This season of ‘Love & Hip Hop Hollywood’ has introduced us to gay couple Milan Christopher and his partner and rapper Miles AKA Siir Brock. The two have become a hot topic on social media and before the show began airing it was reported that the two were experiencing some issues with their male cast mates being homophobic toward them and allegedly refusing to film with them.
Well it looks like VH1 has decided to capitalize off of this and start a very important conversation around the LGBT community and hip hop as well as the black community in general. The network is set to air an hour long special that will dive into the discussion of homosexuality in hip hop.
via the official press release:
VH1 has produced an incredible new special about homosexuality in the hip hop community. The hour-long LHH: Out In Hip Hop special will feature some of the biggest names in hip hop and journalism and will be a candid, honest discussion about being gay in a community that may not welcome you with open arms.
This season, VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” explores one of the most complex relationships in franchise history. Miles, a West Coast rapper, struggles with coming out after falling in love with Milan, an openly gay man.
Miles also faces emotional distress over admitting the news to Amber, his ex-girlfriend and best friend since childhood. Premiering on a brand-new episode of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood,” Miles will finally face his truth as he reveals his sexuality to Amber on VH1 Monday, October 19th at 8PM ET/PT.
Immediately following the encore presentation of the episode, VH1 will present“LHH: Out in Hip Hop” at 11PM ET/PT, an hour-long roundtable discussion celebrating being out in the hip hop community and posing the question: Is hip hop homophobic?
Moderated by ABC News’ T.J. Holmes, the open dialogue will include a diverse studio audience that has been touched by the Miles and Milan story line. They will be joined by artists and cultural experts speaking candidly on homophobia within the hip hop industry.
The panelists include a diverse lineup of talent from various backgrounds and experiences, including television and radio personalities, hip hop artists, film producers, writers, activists and religious leaders within American pop-culture and the LGBT community. Panelists include:
(Moderator) T.J. Holmes- is a journalist and national television personality. He is currently an ABC News Correspondent.
Big Freedia- is considered the “Queen of Bounce,” which is a subgenre of hip hop music born out of New Orleans that is known for its call and response style and lightning speed booty shaking dance.
Buttahman- is a former MTV/ BET executive and TV/ Radio personality who is currently doing stand-up in LA.
Cakes Da Killa- is a 25-year old New Jersey rapper who is often on the shortlist of up and coming emcees.
Chuck Creekmur- is the co-Founder and co-CEO of AllHipHop.com and a journalist.
Clay Cane- is the Entertainment Editor at BET.com. He is also the creator and producer of the documentary “Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church.”
D. Smith- is a transgender music producer, artist and songwriter who has worked with many artists, including Lil Wayne and Katy Perry.
DMC- is considered one of the pioneers of hip hop culture and founding members of the hip hop group Run-DMC.
Emil Wilbekin- is the President of World of Wilbekin, former Editor in Chief of Vibe Magazine and former Editor at Large of Essence Magazine.
Fizz- is an actor and rapper, formerly of the R&B group B2K. Currently, he is a cast member of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
Fly Young Red- is an openly gay hip hop artist. His video “Throw That Boy P*ssy” became a viral sensation.
Felicia Pearson- is an actress best known for playing Snoop on “The Wire.”
Karamo Brown- is a host for Huffington Post Live, an HLN contributor and a single father.
Michael Arceneaux- is a Complex Magazine entertainment writer.
Nneka Onuorah- is the director of “The Same Difference,” a documentary about the black lesbian experience.
Ray J- is a singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is currently a cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
Pastor Delman Coates- is the Pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Maryland and a vocal supporter of marriage equality and LGBT acceptance within the church.
Pastor Jamal Bryant- is a Pastor of the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore and he offers an alternative view on the LGBT community in the church.
Pastor Kevin Taylor- is the Pastor of “Unity Fellowship” in Newark, NJ. He is openly gay and an LGBT advocate.
Sharon Lettman-Hicks- is the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition. She is featured in a documentary called “The New Black,” which explores traditional church attitudes toward the LGBT community.
SIYA- is a rapper who stars in Oxygen’s “Sisterhood of Hip Hop.”
Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood’s own Miles and Milan will also be present, discussing their personal experiences since the show has premiered.
