We defy The Gay Stereotypes:

We Defy Gay Stereotypical Behavior!

Today I read an article which was researched by Frank Leon Robert's of San Francisco Chronicle on 'Sexual Stereotypes.' It dealt primarily with the current expression/term Down Low life! This article (to my mind) has thrown some more light on the Down Low activities in the Afro- Latino American Sub-culture. He stressed that most Men who identify as Down Low are quite comfortable with this position/attitude.

They will take great pains to secure and protect this new identity from their families-co-workers-church comrades & friends (outside the life). He also stated that the Down Low sexuall activities within the Male Communities Of Color is a Show Of Defiance to The White Gay community that we (Blacks) do not concur or condone your type & expression of Sexual Identity or preference!

We as a community have different cultural experiences peculiar to ourselves, which prevents us from embracing your social position openly.

For example;
*A Black or Latino male who cannot provide the means of livelihood for his family does not get the respect as a man should within his community.

*A Black or latino male who has little or no education; has no job (permanent or temporary), cannot make definite plans for raising a family or saving for his child's college education.

*A Black or Latino male who is not married after around 25 years of age; is not seen regularly with women; is not perceived as a womanizer within his community, cannot expect to get the same social acceptance from his peers as the White male could.

*And finally; historically the black male was never allowed to manage his own house, because invariably his family was either on 'Welfare,' he was in 'Prison,' or hounded by the Child Support Court for accrued payments. Which invariably he could not provide (regularly), even if he wanted to!

These are just some of the things which have impacted the Heterosexual, & Bisexual Community, within the Black & Latino Communities of Color. They, by and large feel that this position of "Down low" is theirs to keep, to own, because it gives them the feeling of FREEDOM from Stereotypes hitherto, seen as BAD or Non-Black!

Peace!
Derryck S. Griffith.
Political Educator & Advocate.
Yahoo IM: mimbari2003