'The Same Difference' explores gender stereotypes, discrimination in black lesbian community
Posted on December 16, 2015 by Phillip Zonkel
LONG BEACH – As a black lesbian, Nneka Onuorah said her experiences in the LGBT community haven't been all rainbows and parades.
"We have enough issues from the outside world to the LGBT community, but we are also having to fight each other for who we are. It's not all rainbows and parades," Onuorah said.
"Sometimes the issues lesbians face are diminished, like we don't go through a struggle," she said. "In life, women are taken less seriously. Women have always had to fight to be heard. It feels like there's some of that in the LGBT community.
"I don't want people to forget the L," Onuorah said. "I'm willing to fight for our issues and bring attention to them."
'THE SAME DIFFERENCE'
Some of those issues are explored in Onuorah's documentary "The Same Difference" – which will be shown Thursday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach.
In the film, Onuorah interviewed about 20 women in various cities who discuss gender role policing, internal homophobia and discrimination in the black lesbian community, particularly among "aggressive lesbians" or "studs," black women who present a masculine appearance.
For example, the women talk about some specific gender rules:
• Studs don't wear makeup
• Studs don't date other studs
• No bisexuals
MORE UNDERSTANDING NEEDED
Porter Gilberg, executive director at the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, who is co-hosting the film with Black Lesbians United, said the film shows the community's diversity and need for more understanding.
"What's important to remember is we are not only one LGBTQ community," he said. "We are many communities and subcultures. Each one has its dynamics and norms.
"We have more work to do within our own community for greater understanding."
OPPRESSIVE RULES
Onuorah said she knew the rules growing up, and they were stifling.
"I knew the rules. I had experienced it while growing up in Queens, N.Y.," said the 27-year-old filmmaker. "I didn't represent as a masculine side or a feminine
side. I was always criticized for something. Either way, I was trying to be pushed into a box, but I found my balance.
"It was very oppressive. People are trying to bully you into a certain way," she said. "It stunts your growth."
Those issues are ones everyone experiences, Onuorah said.
"Everybody deals with this. That's why I called it 'The Same Difference,'" she said. "It's a universal message."
"The Same Difference" will be shown 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, 2025 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $12. They can be purchased in advance at the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, 2017 E. Fourth St., or at the box office. For more information, 562-434-4455.
This entry was posted in documentaries, entertainment and tagged black lesbians, long beach, long beach LGBTQ center, Nneka Onuorah, porter gilberg, The Same Difference by Phillip Zonkel. Bookmark the permalink.