As a Black woman who did not publicly identify as bisexual until my 20s, my heart truly goes out to Andrew Gillum for feeling forced into this admission in such a painful and humiliating way. I hope he has love and support around him right now because he's going to need it.

It is very, very, very difficult for Black men to publicly identify as not-straight in our society, whether that identity is bi, gay, queer.. whether that identity shifts over time or not.. It is so difficult. May @AndrewGillum have all the care, space and compassion he deserves.

Being a Black bisexual woman.. as challenging as it can be.. there is more acceptance, space and grace extended to me, undoubtedly, than what we see extended to Black men who are not straight. Of course, much of that "acceptance" is problematic, sexualized and fetishized..

But Black men who identify as bi rarely have their identities validated, accepted, much less celebrated. Biphobia is so rampant and when it intersects with anti-blackness and toxic masculinity... that's a very, very heavy burden to bear.