Y’all I love Luther. I think I loved him before I was born, actually. My parents tell me when my mom was pregnant with me, they went to a Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle concert, so I think it’s no coincidence that when I was old enough to choose the kind of music I liked, I chose Luther. I’ve never been big on Patti though. Yesterday I heard a snippet of Patti on “Watch What Happens” discussing Luther’s sexuality and his struggle to come out. It was the first time I can recall someone close to him confirming what many wondered or already assumed about him. I know nothing about coming out, but can imagine how frightening it must be– even in a time when more and more people have mustered up the courage to do so. I can also imagine how frightening that could have been when you had fans across the world who viewed you in a certain way, a career you love on the line, it was the 1980s and you’re a Black man.
I’m sure the last part I mentioned also caused Luther to vacillate between whether or not he would come out. Historically, we as Black folk haven’t had a great track record of being supportive of folks coming out. Luther’s fan base was mostly Black people and Black women at that, coming out as a gay man may have caused many of his fans to abandon him; which is what Patti said he feared would happen. She also mentioned Luther wouldn’t come out as not to upset his mother, even though Luther felt like she knew. It doesn’t make sense, but again, historically we (Black folks) sometimes pretend something isn’t real or true until it’s said outright, even if deep down we already know what the deal is. I think that mentality goes back to slavery, but we’ll save that theory for another day. Like his mother, I wonder how many of Luther’s fans “knew” he was gay, but because he didn’t expressly state it, pretended like they didn’t know.
I’m sure Luther loved the life he created for himself, but it’s kind of sad to think he died not feeling comfortable enough to share all of himself with everyone he loved. As we listened to Luther’s “Mistletoe Jam” on Thanksgiving, I told my dad I imagined if he was still alive, he would have come out by now. I guess thanks to Patti, he kinda did.
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