User:Kellyzamora/sandbox

Racialized homonormativity

Examining any ideology from an intersectional perspective reveals the complexity of issues involved. The assumptions, values, and morals that are attached to homonormativity are challenged when the intersection of race is involved. The erasure of race in the LGBTQ community is visible in sports, movies, and culture. Many public figures of color such as Sheryl Swoopes, have personally faced the issues of homonormativity related to their coming out process.

Media is a useful outlet for many to tell their stories and to be heard. The media has also allowed for many scenarios to appear “normal”, in that they are white, straight-passing, and barely realistic. This is true in films like The Kids Are Alright. A lesbian couple appears to have this very normal modern life with no problems. The film ignores that they are a lesbian couple, which makes it seem as though the couple faces no issues due to their orientations. On top of this, the couple is also white. This gives the illusion that any lesbian couple of any color will have a picture perfect lifestyle. This isn’t true for heterosexual people of color, let alone gay people of color.

Coming out is difficult for anyone in the queer community. This is especially true for people of color. The African-American community is stereotyped as being extremely homophobic and hateful so there is a lot of fear in coming out in those communities. The media also plays a role in this. Black gay experiences are rarely seen on the screens which allows these experiences to seem irrelevant and unimportant. Coming out is not only a different experience due to race, but also by status. For many stars, coming out is not just to the people around you, it is coming out for the whole world to know. A commonality found in stars of color is that they feel it is easier to be accepted by white communities. Because of these stereotypes, it just appears to be easier even though in those white communities there is just as much discrimination as there would be in any group of people.