Sexpertise- Gay Men of Color

On Tuesday,  I had the opportunity to listen to a panel of experts, specifically those who specialize in LGBT people of color (POC).  One of the main questions examined during the one hour talk was "what does the state do to facilitate or marginalize LGBT POC?".  First, the definition of what state actually means, was given. The state  was defined as an institution that encompasses people, laws, etc basically the government.  One of the main points that I took from the discussion was that the state nor LGBT institutions are helping everyone. Political agenda does not always include minorities. Intersectionality is largely ignored. Furthermore, it is imperative that gay POC and their allies not rely on the state or LGBT institutions for guidance.

Multiple topics and cases were discussed including:
Michael Johnson- nicknamed "Mandango"
--> Johnson was charged with a felony after he knowningly infected multiple sexual partners with HIV
--> 32 states have passed felony laws against HIV
--> Many of these laws were created during the 1980's and early 1990's when the HIV epidemic was at it's height and little was known about the disease.
--> Canada has recently changed it's HIV laws. If you viral load is undetectable, you can't automatically be charged with a felony.
--> Disproportionately black men and woman are affected by this law.
--> Race and class not considered by the state, although this must be taken into account.
--> Is it fair to criminalize people because of an infectious disease?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/steventhrasher/how-college-wrestling-star-tiger-mandingo-became-an-hiv-scap

Terrence Mitchell
--> Murdered his partner Ronald after his partner threatened to "out" him to his family
--> History of domestic violence, limited resources for help
--> Respectability politics not address
--> LGBT institutions did not rally around Terrence Mitchell, because he was not considered a "stand up" individual
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2522057/Tarence-Mitchell-football-captain-stabbed-gay-lover-death-claims-sexual-assault.html