How a Decade of Black Queer Expression is Reshaping Our Future

From Billy Porter’s soft yet stunning red carpet fashions, having an openly gay black rapper chart a number one song, and the recent plans to rename a NYC state park after a pivotal black trans woman, the black queer experience can no longer be described as just “being visible.” It’s 2020 and we as black queer individuals have further established our presence in society. As we enter into this new decade and settle into a new year, our community can no longer be described as being “in the closet.” In the words of black queer rapper Saucy Santana, “SAWEEEETIE,”we now own the house.

Aside from political assaults and legislative actions mixed with what seems like uneducated public opinion about the black queer community, we have still shown that through our resilience, our truth will be felt and conveyed how WE want it to be. This past decade there has been continuous mobilization through organizations such as MOBI (Mobilizing our Brothers Initiative), The Counter Narrative Project, He is Valuable, and The Mahogany Project which seeks to empower black queer/trans communities through art, spoken word, and education. Even black queer-led community initiatives like Duval Folx (Jacksonville, Fl), Massisi (Miami, FL), and Papi Juice (NYC) have made intentional efforts to provide safe queer spaces for POCs and shift the way we as a community socialize with each other from likes and taps on an app, to in-person group celebration. We have reached a stage where we aren't going to wait for help, but take it upon ourselves to create it.

We’ve been monumental in civil rights through the creation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, especially as it pertains to advocating for our countless lost black and brown trans sisters. We have challenged the law and its authority by showing we will not be complacent with any type of treatment. Our spirit of determination expands even more and the love we have poured into ourselves and our community has given hope and openness for others to learn from. When we see heartfelt images of black queer embrace, or hear commentary from Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union’s family showing unwavering support of their child’s identity at a young age, it proves that our efforts have not been in vain.

2020 is the start of the decade where we as black queer/trans people “level up.” We already started the ground work and now the foundation for our empowerment and success is being set. By providing more inclusive safe spaces, community resources and speaking out, we open new doors for growth for the generations that come after us. Decades symbolize not only the notion of moving forward, but the notion of moving higher. Through our art, music, and craft we give greater expression to our community's needs and desires. However, in this new age, it is through our community’s love and unity that we are able to lift ourselves higher than what we once thought before.

Out of the Closet and Into the Mirror