The sexuality of Malcolm X

Phelps, Christopher

Abstract

This article engages the controversy over whether Malcolm Little, who would become Malcolm X, had same-sexual encounters. A minute sifting of all evidence and claims, augmented by new findings, yields strong indication that Malcolm Little did take part in sex acts with male counterparts. If set in the context of the 1930s and 1940s, these acts position him not as a “homosexual lover,” as has been asserted, but in the pattern of “straight trade”—heterosexual men open to sex with homosexuals—an understanding that in turn affords insights into the black revolutionary's mature masculinity.

Citation

Phelps, C. (2017). The sexuality of Malcolm X. Journal of American Studies, 51(3), https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021875816001341

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 9, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Nov 14, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 14, 2016
• Journal: Journal of American Studies
• Print ISSN: 0021-8758
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-5154
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021875816001341
• Keywords: Malcolm X, homosexuality, same-sexuality, sexuality, Malcolm Little
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/875816
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-american-studies/article/sexuality-of-malcolm-x/D087A343B0CA1BA14D54E541367B1639
• Contract Date: Jun 23, 2016