Are we living in a post-gay society?

OPINION - At a time where cringe-worthy phrases like 'no homo' are still hurled everywhere, it’s refreshing to see public figures like Janelle Monae and Cory Booker embrace an association with the LGBT community without backlash...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has just spent his first days as a newly-elected U.S. Senator marrying gay couples in New Jersey, where marriage equality has become a reality. This affirmation of gay rights fits in with Booker’s stated beliefs, even though he has consistently skirted questions about his own sexuality. Booker looked jubilant while uniting same-sex couples, but will neither affirm nor deny whether he is gay to persistent questions.

In an August Washington Post article, then-candidate Booker, who has been rumored to be gay by some, shared: “[I] want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’”

With figures such as Booker taking the lead, we have a larger group of black celebrities than ever who do not have to answer the gay-vs.-straight question. From pop culture to politics, what goes unsaid can sometimes give us much information about the changing landscape of LGBT acceptance.

Could society be finally having its post-gay moment?

What does it mean to be “post-gay”?

While there’s nothing novel about the notion of an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) black celebrity, it’s increasingly common for celebrities of color not to explicitly declare, or outright deny, a gay identity if people speculate about it.

Many who face such questions seem unfazed by the rumors. And the public accepts their “shades of gray” answers.

Perhaps, to the public at large, coming out in the traditional sense is no longer necessary. It appears that society just doesn’t care anymore, suggesting that, as some say race is less of an issue today, so is sexuality. Gay advocates, however, caution against entirely overlooking the still-meaningful process of publicly coming out.

The meaning of coming out: Less clear

In this rapid response age full of real-time updates of our lives, what constitutes “coming out” is less clear. Critics balked at how quickly media outlets labelled celebs like Raven-Symoné as gay (who subtly tweeted “I can finally get married! Yay government!”), as well as the daughter of basketball icon Michael Jordan (who Instagrammed photos of her alleged girlfriend). Neither have “officially” come out as anything. Yet, their social media chatter is suggestive.

Regardless, when stars do hint at same-gender relationships, both gay and straight people care deeply.

“When celebrities choose to come out, it is an important gift they give to the rest of us,” said Dr. Imani Perry, cultural critic and professor at Princeton’s Center for African-American Studies. “Such examples can be powerfully important.”

Coming out without coming out

Lately, numerous black celebrities have made headlines through such speculation about their sexual orientation.

Just recently, HOT 97 co-host Mister Cee addressed the latest round of rumors about him soliciting sex from trans women. While Mister Cee did not “come out” in the traditional sense (most would agree that he was “outed,” and the DJ has not since self-identified as gay), one cannot downplay the significance of this moment for hip-hop and the black community as a whole.

The most notable aspect of Mister Cee’s revelation has been the outpour of support from his fellow radio hosts and many respected people within the hip-hop industry, such as The Roots’ drummer Questlove and Grammy-winning MC Big Daddy Kane.

theGrio | On Mister Cee’s revelations and black transgender community acceptance

In addition to theses positive responses, debates still continue over whether Cee’s affirmation of a not-completely-straight identity have advanced gay and transgender acceptance enough.

Not confirming, not denying — for the fans

Soul musician Janelle Monae reportedly avoided declaring any particular affinity for loving men or women. After the release of her The Electric Lady album, listeners have been analyzing lines from it such as, “Am I a freak because I love watching Mary?”

One song called “Givin Em What They Love,” mentions a woman following Monae into a lobby looking for what she describes as “some undercover love.”

Does Monae, known for her menswear styles, just want to keep her personal life private, appeal to her gay fan base, or both?

During a recent interview with Sway in the Morning, she explained, “Women are amazing… and so are guys. There’s nothing wrong with being bisexual, there’s nothing wrong with being lesbian or gay. I am an advocate. I have friends who are in same-sex relationships and I feel love has no sexual orientation. Life has no religious belief. Love is the purest and most important thing we can possess for ourselves and for others.”

Monae feels her sexual identity is also a business consideration.

“I keep my personal life very much to myself. I want everybody to focus on my music,” she continued. “I also don’t want to let anybody down. I want women to still be attracted to me. Go get my album! I want men to still be attracted to me, so I have to be political in this. So, I can’t really tell y’all!”

Gender, sexuality bending: Not new for blacks

One thing is for certain: gay-themed lyrics and ensembles that break gender roles are nothing new in black American entertainment. When measuring our “progress” on LGBT acceptance as a community, it’s important to remember where we were not too long ago.

“The blues of the early 20th century had plenty of references to women who loved other women romantically, and gender bending styles were popular for black male musical artists,” explained Dr. Perry. “We need to keep that history in our collective memories.”

At a time where cringe-worthy phrases like “no homo” and “that’s so gay” are still hurled everywhere, it’s refreshing to see public figures like Monae and Booker embrace an association with the LGBT community, even without “coming out.”

Perhaps this is an indication of what the polls already show: attitudes around LGBT acceptance across America, including communities of color, are at an all time high.

So, people may not need to come out in the old school sense of gathering everyone they know, or holding a press conference, to make an announcement. Most people may no longer care either way.

The reality, however, is that destructive hostility and a lack of protections still exist for millions of gays.

Needed: More conversations on sexuality

In most states, a person can be legally fired based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. About a quarter of black LGBT students have missed at least one full day of school in the past month because they felt unsafe, or uncomfortable. And in 2012, 73.1 percent of anti-LGBT murder victims were people of color. The staggering stats go on.

Thus, even if there is more acceptance than ever, it may be the case that some of our most popular African-Americans would be helping further gay rights if they did make explicit statements. These statistics show there is still much work to be done.

“Without the declarations by those who are rumored to be LGBT, we are only left with innuendo and the presumption of shame and even the unintentional message that to be a successful LGBT person of color, one must live in the shadows,” said Wilson Cruz, National Spokesperson at LGBT media watchdog GLAAD. “When more LGBT people of color come out, the act itself will generate the long needed discussion that only visibility can create.”

We don’t know for certain whether Cory Booker, Janelle Monae, Raven-Symoné, Mister Cee or Michael Jordan’s daughter are gay, and we did not reach out to them for comment for this essay. In many ways, in keeping with the idea of a post-gay moment, it doesn’t matter. What matters most is that their actions have started a conversation about LGBT rights.

Their ways of engaging in dialogue complement the direct act of coming out of people such as NBA player Jason Collins. Both ways of addressing gay acceptance have their place, as society continues its evolution.

It’s critical we keep the conversation going.

Kimberley McLeod is a D.C.-based media strategist and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of ELIXHER, an award-winning online destination for Black LGBT women. Follow her on Twitter @KimKMcLeod.

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