Black and gay and hated all over? Did homophobia in the black community contribute to Prop 8's success?

Many white gay voters are blaming the black community in California for the passing of Proposition 8 three weeks ago. By amending California's constitution to define marriage in heterosexual terms, Proposition 8 reversed a state supreme court hearing that decreed that not allowing same-sex marriage denied equal rights and protection to gays.

The measure was passed by a vote of 52-48, and an estimated 70 percent of black voters supported the ban. Black voters supported Proposition 8 more than any other racial group. Much criticism has befallen California's black community on account of this supposition, leading many asking: why would one vulnerable social group discriminate against another? Other races' Prop 8 sentiments were split nearly in half: 49% of whites, 53% of Latinos, and 49% of Asian Americans voted yes on Proposition 8.

Top 10 Counties in California that Supported Proposition 8

Chart courtesy of the San Francisco Gazette online. 

Top 10 Counties in California that Opposed Proposition 8 

Chart courtesy of the San Francisco Gazette online. 

Upon examining the racial make-ups of all top 10 counties that supported and opposed Proposition 8, not a single county had an African-American population that was anywhere near as great as its white population. In fact, only one county, Lassen, had more than 10 percent compared to other races. 

Not only has the black community been maligned for its contribution to the passing of Proposition 8, but a number of gay people within the black community have voiced concern over homophobia within it. 

Homosexuality has long been stigmatized in the black community. Already coping with their minority statuses, many within the black community see homosexuality as yet another social hurdle. Male dominance is also valued among African-Americans, and homosexuality can been seen as a sign of weakness. 

Photo courtesy of abcnews.com. 

Comedienne Wanda Sykes and Connecticut State Representative Jason Bartlett are among the few African-American celebrities who have come out. Sykes did so in response to Proposition 8's success. 

Bartlett has expressed hopes that the progress made by Obama's becoming the first African-American President of the United States will encourage members of the black community to become more engaged in politics and open to liberal policies such as gay rights.