Native Son Launches Channel for Black gay & queer men, Honoring James Baldwin’s Legacy

Native Son, an organization focused on empowering Black gay and queer men, has established a partnership with Q.Digital, a prominent LGBTQ+ media company. This collaboration has resulted in the launch of the Native Son Channel on Queerty, a well-known LGBTQ+ culture and entertainment website.

The channel’s debut, timed to coincide with the centennial of literary figure James Baldwin’s birth, includes a digital cover experience paying tribute to Baldwin’s life and work. Native Son, founded in 2016, has positioned itself as a platform for connecting and supporting Black gay and queer men across various fields, including the arts, business, media, and politics.

Emil Wilbekin, the founder of Native Son and an experienced journalist, will oversee content creation for the new channel in cooperation with Queerty’s editorial team. The channel aims to provide a range of content, including news stories, opinion pieces, and video content, with a focus on the Black gay and queer experience.

Q.Digital’s CEO, Scott Gatz, expressed the company’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in the LGBTQ+ community. The partnership is seen as a step towards increasing visibility and representation for Black gay and queer men in media.

The collaboration extends beyond digital content. Q.Digital will support Native Son’s initiatives, including the Native Son Awards, a significant event for the organization. Additionally, the partnership includes the introduction of a dedicated Queerty Native Son email newsletter.

Looking ahead, Native Son has announced two upcoming events. The Black Gay Leadership Forum, themed “Harnessing Our Collective Power,” is scheduled for September 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Later in the year, on December 7, 2024, Los Angeles will host “Native Son 101,” an event celebrating impactful Black gay and queer men of 2024.

The launch of the Native Son Channel on Queerty represents a noteworthy expansion for the organization, potentially increasing its reach and influence within the LGBTQ+ media landscape. This partnership may provide a platform for more diverse storytelling and representation in queer media.