African American Families Still Struggle with Gay and Lesbian Youth and Stigma

More and more, we are seeing the lives of gays and lesbians on t.v., so we assume that everyone is now starting to accept differences between each other, but that's not so.  Despite having so many gays and lesbians out in public and on televisions shows like "The Wire and The Real House Wives of Atlanta," African Americans are still slower when accepting their child's sexuality.  

Along with religion, many African American parents feared that their children would be facing a double discrimination.  One for the child's sexual orientation, the other for race.  Parents usually are concerned that their daughter would face discrimination because of gender, and their gay sons for being a black male. Some families believe that homosexuality seems to make it harder to climb out of poverty, to attain success, or the fear that their child could become HIV infected more easily.

African American families sometimes also share a sense of shame in the community when their family member is gay.  Many hear comments in the community that 'they learned this sickness from the white man, that this is something that will hold the black man down, that there is a sin or a curse placed on the family.'  The stigma can be overwhelming.  

So will African American families open up more regarding homosexuality?  Chances are yes.  With more and more leaders coming out, and many gays and lesbians proving that they can still acquire a successful career and provide a life out of poverty, many families will begin to shift their worries and concerns to possibilities and differences.