B5's Dustin Michael Reveals Relationship With D. Smith, Condemns Violence Against Trans Women
May 10, 2023B5's Dustin Michael is revealing he's in a “very beautiful relationship” with trans director D. Smith.
The R&B singer, 35, shared a video on Instagram Tuesday, addressing the stigma of dating trans women and why he chose now to discuss his relationship.
“I'm in a very beautiful relationship with someone who makes me very happy. She's very sexy, very talented. And most of all, she has a beautiful kind of spirit, which I love. My girlfriend, she is transgender. Her name is D. Smith,” Michael shared.
Image Credit: Pixabay
As ‘USA Today’ writes, Michael explained that after the fatal shooting of Koko Da Doll, real name Rasheeda Williams, in Atlanta last month, he didn't want to contribute to the violence of trans women. Koko had gained notice earlier this year when she and others appeared in the documentary ‘Kokomo City,’ describing her life as a trans woman, her interactions with Black men as a sex worker and the threats of violence she sometimes faced.
Smith directed ‘Kokomo City.’
“After Koko's death, I wanted to make it very clear to (D. Smith) that she has a place that she can feel safe and free with and basically feel seen and loved without any conditions,” Michael said. “I don't want to be one of those men benefiting from a trans woman in private and I celebrate her publicly.”
Smith reposted Michael's video. “I’m so proud of you. We’ve known each other for almost 10 years now and every moment with you was always validating,” she captioned the post. “So many men only dream of being as brave as you are.”
She added: “Thank you for being the example of a human just loving a human. I’m so grateful for your heart, ambition and spirit! I love you.”
Michael further explained in his video that Koko's story “hit me close to home because I feel as men, Black men, we're not allowing ourselves to love who we want to love openly without fearing being judged and shamed publicly.”
The B5 singer said Black men are taught as children that being sexually ambiguous is wrong and “that we learn to suppress certain feelings, but we don't ever grow up and really learn to deal with them” in adulthood.
He continued, “Sometimes that emotional trauma can basically lead to violence or death, which brings me to why I'm doing this video.”
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