African American Community

Posts tagged ‘African American community’

RuPaul Bad Role Model For Black Children During Black History Month?

4 March, 2010

You just don’t cut it, girl. The make up and dress, perhaps?

We’ve been quietly observing the developments of the last couple of days surrounding the suspension of the three white school teachers from LA Unified School District for providing photos of O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul to their students at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School. They gave the students photos of Simpson, Rodman and RuPaul among other black notables including MLK and president Obama to carry with them as they marched in a school parade celebrating black history month.

When first learning of the news we immediately understood why the teachers would be suspended for handing out photos of O.J. Simpson—-he’s a criminal and currently in jail serving time for his violent transgressions. We’re still kinda’ puzzled about Dennis Rodman—although Rodman was definitely the Madonna of the NBA when it came to stirring up controversy and getting his name in the press; if his crime is using sexuality any way and any how to get his name and mug in the papers then okay—the teachers deserve the smackdown on that one, too.
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Tags: African American community, lgbt news
Posted in News | 32883 Comments »2010-03-05+05%3A14%3A52Derrick+Mathis

DC Blacks, People Of Color, First In Line To Seek Same Sex Marriage Licenses

3 March, 2010 | Derrick Mathis | 2 Comments

We just want to make sure black LGBT and same gender loving leadership, community activists and social commentators here in Los Angeles get to see what a low priority marriage equality is for people of color in DC. Since, well, according to some Los Angeles based African American LGBT leadership— marriage equality—-“a single issue” is the catch phrase they use— isn’t of much concern here on the West Coast to black gay folks. Because unlike blacks in DC, we’re struggling with so many other things—like, like, um, hmmm… let’s see…and then theres…and let’s not forget…(scratching head).

Y’all need to quit. There’s never ever a good reason to cut off your nose just to spite your face. Now run and go tell that.

Republished courtesy of the Freedom To Marry Web site:

Meet the First DC Couples to Apply for Marriage Licenses

The first same-sex couples to apply for a marriage license in Washington, D.C. are standing in line now. After a three day waiting period, couples will be able to pick up their license and have their marriage performed beginning Tuesday, March 9th. Here are profiles of a few of the committed couples who will finally be able to share in the responsibilities, protections, and commitment of marriage.

Angelisa Young and Sinjolya Townsend

Angelisa and Sinjolya, both African-American females, will be married at HRC Equality Forum on March 9th in the presence of family and friends. Angelisa (age 47) and Sinjolya (age 41) have been together for 13 years and have two children ages 21 and 25. They both work for DC government and are long-time residents of the District.
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Tags: African American community, lgbt news, marriage equality
Posted in LGBT rights | 32652 Comments »2010-03-03+23%3A19%3A36Derrick+Mathis

In Fight For Same Sex Marriage DC Blacks Show California How It’s Done

2 March, 2010 | Derrick Mathis | No Comment

There’s a great story today on the blog 365 Gay titled Blacks play key role in D.C. marriage equality. The piece features DC African American marriage equality activist Michael Crawford and how outreach to the African American community in DC was critical for the success of marriage equality in the nation’s capital.

It’s a heartwarming story for those of us California blacks who still have to contend with beliefs that the black community is overwhelming homophobic. Never mind that there was absolutely no outreach to the black community in California at all in the days prior to the Nov 5, ‘08 vote on Proposition 8.

But black same sex marriage advocates in DC worked hard in gaining support from the black community which culminated in the support of many local black clergy and black heterosexual DC residents who vocally and visibly faced off with those black clergy and community leaders opposing marriage equality.

The moral here is that it takes LGBT black community members to stand up first—and reach out to potential allies. That’s the only way that gay rights issues are going to become important to the black community. As some black LGBT Angelenos continue to dismiss marriage equality as something of non-importance to their community, know and understand that it will never become important—-until you make it important.

The fact that an assault on black women’s reproductive rights is about to be thrust in the spotlight any day in the black community clearly indicates that when it comes to ones rights—-there is no such thing as it being a “single issue.” When someone’s rights are taken away then everybody’s rights are up for grabs. We really wish those local black LGBTs and same gender loving folks who sing the “no single issue” song—would give it up and get real.

Maybe this story on DC’s black LGBTs and same gender loving folks fighting the good fight might serve as inspiration for the local black LGBT community.

365 Gay: Blacks Play Key Role In DC Marriage

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Tags: African American community, African American LGBT, lgbt news, marriage equality
Posted in LGBT rights | 3257No Comments »2010-03-02+22%3A38%3A49Derrick+Mathis

Now You Too Can Talk To Your Favorite Negros About LGBT Rights

19 February, 2010

1 tweets

| Derrick Mathis | No Comment

Cast from the film Boyz In The Hood

Despite the sarcasm in our headline (tee hee) we think this is a good thing. GLAAD recently debuted an online PDF brochure titled LGBT Equality With African Americans. The brochure is an attempt to help those who are not, we’re assuming African American to have successful LGBT equality conversations with black folks. Come to think of it, this little handbook could help out some over zealous bros ‘n’ sis’s out there as well. Yea, why don’t everyone take a gander at it. The tips we think are on point.

No, blacks don’t like it when gay people compare their equality battle to the black civil rights battle. And that’s just real. The term “civil rights” has a different meaning in African American culture than outside of it. We don’t own it, we just think different things when the term is uttered in our presence—like things exclusively pertaining to the black civil rights movement.

However, blacks tend to respond very favorably when approached with the term “discrimination” in discussions about LGBT rights. They “we” also respond very favorably to the term “equal rights” when approached in discussion about LGBT rights.

We like this brochure and its suggestions because in reading them as African Americans ourselves we’re agreeing pretty much with everything noted here. No, don’t try to change a black person’s views on the meaning of civil rights. You won’t get anywhere. Maybe cussed out, perhaps. But there’s no swinging the pendulum on that. Far easier to talk about hate crimes, job discrimination and being shit on by the man than it is to convince black folks that their precious “civil rights” is inclusive to all. Horrors! That can’t be!

Anyway, good job GLAAD. Here’s the brochure: