For the first time that I can remember, Ebony magazine has placed an out-of-the-closet lesbian on the cover.Comedian Wanda Sykes has graced the cover of the magazine as a part of its Power 150 list.
Sykes, an immensely talented Emmy-award winning comedian, came out last year during a Las Vegas rally in response to the Proposition 8 vote. Earlier last year, she married her partner, Alex and this year, the two became the parents of twins.
Granted, her cover is just one in a collection of eight covers, including that of Chris Rock, President Barack Obama, and Al Sharpton.
And also, unfortunately, the short blurb on her in the magazine makes a highly guarded, tiptoeing mention of her orientation.
But still, it's not a bad thing. And I should also note that the same issue of Ebony contains a very good interview with the openly gay director of the hit movie Precious, Lee Daniels in which he acknowledges his orientation.
These developments in Ebony magazine aren't necessarily the same as a door opening for lgbts of color, but they are a start.
And yes they are somewhat of a big deal.
Every lgbt issue in the media need not surround Adam Lambert or Perez Hilton.
