Controversy erupts over Malcolm X's bisexual past

by Rhonda J Mangus | November 7, 2009 at 05:43 am

3670 views | 77 Recommendations | 16 comments

Controversy erupted over African American nationalist and civil rights leader Malcolm X's bisexual past when reporters outed Malcolm X as a bisexual man during Britain's October celebration of National Black History Month.

A few black activists were outraged recently by Malcolm X's name appearing on lists of GLBT black leaders. Also, Nation of Islam leaders were upset about the allegations, even though it was clear that his bisexual experiences occurred well before he joined their religion.

Journalist Peter Tatchell, of the UK Guardian said that Malcolm X "engaged in a myriad of gay, sexual relationships and was bisexual." He also wrote that several black activists have tried to cover up the gay history of this leader.

The slain activist's sexuality was already revealed nearly two decades ago in an acclaimed biography by Bruce Perry: "Malcolm – The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America."

According to Perry: "His male-to-male encounters, which rendered it unnecessary for him to compete for women, afforded him an opportunity for sexual release without the attendant risk of dependence on women."

Malcolm X's famous saying "By any means necessary" may be more real than anyone ever imagined about this charismatic leader.

Read accounts of close boyhood friends of Malcolm X, here.

Related stories on NowPublic by this author, here.

Also on NowPublic The 44th Anniversary of the Assassination of Malcolm X, Opinion piece by NowPublic author Karen Hatter, February 2009.

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 06:12 on November 7th, 2009

No need to apologize:)! And, no worries about the 'generaldecay did this and then that' messages. I'm always glad to hear from you. In any event, there seems to be some glitches in the system this morning. I'm sure the tech team will be on it soon:)!

Perry's book sounds like a very interesting read. The accounts of close boyhood friends is an eye-opener. The critics are already speaking:)!

Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 06:19 on November 7th, 2009

This is very interesting, and the subject of bisexuality is an important one: Roy had recently asked me why there seemed nothing posted on that subject. Freud had the belief that it is there in everyone to a degree. Very good posting!!!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 06:31 on November 7th, 2009

Thank you, smk! Yes, I remember Roy's mention of nothing being posted on bisexuality. The topic of human sexuality is very broad--!:)

Rhonda J Mangus

at 06:39 on November 7th, 2009

This is for Roy:) -- Mike Syzmanski is the Bisexuality Examiner for examiner.com. I find his articles interesting.

Karen Hatter

at 07:23 on November 7th, 2009

Also at NowPublic:

The 44th Anniversary of the Assassination of Malcolm X

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/44th-anniversary-assassination-malcolm-x

Rhonda J Mangus

at 17:33 on November 8th, 2009

Thanks for stopping by and for the link, Karen. Sorry I overlooked it; I have added it at the end of this story. Thanks again!

Amy Judd

at 08:03 on November 7th, 2009

Please, no baiting and taunting each other on this thread - Rhonda doesn't want it I'm sure and I don't either. Keep the discussion civil and not personal as I would hate to have to close down the comment thread to such a potentially interesting discussion.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 17:35 on November 8th, 2009

Thank you, Amy:)!

Amy Judd

at 08:05 on November 7th, 2009

This may be an incredibly naive question, but why is everyone so outraged?

Rhonda J Mangus

at 17:37 on November 8th, 2009

Good question, Amy! Evidently it is very difficult to be Black & Gay in America.

Tomitheos Linardos

at 10:25 on November 7th, 2009

people are individuals and should not be credited or discredited based on their sexuality

statistics are only visible if people volunteer the information, and to be free to speak about those issues depends on the country, so perhaps the largest bi-sexual population is living somewhere in secrecy in a country that does not have the public freedoms we are accustomed to

in my social studies a survey on seniors over 75 yrs old were asked about any same sex encounters in their lifetime, 1 in 3 admitted to having an experience that would qualify as a bi-sexual encounter but also added that they did not pursue the same-sex relationship because of how society at that time labelled a bi-sexual as a type of sex offender which would bypass any legitimate work / life accomplishments and even carried a jail sentence / brutality beatings by police.

If Malcolm X were still alive he would be 84 years old, he overcame so many obstacles, if this was one of them that makes him even more admirable but I care more about his life changing principles than his personal sex life.

tikun

at 00:27 on November 8th, 2009

When you are "young", "healthy" and "curious" all kinds of possibilities unfold. Especially if you go to a university. Exploration, sexually, in no way can define who you will be as one "matures" into adulthood.

I have seen my own children explore many paths of interest, dress bizarre and even stick objects into them that I can only say pissed me off at the time.

But overtime as they found their own identity and interests they have become passionate artists and successful productive members of the societies in which they presently live in.

I was in university during Malcom X era and remember clearly his controversial but nevertheless important message for "African-American" "Black-American" at the time, points of self-respect and in the words of the present American President: "Yes (we) You Can".

nanute

at 06:26 on November 8th, 2009

Maybe he should have been called Malcolm XX?

Hugh Askew

at 07:13 on November 8th, 2009

Malcolm XXX ?

tikun

at 08:40 on November 8th, 2009

I am enjoying this is very much. I actually have a smile on my face.

A-1 Achievement Tutors (not verified)

at 18:56 on January 10th, 2010

This article about Malcom X was not surprising. He admitted that he had sunk to the bottom of humanity's barrel. Never-the-less, only Malcolm knew whether he was bisexual or not. I wonder if he told any of these second guessers his sexual preferences. If someone drinks alcoholic beverages every now and then, that does not made them an alcoholic. A person is an alcoholic if he/she admits to being an alcoholic. You just can't label someone an alcoholic if they do not acknowledge it. I don't recall reading anywhere where Malcolm labeled himself bisexual. No one has the right to second guess anyone unless the anyone has made known what is being alleged..