The Reverend Irene Monroe

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Last week, with a vote of 230 to 191, the House of Representatives passed the repeal of former President Bill Clinton’s 1993 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT)” policy that bars lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) service members from the military. On the same day the House passed to repeal DADT, so too did…

This week is Harvard’s commencement for the class of 2010. As one of the most renowned and liberal institutions in the world, it’s always hurtful and harmful – both to the campus milieu and the school’s reputation – when racist and sexist acts occur at Harvard University. Last month, a lengthy email, written by a…