Black and Queer on Campus

This was a really intriguing and informative non fiction case study type of read. While the author was very transparent in the introduction that he identified as a black cisgendered male, he recruited LGBTIA+ black participants who were studying in either black educational institutions or more prominently white educational institutions. Any findings or observations argued by the author were always bolstered by the direct words expressed by the interviewees. The author also explored and acknowledged all the diverse opinions of all the different interviewees on different topics areas. Some of the chapters were diving into issues such as coming out, choosing which university to attend as a black LGBT person, discussing gay black celebrity identity's, Black Lives Matter, institutional racism and homophobia and political and sexual identities of black LGBT individuals while at university. That is just a small selection of the topics discussed. I enjoyed the complexity of interviewee's answers and while this book is not reflective of all black LGBT people, it actually helped highlight the individuality of answers, black LGBT people will give. Racial and sexual identity as well as a political stance and the experience of making friends or being accepted by colleges and administrators at the university are experiences unique to the person. While it is clear that black LGBT people are marginalised and have challenges they are also people who enjoy their studies, their friends and joining organisations. This really addressed the complexity and individuality of the broad topic area. A promising addition to the literature around this topic.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.