is being white and on the “DL” the same as being black and on the “DL?”

Of course not! H. Alexander Robinson (left), CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (”an organization that works with our communities and allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia”), authored one of the most thoughtful and relevant analyses of the Larry Craig public restroom scandal that I have come across.

He addresses the importance of distinguishing gay sexual behavior, sexual identity and sexual orientation. He suggests that it is altogether possible for Sen. Craig to have engaged in the alleged behavior AND not be gay? Why? Because gay behavior, he says, is not necessarily gay sexual orientation. Gay orientation inures from the emotional desire to partner with an individual of the same sex. It is possible, even if not desirable of preferred, for anyone to engage in physical, sexual activity with someone of the same sex. That does not make the person gay, Robinson notes.

Further, because gay identity is almost exclusively seen and portrayed as that of white men and their lives, Robinson reminds that members of the Black community have for years rejected the term “gay” and instead have embraced the term same-gender-loving (SGL) because of a perceived lack of regard for people of color, their issues or situations within the gay community. The disparity of treatment can even be seen in the DL phenomenon.

For those unaware, being on the DL (or “down low”) typically describes self-identifying heterosexual men who have sex with men outside of their relationships with women. It can now be said that former New Jersey Governor McGreevey and Sen. Craig are, or at some point have been, “on the DL.” But, the disparate treatment is not lost on Robinson. He recalls Jonathan Plummer’s (Terry McMillan’s ex) and JL King’s (author of “On the Down Low”) appearances on Oprah and how, like many black men before them, they were crucified for at least indirectly contributing to the spread of aids and sexual predator labels amongst black men. He also mentions how black gays often find steeper penalties and punishment. However, where is that treatment of McGreevey and Craig? The unfairness and stigma are clear. Black men carry a heavy burden; add gay behavior or gay orientation and they are pretty much societal parasites, and, in no trivial way, we have our own community to thank for it.

What does this mean for the YBP? I often hesitate to post regarding gay-related issues because I am fully aware that our community and our church still do not accept homosexuality. It makes people uncomfortable; gay men, in particular, are viewed as feminine and weak; generally, families are not talking about it; and save for the Reverend Peter Gomes (Gay, Black, Republican Professor and Reverend at Harvard’s Memorial Church), just about none of our prominent Black Clergy are doing anything to help. But, I so loved Robinson’s piece because it reminded me of something my minister often says: she seeks to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. We have gotten too comfortable with labels, boxes and their corresponding judgments. We have gotten too accepting and downright inhumane and unconstitutional in our treatment of our own brothers and sisters. Homophobia and homophobics in the black community are not even aware of how their own intolerance is backfiring by immortalizing all of us as somehow weak, destructive and inadequate.

Robinson concluded, in part, by stating:

If any value should come from Sen. Craig’s restroom incident it should teach us to seek a deeper understanding of the fluidity of sexuality, give less condemnation of sexual repression gone wild, and then openly admit that all men black, white, Latino, and Asian have the propensity of engaging in illicit gay sexual behavior.

I conclude by stating that if anything about gay black culture (or subculture) makes you uncomfortable, I should hope it is how denying, vilifying or legislating it is doing nothing to promote the justice, civil rights or dignity we are all owed and deserve.