Monday, February 4, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013

Greek, gay and married

It started as the Kappa Alpha Psi gay wedding that wasn't really Kappa at all. But it was a gay wedding, all right. And let's be real - the gay part is really what had everybody so up in arms.

Greek, gay and married

POSTED: Friday, October 12, 2012, 5:43 PM

It started as the Kappa Alpha Psi gay wedding that wasn’t really Kappa at all. But it was a gay wedding, all right. And let’s be real – the gay part is really what had everybody so up in arms.

See, the African American community has a big problem when it comes to having conversations about sexuality – especially same-sex sexuality. And when homosexuality infiltrates some of their storied institutions, like its fraternities and sororities, that’s when you have a serious uproar.

And that’s what happened after Robert Brown and Nathanael Gay posted their wedding video on YouTube last month. Because Gay is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity; because the couple chose red and white (the fraternity’s colors) for their wedding palette and because Gay and his frat brothers were photographed throwing up the Kappa identifying “yo” symbol, many folks accused the couple of dishonoring the 101-year-old fraternity, which is headquartered here in Philly.

Gay went on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show this week to set the record straight: No, he said, his wedding had no affiliation with the Greek organization. Yes, he is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, but he was thinking the color of love, not Kappa, when he and Brown chose the color scheme. Besides, the official Kappa colors are crimson and cream, not red and white, he said. “My husband and I were both wearing white tuxedos,” Gay told Joyner.

Cream/white, crimson/red. Tomato/tomahto. It doesn’t matter. What matters is how this controversy had put a damper on a beautiful display of commitment between two people who clearly love each other. And it impresses upon us once more that honest conversation, not homophobic jokes, needs to occur in the African American community before homosexuality is fully accepted, let alone embraced.

If we can’t talk about it, then you’d better believe that gays and lesbians will continue to closet themselves in a fraternity or a sorority near you.

Annette John-Hall @ 5:43 PM Permalink | 6 comments

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Comments (6)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:53 AM, 10/13/2012

They were not honoring the fraternity in any way!

— GREEKPICNIC

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:43 AM, 10/13/2012

good luck to guys i really don't give a dame

— allycat1968

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:42 PM, 10/13/2012

A happy long life together to the young couple!

— EIK

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:19 PM, 10/13/2012

Some problems still cant be written about - gay marriage can though. A black teacher being racially intimidating and bullying a white student cant be. A black actress being excoriated by the black community for not falling in line. A black Suprenme court justice. A black woman secretary of State are all fair game for most vile racial attacks out there and Annette is silent.

— tr88

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:14 PM, 10/14/2012

Not sure how I feel about the whole marriage thing but they did it in style. Also if it wasn't meant to make a statement to the Kappa organization, then why didn't Gay edit out the scene with the "Kappa bros" throwing up the "yo" sign.. I'm also wondering why the burning desire to put this on YouTube. I tell you people have too much time on their hands
O

— Omar1909

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:07 AM, 10/15/2012

I say congratulation to Robert and Nathaniel on their marriage. It's a shame when our BLACK people can't just support and be happy for one another instead of always judging. Let's leave that up to GOD, for those who know him. So what if he is a Kappa, what does that have to do with how he chooses to live his life??? Trust and Believe, he is not the only(GAY)Kappa. But because he's happy and comfortable in his own skin he's being hated on. I viewed the wedding video and it was soooo beautiful and elegant. I don't understand why they should have to hide their Special Day with all the ungodly mess people put on YouTube. Now they have too much time on their hands. At least this was something positive and such a joy to watch. I wish them all the best and many happy years together. My PEOPLE, get a life and stop blocking your blessings being concerned about something other than yourself. Right now we need to concentrate on going out to vote for our President and making sure all our Black people participate.
Now what about that????????

— Shay69

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About this blog

Blinq is a news commentary blog featuring contributions from Inquirer Metro columnists Karen Heller, Annette John-Hall, Kevin Riordan, Daniel Rubin and Monica Yant Kinney.

E-mail Karen here; read her columns here.

E-mail Annette here; read her columns here.

E-mail Kevin here; read his columns here.

E-mail Daniel here; read his columns here.

E-mail Monica here; read her columns here.

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