Malcolm X: Too Much Man for One Story

Malcolm’s Sexuality

Though it wasn’t the first time that the possibility of Malcolm X’s homosexuality was raised (Bruce Perry addressed it in his 1992 biography), Marable’s description of an ongoing relationship with wealthy white businessman William Paul Lennon has angered many of Malcolm’s supporters.  But upon careful examination, Marable stops short of casting it as a full-on, intimate affair, describing the experience as “limited.”  What is clear is that Lennon hired Malcolm as an employee and required him to engage in some kinky – but not overtly sexual – acts.  This relationship occurred prior to Malcolm’s incarceration and subsequent conversion to Islam and according to Marable, “there is no evidence from his prison life in Massachusetts or from his personal life after 1952 that he was actively homosexual.”  Though some have suggested that this was only a small indication of Malcolm’s true, suppressed, sexuality, a more plausible explanation for any “bisexual” turn is sheer financial need.  During his days as the unlawful, immoral “Detroit Red”, Malcolm engaged in all sorts of debauchery in the name of getting paid.  Sprinkling talcum powder on a certain Boston bachelor just came with the territory.