Interesting Quote: Aisha C. Moodie-Mills

The elephant in the room is that the top national LGBT organizations don’t necessarily focus on quality-of-life issues. They’re working on political expediency toward equality, and we’re thankful for the work, but they’re not focused on these other issues. We can’t ignore the fact that there’s classicism and racism within the broader LGBT movement, so once the powers-that-be and the folks who hold the purse strings can resolve their own crisis with HIV/AIDS, they’re not always concerned with the people who are left behind —just as we see in broader society of marginalized people left behind. They’re not doing enough, they’re not addressing the needs of black LGBT people in general, let alone those who have HIV/AIDS.

But if we look at the demographic shift of America, we know that by 2042 to 2050, the minority faces are going to be the majority makeup of America. If we are not addressing the issues that impact people of color who are LGBT in the movement, then there’s not going to be a movement.

Aisha is talking about the other needs of our community and how they should not be placed on the back burner.

She is the advisor for LGBT policy and racial justice at the Center for American Progress. She is a big deal.

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Rep. Barney Frank gives Obama an "A-" on LGBT issues, Supports Obama's stance on the Executive Order for Workplace Discrimination

Rep. Barney Frank had some good, but interesting things to say about the President's stance on LGBT issues.

Barney told The Hill:

"It's not a surprise," Frank said. "He hasn't yet said that he's for [gay] marriage, so that's a problem."

Frank was quick, however, to applaud Obama's overall record on gay issues, giving him an "A-minus" across the board. The Massachusetts liberal praised Obama's decision to quit any legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – which defines marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman – and to repeal the Pentagon's long-standing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.

Frank said the administration's adoption of new federal standards for gauging discrimination under DOMA is particularly good.

"He's been good [but] he hasn't been perfect," Frank said. "He just hasn't quite gotten to the marriage [issue]."

Barney also said that he also supported President Obama's decision on the executive order for workplace discrimination.

"The problem there, to be honest, is not so much gay and lesbian issues, but there's a lot of controversy about too many executive orders. … And so I think it's probably wise to wait on that," Frank said. 

"I wrote that I'm for it, but in the context of the criticism on too many executive orders, I think it's reasonable to wait until next year."

Frank, who's retiring at the end of the year after 16 terms, is hoping Democrats will do well enough at the polls in November that that they can preclude an executive order and enact a bill instead.

"If we win the House and the Senate," he said, "I'd rather do it legislatively."

White House will host LGBT conferences across country

I learn about this at Creating Change from some in the Obama Administration. They are hosting a series conferences to discuss LGBT issues.

Washington Blade has the story:
In a statement, the White House identified the White House LGBT Conference on Health — which will be held in Philadelphia on Feb. 16 — as the inaugural event for the initiative. The conference is set to feature remarks from Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.


The statement says the events — which will take place from February to June 2012 — will be a collaboration between the White House Office of Public Engagement and other departments and agencies. Expected attendees include grassroots leaders, community organizers, advocates, students and others.

Future White House LGBT conferences after the initial event will be held in other places throughout the country. Topics are set to include housing and homelessness, safe schools and communities as well as HIV/AIDS prevention. According to the White House, more details will be made public later.

Fred Sainz, vice president of communications at the Human Rights Campaign, said the conferences are ”a good sign that the administration is attentive to the needs of our community.”

Some are concerned that marriage isn't listed. However, we are learning that other issues are taking center stage. I have to say at the Obama Administration session, activists talked more about homelessness and the economy. Seems like priorities are shifting.

NAACP will host their First Town Hall Meeting on LGBT Issues

Next week, NAACP will host their first Town Hall meeting of LGBT issues during their annual convention. Panelists will include Professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, actor Darryl Stephens, Wanda Sykes, Kenyon Farrow and Benjamin Jealous.

Here's more:

"Black members of the LGBT community share a common history and continued struggle to address issues of bigotry, yet their identities, talents and leadership are often times diminished because of homophobia and fear of physical violence,” says NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “It is important that we address these issues head on.”


Moderated by CNN News Anchor Don Lemon, the forum will examine the significant contributions of black gay leaders within the Civil Rights movement, the role of black straight allies in addressing homophobia, and how the country can collectively overcome LGBT discrimination within the black community.

The inclusion of the panel is a significant move by the NAACP. The civil rights group first showed solidarity with the gay community when it created the LGBT Task Force in partnership with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) several years ago (Bond was also a member).

“The LGBT Task Force represents a historic moment for African-American LGBTs,” Dr. Sylia Rhue said in 2009 when she was interim director of the NBJC. “I believe it will establish the foundation for the NAACP as a forward-looking body, and finally moving it as it recognizes LGBT rights within the NAACP governing body.”

This is a very big step for NAACP. I'm glad they are moving forward.

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Spelman College receives National props for their 1st LGBT Summit for HBCUs

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall helped create the summit

The media is taking notice of Spelman College's efforts in addressing the LGBT community. Ever since their summit, more schools and students are finally getting involved with these issues on their campus.

Black Voices News reports

The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio, BET, and Color Lines News for Action are among the media outlets that wrote about the significance of the conference in dealing with gay and lesbian issues on Black college campuses.

Many observers, HBCU alumni, and fellow students commended Spelman administration as well as young panelists for leading the charge.

"Spelman College is leading HBCUs in opening up conversations about the needs and concerns of LGBT students," according to a column published in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

"These types of conversations need to take place on HBCU campuses throughout the nation," it continued. "For too long, gay and lesbian issues have been ignored at HBCUs, leaving behind a significant percentage of African-American students who are looking for support as they pursue their educations and develop their personal identities."

Dr. Beverly Guy-Shefthall, who helped spearhead the inaugural event, said she was "pleased and a little pleasantly surprised by the national coverage." She said the forum is just one of many initiatives she hopes to see in 2011.

This was a great start. HBCUs can not ignore or act slowly to LGBT issues or the students. It is a high priority for these colleges to address all students. Spelman has set the example, now let the education and development begin.

RNC uses their Website to Attack President Obama on LGBT Issues

Within hours of President Obama's reelection announcement, the RNC wasted no time in slamming him, especially for his LGBT support.

Metro Weekly reports:

"Hope Isn't Hiring," a new site launched by the RNC includes a page of talking points on social issues, taking aim several times at Obama's record on LGBT equality.

Among the topics are "Despite It Being The Law Of The Land, Obama Refused To Continue To Defend The Defense Of Marriage Act In Court"; "Obama Repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell While U.S. Troops Are Still On The Battlefield"; and "Obama Opposed California's Prop 8 And Has Expanded Government Recognition Of Same-Sex Couples."

Regarding the government recognition of same-sex couples, the RNC specifically targets hospital visitation rights, noting "Obama Issued An Executive Order Allowing Same Sex Couples Hospital Visitation Rights."

The RNC also claims in that section of the new site that "Obama Has Been Acting On Policy Recommendations From The Human Rights Campaign Since Taking Office."

Here are some of their highlights