• ELIXHER
• On November 8, 2013

A roundup of the top Black LGBT news stories (11/2/13 - 11/8/13).

In Historic First, Senate Approves ENDA

For the first time in history, the U.S. Senate has approved a bill that would outlaw discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The final vote was 64-32 in favor of passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on to the House of Representatives.

More on Advocate.

America’s Grotesque Amusement: The Joke is on Black Women Again

This past weekend, Kerry Washington became only the eighth Black woman to host “Saturday Night Live.” The paltry representation of black women on “SNL” is obviously shameful: In the 38-year history of the show, there have only been four black women cast members, averaging about one per decade.

The show attempted to poke fun at its own sexualized racism (and racialized sexism) without of course ever calling it that, by putting up a statement apologizing for its lack of black female cast members — after a particularly funny sketch in which Kerry Washington was asked to play Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé in a span of about five minutes.

Unfortunately, the show undercut its own attempt at self-deprecation, by ending its public service announcement by saying: “we agree this is not an ideal situation and look forward to rectifying it in the near future … unless of course we fall in love with another white guy first.”

I get the attempt at irony. But who ain’t laughing is me. How can I, when the joke seems to be on black women?

Continue reading on Salon.

No Country for Gay Greeks?

For LGBT members of NPHC organizations, the air of secrecy around revealing one’s sexual identity is undeniable. In organizations people seek to find a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood, the need to hide their sexual identity is still a challenge. Morgan State University Kappa Alpha Psi hopeful Brian Stewart recently wrote to university administration and members of the media to express his dismay at being denied entrance into the organization because of his sexual orientation.

“Prior to starting my process [of declaring interest and pledging Kappa Alpha Psi], I received a phone call from a member within the fraternity informing me that it would be ‘impossible to join the chapter’ because the chapter [specifically held] a meeting regarding the issues of not allowing anymore ‘gay members’ into the chapter,” Stewart wrote.

More at HBCU Digest.

WATCH: Surprise Lesbian Marriage Proposal

Grab the Kleenex and check out the footage from this touching marriage proposal. Stephisha Walton popped the question to her then girlfriend Viveca Ycoy while they were on vacation in Hawaii. The proposal started off with a scavenger hunt that began at their resort villa. The last clue led Viveca to Stephisha on the beach where she said:

“I thank you for making me better, for loving me, showing me the things that I did what in life even though I didn’t know that I wanted them. I thank you for sharing your family with me. I thank you for allowing me to adopt your best friends and make them my own. I thank you for everything you’ve given me and I look forward everything else to come…I want to ask you if you’d give me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me. Will you marry me?”

Congrats to the beautiful couple!

via Black Lesbians United

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