Next month Marsha Ambrosius will drop Late Nights & Early Mornings, her first solo album; she’s recorded previously as one half of Floetry. On the record is “Far Away,” which is one of the most beautiful tributes to homophobia, bullying, and suicide I’ve ever seen. That man you first see in the video is not Marsha’s partner, but a friend. He is gay, and in love. And then he is gay bashed. It doesn’t go well from there. “I lost a friend and I’ve had friends that have attempted suicide,” says Marsha. “There are people that don’t have a voice to speak out and show what is happening and what can happen, so I just wanted people to see the honesty in it and be aware.” Thanks for looking out for us, girl.
music videos
Marsha Ambrosius’ Beautiful Opus To The Lives We Lose To Bullying
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
Blackjack44
Absolutely amazing. Particularly because it chips away at the wall of homophobia in the black community where a lot of work needs to be done. It will be interesting to see how this video is received in the black community as well because they are a large part of the floetry fan base. I hope it’s received well but then again, it could just be wishful thinking…
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@Blackjack44: Who’s chipping away at the wall of homophobia in the white community?
Jason Green
I LOVE this video. Kudos to Marsha Ambrosius for tackling bullying and LGBT suicide. Hopefully this video will trigger a serious dialogue about homophobia specifically in the African-American community.
Hypocrites
It’s absolutely revolting how some of you can sit back and act like homophobia is a “black thing”. Grow up.
Homophobia much like racism knows no color.
Would you like it if people said only whites were racist or more racist than anyone else? I’m sure you’d have a fit.
Catmann
I loooove this song, video and the message in it. I will be the first in line to buy the CD.
scribe
Born and raised in detroit, black gay male here. I have had black and white friends my whole life and have noticed how both groups view manhood. Black men in general, or at least the ones I am in contact with, view manhood as something that must be earned and protected. The harder, tougher, meaner you are the greater your manhood. Any hint of softness, weakness, you must be a fag or a pussy. Being a thug is more important in some communities than getting good grades or being a good person.
Its not that whites aren’t homophobic, its just rougher in black communities.
If someone had called me the “N word” in school, my parents and family would have marched on the school with civil rights groups, but being called faggot…. You are totally alone, with no support. I’ve been in so many fist fights I have lost count. Almost every fight was because I was gay. I learned quickly to protect myself and that I was the only person that would save me. Things are getting better, i think the song proves that, but all of the united states has a long way to go.
SBC19
Knock it off with that “black community” BS. That cluster of teenagers who committed suicide last September…I wonder what color their tormentors at school were. White or Black? Place your bets.
mikey
@SBC19: maybe it’s coz most out guys are white, most black either label themselves as bi or straight, and am black by the way
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@mikey: That’s total bullshit. Just because you’re on the internet doesn’t mean you should go spreading lies just so you can make disparaging comments about black people.
hotone2me
@Hypocrites, I couldn’t agree more
(Staying on tack)
As a big fan of Floetry their talents exceeds all margins. Now the point of the song and video is that the ARTIST Marsha Ambrosius has suffered the loss of a friend due to homophobia, rather or not that the perpetrators were white, black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino, First Nation, African, Australian, Canadian Eskimo, is totally irrelevant.
The purpose of the song is to illustrate the pain suffered from those who have chosen to take their life by their loved ones and the unanswered question that ensues.
Please keep in mind that not every topic requires over simplification of the issue and the homophobia has hurt many LGBTQ individuals from all walks of life.
The song is beautiful and much like Janet Jackson song “Free Xone”, the race issue is not the point of the message, nor should it be.
Being ethnocentrism about homophobia is just as damaging as blatant bullying in itself.
Mykey
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: Stop deluding yourself davey wavey (by the way, start putting on a shirt on your youtube videos, to stop the stereotype that all gay guys are obsessed with their bodies before you comment on a post). And how have i made disparaging remarks about black guys? It’s a FACT that homophobia is more rampant among blacks, hispanics, arabs, compared to whites!!! And note that I DID NOT say that it does not exist in whites! and for the record, am black and proud to be!!!
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@Mykey: No it’s not a “fact” and saying it repeatedly won’t make it one nor will saying “I’m black”.
Aside from the fact that you’re being a bigot, it’s obvious you’re no mathematician either.
There are more white people in this country than anyone else. You cannot compare what white people do to other races and expect valid statistical data. You could group every minority in this country together and they still wouldn’t equal the number of whites living here.
America is a majority white country. Get it through your skull.
Homophobia is not more “rampant” among blacks. I was called “Fag.” all through school by nothing but white people. Was it because I was gay? No. It’s because the slur was suddenly “cool” and every guy was calling every other guy “Fag.” for no reason.
Most straight males are homophobic.
You intend to make it about skin color, yet the groups raising funds against us are all white.
Bigots like you are keeping myself and others from getting our rights because you only see skin color and want to spread racism rather than get to the root of the problem.
I don’t care about your jealousy of blacks. I don’t care that you feel the need to air your inferiority by claiming black homophobes are somehow worse than other homophobes. I do care that your bigotry will make black allies and black gay men and women feel unwelcome.
