NBJC Presidential Midterm Report Card

If you're wondering what the African-American TBLG/SGL community perspective is concerning President Obama, I can say with certainly it's vastly different from the one expressed by elements of the white GLBT one.

To point that out, thought you needed to peruse the Presidential Midterm Report Card that was issued by the National Black Justice Coalition, the organization  that advocates for the African descended TBLG community on issues of concern to our community.

As NBJC  Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks pointed out in the foreword to the Presidential report card,: she wrote:

NBJC believes that President Obama has not been given the appropriate credit due for the monumental strides this nation has made on his watch to advance efforts toward full equality achieved for LGBT people. In this spirit, NBJC has created a Presidential Midterm Report Card in recognition of the outstanding record-to-date of the sitting President of the United States, who happens to be an African American, in advancing LGBT equality. For example, he has excelled at having federal agencies investigate and root out every obscure administrative rule and policy that impacts the lives of LGBT people.

In addition, the Obama administration has been diligent in amending language, where necessary, to eliminate barriers in our quest for “…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Here's the link to that NBJC Presidential Report on issues that matter to us and the grades he received for them..

 

NBJC's 2nd Annual Out On The Hill Summit Coming Soon

I was highly upset that I missed last year's event, but the 2nd Annual National Black Justice Coalition OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit  is set to take place on September 20-25 and hopefully I can be in Washington DC for this one.

It's exquisitely timed so that it coincides with the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference and offers the opportunity for African descended TBLG people to add their voices to the the African American policy makes, organizers and concerned citizens who attend the ALC.

The Out on the Hill summit serves the same function as the ALC by giving Black LGBT activists a chance to interact with faith leaders, elected officials, thought leaders and youth discussing and strategizing about issues of importance to us     This year your registration fee for Out On the Hill also gets you access to the ALC as well.  

Kudos once again to the NBJC planning this summit, and if I'm blessed to make it, hope to see y'all in DC the weekend of September 20-25

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

Dr Sylvia Rhue: It Gets Better

Am 'It Gets Better video from Dr. Sylvia Rhue from the National Black Justice Coalition
.

NBJC Announces GOTV Partnership With NAACP

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) announced its partnership with the NAACP in an effort to increase voter turnout and has launched its own Get-Out-The-Vote web portal at www.nbjc.org/gotv.  This site gives activists an opportunity to help in the NAACP's outreach efforts to ensure that voters across the nation and in key states are informed about campaigns and issues important to the African American community.

In this crucial election, the stakes are particularly high for LGBT voters.  Minnesota, New Hampshire, California and New York have become battlegrounds for marriage equality.  Rhode Island and California candidates are seeking to become the fourth and fifth openly gay members of Congress.  There are 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats, 37 U.S. Senate seats, and 37 gubernatorial seats hanging in the balance.  Also at stake are the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; Safe Schools legislation to end anti-gay bullying; and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act.  This is truly an important election for our entire community.

National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks stated, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.  It is imperative that we recognize that each of us has a stake in this election, each of us stands to build on or lose the gains of the past two years, and each of us must do our part to protect our quality of life.  Make sure that everyone in your network understands the importance of this election and what's at stake for Black LGBT people and their families come November.  For the future of our communities, we need you to vote on November 2 and take others with you to the polls."

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The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. NBJC's mission is to end racism and homophobia.

NBJC Head Sharon Lettman-Hicks At ATL State Of Black Gay America Summit

"Black gay people are Black people first. Whether you are gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning ... you are still Black first. So when we speak of 'our' people, we need to think of our entire community and bringing LGBT issues to the Black community. We need to create a Black LGBT agenda to move the bully pulpit forward."

The more I see and hear of current National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, the more I like her.

This is a cis woman who is echoing many of the things I've said on TransGriot for years concerning the Black community and TBLG/SGL people.

The moral arc of the universe is bending toward justice and in favor of the GLBT community within my African descended family. I'm happy to see that.

