Happy 7th Anniversary NBJC

December 8 was the 7th anniversary of the founding of the nation's only TBLG organization dedicated to focusing on the rights of and issues of importance to African descended BTLG citizens, the National Black Justice Coalition.

Its issue priorities and key initiatives are:

• Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
• Racism, homophobia and transphobia create disproportionate job bias against LGBT people of color.

• “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
• DADT represents overt discrimination. No other law mandates firing someone because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

• Marriage Equality
• Gay and lesbian couples should have access to the same rights and legal protections as other married couples.

• Bullying in Schools
• Victims of anti-gay bullying are often targeted due to their presumed gender identity and sexual orientation.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Encourage the leadership of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to create a safe, responsible and inclusive environment for LGBT students.

• HIV/AIDS
• Increase education on HIV/AIDS in the African American community, especially amongst young people. 

I had the pleasure of getting to meet Alexander Robinson, the initial Executive Director of NBJC and I'm looking forward to doing the same with current chair Sharon Lettman-Hicks

Here's NBJC ED Sharon Lettman-Hicks reflecting on the year that was just completed