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.

Fenced Out - Queer Youth of Color Activism

Fenced OUT documents the struggle of LGBTSTQ youth of color to save the Christopher Street pier and the West Village in New York from re-development and gentrification. While researching the history of the pier, FIERCE members discovered past generations of queer peoples’ fight for use of public spaces at Christopher Street and the piers. We have continued to use the documentary as a public education tool to raise awareness about the increasing displacement, violence, and criminalization experienced by LGBTSTQ youth of color.

A movie not to be missed by anyone who is interested in our Queer Youth of Color activism as told by those who experienced and lived the struggle.

Sunday February 22, 2009
Doors open 5:00, Dinner 5:30, Movie 6:30
Metropolitan Community Church
155 Wyllys St. Hartford Ct.
(Located in the Colt Memorial Parish House of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.)

RSVP: queerswithoutborders@gmail.com, or call 680-7876

Black History Month!

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: