“Black, Out, and Proud” is Word In Black’s series highlighting joyful coming out stories from Black LGBTQ+ folks, their lessons, and how communities can better support them during these pivotal moments.
In one of the final interviews before his death in 1987, best-selling author James Baldwin said, “The sexual question and racial question have always been entwined, you know. If Americans can mature on the level of racism, then they have to mature on the level of sexuality.”
During the 1950s and 1960s, at the height of Baldwin’s legendary career, the ongoing civil rights movement brought the Black community’s fights for racial equity to the center of American life. But as Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a world where his four children could grow up without being judged for the color of their skin, a group within the Black community was left out of demands for justice.
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Through novels like “Giovanni’s Room” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” Baldwin stood as one of few leaders of the time willing to include Black LGBTQ+ folks in the fight for racial justice.
Today, Black LGBTQ+ artists like Morgan Newton are continuing this proud tradition, using their work to show the beauty of Blackness and queerness.
“I like to think that the portrayal of personal growth in my work aligns with my growth as a young Black queer woman,” the Houston-based visual artist tells Word In Black.
For her senior thesis at Howard University, Newton created a series of paintings, titled “The Freedom of Being: A Series on Self Acceptance.” It places Black femme figures in surrealistic environments to explore their relationship with identity.
“I aimed to narrate the journey of self-acceptance with each painting — In Full Bloom, Taking Up Space, and Evolution — representing different phases of my growth,” Newton says. “These works reflect my process of learning to fully accept myself, advocate for my worth, and love all the authentic versions of who I am.”
The authenticity and vulnerability Newton displays in her artwork, however, would not have been possible without first sharing her truth and coming out as queer to her family and friends.
Newton knew that she was queer at age 16, but anxiety and fear of rejection from her community stopped her from coming out to her parents until she was 23 — common for Black queer folks nationwide. More than 39% of Black LGBTQ+ adults say the city or area they live in is not safe for lesbian, gay, or bisexual people, according to 2023 data from Pew Research Center.
“In the Black community, coming out can challenge traditional views and expectations, making it a moment of personal and familial growth,” Newton says. “Being born and raised in the South, I encountered individuals who had more traditional values regarding queerness.”
Through many “empty chair sessions,” where she practiced envisioning coming out with her therapist, and the love and support of her best friend, Newton shared her truth with her parents. To her surprise, they accepted and embraced her identity.
“One thing my mom said stuck with me: ‘You’re my child! How could I not love you anymore?’” Newton says. “This support has empowered me to embrace my vulnerabilities, and utilizing art as an outlet has strengthened my relationship with myself.”
Newton experienced first-hand the transformation that can come from not only embracing your own identity, but having the support of your community. Before coming out, she considered herself an introvert, someone who did not openly share important life moments with others, like going on dates. Since coming out, Newton is more comfortable openly sharing her life, passions, and goals.
“My relationship with my parents is much closer, and I feel like myself again,” Newton says. “The supportive responses from friends and family have allowed me to live more authentically and confidently, embracing my identity without fear.”
Newton wants the friends and family of Black LGBTQ+ folks to know that their genuine support can have an equally empowering effect.
“Your role is to support them, not to rush them,” Newton says. “Your unconditional support can make a significant difference in their coming out experience.”