Comedian Wanda Sykes is an Emmy-nominated personality, one of TIME’s most influential figures, and also one of many famous gay people. Wanda Sykes would have been considered as just another gay rights activist, however, what makes her stand out is the fact that she is black and gay.
Describing her situation as being a “Trifecta of Discrimination”, Sykes spoke openly about her dilemma on an episode of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” while sharing her family’s reaction to her coming out as a gay woman of color. While a majority of families would react in different ways to the actual coming out of one of their family members, Sykes has shared her definition of the aforementioned Trifecta by asking, “What are you upset about? Which thing?” Whether people are reacting to her sexual orientation exclusively, or are focusing on the fact that she is also a black female, is what constitutes the triple layer question.
Sykes was 44-years old when she came out publicly during a queer rights rally, and shares an under-discussed aspect of the queer movement, which involves the reaction and support or lack thereof, of the black community towards queer people of color. From what Sykes shares, it is clear that while many people have been supportive of her coming out, some people have responded with hostility. Whether it is because she is a gay woman, a gay woman of color, or simply, openly gay, remains to be seen.
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