Go sit in the corner and play with your blocks. You do not belong in this discussion. Ignorance gets us nowhere and you seem to be overflowing with it.
Mykey
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: you ignoramus!!! Your also a prick who has no idea what your talking about, read aloud what i said, who the heck is talking about america and i mean the US of A! Get it!!! FYI, US is a country, not the world! And don’t be assuming am a white or even american for that matter, maybe you should learn how to read before throwing in your stupid, bigoted (if you know what that means) and racist comments! Good day, or night sir!!!
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@Mykey: Thanks for proving my point. Nice tantrum you had there, kid. Have a nice nap.
Mykey
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: Get it in your head dude, even if homophobia in the US isn’t as rampant as it was years ago, it’s nowhere near being eradicated completely, and I mean the W.O.R.L.D. among all the races. Also, notice how life’s easier for gays in Europe compared to those in Africa or Middle-East, that’s a fact and nothing racist, silly!
So let me make it simple for you; If you took the total percentage of blacks, whites and hispanics and did a survey of gay acceptance in those communities, you’d find it higher among whites (and note am not saying they are all accepting of homosexuals) than you would among blacks or hispanics coz basically those societies consider themselves more “macho” and real mean don’t play with other real men). So next time before you start an argument, do your math and think out loud. It’s really hard to put some sense into an idiots mind! Have a nice life, dear!
Michael Angelo
GODafternoon…There really should be a debate about what coomunity is most impacted or oppressed through systemic homophobia. What Marsha did though was to bring voice to community who often times are asked to exist in silence within the hybridty of theri location. Black gay men are asked by the white gay community to march for unity as long as you water down blackness. And are asked to march for unity by the black community as long as you water down your blackness. There are very representation of the black gay experience in media, on television. And yet not only do bashing and bullying happen to black gay men within the landscape of the black community, it as historiclly happen at such high rates yet has never been documented in the media. This is also a community who has the highest HIV prevelance and incidence rates in the country, and one of the highest in the world….And so, this is a moment in time when someone, Marsha, utilized her power through media and celebrity to bring voice to the silent suffering of a creative and dynamic community, not to compete or take away from any other community’s plight…
Michael Angelo….@Garconpa
Michael Angelo
GODafternoon…There really shouldn’t be a debate about what coomunity is most impacted or oppressed through systemic homophobia. What Marsha did though was to bring voice to community who often times are asked to exist in silence within the hybridty of their location. Black gay men are asked by the white gay community to march for unity as long as you water down blackness. And are asked to march for unity by the black community as long as you water down your blackness. There are very few representation of the black gay experience in media, on television. And yet not only do bashing and bullying happen to black gay men within the landscape of the black community, it as historically happen at such high rates yet has never been documented in the media. This is also a community who has the highest HIV prevelance and incidence rates in the country, and one of the highest in the world….And so, this is a moment in time when someone, Marsha, utilized her power through media and celebrity to bring voice to the silent suffering of a creative and dynamic community, not to compete or take away from any other community’s plight.
Michael Angelo….@Garconpa
Michael Angelo
GODafternoon…There really shouldn’t be a debate about what coomunity is most impacted or oppressed through systemic homophobia. What Marsha did though was to bring voice to community who often times are asked to exist in silence within the hybridty of their location. Black gay men are asked by the white gay community to march for unity as long as you water down blackness. And are asked to march for unity by the black community as long as you water down your blackness. There are very few representation of the black gay experience in media, on television. And yet not only do bashing and bullying happen to black gay men within the landscape of the black community, it as historically happen at such high rates yet has never been documented in the media. This is also a community who has the highest HIV prevelance and incidence rates in the country, and one of the highest in the world….And so, this is a moment in time when someone, Marsha, utilized her power through media and celebrity to bring voice to the silent suffering of a creative and dynamic community, not to compete or take away from any other community’s plight. As a black gay man i say Kudos for having the courage to do this Marsha, and I am overwhelmed with joy
Michael Angelo….@Garconpa
Michael Angelo
@<GODafternoon…There really shouldn't be a debate about what comunity is most impacted or oppressed through systemic homophobia. What Marsha did though was to bring voice to community who often times are asked to exist in silence within the hybridty of their location. Black gay men are asked by the white gay community to march for unity as long as you water down blackness. And are asked to march for unity by the black community as long as you water down your gayness. There are very few representation of the black gay experience in media, on television. And yet not only do bashing and bullying happen to black gay men within the landscape of the black community, it as historically happen at such high rates yet has never been documented in the media. This is also a community who has the highest HIV prevelance and incidence rates in the country, and one of the highest in the world….And so, this is a moment in time when someone, Marsha, utilized her power through media and celebrity to bring voice to the silent suffering of a creative and dynamic community, not to compete or take away from any other community's plight…S A black gay man I say Kudos to Marsha for having the courage, the insight, and the forsight to call attention to this particularity.
