*B5’s Dustin Michael shared a video on Instagram Tuesday in which he celebrates dating a transgender woman.
“I’m in a very beautiful relationship with someone who makes me very happy. She’s very sexy, very talented. And most of all, she has a beautiful kind of spirit, which I love. My girlfriend, she is transgender. Her name is D. Smith,” the R&B singer shared in the clip.
As a result of last month’s fatal shooting of trans influencer Koko Da Doll in Atlanta, Michael was concerned about contributing to violence toward trans women by keeping his relationship with director D. Smith on the low.
“After Koko’s death, I wanted to make it very clear to (D. Smith) that she has a place that she can feel safe and free with and basically feel seen and loved without any conditions,” Michael said. “I don’t want to be one of those men benefiting from a trans woman in private and I celebrate her publicly.”
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Smith reposted Michael’s video and captioned it “I’m so proud of you. We’ve known each other for almost 10 years now and every moment with you was always validating. So many men only dream of being as brave as you are.”
She added: “Thank you for being the example of a human just loving a human. I’m so grateful for your heart, ambition and spirit! I love you.”
Michael further explained in his video that Black men are “not allowing ourselves to love who we want to love openly without fearing being judged and shamed publicly.”
Several of his male followers on Instagram disagreed with this statement. One person commented, “Let me be the first to speak for black men and say, we’re not suppressing shit. If you’re gay say that. Don’t lump us in with your shit. You’re dating a man. That’s between you and God, but don’t try to pull us into it.”
Another IG User added, “If you like MEN, just say that. Cause ain’t no straight male sayin this OR DOIN THIS. Tryna be extra with it.”
Meet D. Smith in the Instagram clip below:
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READ MORE: 1 in 4 Black Transgender and Nonbinary Youth Attempted Suicide in Past Year: Survey
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