Being a part of the black community and being gay are often hard things to live with in harmony. However countless strong, influential and important black men were and are gay. Their sexuality and even hate from their loved ones and community did not stop them from fighting for a greater cause.

Now, many of these men were honored at the the inaugural Native Son Awards. A small but powerful ceremony that was held at the Cadillac House in New York City.

The awards are named after a book, the 1955 novel Notes of a Native Son, which written by famed writer and poet James Baldwin. Baldwin is one of the most celebrated openly gay black men in the wider community and a figure of inspiration until this day.

The awards pushed to provide a space for the marginalized group. It honored the achievements of CNN anchor Don Lemon, Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson and Tony-winning director and playwright George C. Wolfe.

Veteran journalist and LGBT activist Emil Wilbekin founded the awards adn on the nights he said:

“We are here to celebrate us,”

I know that that gay black men is a controversial topic here on this blog but personally I don’t think a person’s sexuality can take away their idenity and it is their right to be open. I think that should be respected.

You can read more about the awards here on the Grio.