March 25, 2002 - A national, multi-city study of Black gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people released today documents a significant prevalence of parenting, high levels of political participation, and widespread experiences of racism and homophobia.

"Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a collaboration among nine Black GLBT Pride organizations, a team of Black researchers, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Representing the largest national, multi-city sample of Black GLBT people ever surveyed on such a wide array of topics, the study also found HIV/AIDS, hate violence, and recognition of same-sex relationships to be the top policy priorities of Black GLBT people.

"This report provides a first-time comprehensive look at the demographics, experiences, and priorities of Black gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people," said Dr. Juan Battle and Dr. Cathy J. Cohen, the study's lead researchers and primary authors.
"It contains significant policy implications for the predominantly
White GLBT community, and for the predominantly straight African
American community. This report also provides much-needed data on an underserved and understudied population which is an integral part of both the Black community and the GLBT community." Joining Dr. Battle and Dr. Cohen as authors of the report are Dorian Warren, Dr. Gerard Fergerson, and Suzette Audam.

The data was collected as part of the Black Pride Survey 2000, a
research collaboration between NGLTF's Policy Institute and nine
U.S. Black GLBT Pride celebrations during the summer of 2000.
A total of 2,645 participants were surveyed at Philadelphia Black
Pride, Houston Splash, Washington, D.C. Black Pride, Oakland Black Pride, Chicago Black Pride, Los Angeles's At the Beach, Detroit's Hotter Than July, New York Black Pride, and Atlanta's In the Life.

Among the key findings of the report:

* Respondents identify the most important issues facing Black GLBT people as: HIV/AIDS, hate violence, and marriage/domestic partnership;

* A high prevalence of parenting is revealed: 40 percent of women,
18 percent of men, and 15 percent of transgender people reported
having at least one child;

* Half of the respondents say racism is a problem in the White GLBT community;

* Two-thirds report that homophobia is a problem within the Black
community;

* In terms of sexual identity, three quarters identify as "gay" or "lesbian," 11 percent "bisexual," and one percent "transgender";

* More than half say their church or religion view homosexuality
as "wrong and sinful";

* The Black Pride sample is slightly less Democratic, and more
Republican, than the Black population as a whole. At the same time,
the Black Pride sample is more liberal than the Black population as
a whole, with 47 percent identifying as liberal versus only 31 percent of respondents in the 1993 National Black Politics Study.

"It is important to build a national movement where the experiences
of every person are understood and valued. This report provides
important insights and recommendations for organizations committed to ensuring that the priorities of Black GLBT people are thepriorities of the entire GLBT movement," said Lorri L. Jean,
executive director of NGLTF. "The Task Force is proud to continue
its commitment to these and other issues of racial and economic
justice."

"Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud" is the third report released
by NGLTF's Policy Institute in the last year that examines issues
of concern to GLBT people of color and low-income people of all
backgrounds. The previous two studies examined the effects of
welfare reform on GLBT families and the impact of social
discrimination on HIV risk among Latino gay men. All three reports
are available at http://www.ngltf.org/library. For more information about the Racial and Economic Justice Initiative or the Black Pride
Survey Project, please visit http://www.ngltf.org/pi/blackpride.htm.

Tell them you found them on EastBay Voice.

If you would like more visibility for your business or organization check out the reasonable advertising rates on EastBay Voice.

Would your Organization like a presence on the WWW?

Inquire about a page on EastBay Voice. Webpage