Black Television is changing the way they depict gay black men!

In recent years, Black television has been pushing the fold in a positive direction by highlighting the black queer experience. In the past, the stories sometimes revolved around stereotypes or sexual health awareness issues, but now it has changed. The change is for the better. Now the Black queer characters are more interwined in the shows purpose to bring a new consciousness and understanding what it means to be black and queer. Recently, I watched three shows Grownish, The Upshaws and Family Reunion which all showcased a more current narrative on black queer life. From challenging the social normative to illustrating the power of love, these shows are winning when it comes to creating more dialogue on the black queer experience. 

Grownish – Challenging the Black Queer Narrative

The track superstar sister Jazz Foster played by Chloe Bailey is smittened by an unexpected return of a former teammate Des played by Franklin Will. As Jazz works to get over her own personal issues she finds herself attracted to Des who she knows to be openly gay. When he informs her that he is sexually fluid without any labels to force him to choose a sexual identity she then feels more comfortable to pursue her feelings towards. This is short lived as they go on their first official date and Des shows up wearing a skirt. Though he is completely comfortable wearing it , Jazz is immediately met with hesitation due to her own conflicting feelings. Through the series she struggles with it and even tells her friends “I know it’s a me thing and not a him thing.”

The beauty in this situation is that you Des a college athlete proud to be who he is while still not conforming even when faced with a love interest who informs him directly that she has a problem with clothing of choice. But Chloe, a young black woman though with conflicting emotions, is open and honest about them with her friends where she puts the attention on her problem with it while not putting a negative connotation on his choices. Here we see how significant it can be to make sure you keep your internal battles to yourself and not make them an external issue for others. 

The Upshaw’s – Showcasing Family Acceptance

An instant hit on Netflix, the original television show The Upshaws starring Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Wanda Sykes, and new up and coming star Jermelle Jameson. Jameson’s character Bernard Upshaw who we find out is gay during an episode where his mother Regina  played by Kim Fields sees him being a little too intimate in the same bar. Regina talked to her older sister Lucretia played by Wanda Sykes. Lucretia talks to Bernard informing him to tell his family, but he states he doesn’t because of how his dad will react. To Bernard’s surprise his family members react opposite of what he thought. His mother told him she already know and she was waiting on him, his younger brother said in another episode that he already know and it doesn’t bother him, and lastly when he finally told his father he let him know he still loves him the same.  

The powerful imagery and message behind Bernard’s interaction with his family was that it showcased a black family that not only accepted him but didn’t attempt to force him to change nor come out on their terms. They gave him room to be himself, speak his truth, and to remind him that he is loved and nothing has changed. This can serve as a true example for families who have members coming out and identifying themselves as queer and how love is the ultimate thing they need to receive. 

Family Reunion – I’m still the same person

The new family comedy on Netflix stars Loretta Devine, Tia Mowry, Richard Roundtree, and Anthony Alabi. In season four we are introduced to cousin Barron played by P-Valley breakout star Nicco Annan. Barron is a family favorite who is in the entertainment industry who brings home his “friend” who he later reveals is his boyfriend to whom he is now engaged. Family members Shaka played by Isaiah Russell-Bailey and Granpa played by Richard Roundtree are both caught off guard for different reasons. Shaka who is the second oldest out of the siblings of Tia and Anthony’s characters feels both lied to and thinks he will be guided now. Prior to that Barron was his favorite to do TikTok videos and challenges. It takes his younger brother Mazzi to remind him that Barron is still the same person and this shouldn’t bother him. For Grandpa the issue was he felt that he hadn’t done right by raising him for the world as he made a promise to his sister to raise Barron a certain way. Grandpa later has a realization that it was because how the world treats the LGBTQIA community was his biggest concern, not Barron’s sexuality per se. 

What stood out the most here is that this episode didn’t focus on Barron, but rather focused on the other family members who had to deal with their own insecurities and false notions on what it meant to be gay. This can help others understand how important it is to control their fears and not projection them on others. It is from fear that hates brews and without misconceptions, misunderstandings, and miscommunication that ruins relationships. Unconditional love is the key takeaway because with that the individual accepts the person for who they truly are without any project notions on who you would like them to be to be more convenient for you.