First Black Gay Lesbian Talk Show Airs
From: The Hilltop Online, Howard University’s Student Newspaper
By Victoria Kirby
Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Last Thursday, Sept. 1st The Herndon Davis Report became the first Black, Gay and Lesbian weekly TV news talk show on satellite/cable to air during primetime.
It premiered on the Healthy Living Channel, channel 223 on The Dish Network.
The show focuses on themes relevant to the Black, Gay, and Lesbian community such as, gay rights versus civil rights, God and the black church, as well as topics based on family, the workplace and black culture.
The initial idea for the talk show stemmed from Herndon Davis first self-published book "Black, Gay & Christian: An inspirational Guidebook to Daily Living."
His book is biblically based and references over 185 scriptures, including the more controversial verses that have been used to condemn gays and lesbians across the world.
In an interview, Herndon Davis stated, "I wanted to distribute real-life images that could be seen from big cities to rural communities of black gay, men and women who were confident and unapologetic about who they were and who are also thriving within their own skin."
Davis also added, "I am indeed one of these people and I have many friends, associates, colleagues and others who are as well. So it was a matter of bringing to the medium of television these true to life images."
When questioned over the relevancy of having a show that caters to one specific target audience, Marla Moore, a master of fine arts candidate for Film Production, said, "Hopefully people can learn from it whether they are straight or gay. Maybe it will change people's lives.
Britney Bennet, president of Bis*xual, Lesbian, and Gay Organization of Students (BLAGOSAH), said she supports the exposure of a gay/lesbian talk show.
Bennet says any exposure for the gay community besides negative images is always good.
"Hopefully it won't be the last time that someone takes a step forward to paint a more honest picture of what Black gay life is like," said the sophomore English major.
Concerning Davis' themes of spirituality within the black gay and lesbian community, Bennett continued to say, "It's exciting that he is exposing black gays and lesbians within the church because people tend to feel excommunicated from the church even though we all serve the same God."
Davis hopes that people will understand an individual being both gay and black.
"When it's all said and done at least one person watching can see that it is indeed okay to be black and gay/lesbian at the same time and that its okay to come out during the day still gay/lesbian," Davis said.
The website for the show is http://www.HerndonDavis.com.
The new talk show will air nationally in 17 million homes at 9 p.m. every Thursday evening.
By Victoria Kirby
Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Last Thursday, Sept. 1st The Herndon Davis Report became the first Black, Gay and Lesbian weekly TV news talk show on satellite/cable to air during primetime.
It premiered on the Healthy Living Channel, channel 223 on The Dish Network.
The show focuses on themes relevant to the Black, Gay, and Lesbian community such as, gay rights versus civil rights, God and the black church, as well as topics based on family, the workplace and black culture.
The initial idea for the talk show stemmed from Herndon Davis first self-published book "Black, Gay & Christian: An inspirational Guidebook to Daily Living."
His book is biblically based and references over 185 scriptures, including the more controversial verses that have been used to condemn gays and lesbians across the world.
In an interview, Herndon Davis stated, "I wanted to distribute real-life images that could be seen from big cities to rural communities of black gay, men and women who were confident and unapologetic about who they were and who are also thriving within their own skin."
Davis also added, "I am indeed one of these people and I have many friends, associates, colleagues and others who are as well. So it was a matter of bringing to the medium of television these true to life images."
When questioned over the relevancy of having a show that caters to one specific target audience, Marla Moore, a master of fine arts candidate for Film Production, said, "Hopefully people can learn from it whether they are straight or gay. Maybe it will change people's lives.
Britney Bennet, president of Bis*xual, Lesbian, and Gay Organization of Students (BLAGOSAH), said she supports the exposure of a gay/lesbian talk show.
Bennet says any exposure for the gay community besides negative images is always good.
"Hopefully it won't be the last time that someone takes a step forward to paint a more honest picture of what Black gay life is like," said the sophomore English major.
Concerning Davis' themes of spirituality within the black gay and lesbian community, Bennett continued to say, "It's exciting that he is exposing black gays and lesbians within the church because people tend to feel excommunicated from the church even though we all serve the same God."
Davis hopes that people will understand an individual being both gay and black.
"When it's all said and done at least one person watching can see that it is indeed okay to be black and gay/lesbian at the same time and that its okay to come out during the day still gay/lesbian," Davis said.
The website for the show is http://www.HerndonDavis.com.
The new talk show will air nationally in 17 million homes at 9 p.m. every Thursday evening.
