From Jeremy O. Harris to Jeremy Pope. From Darren Walker to DeVonn Francis. Who were the most influential Gay and Queer Black men in 2020? We now have a list to tell us.
Native Son recently released its “101 Black Gay And Queer Men Who Made Impact In 2020” list. Native Son is an organization by Black gay/queer men for Black gay/queer men. The organization, founded by Emil Wilbekin, works to uplift and spotlight Black gay/queer men like never before. Through community support like lectures from a dating coach or an event to inspire Black gay men to get into the tech field, social media content, and more, Native Son has fostered a community surrounding and supporting Black gay/queer men.
Native Son’s latest initiative to support Black gay/queer men was to spotlight and praise the Black gay/queer men who are making a difference in the world. The impact list includes many honorees such as Tony and Emmy-award winner Billy Porter; Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O Harris; Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David; Designer Brandon Blackwood; Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and playwright Michael R. Jackson; musician Lil Nas X; Activists Gabriel M. Garmond, Brandon Murphy, and Harold Waight who organized Harlem’s Men in Suits March; Christian Cooper, the Black gay man who went viral after he was attacked by a white woman while bird-watching; Broadway Black/Antonyo Awards founder Drew Shade; Edward Enninful, the Editorial Director of all European editions of Vogue; JAG Productions founder Jarvis Greene; Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta; Moonlight co-writer and celebrated playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney; Reggie Greer, the Joe Biden Campaign’s LGBTQ Vote Director; and more.
Check out the full list of nominees, their profiles, and illustrations of them by CJ Robinson on Native Son’s website.