Michael Angelo….@Garconpa
Aussie Col
Hello, this is a beautiful song about a sad situation that diminishes us all as a society no matter what colour or philosophy e follow. The sadness is compounded by the arguments and hate in peoples comments. I understand that it is easy to react to the emotions released but if we want to stop the fear, confusion and danger to our gay friends we need to be united in one sense – that we want this very preventable suicide issue to stop. All our ‘tribes’ have different experiences, and different agenda’s – lets make one of them to become united in the beauty of giving our gay friends that feel lost and and unloved a reason to live that one extra day, every time they need it. We don’t need focus groups, Government support, church support, peer support, we just have to take a personal stand. There’s a lot of love out there, just reach out.
divkid
thank you Q for bringing this goddess to my attention. such a beautiful voice with right balance of genuine emotion and restraint, resisting the self indulgent vocal pyrotechnics and histrionics of lesser talents.
and best of all just found out she is from my home city of liverpool. yay, you go girl!
marsha thank you for bringing heart and enlightenment to this issue and yet elevating it above mere “worthiness” — that takes real talent.
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@Mykey: Once again you prove you had no point. Since you got shut down in America you suddenly claim around the world all blacks are homophobic. Right, kid. Having fun making things up just so you can be a bigot?
Homophobia is everywhere and all races have homophobic people and groups. You’re just concerned with spreading racism against blacks and you lie through your pathetic little teeth on the internet to do so.
Get a life.
Chris Atlier
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: I think that there is a difference in the way homosexuality is dealt with in the black community. There is a lot of hatred and violence associated with being an openly gay person in the community. I think this video is bold and I hope it does encourage a discussion.
Mykey
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: Like Chris Atlier said above me. I didn’t bring in the race issue, you did. Maybe you should read this article on gays in Uganda if you think your so intelligent http://www.queerty.com/ugandas-handy-newspaper-list-of-the-top-100-gays-to-string-up-in-the-trees-20101019/. Am just saying we blacks have a long way to go in terms of sexual minorities rights, I should know better than you coz am African, born and lived in Africa all my life and you’re probably in America feeling safe knowing that other people in your country are out there fighting for your rights while you wile away on ur computer issuing derogatory comments and jerking off to naked pics of men! Shut the fuck up!
RW
@Mykey: Bitch, who do you think TAUGHT Africans to hate homos? THE WHITE CHRISTIAN CHURCH LEADERS through homophobic biblical teachings! Everything they base their hatred on is from the Bible. So Mykey darling, you can shove that link straight up your foolish ass.
robert
I just think this is a bold video period.Floetry was a fierce group that ended too soon. I think suicide and bullying of LGBT persons is a universal problem. I would think homophobia is higher among whites than blacks/African Americans or other minorities because they are the dominant group by numbers still. Prop 8 in California was passed because of the homophobia of white people.
Davey Wavey's Vagina Monologue
@Chris Atlier: That’s true, I’ve never heard of white people gay bashing or even murdering gay men.
Oh wait.
Stop making this about race.
@Mykey: Your little tantrums are highly amusing. So is your ignorance.
You’re sitting here calling every black person in the world “the black community”. The phrase itself is already idiotic enough to apply to only people living in the same area as if everyone gets together to have a town hall meeting on their blackness. To apply it to random continents for the sake of bitching and moaning about black people is just downright stupid.
No one here is talking about Africa, but you already knew that. This video isn’t about Africa, nor will it be seen by most Africans.
You’re just trying to backpeddle and manipulate. Previously you had no problem pretending to be American, but I see you’re still pretending to be black.
Cute, bigot. Seriously no one is buying your act. Keep entertaining me though. This is fun.
Mykey
@RW: RW darling, your even stupider than you write. So since the white christian missionaries taught Africans to hate gays, what have they done now, are they changing their views, NO! In Africa we blame everything on the white man instead of sitting down and solving our problems ourselves and am not going to sugar coat anything just coz am, black that’s why Africans are where they are!
@Davey Wavey’s Vagina Monologue: You on the other hand are idiotic. You sound like a really bitchy gay person who’s really bitter about his status! For the record, i can’t recall pretending to be American dipshit, or just cause am eloquent and using the net you assume am American and white (oh ya, coz internet does not exist in Africa, only hunger and starvation, and still live on trees like monkeys). Please!!! Now whose the racist now! It’s guys like you who give black guys (or whatever race you are, i don’t care) a bad name. Please learn to read and understand before you reply with another absurd comment before you make this post about trashing me with your even sillier ally RW (or maybe that’s just you with a different username)!!! FUCK YOU!!!
FluffyInDrag
Okay, really kids. The fact is that it’s not possible to address every fkin issue in one go. Either by showcasing one you are denying the existence of another, or by attempting to cover all of them you’ll leave something out and suddenly it’s biased against that. Get over it, the fact is that situations like what was shown in the video happen, and just because it was showing THAT particular scenario does not mean that it should be considered worse, or more prevalent, or more important than any other. As long as we, as a “community”, continue to throw around those kinds of accusations nothing is going to get done.
One step at a time, one story told before the next, and have sympathy and compassion toward one another’s unique histories because they are not mutually-exclusive. Instead of picking on the individuality of this TYPE of situation, appreciate the larger themes it addresses without getting so defensive. It’s sad and horrible no matter if the perps or victims are black, white, green, or purple.