves Kal but he can’t forgive him.

I feel that Tariq and Kal have so much chemistry, passion, and love for each other. I believe this is a breakthrough storyline for television to have two young gay black men fall in love and out of love with each other.

I am sad that Tariq is gone because I believe he is the man for Kal. Kal is a work in progress, he still needs to deal with his internalized homophobia and self hatred. Tariq has already moved on he has a new boyfriend and Kal is dating the lawyer Chris. I think Chris is cute, he seems grounded, mature, and responsible, but I am not sure if Kal and Chris have a love connection? I feel that the desire, and love that Tariq and Kal is more powerful.