Alexandra Vilents
May 22, 2012
Final Paper

Homophobia in the Black Communities.

Homophobia, just like racism and sexism, is a sign of ignorance. Most people who hate or fear gays have either never met a gay person or simply do not understand what homosexuality is. In the black community, masculinity is considered to be the most important feature of a man and if a man is a homosexual, this is not just a matter of his sexual preference, being gay automatically labels you as a “fagget”, a “sissy”, or basically less of a man. Many black families traditionally attend church and thus tend to be very religious. To them homosexuality is a sin. Procreation is highly valued in African American families. Since gay men cannot produce children that makes them an “unwanted” part of this community Metrosexual is a term that can be used to describe a heterosexual urban male who tends to be very considerate of his appearance and has a defined taste in fashion. Metrosexual guys are often called “Fags” because their style and interests may be somewhat different from those of a “manly man”, but this in no way makes them a homosexual. When most men in the black communities think of a gay man this image of a very feminine, metrosexual guy comes to mind. What they do not take into consideration is that one's sexual preference is what makes them gay, not what they are wearing or how they are acting. Black men see homosexuals as a threat to their masculinity. They often think that just because someone is gay they will automatically want to hit on any male that comes along. The notion of “Masculinity” is so deeply instilled into the black communities, many black men feel being gay makes you less of a man, and therefore you cannot provide physical protection to your family. This fear comes from being raised in a traditionally heterosexual family where religion is a big part of