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Deadly homophobia
Julian Bond, former Georgia state representative and ex-head of the NAACP, says fighting homophobia is key to progress in the struggle against HIV/AIDS among blacks. Read the full interview by Christopher Lisotta.
Sexually-based issues dividing black churches
Commentary by Rev. Al Sharpton
NEW YORK (CNN) -- During my 2004 presidential campaign, I was fond of saying that it was high time for the Christian right to meet the right Christians. That sentiment is even more appropriate today, more than a year-and-a-half after evangelicals catapulted George W. Bush back to the White House. Read the full commentary here.
“Engaging LGBT communities of color and our allies in the movement for equality and social justice through visibility, political advocacy, religious dialogue and grassroots education in order to increase awareness and improve the quality of life for LGBT people and our families”
The Marylanders of Color Collective is an organization of people of color dedicated to engaging in heart-to-heart dialogue about LGBT people of color. Our goals include:
- Organizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People of Color to advocate against homophobia in communities of color.
- Addressing racism in LGBT communities in Maryland
- Raising awareness about marriage equality (same sex marriage), health care in our communities and hate crimes protection
- Creating town hall meetings at Historically Black Colleges and Universities regarding homophobia, same gender-loving relationships and contributions of LGBT people of color to society
“Be the change you want to see in the world!”
For more information, email info@equalitymaryland.org or call 301-587-7500.
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“Local NAACP branches are opposed to any kind of tampering of the Maryland Constitution in the name of banning the legalization of gay and lesbian unions. A constitutional amendment attacks some of the most basic fibers that the constitution was founded upon, and an amendment would have devastating effects for many in our communities. If critics of gay rights start to take out one group of people, what will stop them from taking out the rights of other groups of people next? This constitutional ban effort would be no better than some of the Jim Crow laws and segregation acts that were in some state constitutions in the late 1800s/early 1900s.” The NAACP Believes that basic human and civil rights need to be protected.”
Elbridge G. James
2nd Vice-President and Chair, Political Action Committee
Maryland State NAACP
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“Marriage equality is not about special rights for special people. It's about equal rights for all people. The denial of basic human rights is a form of oppression. The complacent, the entrenched, the privileged cannot continue to tremble at the prospect of change in the status quo.”
Rickie Green
Founder,
The Portal, Baltimore’s Black LGBT Community Center |
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“As a lawyer, a civil rights activist, and teacher of Asian American courses for over twenty years, I have studied the bigotry that led to the 300-year history of anti-miscegenation laws. I see disturbing parallels between laws forbidding marriage across race lines and bills [to ban same-sex marriages}. No matter how benign the intent or how noble the professed goals, history teaches us that laws that seek to limit the rights of just one group of citizens in a state Constitution take on a life of their own. Discrimination begets more discrimination, so we must root it out wherever it appears.
On a personal basis, I oppose [a marriage ban] because it strikes at the heart of my own life and the world I want to inhabit. I am a straight male who is both the product of and a participant in what some refer to as an "interracial" marriage. If far-sighted people of all backgrounds had not worked for centuries to end anti-miscegenation laws, my parents would have been forbidden to marry in most states. If I had been born at all, I might have been considered an "illegitimate child." Both my parents' 54-year interracial marriage and my own 13-year interracial marriage would not have existed. The many childcare, healthcare, inheritance, and other laws that have brought stability and certainty to my life would not have applied to me or the millions of other interracials in this country.”
Prof. Phil Tajitsu Nash
Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland
(affiliation listed for identification purposes only) |
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New National Black Justice Quarterly Features Maryland Lawsuit Couple
The quarterly magazine for members of the National Black Justice Coalition has just begun circulation. NYANSAPO provides provocative stories, probing commentary, Who's Who in black gay America, in-depth interviews of leaders, scholars and political movers and shakers. NYANSAPO is a West African symbol that represents wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience. NYANSAPO symbolizes our readers. To become an NBJC member and start your free subscription visit http://www.nbjcoalition.org/donate/sustaining-membershipi/05-sub-insert-p3.pdf. To learn more about this and other sponsorship opportunities please contact rdaniels@nbjcoalition.org. |
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