Is Harlem experiencing a new (Gay) Renaissance?

Harlem, NY is becoming gayer according to NY Daily News.  More LGBT people of color are finding the historic area to be supportive and welcoming. And during this pride month, folks came out in huge numbers to celebrate.

Here's more:

Harlem does not count the array of gay clubs and bars that have long been a staple of Chelsea and the West Village; there are no establishments that display a rainbow flag in the window. But the number of gay-friendly meeting places has been on the upswing.


Red Rooster Harlem, Corner Social, Lenox Lounge, Melba’s and Billie’s Black, along with Club El Morocco, Picante and others, are all regarded as part of Harlem’s gay nightlife.


Along with the state’s ratification of the Marriage Equality Act, the evolving positions of the NAACP and President Obama have fostered a growing acceptance among members of the black community.

“There is a shift that’s happening,” says Pastor Joseph Tolton, whose Rivers at Rehoboth congregation ministers to hundreds of black gay and lesbian worshippers each week.


“It’s intangible, but it’s just starting to bubble up and coming to the surface . . . you can feel it.”

I have to get back to NYC and see this 'new' Harlem. I'm excited about the direction its going.

NoMoreDownLow.TV covers the 2012 Queer People of Color Conference - WATCH

CNN talks with the Family of Robert Champion Jr.

To be honest, I am not pleased that his sexuality is NOT mentioned at all! This part of his life can't be ignored. I hope in future interviews, his family discusses his sexuality.

READ: Jumping Beyond the Broom: Why Black Gay and Transgender Americans Need More Than Marriage Equality

This was a fascinating read and something to really think about. While marriage equality is a hot topic within our community, this research helps outline why many of our fam don't rate it as highly as others.

Again great read
Jumping Beyond the Broom: Why Black Gay and Transgender Americans Need More Than Marriage Equality

Black Gay & Here To Stay - LGBT March in the Los Angeles MLK Day Parade

I'm Marching in the MLK Day Parade

Today, I'm marching in the King Day Parade representing the LGBT people of color community in Los Angeles. This is my 4th year doing this and I hope we have more joining us in the march.

I'm always excited about this march because we are showing many in the African American community that we are out, proud and truly happy.

This day always gives me a sense of hope.

5 Reasons Why Gay is NOT the New Black - VIDEO

A BOLD Gathering to empower LGBT People of Color

Last weekend, leaders from several LGBT organizations of color gathered in Minneapolis to discuss issues that beset our communities. My group, the Jordan Rustin Coalition, was there, along with others.

Here's a little more on the purpose of the gathering:

The BOLD Gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota over the Dec. 2-4 weekend was designed to empower LGBT leaders of color to meet this “movement moment” when LGBT communities of color profoundly intersect with the economic crisis and the right wing response to such issues as immigration – and the opportunities offered by communication through new technologies and social media. Jumping off from the fact that people of color are becoming the majority in the US,  the conference asked questions such as: “Are we, as QTPOC (Queer & Trans People of Color), a strong arm of a bigger movement (such as the mainstream gay movement) or are we leading a movement of our own?  How can we, as QTPOC people, affect the creation and direction of a movement that brings about the change for which we dream and work?  What do we need to know?”

Please go here for more info on the conference and the attendees.

Anti-LGBT Violence has Increased part 2: People of Color and Transgender people are Highly Targeted

Remember my posts about the number of Anti-LGBT violence in 2010? Well, a chunk of those incidents were directed towards people of color and 44% of them were transgender women.

Here's more:

The study also found that transgender people and people of color are each twice as likely to experience violence or discrimination as non-transgender white people. Transgender people of color are also almost 2.5 times as likely to experience discrimination as their white peers.

....

The NCAVP report found that half of those who experienced hate violence did not contact the police after their attack. The report further found that 25.4 percent of transgender women did not file a report. So what can be done to reduce these rates of violence against LGBT people and communities of color?

The Audre Lorde Project is among the groups that organize LGBT people in communities of color that are increasingly looking beyond law enforcement and the criminal justice system for a solution. The Safe OUTside the System Collective works with bodegas, businesses and organizations within Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and surrounding areas to create safe spaces for LGBT people of color to curb violence.

“What’s true and important is our communities have been and continue to organize around issues of harassment—whether it’s neighborhood or community harassment or [harassment] by the police,” said Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Audre Lorde Project.

There are so many things we need to do. Please read the report to look at the solutions, maybe even create some of your own.

Our community needs us.

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12 Things Black LGBT folks need to do NOW!

Okay, it's time for more Black LGBT folks to step up and represent. Now, I'm not saying that it's not happening, but we can do more. So, I have some ideas on what we can do to get on point.

1. Vote in all elections. Yes, Obama is key; but we need to make sure the right congressperson or Governor is in office.
2. Come Out!
3. Mentor someone trying to find their way.
4. Stand up to religious leaders and hold them accountable for their bigotry and lies.
5. Be visible.
6. Not only join LGBT organizations, but get on the board.
7. Get involved in community organizing.
8. Write a blog explaining your experiences. There are kids looking for examples, stories, and someone to connect with. 
9. Become more savvy about current events, not just on Beyonce.
10. Be proud of who you are.
11. Learn LGBT history. We should learn where we been, in order to know where to go.
12. Become more politically aware.

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.

GLAAD launches their LGBT People of Color Media Training Institute

GLAAD move forward with a new initiative for LGBT people of color.

Here's their press release:

New York, NY, February 8, 2011 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced the launch of its People of Color Media Training Institute as a part of the organization's National People of Color Media Initiative. The Media Training Institute, funded by the Arcus Foundation and created specifically for people of color who are LGBT or LGBT allies, will develop a group of passionate and visible leaders to speak in national media outlets about issues that impact the lives of LGBT people and their families.

The Institute will consist of a two-day, advanced spokesperson training program in New York and Los Angeles, where GLAAD staff, leading journalists and talking heads and key media trainers will develop Institute participants in the areas of framing and messaging for on-camera and radio interviews.

Applicants to the Institute are asked to submit an application through GLAAD's website: http://www.glaad.org/programs/pocmedia. The program will be limited to 25-30 people, and participants will receive ongoing support, coaching and training from GLAAD staff, including quarterly progress reviews.
"While the visibility of LGBT people and issues continues to grow, far too often the voices, views and faces of people of color are underrepresented, if represented at all, in American news, entertainment and online media," said GLAAD's Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "This initiative will help us elevate more voices and continue GLAAD's ongoing effort to ensure that LGBT issues are represented in a fair, accurate and inclusive way - celebrating the rich diversity of the community and our allies."

Sounds good

WATCH LGBT People of Color March in the MLK Day Parade 2011

This was a great day! We had over 100 marchers today, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.


Here's the Why We March video

A New Campaign: In Our Own Voices

I saw this pic on Joe.My.God. and I was excited. To see a billboard showcasing LGBT people of color as a family is rare, beautiful and paramount to the overall cause.

So I did some searching and found out more stuff about IOOV. Here's a news clip from a couple of weeks ago.


They also have a site. Please check it out.

I wish them luck and hopefully, other groups will follow suit.

Marcus Brandon, a Black openly gay man wins election to N.C. House

Great news, y'all! Small gains, means a lot!

Here's the scoop:

Marcus Brandon has been elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He will represent the cities of Greensboro and High Point in the state legislature.


Brandon will be the only openly LGBT state legislator in North Carolina, and one of just five openly LGBT African-Americans serving in state legislatures across the country (including Maryland House of Delegates candidate Mary Washington, who will also win tonight).

This is good, because there are a lack of LGBT African-Americans in office. I hope this is a growing trend.

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