Is The LGBT+ Community Racist?

A recent report from Stonewall has produced a sobering statistic; half of all black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ people have experienced discrimination from their own local LGBT+ community. That number jumps to one in three (or 61 percent) when you look at just black people. These numbers come from a YouGov polling of over 5,000 people across the UK.

FS Magazine did a similar survey of 850 readers, their numbers are even higher. 75 percent of black men, 86 percent of Asian men, and 100 percent of Arab men have said they have experienced discrimination from their LGBT+ community.

“This research gives a worrying insight into just how serious a problem prejudice is within our community, and we need to talk about it,” said Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive, Stonewall UK.

“Users of dating apps will be familiar with phrases like ‘No blacks, no Asians’ and ‘No chocolate, no curry, no rice, no spice’ becoming the modern-day versions of ‘No blacks, no dogs, no Gypsies’.

“Both online and in their daily lives, LGBT+ people of colour are excluded and face stereotyping from their white peers. This leaves BAME (black, Asian, minority ethnic) LGBT+ people feeling unwelcome within the wider community.”

"Half of all black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT+ people have experienced discrimination from their own local LGBT+ community."

“Racism isn’t just a word, it’s an experience,” adds Vernal Scott, an HIV activist, renowned author, and local government diversity lead officer. “It scars to the very soul and carries an impact akin to the death of someone close; you will forever relive the time and place of its occurrence, especially how it made you feel, the hurt and damage to your dignity and self-esteem. A white gay man cannot comprehend, or more importantly, feel the experience of being black and gay – and the ‘double minority’ status and discrimination that come with it.”

It is within that intersectionality, or double minority status, that LGBT+ people of colour face a myriad of discrimination and biases.

A 2010 reportfrom Stonewall found that among the general black and Asian population of the UK only 42 percent accepted homosexuality – compared to 88 percent acceptance from the white general population.

“Yes we have LGBT+ rights, but only for the white community,” said Manjinder Sidhu, and LGBT+ activist and author of Bollywood Gay. “The BAME community are left alone dealing with the repercussions. I counsel so many who are suicidal, forced to marry someone of the opposite sex, or worse. It’s not about the white LGBT+ scene saying, ‘that’s their issue, they’ve got to break free from it’. We need white LGBT+ allies.”

While BAME LGBT+ people are facing homophobia from BAME communities, they’re also facing racism from the LGBT+ community.

“Some weeks ago I was called a 'Paki' and told to 'go back home'. This abuse took place in a street in broad day light in an LGBT area of my city,” wrote Pav Akhtar, Director of UK Black Pride. “I have no doubt the perpetrator felt some entitlement over my body and sexuality.”

“I am either a sexual fetish to other guys or they completely ignore me, there’s not much in between,” said Balwinder, 36 from London. “Some guys ask if they can touch my turban or beard, saying it turns them on.”

“I’ve been called a ‘slave coon’ before by someone who was into raceplay. It was genuinely a random first message he sent to me like it was so normal and acceptable,” said Marcus, 28 from London.

“I often have trouble getting into clubs popular with the white gay community,” said Mike, 25 from London. “They often use the excuse that I look straight. I often need to go with white friends.”

“I am either a sexual fetish to other guys or they completely ignore me, there’s not much in between.”

“I’ve been singled out and told to wait at the door of a club whilst my white friends went straight through leaving me outside,” said Wayne, 31 from London. “I’ve never been denied access but delayed. I’m almost always asked ‘have you been here before?’”

“The gay scene has always been disenfranchised, discriminatory, childish, confused, full of shame, guilt and addictions,” adds Manjinder. “The bullied carry on bullying. Misogyny, sexism, racism, femaphobia, anti trans, etc, has been in the scene since before I was born, and they still exist.”

Stonewall argues that the only way for our community to go forward is for us to acknowledge the problem and listen to each other. “We all need to lead the way in tackling exclusion and promoting acceptance in our communities,” the report writes. “And that work starts by listening to the experiences of people who have been marginalised and excluded within our communities.”

The report also suggests LGBT+ organisations ensure there is more diversity in decision-making groups, that they partner with BAME groups, and that employees are given anti-discrimination training.

“It’s only by working together that we can create a world where all LGBT+ people are accepted without exception,” Hunt concludes.

By Tim Gibson

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