As a young queer man I am a big fan of Viacom’s Logo TV network. In this day in age I think it’s wonderful that they gays have a TV channel to call their own along with Here TV, GayTV One, and others. When I first heard about Logo I remember being really excited, after awhile network became one of main staples in television watching. But then I began to notice something, there were not a lot of black people in Logo’s programming. This really didn’t dawn on me until after “Noah’s Arc” was cancelled which had many people gay and straight alike upset to say the least.
After that the only thing that seemed to be left was Ru Paul’s Drag Race, which in my opinion is one of the most interesting and creative competition reality shows on television. Drag Race is also Logo’s most racial diverse show. I will admit Logo doesn’t have a great deal of original programming, in fact most of the day Logo is running either reruns of Buffy The Vampire Slayer or Absolutely Fabulous. But the original programs Logo does air are extremely white washed, Caucasian friendly so to speak.
Well what about 1 Girl 5 Gays, Mr. Sykes? 1 Girl 5 Gays does have a some what diverse cast but here’s the thing, 1G5G is a Canadian MTV show that Logo picked up it’s not a Logo original series that is what I’m focusing on here. No to mention that since 1G5G is a foreign pick up that still airs in Canada so we get the new episodes a season later. And who’s watching Logo after 12am?
Anyway the brunt of my frustration comes from one of Logo’s newer shows “A-List New York” , the A-List New York is a reality series centered around six affluent New York Gay Men. The show focuses on their personal lives, dramas, careers, and friendship. Sounds like a great show, except for one thing there is not one black man on that show( except for Ryan Nickulas’ husband who is seen in the 1st episode then never seen again). Yes we have talented photographer Mike Ruiz, and model Rodiney Santiago who are both Latino which is great. But Logo again has this way of white washing thing Mike “Latiness” is sort of down played, I know for a fact that he is proud Latino man and donates his time and money to many Hispanic and LGBT charities. Rodiney who is very Brazilian is some what made fun of, they subtitle every word that man says and, HIS ACCENT IS NOT THAT THICK! I feel that being done is a little disrespectful. I understand that I’m from New York and I have a great deal of experience dealing with people from many cultures on a daily basis so I might have a better ear accent-wise than someone from Iowa watching the show, but still he’s not that hard to understand.
They have recently added an African-American character to the show Nyasha Zimucha former Miss Africa USA, Recording Artist and Business owner; it seems like my angry tweets, facebook post and e-mails to Logo TV were finally heard. But as successful and beautiful as Nyasha is, she has no business being on the show. Putting a straight women on the show who has no LGBT advocacy background prior to the A-list as the token black character is a cop out! I’m sorry is! THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of African-African out and proud gay men in New York they could have chosen to fill that spot.
I can name 4 off the top off my head, B. Scott (Media Personality/Founder of Double Kisses Beauty Products), Patrik Ian Polk (Creator of Noah’s Arc & Punks), Kid Fury (Sofurious.com Founder/ Vibe magazine Journalist), Andre Leon Talley (Former Editor At Large of Vogue). I really don’t see what the issue is? Gay men of color are marginalized within in queer culture as it is, we’ve formed our own sub-culture which is stolen and borrowed from all the time. It’s sort of like the invisible black gay, every one is inspired by black gay culture yet when it comes to mainstream media we aren’t there!
And don’t get me started on the A-List Dallas… 1 black character in call of Dallas 1 black character and he doesn’t even have a job? That’s going to be the kiki of the show….
It’s a new day, I’m not asking for a lot I just want to see people that look like me on the television networks I support. Give me a black gay sitcom, a soap opera, something!
