Black Sheep Bleat
Why BLACK SHEEP BLEAT?
Origin of the Phrase
In Genesis 30:32, the shepherd Jacob uses the black and speckled sheep to signify his integrity with his uncle Laban. God blesses him with more black sheep through divine intervention and due to their desirability in Canaan Jacob becomes a prosperous man.
Coupled with the genetic process of recessive traits that make black sheep more rare; it's easy to see why they remained omens of good fortune for the English until the 19th century. In the 1600s black sheep became commercially undesirable to shepherds because their fleeces were not easily dyed. Therefore, black sheep became less valuable; thus, the phrase evolved over time to mean worthless or different for standing out within a group.
Black Sheep of the Family
Many sexual "others" feel as though they are the black sheep of their family or society because they are different or go against mainstream norms.
Various negative names are often given to the ones that stand out and forge their own path. Such names include: stigmatized, outcast, freak, unnatural, weird, deviant, odd, wayward, queer, abnormal, disorderly, disreputable and rebellious. In psychology, there is even the term "black sheep effect" to describe how we treat those who are different from the rest of the group. It's not favorable. In fact, it can be oppressive. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Furthermore, loving and celebrating our differences needs to become automatic. Without them, we wouldn't have meteorological phenomenons like rainbows.
A Reclamation Proclamation
Sexual "others" are not less valuable members of families or society. In fact, they bring great value to our culture as agents of change often at the tipping point of growth and expansion. Black sheep are revolutionary risk takers.
So in the likes of others who have come before us, the iconoclasts, the Rosa Parks, the Notorious B.I.G.s, the Amelia Earharts, the OutKasts, the David Bowies, the suffragettes, the Forest Gumps, the Quentin Tarantinos, the Harvey Milks, the Oscar Wildes, the child prodigies, the Betty Whites, the Steve Jobs...those who have remained authentic to themselves and their visions. They are the black sheep. They are our good omens. Therefore, we sexual “others” stand tall and proud as Black Sheep.
What's a BLEAT anyway?
bleat
/blēt/
verb
1. (of a sheep, goat, or calf) make a characteristic wavering cry. "the lamb was bleating weakly"
noun
1. the wavering cry made by a sheep, goat, or calf. "the distant bleat of sheep in the field"
BLACK SHEEP BLEAT highlights personal stories of people to discuss how they are viewed through the lens of sexual “other” due to social constructions of their sexuality. In some cases bodies are not sexualized even though sexuality certainly exists; we simply refuse to acknowledge its presence. BLACK SHEEP BLEAT strives to illustrate the unique intersections of oppression that are constructed around sex, gender, and sexuality due to our sex-negative culture. Below are stories that span numerous categories and labels; there is so much more than LGBTQ. The fire that fuels this project is to educate and humanize sexual difference to create empathy and understanding.
I want to be part of the BLACK SHEEP BLEAT video project. request interview
Marcus Hamlin
Marcus is a 34 year-old male who identifies as gay. Although he does not feel he has been ostracized within black culture, coming out to his Southern Baptist family still proved difficult and he sees how others have truly struggled with the intersection of black and gay.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.
Melissa Orta
Melissa is a 32 year-old female who identifies as a bisexual dominant femme. She has never considered herself sexually different, but learned early on that other women are not as autonomous when it comes to their sexuality. Melissa feels empowered in exploring the range of emotions and feelings when playing in the world of BDSM with her husband.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.
Rebecca V. Brink
Rebecca is a 28 year-old female who identifies as Genderqueer. Although considered cisgender most of her life, she recently discovered her desire to express her more masculine side. With the full support of her husband, Rebecca overcomes the criticism of her friends as she fights to be true to the parts of her that feel feminine as well as the parts of her that have been aching to be masculine.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.
Nikki & Chad - Coming Soon
Nikki is a 41 year-old straight female and her husband, Chad, is a 42 year-old straight male. Neither Nikki nor Chad fit into many of society's normative molds on an individual level. So naturally, those firebrand qualities highly influence their state of coupledom. Years ago they chose to explore the swinger lifestyle that breaks that good old traditional monogamous mold. With various fun and even humorous adventures behind them, Nikki and Chad have found that swinging has been instrumental in developing their communication and strengthening their bond.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.
Kyle Burke - Coming Soon
Kyle is a 37 year-old male who identifies as gay. With an innate need to be a father, Kyle refused to wait around for his prince charming to show up. Instead, he chose to adopt even though he did not have a partner. He might be singled-out in this culture built for couples and traditional families; however, Kyle has his son, Emerson, and that's the only singularity that truly matters.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.
Rafal Rybak - Coming Soon
Rafal is a 34 year-old straight male born with Cerebral Palsy. He has never considered himself disabled, but learned early on that others do see him differently. Rafal lives a full life, however, his disability has significantly affected his romantic relationships, and that in turn has affected him on multiple levels his entire life.
Produced, shot & edited by Cat Pants Media. All images are © 2015-present Cat Pants Media & BLACK SHEEP BLEAT. All rights reserved.