Black History Month held in February is the celebration and recognition of important people and events that shaped Black history. In honor of the month and in the spirit of the mission of the website, I would like to offer some elements of same-gender loving black history.
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice, but I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people" Coretta Scott King - Reuters, 31 March 1998.
Association for the Study of African-American Life & History - The founders of Black History Month and an educational resource for more info.
Brother Outsider - The life of Black/LGBT activist Bayard Rustin.
UKBlackOut - A space to disseminate information and for Black LGBT people to interact and discuss issues that are relevant to them.
National Black Justice Coalition - A civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia.
Gay Men of African Descent - Empowering gay/bisexual men of African decent through advocacy, education, health and wellness promotion and social support.
Black LGBT Pride Parades - The links are for 2008, but the websites will reflect the 2009 dates.
Clip of Bayard Rustin honored during LGBT History Month:
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Black History Month!
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2 comments:
Thank you for that Coretta Scott King quote! I think it's important that people remember that she and her husband not only fought for equality for minorities but she also supported gay & lesbian rights. And thanks for all the links!
One of my largest protest signs is all about Bayard Rustin. I wanted to bring to light that we were there for all other civil rights protest, in votes, in the closet in the congress, in voices, and in actions by our brothers and sisters like Bayard.
I blogged, emailed, and sent a pict through an Obama representative to Pres. Obama.
Our people need to be remembered too. African Americans and Gays need to work together, as we have done in the past to help each other succeed.
We helped to achieve the African American "dream", remember WE HAVE A DREAM TOO... Help us succeed. It is not just about gay marriage, it is about CIVIL RIGHTS and moving away from prejudice and hate.
We struggled throughout history, we were in concentration camps, faggot came from us being burned at stake, and we are still jailed and persecuted in many countries around the world. We have been struggling, especially since the beginning of Christianity and misinterpretations made by key religious figures.
I have been told WAIT, and the GAY CIVIL RIGHTS movement is less of a struggle because we were not slaves, but:
We shouldn't have to wait.
We shouldn't be told that our struggle is any less difficult; We are on the top of the Hate list.
We shouldn't be the only group to be denied civil rights in this country.
and I leave you with my friend's quip to me..."you think it is hard for you, think about being black and gay." ... TOUCHE
Mark
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