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“The Unseen Struggles: Erasure and Racial Inequities in Kansas City’s Queer Community”

commissioned for the Urban League of Greater Kansas City’s “State of Black Kansas City” 2023 report

• Essay

• Fall 2023

• 4 pages

This essay applies a deep, rigorous analysis of the Black queer historical research I conducted over the past three years–critically examining how physical space and capital have contributed to a culture in Kansas City that subjugates Black queers–and creates a cycle wherein Black queer Kansas Citians must rely on white LGBT progress to progress themselves.

The essay specifically examines racist practices at gay bars, commodification of pride, gentrification, and sexual fetishization of Black gay men within the context of Kansas City.