15 African-American bisexuals changing the world

Travon Free

As we wind down February and Black History Month, let's not forget a group of the lgbt community who really don't get as much attention as they deserve.

From Unicorn Booty:

Faith Cheltenham

The list of famous African-Americans who are believed to have been bisexual include Malcolm X, Jean-Michel Basquiat, James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, and “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith.

A number of notable African-Americans still living have alluded to their bisexuality though they don’t publicly embrace the bisexual label. For example novelist Alice Walker, who is quoted as saying, “I’m curious. I’m open to the spirit of a person whether that’s a man or a woman or whoever, that’s not what’s important to me. What’s important is the spirit.” 

Rapper Frank Ocean in 2012 posted the emotionally revealing story of the loving relationship he’d had with a man, and later responded in an interview to the question, “So do you consider yourself bisexual?” in part with, “…just take what I give you. You ain’t got to pry beyond that. I’m giving you what I feel like you can feel. The other shit, you can’t feel. You can’t feel a box. You can’t feel a label.”

Orlando Jordan

Activist Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé has identified as bisexual at times but according to a LGBT Religious Archives Network’s bio, he “prefers no label other than that he’s a ‘full human being’ that embraces all.”

Alternately, in a New York Times Magazine article, Lee Daniels — the producer of the film Monster’s Ball and the director of Precious — is quoted as saying, “I’d prefer to be bisexual, but I don’t think any woman is going to accept me being with a man. I had to choose. And I did. But there’s a deep connection with me and women.” 

Unicorn Booty has a list of 15 notable African-American bisexuals. Check it out.