black history month News

Carmen's Aunt Lorna smokes a cigar. She's a light skin Black woman in her late 60s. She is cut out against a black starry sky and there are purple rose petals growing out of the side of the image like a vine.

Everything That Matters Is Stuck in the Back of My Throat

All I have is an ellipsis. Grief is a flat circle. And I never imagined I would have to live through grieving her.

Two hands are covered in darkness as they finger deep space, the space is in purple starry skies and it drips over the index and pointer finger of one hand facing upwards.

Queering Faith: Reclaiming the Holy of Sexuality

How do you tell them your poem about pussy doesn’t negate your love for God? That your spirituality isn’t separate but an extension of you?

Wrestling With Kamala and Beyond: Reckoning With Blackness, Womanhood, and What Comes Next

I am ready to be fearless. To dream beyond Black womanhood and know that I — Black, queer, and not-quite-sure — am worthy, so worthy of all of the love, affirmation, and power the universe can muster.

A black outline of a body floats in the blue and purple waves of the ocean. The ocean is covered in sparkles, like the stars of a night sky. Everything feels all-encompassing, full, and at peace.

Gender Fluidity and the Black Atlantic

I always wonder what words my ancestors had for someone like me. In embracing my genderfluid identity, I’ve found great comfort in the deep and wide of the Atlantic — the way the water connects me to kin, named or unknown.

Foolish Child #90: It’s Black History Month, I’m on Break

Are you asking me if I want to work more than just my regular work days? In Black History Month!?!

Ain’t I A Bottom

Many Black women are raised to give our apparent struggles the stiff upper lip. We’re taught to be loud, and proud, and bigger than the world sees us. And at the end of all of that effort, in my most private and intimate moments, I wish to lay my burdens down. Ain’t I a bottom?

black history month autostraddle - young black woman wearing sunglasses holding cocktail with straw, looking at the camera in an appraising way

The Invisible Addicts: Addiction and Treatment in Black LGBT Communities

In my own struggle to get sober, I would spend days telling myself that my bottoms were “not that bad.” That the next day I would drink lighter, drink less, have water between glasses. For black gay addicts, we’re pressured at both ends. One of the reasons I’m sober today is because people around me talked about it, they extended their hands and hearts to me without knowing it.

Foolish Child #66: Black History Month

A queer celebration of Black History Month.

The Quiet Lesbian Biography of Lorraine Hansberry

‪There is sufficient evidence, both from Lorraine Hansberry’s own hand and from those with whom she interacted socially, that she was a lesbian. But the how of it all — that we have to piece together in fragments‬.

Eight Black LGBTQ Poets to Give Your Flowers To Right Now

I believe that these eight wonderful poets are the face of reviving the genre. I always want to push poems on people, so I’m also presenting you with some of their recent or upcoming works. Head to your favorite, local, indie bookstore and pick up a few of their collections before Black History Month is over!

Year of Our (Audre) Lorde: February’s Revolutionary Hope

I’m pairing Audre Lorde’s 1984 conversation with James Baldwin and arguably her best-known speech, “The Masters Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House” in hopes of exploring how our power and freedom lie in embracing our differences as the source of our strength.

Black, Queer, and Here Without Apology: The History of BLK and Black Lace Magazines

When BLK first published, it was a 16 page black-and-white newsletter with a circulation of roughly 5,000. By the time it ended its publication it had grown into a 40 page magazine with full color covers, a paid subscriber base and global distribution reaching 37,000 people. It told our stories. Today, we say thanks.

Me and You, My Mama and Her Hot Comb Too

Four years ago I did the switch from wanting “good hair” to wanting “healthy hair” and went completely natural. This photoessay is a ride of twists and bumped bangs, but I promise it’s a good one. And before you ask: No, I am not tenderheaded.

Black Queer People Writing Ourselves Into History: An Autostraddle Master List

We want this year’s Black History Month to be serious. But also – sexy, fun, JOYful. We want to reflect the multiple ways that black people see ourselves and walk through our world. And so, we begin here. By writing ourselves back into our own history.

A Playlist to End The Longest Black History Month EVER. Let’s Party.

I’m ready to kiss the last hours of the longest 28 days on record away with a f*cking party and a playlist full of bangers!

Proudly Black, Fat, Queer and Making a Home for Myself in Cosplay

People don’t realize how damaging it is to only acknowledge a part of someone instead of their entire being. I’m black and queer and fat and a woman. Yes, I love cosplay but please — don’t forget my “and.”

The Black Lesbian Movie Project

What if “Coming To America” starred Lena Waithe instead of Eddie Murphy? What if Sanaa Lathan and Gabrielle Union made out with each other at the end of “Love & Basketball”? What if black lesbians finally got to get the girl on the big screen? I’m buying the popcorn. You coming with?