By J. Ahmir Vines and Lake Geslani
In honor of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, we’re shining a light on five couples who embody the beauty, power, and magic of Black queer love.
But these folks aren’t just loving loudly and proudly.
They are reimagining in real-time what partnership, parenthood, and family can look like, while also inspiring society at large to reimagine a more expansive and inclusive future for Black LGBTQ+ relationships.
These couples are proof that, even in the face of a sometimes cruel world resistant to change, the limits of love are truly boundless.
Hope Giselle and Xander Godsey
Hope is an activist, organizer, public speaker, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Communications specialist. Last summer, she became the first Black trans woman to speak at the March on Washington, and also served as the grand marshal of the New York City Pride March.
Hope and Xander are getting married on June 1, 2024 — the first day of Pride month. The power couple’s upcoming film, “Love Unleashed: Till Death Do Us Part,” will document their love story and capture the festivities of the big day. Their relationship is proof that fairytales can come true for women of trans experience, and that love, success, and happiness can exist for Black trans communities.
Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner
WNBA star Brittney Griner and lawyer Cherelle Griner originally met while studying at Baylor University in Texas. The happy couple were wed in 2019.
While Brittney was held in Russian captivity for much of 2022 — a scary, unprecedented ordeal — Cherelle relentlessly advocated for her release and even worked closely with the White House on various legal strategies. Thanks in part to her efforts, Brittney finally came home in December of that year.
Their love shows the power of loyalty and the importance of finding a mate who is truly a partner in life, through thick and thin.
Precious Brady-Davis and Myles Brady-Davis
Trans couple Precious and Myles Brady-Davis were married in 2016. Since then, the pair has welcomed two daughters into the world. Their journey into parenthood was documented, with Myles being featured in a TLC episode called “My Pregnant Husband.”
Precious and Myles’ visibility as trans parents is not only revolutionary in itself. It’s also a vital reminder that trans folks need and deserve access to reproductive care just like anyone else. In recent years, Precious released a powerful memoir titled “I Have Always Been Me”. The former Lambda Legal plaintiff also became the first Black trans woman appointed to public office in Cook County, IL.
Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts
In 2015, actress Niecy Nash and musician Jessica Betts initially connected over their shared love of music. But it didn’t take long for their friendship to evolve into something more.
After keeping their relationship out of the public eye for years, the two got married in Summer 2020 and have since been spotted out and about, loving one another proudly. In 2022, Niecy and Jessica even made history by being the first same-sex couple to be featured on the cover of Essence magazine.
Niecy and Jessica are both openly authentic, and their electric love is a reminder of how special it is to be able to find a partner who sees you for all that you are.
Chanel Hudson-O’Connor and Novian O’Connor
Chanel is the CEO of PR Mentality Network Agency and President of The Che’ Production Group. In late 2022, she made history when she became the first trans woman of color to co-executive produce a major crime documentary for TV.
Despite wanting to find love, Chanel didn’t have much hope for a happy ending. “I didn’t really look at relationships seriously,” she told Essence. “I was like, ‘This is never going to happen for me.’”
Novian changed everything. The two met on the dating app Plenty of Fish in 2015. They exchanged vows on January 22, 2022 in Atlanta, and the ceremony was filmed for an episode of VH1’s “My Celebrity Dream Wedding.” The couple have a beautiful son together.
Chanel and Novian not only openly speak to the power of self-love, growth, and that love for trans women is possible. But they also advocate for men who love trans women. Novian candidly shares ways partners of trans folks can be advocates and allies, while still learning and growing in love.
