I didn’t hide anything about me. I didn’t try to act a certain way or anything, you just couldn’t be [gay] back then.
I wouldn’t have been prepared when I was a kid to be a spokesperson of the LGBTQ+ community, but I’m glad that it’s changing. There are a lot of kids, especially young Black boys, that need to see representation, because the “machismo” thing exists in our culture, and it’s poison.
They’re not being taught to love themselves because of what they are.
I hate that it wasn’t like that in the ’90s, but I’m glad I get to see it [now]. Tevin Campbell talking to the PEOPLE Every Day podcast about being gay from the ’90s to now.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
abfab
I beg to differ……
scotty
word.
Kangol2
For someone at his level of fame it was very tough to be an out Black gay performer. There were a few, like Jermaine Stewart, etc., but even some of the most famous, like Luther Vandross, Queen Latifah, Da Brat, etc. were in the closet. I’m glad Tevin Campbell is out, free and living his truth. He had and has the voice of an angel.
Donston
When your career (and perhaps to a degree your ego and sociology) depend on hetero dynamics and hetero appeal, being unabashedly queer and especially showing gay preferences are always gonna be difficult. Even with Lil Nas X, the way he handled things had to be almost perfect. He was out relatively early in his career, he didn’t indulge hetero appeal, he quickly moved on from trying to adhere to “straight guy” aesthetics. But in the 90s it was indeed not an option, especially for black performers.
BEARY FLINTSTONE
Just like Barry Manilow, Nathan Lane, Sally Ride and those folks too?
Harley
Growing up in the 70’s was even worse.
abfab
Crabs. Continue the comments here….they shut down the baseball drama thread.
johncp56
I missed the baseball drama ???????
scotty
gooch juice? drink up, shriners.
johncp56
66 now yes even in the san Francisco bay area I came out 14, but times were not that pretty yet, and no one came out easy , you could get fired, that hate is still around,