R&B artist Tank is tackling a sensitive topic: homophobia within the Black community. In a recent appearance on the Holdin’ Court Podcast, the “Please Don’t Go” singer shared his views on why Black men face heightened scrutiny regarding same-sex relationships or experimentation.
Tank Addresses Double Standards and Cultural Stigma
“There’s something about Black men and the homosexual conversation that is a mess,” Tank stated. “The phobia as it relates to Black men is the elephant in the room.” He believes the cultural stigma around sexuality creates unnecessary double standards.
Tank pointed out that same-sex experimentation is often more accepted among women but treated as taboo for men, particularly Black men. “The worst thing somebody can say about a Black man is that he’s gay,” Tank explained. “When they try to assassinate your character or deliver the highest joke imaginable, they’re going gay first.”
The father of two also addressed the persistent conspiracy theory that there is an agenda to feminize Black men. “It stems from something within our culture that has created this stigma,” he said. “Somehow, there’s a program to make Black men gay. But who’s the attack coming from?”
Tank questioned the idea of fashion being used as a tool to feminize Black men. Referencing androgynous style icons like Prince, Michael Jackson, Cameo, and Rick James, he noted their unconventional looks didn’t result in immediate assumptions about their sexuality. “That meant you were in. It didn’t mean you were gay,” Tank said.
He further dismissed claims of a so-called agenda. “I’ve never seen anything that made me say, ‘Oh wow! I want to be gay because of that outfit,’” Tank said, mocking the idea.
Tank’s comments continue a dialogue he started in 2019 during an interview on Angela Yee’s Lip Service podcast. Back then, he stirred controversy by arguing that experimentation doesn’t define someone’s sexuality. “It doesn’t mean he’s gay. The art of being gay is being gay—it’s a continuous state of being,” he said.