Do African-Americans Have 'Special Responsibility' To Support Equality?

In an opinion piece at the New York Daily News today, John McWhorter, author of the provocative book Losing The Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America, argues that though African-Americans' opinions on gay rights are basically on par with the rest of the nation, they have a greater obligation to stand up for equality.

From that piece, called "Gay Really Is The New Black:"

The percentage of blacks who favor gay marriage is about the same now as the percentage of whites, according to a Pew poll taken during the last election season. "One of the striking results in the 2012 exit polls was the support for legalizing gay marriage among black voters," that poll noted.

However, rising support isn't enough — we must keep going. When Michael Richards spouted the N-word on stage, he was shamed by the nation for weeks. It won't do for Tracy Morgan to get a mere slap on the hand for crowing that he would stab his son if he turned out to be were gay.

As a consequence of its painful heritage, black America has a special responsibility: to be further ahead of the curve than whites on accepting gay people as full citizens.

The Bible cannot be used as an excuse to hold us back. We should remember that racists once also appealed to the Bible to justify segregation, slavery and all manners of hatred. Let's be progressive for real this time around.

McWhorter goes on to say the real test will come when a closeted black celebrity comes out, someone really A-list. "Wanda Sykes, Don Lemon and rapper Frank Ocean have been noble pioneers — but then again, none are megastars or play romantic parts," he writes.

LGBT Celebrities Speak Out for Obama: VIDEO

Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Chaz Bono, George Takei, Zachary Quinto, Wanda Sykes, and Billie Jean King speak out about Obama's LGBT accomplishments and what it means to them in a new video for the campaign.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

And remember, get out and vote!

Wanda Sykes To Headline Logo's Election Coverage

Gay cable channel Logo has caught election fever. The Hollywood Reporter passes on word that the Viacom-owned outlet will air two civic-minded specials before the November election.

The first will air directly after the Democrats and Republicans wrap up their national conventions and the other hits the waves on election eve. Both are being hosted by out comedienne Wanda Sykes, who said "I'm excited to be working with Logo, the network that offers a voice to the LGBT community."

"These specials will be thought provoking, exciting and the perfect forum to discuss important issues facing our community. Plus, it is Logo so maybe I'll get to dress in drag!”

Logo General Manager Lisa Sherman had a more measured tone about it all, telling THR, "While there has been much progress in civil rights for LGBT Americans over the course of the past few years, this is a crucial time for our community and our quest for equality on all fronts. Wanda will be the perfect host for the specials, providing her one-of-a-kind take on LGBT concerns and challenges."

NAACP CEO Ben Jealous Asked About Homophobia Within Organization: VIDEO

No More Down Low attended the LGBT Town Hall meeting at the recent NAACP convention in Los Angeles. The town hall featured remarks by CNN achor Don Lemon, as well as a panel featuring Wanda Sykes, former NAACP president Julian Bond, and current NAACP CEO Ben Jealous.

No More Down Low writes:

Mr. Jealous responded saying the gay community should take the NAACP seriously because the NAACP was there with the Human Rights Campaign helping to pass the Matthew Shepard / James Byrd Hate Crimes Bill. The NAACP were champions of fighting Prop 8 in California as well as fighting alongside the LGBT community in Maine, Massachusetts, in Washington D.C. and in Maryland, and in other places. Jealous also said the LGBT community needed to do more ground work in the black community and not come late in the game with an expectation. He also said the black community needed to be treated with the same respect as the other allies of the LGBT community.

Watch their report, AFTER THE JUMP...

Wanda Sykes: Tracy Morgan 'Just Yelled 'Fire’ In A Crowded Theater'

More reactions are pouring in from celebrities and others in the wake of Tracy Morgan's homophobic rant. Yesterday, CNN's Roland Martin defended Morgan in a blog post claiming that Morgan's comedy routine was just that - a routine.

Say I’m wrong. Fine. Say I’m insensitive to gays and lesbians. Fine. I’ll wait for the usual bigots to say that I’m defending Tracy Morgan because he’s black. Fine.

But think for a moment at all the times you’ve laughed at comedians based on the things they had to say. Then ask yourself: Did I laugh, and why?

Sorry, if I’m being honest here and not focusing on political correctness. I just believe that many of you would be shocked and amazed that you laughed hysterically at some of the most sexist, homophobic, racist stuff imaginable by comedians of all shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

Wanda Sykes condemned both Morgan and Martin for foolishly coming to his defense.

I fault the TN lawmakers. They've created an anti-gay environment. Don't believe Tracy would be so ignorant in LA. I do believe in free speech, but for a youth in TN or any other numerous place, Tracy just yelled, ‘Fire,’ in a crowded theater.

Ro, I love and respect you, so I feel that I can tell you that your column is some bullshit. We can do better. Tracy has the right to say whatever he wants to say, just like we have the right to say, not acceptable. and WE as a country. We used to picnic to watch public hangings, but WE figured out, that was some sick shit.

CNN has published an opinion piece by GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. Writes Barrios:

While it is certainly a good thing that Morgan has started to take responsibility for the offensive content of his routine by apologizing publicly to his fans and the gay community, he must do more to balance the harm that his words have inflicted. He could take one profound step to show his sincerity by meeting with parents and young people who have been personally effected by anti-gay violence or family rejection. GLAAD has reached out to Tracy Morgan's publicist and offered to facilitate such a meeting. We implore him to take us up on this.

Wanda Sykes Talks About Her Coming Out, Being Lesbian

Wanda Sykes was on Piers Morgan's program on CNN a few days ago and spoke about the positives and negatives about coming out. She gave him one of her characteristic amusing responses:

"[the best thing about coming is] absolutely nothing to hide. I mean, I am what I am and this is it. So now, you know, you thought I had a big mouth before, now it's just crazy. I'm like over the top, you know. There's nothing that I can't say.

"The worst thing, I guess, is just dealing with it, you know, like with family, and it's not necessarily the worst thing but, man, it's like every day I get invited to some gay event... good Lord, if I go show up at all these gay events, I'm not going to make any money. I'm going to be a broke gay. I'm going to be the brokest lesbian out there."

She also answered a question about whether it is more difficult to be gay than black in the United States. According to her, being gay is more difficult primarily due to the active bigotry created by anti-gay organizations like Focus on the Family and American Family Association.

Watch a clip of that conversation, in which she also talks about what sparked her coming out, AFTER THE JUMP.