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.

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:

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.

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.