Is Black queer culture suffering from a fetish for straightness? This episode of Dear Black Gay Men Podcast, we’re diving into a major cultural contradiction that has Atlanta—and the internet—in an uproar.

The Julez Smith Debacle

The conversation started at Club Opium in Atlanta, where Julez Smith (Solange’s son) was booked to host an LGBTQ+ night. Despite being paid to host, Julez reportedly declined interviews with queer media and remained in the VIP section without mingling with the community.

This sparked a heated debate: Why are we giving our hard-earned “gay dollars” to straight men who merely “tolerate” us for a check?. As I discussed in the episode, we often prioritize “straight-adjacent” celebrities while ignoring the queer icons and local creators who actually live our reality and advocate for our culture.

The EJ Johnson Paradox

On the other side of the spectrum, we have EJ Johnson. In a recent viral interview, EJ shared a vulnerable truth: they don’t go to gay clubs because the men they are attracted to—and who are attracted to them—aren’t typically in those spaces.

It’s the ultimate irony. We chase straight-identifying men who don’t want to engage with us, yet we struggle to create space for gender-fluid icons like EJ who are openly navigating the “in-between”.

Is Straightness the Blueprint?

It’s time to stop treating straightness as the blueprint for desirability. From the Pride stages to the club VIP sections, queer people should be top billing in queer spaces. We have to hold promoters accountable and start giving “flowers” to the girls, the dolls, and the men in our own culture first.

What do you think? Are we obsessed with straight men in the scene?

Listen to the full episode of Dear Black Gay Men on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform for the deep dive!.

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Why We Reward Julez Smith but Reject EJ Johnson: The “Straight Man” Obsession