GREG MATHIS JR. & ELLIOT COOPER
It seems to be a phenomenon that Black gay men in love are taking center stage onscreen. Greg Mathis, Jr. and Elliot Cooper’s romance swept the community by storm in the recent first season of E!'s Mathis Family Matters, a reality show on the current lives of Judge Greg Mathis Sr., the former award-winning daytime TV judge, and his family. We witnessed Greg and Elliot move from their safe, comfortable space in Washington D.C., to live closer to family—which came with a few challenges like exposing their relationship to the world. Together, the strength and determination as they displayed their real love was remarkable and refreshing. Now, as advocates for the Black gay community, they’re using their platform to bring awareness to the many trials we continue to face and to help shine a overdue spotlight Black queer love and lives. —E.F.