Went and actually read the article, and I agree with her. My comment on the adoption of gay lingo was misinformed.
Quote:
Originally posted by Person
That user was clearly implying that black women "stole" this lingo from black gays, as if black gay women don't exist. NEWFLASH: Black gay women have been in the scene (including the ballroom scene, and yes, check Paris Is Burning for women in the film for all the fools whose education on this comes solely from that movie) and have ALWAYS been using this slang. Stop acting like this is something that originated from gay MALE culture when that is not true. Stop embarrassing yourselves.
|
Sorry, but the ballroom scene is predominantly gay males and transwomen. While there absolutely have been black lesbian women in the scene, they are far from the majority (a significant minority from any of the shows/drag performances I've seen over the years, in addition to the performers I know personally). It's an unfortunate truth that the lingo is still very much considered gay male (or trans) lingo, not too different with hip hop being lumped in with "black culture" despite the fact that there have been whites making some contribution to it (as a minority) throughout it's history.
At any rate, "stole" is a harsh word, adopted or appropriated is what I should have said. Ask any one of the women I listed, and they will let you know where they got 'shade' 'drag' 'tea' and all those other words which are becoming their trademarks from (their gay MALE friends and stylists). Even Nicki, in an explanation for her song "Yass Bitch" (or something like that
) said she got it from gay men/transpeople IIRC. It's appropriation when they say they are gay males on the inside (I've heard that as well), in addition to promoting stereotypes about wanting a gay friend for shopping/fashion, sass, etc.
(k now I'm out)
@this thread being reported