While LGBTQ people have more rights than they ever did, and same sex marriage is legal throughout the USA, there is still a longer road for LGBTQ people, particularly people of color.

Ali Marrero-Calderon is a 70 year old Puerto Rican lesbian. Kevin Hawkins is a 25 year old African-American gay man. While they are from very different generations, they have the same thoughts on the seemingly invisibility of people of color in the LGBTQ “community.”

Listen to the episode http://raceconvo.com/episode-2-why-are-people-of-color-invisible-in-the-lgbtq-community/

Ali came out over 45 years ago, and was one of the  original “dykes on bikes,” the group of lesbians that made up the first contingent of the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco. She has remained an activist all of these years.

Kevin is a young successful entrepreneur in the digital design world.

The images of LGBTQ people over the last 45 years  continues to be dominated by white men. While there is more of an intention to include people of color in the conversation and in the public face, overwhelmingly people in that community and in the general population stil view LGBTQ people as white gay men.  And the people most invisible are transgender people of color. Unfortunately, within the LGBTQ community, there is still racism and exclusion. Being “gay” does not mean you can’t be racist.

As the  community as a whole entertains more conversations, events and images  that include people of color, it also needs to be more inclusive of lesbians,  and lesbians of color and speak to the needs of people of color within the community.

It’s harder for LGBTQ people to get funding for start-ups and small businesses and even harder if you are a person of color.

When I first moved to San Francisco in the early 80’s Black men were often excluded from clubs. They were required to show 3 pieces of ID, whereas white men only had to show  one.

There is also a misconception that the  as the needs of white LGBTQ people and particularly white men are being  met in terms of recognition, services and respect, the same is true for people of color.

In this podcast episode of “Every Day Conversations on Race for Every Day People,” Kevin and Ali share their personal histories, racism and homophobia they’ve dealt with in their lives and offer solutions so that LGBTQ people of color will no longer be invisible.

Listen now http://raceconvo.com/episode-2-why-are-people-of-color-invisible-in-the-lgbtq-community/

Episode 2: Why Are People of Color Invisible in the LGBTQ Community?