Open Forum: Gay Civil Rights and The Bible

The Bible has long been used as a weapon against civil rights battles for African Americans and women, and on the contrary has also been used as a tool to empower and institute government reforms for minority groups.

The Bible has long been used to justify slavery and to subjugate women. Multiple verses can be pointed to in making any case that fits the philosophical view of the majority opinion.

Many religions and denominations are coming to see homosexuality as based in science and psychology and are rendering different interpretations of what it means to be gay. We are in the epicenter of a civil rights battle between secularists, those who believe church/state must be separate, and those who take the Bible at its literal word.

Verses in the Bible were ill interpreted to condone slavery of African-Americans, and the repression of women. As a society we are beginning to see that these groups are not to be treated as second class citizens and that they are fully capable of leading healthy, independent and productive lives.

Is it possible that the shift in religious views on homosexuality will change beyond the realms of progressive/liberal denominations? Will people come to see the authors of the Bible as having not referenced homosexuality, or how the verses have been misinterpreted, or will there always be some element of society that continue to point to religion as a basis for denying gay civil rights?

HRC Celebrates Black History Month

The Human Rights Campaign has put out a video in honor of Black History Month. I applaud this decision, as major LGBT organizations have failed to adequately reach out to communities of color thus far. It is far past time when we need to unite rather than divide. This is one step in the right direction and we must hold HRC accountable to their message of being committed to diversity, we also must ensure that they protect our transgender brothers and sisters during this legislative season and beyond.

What Would MLK Say About LGBT Rights?

Unfortunately, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we honor today, was assassinated before the gay rights movement became a force on the American stage, so we'll never know for sure what he may have done to further the cause of gay and lesbian rights had he lived. The person who knew him best, his wife, Coretta Scott King, was certain, however, that King's legacy was equality for all. To that end, she dedicated much of her time to LGBT equality issues before her death in 2006.

Mrs. King had many friends in the gay community, and a history of tireless activism. Below are some select quotes from her.

“Like Martin, I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others", she would tell black civil rights leaders angered by gays and lesbians comparing their struggle to their own. She would quote her husband and say, “I have worked too long and hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concern. Justice is indivisible."

"I appeal to everybody who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brother and sisterhood for lesbians and gay people."

"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages."

Dr. King, his wife, and the great civil rights leaders of the past will continue to inspire us, and we honor their legacy and should all seek to "be the change we wish to see." MLK's dream is not over, the fight for equality for racial minorities continues, we must be mindful that all our struggles are connected and we should unite to defeat oppression whether its against homophobia, queerphobia, racism, sexism, or any form of bigotry directed at individuals.

Parts crossposted from Queerty.

Honoring The Dream March in San Diego 1/17/09

On Saturday, 17 January at 10:00 am, San Diego will celebrate the legacy of Dr King. Sara Beth Brooks, of the San Diego Equality Campaign is calling on the GLBT community to come out and show its support. According to Ms Brooks, “It is so important for us as a community to show that we are supportive of all equal rights battles, and that we honor those who have fought so righteously before us.”

This is a golden opportunity to reach out to and shore up the bridges between the GLBT community and communities of color in San Diego. It’s important because these bridges are inestimably vital to achieving equality for all. Remember Dr King and his good friend Bayard Rustin. Live the dream, and let freedom ring.

For more info check out the San Diego Equality Campaign.

Crossposted from the Mike Tidmus blog.

Happy Kwanzaa!

"Kwanzaa, an African American holiday celebration established in 1968, runs for seven days from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, each day commemorating one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith" (Pride Source).

Read Kimya Afi Ayodele's Story for some LGBT inspiration this Kwanzaa season.

Wanda Sykes - Newest Member of the Gay Community

Comedian and same-sex marriage activist Wanda Sykes has announced today that she is gay and has married her partner. Wanda Sykes at a rally in Las Vegas today said:

"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.

"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay." (AP)

Welcome aboard Wanda Sykes, you definitely make my list of top 3 funniest lesbian comics.

