For the record

I take Pam's point:

For those of us who are black and gay, a group too often marginalized within a marginalized community, I see this as a clear signal to the LGBT advocacy community. There hasn't been enough outreach to those groups who voted against us. We haven't reached them; there hasn't been enough effort expended.

And Andrew's:

There is a difference between blaming African Americans and recognizing that the black community needs to be engaged more energetically on this issue.

As a member of said community, expect me to be more engaged--and perhaps more importantly, engaged with people I know may not want to be engaged. I believe in the moral obligation here. But there's something else. I have repeatedly said that it's in white people's interest to confront racism, that they shouldn't do it as a favor, that they shouldn't lend us a hand, but that they should recognize that it's the best thing for their kids. This is even more true for black people and homophobia. We need all the community we can get. And in these times--like white people and racism--dissing people who want to make family is a luxury we really don't have.

And then there's the obvious detriment of homophobia--the appalling HIV stats in our community. I always thought the absolute worse part of the Rev. Wright fiasco wasn't his quasi-damning of America, but the pushing of conspiracy theories in regards to HIV. It didn't make it better that it came from a guy who's been doing exactly the sort of outreach we need more of from the black church. Talk to black health professionals out in the field--they understand where the notion comes from, but they hate it all the same. Our unwillingness to talk pushes serious issues under the table. This shit will kill us. It's not a game.