Gay is the new black

Imagine how different the "Black Experience" would be without the black church, black colleges, black universities, and black civic organizations.

These institutions not only add value to the community, they were created to serve American society as a whole.

Even during times of great oppression, African Americans had places where they could go and be affirmed.

These institutions allowed men to retain the dignity as a whole man.

The importance of black institutions cannot be understated when detailing the journey of black people from "Up from Slavery" to emancipation, through Jim Crow and into the present.

Most black people are born into communities of people who understand what it means to be black. That provides an individual with a support system.

You never have to "come out" as black from birth.

Black children are taught how to cope with the discrimination they are sure to encounter.

Black institutions are an integral part of the socialization of black people. What would black identity mean without these institutions?

What would the civil rights movement have looked like without these institutions?

It is hard to imagine any minority group being able to successfully battle discrimination and maintain self-respect without strong institutions which reaffirm their self-worth.

Gay is the new black, minus the institutions.

Today homosexuals are facing discrimination on the federal, state and local level.

It is hard not to draw parallels between the gay rights movement and the civil rights movement. 

Yet there is nothing comparable to the black church for homosexuals. Have you heard of any gay colleges or universities?

I'm not sure if gay clubs constitute an institution. Clubs are some of the only places where homosexuals can find acceptance and identity.

Twenty-nine states have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. There is nothing in the federal Employment Non- Discrimination Act to protect homosexuals from being fired because of their sexual orientation.

Many churches still preach that homosexuality is sinful.

Last semester many articles were written about gay kids committing suicide.

The larger heterosexual society clearly is not anxious to embrace homosexuals.

Homosexuals need institutions desperately.

There need to be more places that are solely for the uplifting of homosexuals.

I would love for homosexuals to have full equality under the law immediately.

Unfortunately, that is not realistic; progress takes time.

The black churches and colleges pre-dated the emancipation of slaves.

The greatest lesson that homosexuals can learn from the civil rights movement is that people have to fight for rights.

If gay is really going to be the new black then gay people need to catch up.