Too Black To Be Queer

Am I too Black to be queer

Or does a man's love for his own sex

take away from the love of his skin?

Please tell me, Phillis Wheatley,

Do the chains of slavery not bind those

Of queer black men and women just like the rest

Or do broke wrists of male femmes slip from the shackles

and the broad shoulders of butch queens not scar from

the whip’s kiss?

Please explain to me, Maya Angelou,

Am I not invited to the cookout?

Should I shrivel up and hide during the Juneteenth celebrations?

Were we not arm in arm with Transwomen at the rebellion

Only to pass out Civil rights to the few like rations?

I beg you, Jericho Brown,

Please continue to show our community that Black

Is a color that results from the absence of hate

and the absorption of all those who honor it.

Let us come together like hands that pray to Jehovah-jireh.

I beg you, Danez Smith,

Please continue to show us that Black, queer, HIV-positive people are still Black people

And if we don't mind suffering and fighting together

We should embrace and celebrate each other, as well.

I beg you, Black people,

See me as your son, brother, father, partner, and protector

Because there's no such thing as too queer to be Black.

Published Mar 18, 2021
Updated Jul 31, 2022

Published in Issue IX: Community

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