One of the Children

One of the Children: Gay Black Men in Harlem provides a groundbreaking ethnographic account of the lives of gay black men residing in Harlem. This community, often overlooked in academic literature, is presented through the lens of the author’s two-year participant-observation fieldwork, revealing a vibrant, interconnected network of individuals who navigate dual identities rooted in both their racial and sexual identities. The book uncovers how these men construct their lives around "fictive kin" relationships, community social networks, and culturally significant expressions of identity. By participating in Harlem's social institutions and private gatherings, the author delves into the complexities of their lived experiences, emphasizing the unique challenges and resilience that define their existence within a broader societal framework often marked by homophobia and racial discrimination.

The study not only challenges stereotypes of black men as marginalized "street corner figures" but also redefines their role within Harlem’s urban and cultural landscape. Through detailed chapters, the author examines the intersection of gay and black identities, the impact of community and social networks, and the influence of broader black and gay cultural narratives. Central to the book is an exploration of the profound effects of the AIDS epidemic on these communities, capturing both the adversity faced and the solidarity fostered in response. The ethnography underscores the rich, multi-layered identities of gay black men in Harlem, offering valuable insights into how they shape their social and cultural worlds while navigating broader societal challenges.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1996.