CAMP Talk

It is truly time that some African-American males get a grip. Ever since the birth of the gay liberation movement in the late 1960s, gay black men have been much slower to come out of the closet than their while counterparts. And, for decades, the reluctance of black men to identify themselves as gay has been forgiven because it was so difficult for them to deal with racism, without having to cope with homophobia as well.

But this is the 21st century, and the old excuses grow weaker with each passing year. Now, it’s just plain aggravating to read of the rising popularity of parties for men on the "down-low." For any of you who haven’t heard the term, the down-low crowd refers to African-American males who enjoy having sex—often unprotected and usually in group situations—with other guys, but who vehemently deny that they are gay or bisexual. In many cases, these men also have wives or girlfriends who aren’t let in on their clandestine activities. Writer E. Lynn Harris has covered the subject in several books, and a musical adaptation of Harris’ story "Not A Day Goes By" continues to spotlight the controversy—which is more than a simple question of deceiving one’s self, one’s partner and the public.

As with any anonymous sex, the real problem with fooling around on the down-low is the potential for spreading sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. A recent report on Black Entertainment Television quotes studies "suggesting that some 30 percent of all African-American bisexual males have the HIV infection—and 90 percent of that number do not know they are infected."

If those figures are even close to the truth, they present a stunning indictment of the down-low crowd, many of whose participants are highly educated professional people, athletes and entertainers. These are men who have overcome a lot to achieve affluence and stature in society, but who still are fearful of telling themselves the truth.

Then there’s the matter of the women in their lives, who too often seem to be suffering the consequences of the men’s behavior. According to BET reporter Kweli Wright, "Government studies of 29 states show that an African- American woman is 23 times more likely to be infected with AIDS than a white woman. In addition, black women accounted for 71.8 percent of new HIV cases in women from 1999 to 2002. While the recent number of infections has stabilized, the incidence of picking up the disease through heterosexual sex has increased."

Whether we’re black, white, Hispanic or Asian, and whether we’re gay, straight or bisexual, it’s way past time to stop lying to our partners—and ourselves—about the nature and number of our sexual encounters. And for those who insist on playing games in a crowded closet, you had better grab some protection and then get real! Remember, you are what you do.

Speaking of hypocrisy, did you read of the guesthouse in Key West that recently was accused of throwing out several guests for being heterosexual? The evicted couples, vacationing with gay friends, complained that the they had already settled into their rooms when the inn’s manager informed them they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property. According to one of the guests, the manager "said he had to appeal to the majority, and the majority of guests wouldn’t want straight people there."

If there’s one thing that all Americans—gay people in particular—need to realize it’s the importance of protecting the rights of the minority, even when affording such protection is at odds with the will of the majority.

Key West, of course, has a strong law in place to protect everyone from housing discrimination—even heterosexuals. However, in another Florida town, Manalapan, everybody seems at risk of losing their right to privacy. Manalapan is installing cameras and computers to run background checks on every car and driver that passes through the wealthy residential community of 320 residents near West Palm Beach.

Police Chief Clay Walker told the Associated Press that cameras will take infrared photographs to record a car’s license tag number. Then the commuters’ software will automatically run the tags through law-enforcement databases. Police will be dispatched if a car or its owner is the subject of a "be on the lookout" warning. What’s perhaps even more frightening is that a second camera will take a picture of the driver, and the computer will comb records to learn more about exactly who is moving through town on a given day or night.

As the technology improves, the local gendarmes undoubtedly will be able to peer even closer into the cars of local drivers, determining whether they wear boxers or "tightie-whities," and whether those Gucci handbags are knockoffs or genuine.

With a tip of the hat to John Ashcroft, social progress marches on. And 2004 seems more like 1984 every day.