First Black, Gay ‘Survivor’ Contestant Speaks Out About Abuse On The Show
July 20, 2020Brice Izyah, the first-ever black, gay man to compete on the show ‘survivor’ has opened up about the homophobia and racism he faced while on the show.
Izyah was a contestant in the show back in 2014, where he lasted eight days before getting voted off.
“I’m a Black gay man, and I don’t feel like we’re ever properly portrayed,” Izyah says. “A lot of people remain ignorant to our story. I’m a minority in the Black community, and I’m a minority in the LGBTQ community. I feel like I often have to explain my being to someone, which is just crazy.”
Of his portrayal on the show, Izyah doesn’t mince words. “They didn’t know what to do with me,” he says. “I know that there’s some LGBTQ representation, but there’s not a person of color. And I think it’s important to recognize that their experiences as a white LGBTQ person are different than what I live through. I would also really love more representation in front of the screen, more diverse stories, not just tropes of what a gay man is.”
“I’m not at all bitter,” he admits. “I feel blessed to have been able to play the game—I just want to use my voice now to maybe change the outcome for the next LGBTQ, Black, or female person to play, because I loved the show and I wanted to see the show evolve. I want these players to have a chance.”
As ‘Queerty’ reports, after his appearance on ‘Survivor’, Izayh joined fellow former castmate J’Tia Taylor in endorsing a petition urging the producers of the series to include more people of color on the show. That includes casting at least 30% of the show with people of color, hiring people of color in all areas of production and banning “those who have promoted prejudices (e.g., ableism, racism, sexism, white supremacy, religious intolerance, homophobia, transphobia).”
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