VH1 broke major reality TV ground this year when they added real-life gay couple Milan Christopher and Miles to the cast of “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood,” making them the first gay male couple to be prominently featured on the show. And now it looks like VH1 wants to push the boundaries even farther with a new special on gay people in the world of hip-hop.
According to TheJasmineBrand.com, the special, which will be called “Out in Hip Hop,” was filmed on Oct. 6 and will be hosted by news host TJ Holmes. “Out in Hip Hop” will reportedly focus on LGBT people in hip-hop and the stigma and discrimination LGBT people face in such a homophobic and transphobic music community. The special will likely touch upon LGBT issues in the overall Black community as well.
The special, which was inspired by Miles and Milan, will feature the couple as well as their “LHH Hollywood” cast mates Fizz and and Ray J.
“Out in Hip Hop” will also feature other gay and lesbian hip-hop acts such as “Sisterhood of Hip-Hop’s” Siya, Bounce music star Big Freedia, and “The Wire’s” Felicia “Snoop” Pearson. DMC of Run-D.M.C. will reportedly also be featured in the special.
We’re intrigued to see how this special is going to play out and how VH1 is going to treat the topic of Black LGBT people in hip-hop. Obviously this special could take a very drama-filled route considering Milan’ previous accusations that several of his cast mates refused to film with him and Miles because they’re gay. But this special could also have some much-needed teachable moments about the impact of hate and the need for inclusion of LGBT people.
