Today’s Black parents are redefining what it means to support our LGBTQ+ children — shifting away from the homophobia historically and stubbornly associated with our community and moving toward the understanding that the care they provide them in a society that still marginalizes them in 2024 will make all the difference in who they will ultimately become.
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“Queer Black kids are demanding space simply by existing freely,” shares Derwin King, co-host of ThatBlackBoyJoy podcast. “They’re choosing authenticity and that either illuminates their family’s unconditional love or challenges it. Either way, they’re choosing themselves and that alone feels groundbreaking.”
At the forefront of increasd acceptance are several high-profile Black families consisting of children who challenge heteronormative standards and parents who openly embrace their LGBTQ+ children. When Black LGBTQ+ youth find acceptance at home, the freedom to exist as their full selves ripples out into our wider community.
Here are just a few famous Black families leading the charge of acceptance and normalization:
Iconic singer Sade has also shown steadfast love for her non-binary child Izaak, who thanked her for unwavering love and support during their transition: “Thank you for staying by my side these past 6 months Mumma,” Izaak shared on Instagram. “Thank you for your encouragement when things are hard, for the love you give me.”
In her own social media post, Sade shared a sweet photo with her child that was simply captioned “By your side,” a reference to her song of the same name with the lyrics: When you’re on the outside, baby, and you can’t get in / I will show you, you’re so much better than you know.
NBA legend Magic Johnson has been a model for acceptance by becoming an outspoken ally for his openly gay son EJ. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Johnson declared, “I will always support, guide, and love you EJ.”Johnson’s support extends beyond just words: He has attended LGBTQ+ Pride events with EJ and used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, stating, “It’s very important to not be quiet. Speak up about it.”
As EJ shared in a 2017 interview, “I knew I could go out and conquer the world after I got all the love and support from my family.”
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade have been fierce advocates for their 17-year-old transgender daughter Zaya. “We’re all about protecting her heart, we’re about protecting her joy, and to do that, we have to support her,” Wade shared in an interview.
And Zaya is proud to be among the youth changing perceptions. “I’m a microphone,” she said in a 2023 interview. “I am here to share [my] experiences: to voice them, but also to enhance them.”
The family also launched an online community called Translatable to offer resources and support for transgender youth and their families. The org further models the importance of normalizing care for our queer youth—only 33 percent of Black LGBTQ youth report having access to identity-affirming spaces.
Courtesy of his transgender child Kai, actor/comedian Marlon Wayans shared his path “from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance,” highlighting the importance of embracing our LGBTQ+ loved ones with the same thoughtfulness we’d offer anyone else.
Given the Wayans family’s portrayals of the LGBTQ+ community in television and film — from “In Living Color” to “White Chicks” and “Scary Movie” — Marlon Wayans’ shift in perspective is a significant one, reflecting the impact our youth can have on reshaping family legacy and culture.
In an interview with “The Breakfast Club,” Wayans shared, “At the end of the day, in my heart, the only thing that matters to me is that my child is happy.”
While their celebrity parents are seen as trailblazers, the true catalysts for change are the Black LGBTQ+ youth themselves. By amplifying their voices, we continue a cultural shift that dismantles homophobia and ushers in a future filled with more love and acceptance in our community.
To support Black LGBTQ+ youth, organizations like NBJC, GLSEN, The Trevor Project, GLAAD, and The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund offer resources, support, and advocacy opportunities to help foster acceptance and understanding.
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