“Here’s to Life,” Latrice Royale’s one woman show is not just a show, it’s an inspirational and uplifting journey through her life. I had the pleasure and honor of going to her opening night show and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s an unexpected gem and a show everyone should go and see. During the show we were taken on an emotional walk through Latrice’s trials and tribulations. Those trials and tribulations have made her the person she is today; a person I respect and admire.
If you’re not familiar with her story, it’s one that will have you in tears and rejoicing, all at the same time. It’s a compelling story but one that will uplift you. Honestly, I had to hold back the tears during the show to avoid the ugly cry.
Believe it or not, all of her NYC shows are sold out. As I scanned throughout the audience I didn’t see a lot of African-American gay men in the audience. This shocking revelation stirred up mixed emotions within me because in my opinion, the African-American community in general has been known NOT to support one another. It’s something I have also noticed all my life but recently started to notice that it also exists in the gay community.
It’s alarming to me because it’s important for African-American gay men and women to support one another in a world where white “gay” men and women are most represented in the community.
“Even history books can confirm how long black people have been in competition with one another. Divided by skin complexion as house and field Negroes, we were forced to create segregation within our own race. Trickling down from generation to generation, black people seem to still embody this desire to compete and tear one another down. Could this be why black people don’t support each other?
“The Mexican and Chinese cultures will come over to the United States and perfect their crafts just to return back to their homes and give back. They continuously support their people in any endeavor they attempt to pursue. Unlike other races where they are prideful of their people no matter the socio-economic status or difference in skin complexion, black people rather separate the haves and have-nots within their race.” (Old School 100.3)
It’s also something I believe the black gay community suffers from. It’s a plague that needs to be cured. Black men and women, gay and straight are still mentally enslaved to this day.
African-American gay men can go rapid in their explanation why they love African-American gay artists or performers but then why not buy their music or a ticket to their show? They’d rather take the cheap way out and watch video clips of their shows or take the leaked version of the artist’s music as opposed to paying for it.
I agree with the website Old School 100.3, in order for more gay black men to succeed, more gay men must start supporting one another instead of waiting for them to fail. We have to uplift one another to make a difference.
Latrice Royale’s show is a raw journey that I believe anyone can relate to. I believe more gay black men in our society have similar stories, which is why I am surprised I did not see more gay black men in the audience.
When it comes to this topic of black men and women not supporting one another there are a lot of different opinions. Like NEWSONE who writes, “stop saying black people don’t support each other economically. It’s a common refrain in conversations around sociopolitical uplift for the Black community and many come to the conclusion that Blacks just don’t show each other the same kind of financial love that you see in other racial and ethnic groups. Here’s the thing, however: that’s a myth.”
I believe, however, the issue of gay African-American men and women not supporting one another goes much deeper. Gay men and the support for one another starts at home because the black community does not support gay rights or for that matter have a solid foundation of acceptance when it comes to being gay.
Actress Kerry Washington herself addressed the issue of the black community not supporting gay rights but she also outlined the inequalities that exist in various communities during the 26th Annual GLADD Media Awards, where she was honored with the Vanguard Award. “Women, poor people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people, intersex people: we have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of ‘other,’” she said.
She also added, “As others, we are taught that to be successful, we must reject those other others, or we will never belong. We can’t say that we believe in each other’s fundamental humanity and then turn a blind eye to the reality of each others’ existence and the truth of each other’s hearts. We must be allies. And we must be allies in this business because to be represented is to be humanized. And as long as anyone, anywhere is being made to feel less human, our very definition of humanity is at stake and we are all vulnerable.”
Kerry hit home when she said that “we can’t turn a blind eye to the reality of each other’s existence.” Latrice Royale exemplified that statement when I met her.
A year ago I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Latrice Royale for Kinkster Mag (NYC) but it was done via email so we never met in person. To my surprise as soon, as I walked in the room to meet her and before I could get my entire name out, Latrice knew exactly who I was and greeted me with open arms. Not only is she an amazing person she inspired me that night to address this issue.
Her show “Here’s To Life” gave me so much to think about. I walked away with so much more than I expected. I learned that it’s important for us to encourage ourselves but I will not deny it’s amazing when you’re greeted by another member of your community with open arms, in this case another gay African-American man. It’s a feeling I can’t describe. Oprah Winfrey said it best, “I see you. I hear you.”
Latrice’s success is her own, she worked hard for it and as another African-American gay male who takes pride in supporting other gay men, I am proud of her accomplishments. I’m happy she is selling out shows, regardless of who is purchasing the tickets.
However, I would like to see a change within the community. I hope one day all communities and genders will stop competing with one another and start working as a unified unit.
