Please check out The Darthmouth Free Press‘ “Black Sexuality: Overcoming Homophobia,” featuring my perspective on various topics. This article was inspired by my recent appearance as part of the “Disrobed: An Exposé of Black Sexuality” panel at Yale University’s 14th Annual Black Solidarity Conference.
Rutgers University Senior Dymir Arthur brought up these concerns, questioning the panel about “religion and homophobia within the black Church.” With a piercing, concerned glare, B. Scott nodded his head and cracked a slight smile before deeming it “ironic [that] homophobia exists within the [black] Church.” He further stated that a “large portion of the choir members, deacons, and sometimes the preachers” engage in homosexual activity or openly identify themselves as gay. The irony comes into play when, according to B. Scott, ministers then stand before their congregations and “focus on the condemnation of men,” rather than “focus[ing] on teaching others to become more Christ-like, who teaches all to love, accept, and uplift fellow men.” The message is clear. According to B. Scott, these “Men of God” are essentially “responsible” for many things, including “the increase in HIV/AIDS cases and teen pregnancies” in the black community because they refuse to “talk about these things in church.” This in turn creates “a mentality that people should be ashamed of themselves,” leading to a decrease in the use of protection during sexual encounters. B. Scott further said that when people fail to practice safe-sex methods, they develop a sense of “worthlessness” and a “loss of respect for themselves and for the people they’re involved with.”
Read the full article after the jump or on The Dartmouth Free Press‘ official website. CONTINUE READING
THE 
