It seems that the spirit of Al Jolson and the “Minstrel Show” has found a body to possess in the likes of Charles Knipp and his manufactured character “Shirley Q Liquor.” As “Shirley Q Liquor”, Knipp performs the role as an over- weight black woman on welfare with 19 illegitimate children. A self-described forty- five year old gay white man, Knipp believes that he is on a mission from God [I wonder if they serve red cool-aid at his church]. WTF??

According to banshirleyqliquor.com “Knipp speaks in a dialect of stereotypical broken English when he is performing as Shirley. Her conversations are often riddled with malapropisms , when she suggests that her cat needs to get "sprayed", or when she goes shopping at "K-Mark" or 'Wal-Mark". The character attends Mount Holy Olive Second Baptist Zion Church of God in Christ of Resurrected Latter-Days AME CME (a reference to historically African-American churches).”

It is no surprise to me that the gay community--- no pun intended… has decided to “stand by their man." The irony here is the hypocrisy when it comes to defending a member of this community. I’m sure many of you can remember the ordeal Isaiah Washington went through not so long ago when confronted about calling fellow cast member T. R. Knight a “faggot.” Washington was forced to attend homophobia rehab, apologize publicly and become the spokesman for G.L.A.D. (Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders).

I will be sure to take note of Shirley Q Liquor the next time I hear a white gay person compare their plight of discrimination and fairness to that of blacks in America--- as if there is a comparison. By the way, you never here black gays make this analogy. I guess it’s acceptable to be a gay racist rather than a "so-called" homophobic black man. I would love to hear from you at lecriss@isispages.com.

**See images and act at: banshirleyqliquor.com