Transphobia In The Black Community, "New York Undercover's" Star Malik Yoba Breaks It
We all know Malik Yoba from the 90's hit drama, "New York Undercover" and more recently, "Empire." Per a viral video on Yoba's Instagram, we can now also know him as an advocate for the transgender community. The video was that of Maurice "Reese" Willoughby. He was captured on camera confessing his true feelings for trans women, including his transgender girlfriend. You can see and hear in the video Maurice being bullied and taunted for expressing his thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, Willoughby commited suicide due to the affects surrounding this viral video. Malik Yoba took to his Instagram to speak out on the situation, " This video is another heartbreaking example of the homophobia, transphobia hatred and hypocrisy We as black folks, BLACK MEN in particular have to NAME, FACE, and CALL OUT and do the work to heal!!!"
Such post by Yoba led to several interviews, including a phone interview with Big Tigger from Atlanta radio station V-103, The Morning Culture. In his interview he let's the people know that not only is he trans attracted, he will also be at the Transvilibilty March on Washington D.C. conducting a workshop. Malik also mentions in the interview that, “I’m Not Gay, I love women…for the record, trans-women do NOT date straight men 99 percent of the time.” Yoba has also been a community/global activist for many years, so his stance and fight for justice, peace, and ending suffrage has been a continuous journey. With being such a well known figure as himself and standing up for the transgender community, will work be a positive outcome ? Will more people in the black community want to learn about the transgender community? Will they want to accept or even want to understand?
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