The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Nov. 1 Homecoming Gospel Concert was supposed to help welcome the Eagle family home and celebrate Black music and talent.
Instead, the UMES is now apologizing after a student emcee challenged concertgoers for praising the performance of the openly gay singer, B.Slade.
“On Sunday, Nov. 1, a University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) graduate student serving as a student emcee during a homecoming gospel concert made comments that may be perceived as derogatory to the LBGQIA+ community,” the statement said. “UMES does not condone hate speech of any kind. Respect and inclusivity are important values to the UMES community.”
The university said it was reviewing the situation and would take appropriate action. It did not identify the student or announce a disciplinary decision.
The situation unfolded inside of the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center in Princess Anne, Md. and was supposed to serve as the opener for the university’s Nov. 1–8 homecoming week. The program featured the UMES Gospel Choir, the UMES Alumni Choir, singer Preston Jonzell and gospel icon Tye Tribbett, in addition to B. Slade.
B.Slade, whose real name is Anthony Charles Williams II, made a name for himself as “Tonex” on the gospel circuit years ago. He first spoke on his sexuality and told his fans he was gay in the fall of 2009. At the UMES Homecoming Gospel Concert, he arrived wearing a long, straight wig, colloquially coined by Black women as a “buss down.”
While singing during his set, he entertained the audience with gospel music, and a high energy performance that included dancing across the stage with flamboyant flips of his signature wig.
“I can praise in a buss down anytime, anyhow,” B. Slade can be heard singing during his time on stage.
Shortly after, the emcee issues a stunning rebuke to both the artist and those in the audience who encouraged his performance in a wig.
“You guys all call yourself Christians and you guys approve of that man coming up on this stage wearing a wig saying he can ‘praise Jesus in a buss down?” says the UMES student, in the video making rounds on social media. “If you guys accept that…you’re going against the word of God.”
“I’m sorry to tell you that,” she says, as her microphone is cut off and music from the gospel group, Mary Mary, begins to play over the auditorium’s loud speaker.
In response, Tribbett addressed the controversy on the stage. He praised the young woman’s courage, then urged her to consider how she approached people with corrections.
“I love your courage…I love the holiness you stand for,” said Tribbett, before telling the student that when it comes to correcting others, “ways matter.”
Tribbett also expressed love for B.Slade, calling him his “brother.”
Supporters of both the young lady and B.Slade have been vocal about the incident, with some agreeing with the student and others saying the university and concert attendees knew what they were getting when they invited a young, gay entertainer to their gospel concert.
The university has yet to announce what action will follow its review. It has said that university counseling services are available to any student impacted by the debacle.