The Black-Gay Blame Game

I have seen a lot of articles on the black/gay blame game regarding the passage of proposition 8 (the ban of same-sex marriage). African-American voters made up 10% of the exit polling in Califonia, and a large percentage of black voters were in favor of prop 8. From these facts it can be easy to point fingers and assert the black community is homophobic, or the gay community is racist and didn't court black voters. I think both of those assertions have validity but one cannot paint a broad brush on any group of people.

I think what people are failing to realize is that the color of ones skin does not influence their decision at the voting booth (unless the vote has to do with rights and protections based on those characteristics). Likewise, ones sexual orientation is a characteristic of the individual, that individual may be open to racial diversity, or be a racist as well. The idea that blacks and gays are "progressive" is spoken of as a matter of fact. Both groups do vote overwhelmingly in favor of the democratic party, but that does not mean they are socially progressive. Sure, there are many blacks and gays who seek true equality for all minorities, but there are equally as many who are apathetic to the other side or outright opposed.

I think there are 3 reasons prop 8 passed among blacks. 1. I think black people are heavily influenced by their churches, and more outreach/holding churches accountable for politicking is apropos. 2. I think the "No on 8" campaign didn't properly court African-American voters, they failed to show enough diversity in their ads, and within their staff and to reach out in communities of color and counter the lies being preached at the church. 3. I think as with the Latina/o community there is an element of "machismo" and homosexuality is seen as a weakness among a culture that has typically been on guard and protecting itself due to societal ignorance and bigotry.

This is my take, and I know it is a controversial subject. The fact is blacks and gays are both groups that have been subject to discrimination. We need not draw comparisons between the struggles because they are radically different. The fact is both groups should come together and seek to lift ourselves united out of the oppression we face. We are both subject to bigotry by the same forces, it is just being twisted in different ways. Lets be united to create change and truly be "progressives" because whether "gay, straight, black, white - marriage is a civil right." Blessings for a brighter future.

Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom

The ground breaking drama and hit sensation on LOGO Noah's Arc has now released its first movie in select theaters. Noah's Arc follows the lives of four gay black men in Los Angeles, their love, their fun, their problems, and most of all the drama!

"Noah's Arc is back, and you're invited to the big wedding! But can Noah and Wade really pull it off? Will Ricky's sexcapades get the better of him? Can Chance and Eddie stay together? And can Alex stay sane? Get set for a wild wedding weekend of love, laughs, sex and some serious drama. Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom. In theaters, October 24th."



http://www.noahsarcmovie.com

Word of the Gay: "Banjee"

"Banjee" is a term that describes masculine latino, black, or multi-racial men who have sex with men.

Lesbian Kicked Out of Social Security Building

Ms. Lapriss Gilbert an African-American Lesbian was subject to discrimination yesterday while going to the Social Security office. A federal guard hired by Homeland Security objected to her lesbian.com t-shirt on the account that it was "offensive." Lesbian.com is an education and resource site for lesbian identified women.

The unnamed guard is contracted by Paragon Systems. Ms. Gilbert along with the ACLU are filing a lawsuit against the company. Please urge the company to fire this homophobic "security agent."

Paragon Systems Inc.
14160 Newbrook Dr.
Suite 150
Chantilly, VA 20151-2297

Phone: (703) 263-7176
Fax: (703) 263-9527
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, EST

Word of the Gay: "Same Gender Loving"

"Same Gender Loving" or SGL for short is a term coined within the African-American LGBT community. The term is preferred because it is seen as separate and distinct from queer slang that is seen as white dominated. The term is also popular among people of color because it emphasizes emotional relationships and not just relationships purely based on sexuality.

Blog Spotlight: SGL Universe

Todays blog spotlight and shout goes to SGL Universe. So what is SGL you may ask? SGL Universe is the blog that posts items of interest to the Same Gender Loving community. The term is typically used among African-American LGBT groups. Whether you are black, brown, white, or purple, you are sure to find the stories and critiques interesting. So check it out...

SGL Universe