The results were stark. 68% of respondents said they hide their face or use ambiguous photos on certain apps to avoid fetishization, only to reveal their identity later. One Nashville reader wrote: "I’m either 'too aggressive' or a 'thug' if I take my shirt off, but if I wear a sweater, I'm 'pretending to be white.' I can't breathe."

By Marcus J. Washington Black Gay Blog Senior Contributor

We are writing the first draft of our own history, one exclusive at a time. The mainstream media will catch up later. Right now, this is for us.

Black Gay Blog Exclusive May 2026

The results were stark. 68% of respondents said they hide their face or use ambiguous photos on certain apps to avoid fetishization, only to reveal their identity later. One Nashville reader wrote: "I’m either 'too aggressive' or a 'thug' if I take my shirt off, but if I wear a sweater, I'm 'pretending to be white.' I can't breathe."

By Marcus J. Washington Black Gay Blog Senior Contributor

We are writing the first draft of our own history, one exclusive at a time. The mainstream media will catch up later. Right now, this is for us.