BlackOUT

Lamont Sims is on to something. Queers of color could give a rats ass about what white gay activists think. For that matter, this Trans activist hardly agrees with anything white male gay activists think. How can anyone truely support queers of color, trans of color and/or any Transgender person without walking several miles in our shoes?

By Sarah Dasher

Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Updated: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I sat down with Lamont Sims to talk about BlackOUT, a student group at Georgia State University that addresses the unique experiences of the black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community. Lamont was born in Los Angeles, California, but went to middle and high school in Atlanta. He is a senior sociology major with a concentration in gender and sexuality. He is the current President of BlackOUT, and helped rebuild the group after an informal disbanding. He spoke to me about the organization, its presence on campus, and how others can get involved.

What is BlackOUT?

It’s a space for people who want to acknowledge the experience of black queer people.

What is BlackOUTs purpose? What does the organization hope to achieve?

BlackOUT exists as a student organization comprised essentially of black queer students; black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning students and our allies in an effort to address and challenge all oppressions. The reason why we are here is because often times those who are “queer activists” typically don’t look like us, typically are not non-white. It’s really important that we have another face that others can identify with. It’s quite difficult when you have a white gay man going into a poor black neighborhood and talking about struggle, you know? It seems like a poor black could relate better to a poor black queer person. It’s important that we are able to form bridges across difference. That’s why BlackOUT exists......

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