The colors of the gay pride flag represent life (red), healing (orange), the sun (yellow), nature (green), harmony (blue), and spirit (violet); but some feel that their color isn't represented on the rainbow at all (at least in terms of race and ethnicity).

GLBT people are often lumped into one category of sexual identity, where race and ethnicity are easily overlooked. When in fact, race dynamics still exist among GLBT people. Being gay defines a sexual and emotional identity, so the plays on race are often produced on the same grand stage of mainstream society.

There are already a growing number of Latin and Black prides that run independently of traditional gay pride events because some gay men feel that their needs are not always represented in every gay situation. It's also no secret that gay men in bars and social spots hang out in segregated corners reminiscent of high school lunch rooms.

Don't get me wrong, nothing in this community of diverse individuals is the rule. The center stage of any play on gay is shared equally by the rules and the exceptions. Sexuality is not the only identifier in a gay man's life. We gays, as a collective, are not queer clones—that's what makes us great. And even within our hives, we are unique of each other—which makes us dynamic.

In a world with so many "identities" floating around in varied groups, tension is bound to exist. But, how do we know when that tension is a product of race dynamics, as opposed to, say, personality conflicts?

One Gay Life reader, an African-American opera singer, talks about his experience being the only African-American in his choir:

"I joined an all gay man's choir last year and I'm still a member of it now (probably not for long). Since I've been there, and especially recently, I feel somewhat... distant from the group," he says. "I looked around and something the question came out: 'Could some of these guys in the choir and just in general not like me simply because I'm black?' Basically what I'm trying to ask is, did I somehow miss the memo that the term "It's a white man's world" applies to homosexuality too?"

Later, the opera singer admits that his formal training (and the choir members' lack there of) may play a factor in their dynamic:

"This is what I go to school for," he says. "The choir I joined is a community thing so a lot of the guys are not exactly trained singers... And they are in it for something to do. I joined so I could build a network and get my name out there. So we're at completely different levels."

The opera singer obviously feels ostracized by his singing buddies. Do they shun him because of his race or are they intimidated by his talent? Or, could it be something different all together?

I cite his situation to highlight the complexity of interpersonal dynamics, especially when seen through rainbow colored glasses. So:

• When does race play a factor in our interaction as gay men?
• Does our separation reflect the differences in communities of race, regardless of sexuality?
• And, even then, what about the racially diverse gays that mingle without consideration of color?

Let's talk about race in the gay community. Comment below or join the discussion (and get the rest of the opera singer's story) in the Gay Life forum topic: Homosexuality: Not for black people?

More on Race Dynamics:

• Interracial Gay Dating
• Only Attracted to Gay Black Men
• Race Relations on About.com

_{Image © Sanja Gjenero.}