antonyms

black and queer is a contradiction
being one seems to repel the other
too dark for pride
too gay for family

it's a choice between two poisons:

every white gay's "inner black woman"
your struggles a punchline
to a joke that was never funny

every relatives attempt to pray the gay away
more willing to accept rapist uncles
than gay sons and trans daughters

every attempt to make our own space
met with ridicule from those who rejected us
proclaiming that we're stronger together
until together means accepting who we are

but i will not neglect my blackness
i will not neglect my queerness
to make those who preach equality
but are steeped in prejudice comfortable

i'd rather occupy the liminal space
between black and queer
than live in a fixed reality
that rejects me anyway

Author's Note

please leave constructive criticism!