Catholic Church is a reason for the exodus of some Black Catholics he says the church is not doing enough to tackle racism within its ranks and in broader society. “I see it as my mission to make the church what it says it is: more universal and the institution that I believe Jesus wants it to be.”įor Massingale, racism within the U.S. “I’m not going to let the church’s racism rob me of my relationship with God,” he said. Massingale says he considered leaving the Catholic Church, but decided he was needed.
![black gay bar nyc black gay bar nyc](https://media.timeout.com/images/105666597/image.jpg)
“The first parishioner to greet me at the door said to me: ‘Father, you being here is the worst mistake the archbishop could have made. Massingale recalled another incident, as a newly ordained priest, after celebrating his first Mass at a predominantly white church. Thereafter, the family commuted to a predominantly Black Catholic church. “This would not be a very comfortable parish for you to be a part of,” he recalled the parish priest saying. The Massingales also experienced racism when they moved to Milwaukee’s outskirts and ventured to a predominately white parish. Massingale said his father couldn’t work as a carpenter because of a color bar preventing African Americans from joining the carpenters’ union.
![black gay bar nyc black gay bar nyc](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/09/30/opinion/30observerWeb/30observerWeb-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600.jpg)
His mother was a school secretary and his father a factory worker whose family migrated from Mississippi to escape racial segregation.īut even in Wisconsin, racism was common. Massingale was born in 1957 in Milwaukee. “Preach!” a worshiper shouted in response. In his homily on a recent Sunday, Massingale – who became public about being gay in 2019 - envisioned a world “where the dignity of every person is respected and protected, where everyone is loved.”īut the message of equality and tolerance is one “that is resisted even within our own faith household,” he added. People who dont have anyone to talk to about finding out their HIV-positive talk to Eryk or me, shared Clark.Ĭlub Langstons importance for the community doesnt change the fact that it needs the funds to reopen, which also includes money to do much-needed repairs, new walls and bathroom to remedy the business-code violations the club acquired, explained Clark.The Vatican holds that gays and lesbians should be treated with dignity and respect, but that gay sex is “intrinsically disordered” and sinful. Also, on some nights, guests could get tested for STDs and HIV thanks to the clubs partnerships with sexual health organizations. They put the black people downstairs and play Latin music or EDM, but not hip-hop and R&B.Īs a black-owned, LGBTQ business, Club Langston gave gay black men a safe space, especially for black Caribbean people, added DJ Smoove, who is Jamaican-American.Ĭlub Langston is not only a well-known hub for parties and celebrations like Brooklyn Pride, Black Pride and NYC Pride, it is also a space for the community to gather, organize and fundraise for causes and campaigns. Most of the clubs in the city dont really cater to black LGBTQ people, said DJ Smoove. One of Langstons DJs, Gary Newton aka DJ Smoove, said its been a difficult loss to cope with, because there are no other places like it. Our patrons became our family and our neighborhood, a cherished community.” “Over the past 18 years, weve evolved to become a space where everyone could enjoy a drink, leaving their worries on the dance floor. “We have created a safe space where members of LGBTQIA+, especially of color, could freely enjoy themselves,” wrote Clark on the fundraising page. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign in hopes to save Club Langston. If Clark and Albury do not raise $73,000 by March 1, the doors may remain shut forever. Since the end of last year, the club has been officially closed. “The rapid transition of Bed-Stuy, as well as taxes, rent, the violations and other costs increased significantly over an extremely short timeframe, a risk to most small business,” Clark said.
![black gay bar nyc black gay bar nyc](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/07/10/sports/10parade-live-16/merlin_157755249_de0c8e36-c73b-405b-9038-55868cc38408-articleLarge.jpg)
But he also cites the Bed-Stuy’s gentrification and its bi-products as important factors. Rent increases, taxes and business code-violations are now threatening the bars existence, for which Clark takes responsibility, he said. The club, located on 1073 Atlantic Avenue, is the last black-owned LGBTQ club in New York City, according to its owner Calvin Clark who opened the venue with his business partner Eryk Albury in 2001. Bed-Stuys LGBTQ venue Club Langston, named in homage to the famous writer Langston Hughes who was rumored to be gay, is fighting for its survival, reports NBC.