Independent since 2002 Issue No. 1102 Week of November 7, 2026 Get the free email dispatch →

Category: Inclusion

Commentary

The Messology of Bishop Eddie Long

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

When preachers pontificate too much from on High about the sins of homosexual sex, the cautionary tale is to be careful of what you say, because your words invariable will come back to bite you, as we are seeing with Bishop Eddie Long. Called by the Southern Poverty Law Center as “one of the most…

When preachers pontificate too much from on High about the sins of homosexual sex, the cautionary tale is to be careful of what you say, because…

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Commentary

An executive order would repeal “Don’t ask, don’t tell”

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

This week Lady Gaga joined a rally in Maine to send a message to the state’s two moderate Republican senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, asking them to vote to repeal “Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT ” this week. But to no one’s surprise Senate Republicans rejected it. Democrats needed only 60 votes to overcome…

This week Lady Gaga joined a rally in Maine to send a message to the state's two moderate Republican senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, asking…

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Commentary

Reigning Hip-Hop’s Queen Latifah is Outed

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

Long before the African American celebrity gossip, news, popular culture, and entertainment blog “Bossip.com” outed Dana Owens, a.k.a. Queen Latifah, with photos of her and gal pal “personal trainer” Jeanette Jenkins in a tender embrace not meant for public viewing, the century-long reliable “chitlin’ circuit” told us our closeted Queen was “in the life.” Queen…

Long before the African American celebrity gossip, news, popular culture, and entertainment blog "Bossip.com" outed Dana Owens, a.k.a. Queen Latifah, with photos of her and gal…

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Commentary

Essence Magazine’s True Color

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

There has been a color change at “Essence.” After forty years of having sisters from the African Diaspora as its fashion director, the new one is white. And the news is sending seismic shock waves to many of its subscribers here in the U.S. and across the globe. New fashion director Ellana Placas, however, is…

There has been a color change at "Essence." After forty years of having sisters from the African Diaspora as its fashion director, the new one is…

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Commentary

Can Blacks Rid Themselves of the Use of the N-word?

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

In an attempt to dole out advice on the n-word, popular talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger slipped into a rant using it. When a caller — a distraught African American women who called in to be advised on how to handle racist jokes and comments hurled at her by her white in-laws and neighbors…

In an attempt to dole out advice on the n-word, popular talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger slipped into a rant using it. When a caller…

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Commentary

Another Example of the Black-White Divide in our Community

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

Boston’s Gospelfest this year featured Rev. Donnie McClurkin, the poster boy for African American ex-gay ministries, who spews anti-gay religion-based vitriol at every public event he can get as part of his outreach ministries to gay youths. But at this event, McClurkin had to refrain from his usual homophobic diatribes. And it was not because…

Boston’s Gospelfest this year featured Rev. Donnie McClurkin, the poster boy for African American ex-gay ministries, who spews anti-gay religion-based vitriol at every public event he…

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Commentary

Did You Barbecue Pig or Pug This 4th?

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

What did you put on your grill this 4th of July? Pork ribs? Beef burgers? Farm raised chickens? Or, domesticated dogs? No, not hot dogs, dogs! The ones we walk on leashes, send to be groomed, purchase clothes to dress up and take to the vet when sick. I never asked myself this question until…

What did you put on your grill this 4th of July? Pork ribs? Beef burgers? Farm raised chickens? Or, domesticated dogs? No, not hot dogs, dogs!…

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Cover Story

Are We Not Patriots, Too?

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

This weekend we celebrate July 4 with rounds of festivities marking our nation’s 234 years of independence. But this country’s need to showcase her indomitable spirit of heroism continues to come at the expense of basic freedoms and protections denied to us lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans. While it is true that…

This weekend we celebrate July 4 with rounds of festivities marking our nation’s 234 years of independence. But this country’s need to showcase her indomitable spirit…

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Commentary

Ted Haggard’s New Church of Homophobia

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

To the disbelief of everyone – straight and gay – the Rev. Ted Haggard, former anti-gay megachurch pastor who was excommunicated for soliciting sex from a male prostitute, is starting a new church. But this one won’t blossom to be like the 14,000-member New Life Church he founded decades ago in Colorado Springs. As a…

To the disbelief of everyone - straight and gay - the Rev. Ted Haggard, former anti-gay megachurch pastor who was excommunicated for soliciting sex from a…

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Commentary

A Pride Event Not To Be Proud Of

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

Pride parades will be taking place all over the country this month. As we all rev up for this year’s festivities, so, too, the fault lines of race, gender identity and class will emerge as well. In addition to Gay Pride events, there will be a segment of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer…

Pride parades will be taking place all over the country this month. As we all rev up for this year’s festivities, so, too, the fault lines…

Continue reading 4 min

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