Name: Herbe Murray
Age: 47
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
 
Herbe Murray calls himself black, not African-American; homosexual, not gay.
 
“I identify with being homosexual instead of gay because it’s a way of life. Gay is a political statement that people use as activism,” he said.
 
Murray is one of few black vendors at the pride event. He represents Tampa Black Pride, a three-day event that focuses on the issues facing blacks in the gay community.  
 
Murray said it’s tough for black men and women to be acknowledged by the greater gay community and the conversation should go farther.
 
“We should sit down and honestly talk about where we go from here,” Murray said. “Blacks are still angry about so many issues, that being homosexual is one more thing they don’t want to deal with.”
 
What it means to be gay and black