But we still have much work to do because we still have knuckleheads that don't get it. I am still Black first before the trans part even becomes an issue, and I didn't give up my Black Like Me card when I transitioned.

I also love the fact that she is taking the NBJC out of the shadows and putting it on a more out there path to be the advocacy org that African descended BTLG/SGL people sorely need at this juncture.

Check out her speech to the State of Black Gay America Summit that transpired last weekend in the ATL.

Working to Empower Black LGBT People

TransGriot Note: This editorial piece by NBJC executive director Sharon J. Lettman was originally published in the Bay Area Reporter on August 12.

Barbecues, backyard parties, and soul-food jams. Summer is a time for family get-togethers. A time when people all over the world take vacations so they can make memories with close friends and loved ones, but in African American communities only some of us feel comfortable going home.

In our communities, only some of us feel safe enough to be who we are in the company of those who raised us. Only some of us can show up and be all of ourselves all of the time with the people we love most. The pain of moving through our families – closeted, and, in many instances, alienated – is devastating black families everywhere.

Homophobia and the anti-gay oppression it engenders severely limits the extent to which African American LGBT people live out and open lives. In recent years, we have seen significant efforts to undermine black families due to restrictive laws and regulations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Such laws include the 2008 proposition passed in Arkansas outlawing adoption by LGBT people, even though 21 percent of black LGBT couples are biological parents and 2.2 percent are adoptive or foster parents (2000 U.S. Census).

As America's only nationwide black LGBT civil rights organization, the newly re-imagined National Black Justice Coalition has accepted the charge to lead black families in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between straight and LGBT loved ones and communities.

"Building Stronger Black Families" is the theme guiding NBJC's strategic plan and program development. As a part of our commitment, we focus on eradicating policy-based initiatives that we know weaken our families, our communities, and ultimately, our country.

Specifically, we focus on working in coalition with ally organizations to combat harmful laws that are tearing apart our families. In collaboration with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, we work to repeal laws like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because African American women are discharged from the armed services at three times the rate they serve, due to DADT. Upon discharge, an individual's access to health and retirement benefits are denied and their professional record is permanently marred, affecting their ability to find new work to support their families.

In conjunction with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, we focus on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act because everybody deserves an opportunity to excel in their chosen profession without fear of being punished or terminated due to gender identity or sexual orientation, qualities over which none of us have any control. Racism, homophobia, and transphobia combine to form powerful discriminating forces that prevent LGBT people of color from obtaining and sustaining jobs, which can lead to impoverished conditions for them and their dependents. In a 2007 NGLTF/NCTE national transgender discrimination survey, 35 percent of black transgender respondents were unemployed, which was five times the rate of the general population at the time of the study. ENDA is a federal bill that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

NBJC is partnering with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to put an end to bullying in schools because every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe enough to explore their hopes and dreams without fear of being harassed or physically assaulted. Further, every child deserves to have teachers and administrators who will protect them when these incidents are reported. When children are the targets of anti-gay bullying, families that don't receive this level of support and accountability from schools suffer losses like the tragedy experienced by Carl Joseph Walker's mother. Her son hanged himself last year after enduring daily bullying and anti-gay taunts. Carl is one of several suicides of very young children linked to bullying. We will never know what Carl's promise held and his family is forever scarred by his untimely departure.

NBJC is working with a host of organizations through the Civil Marriage Collaborative DC Coalition, in a public education campaign promoting marriage equality in and around Washington, D.C., where 54 percent of the community is African American, and gay and lesbian couples can marry legally.

Polls have repeatedly shown that respondents who know an LGBT person within their family, workplace, and/or social networks have increased support for policies that foster equal rights. Increasing acceptance and respect for black LGBT people within their families and communities is essential to growing support within African American communities for LGBT issues of inclusion and equality, which, ultimately, affect us all.

NBJC is working toward a world where all of us can go home and be all of who we are, authentically and safely, with family and friends, all of the time. We hope that you will support us by participating in action alerts around policy initiatives that help level the playing field for all LGBT people and allies – regardless of race, creed or color.

If you'd like to join our movement to advance the intersection of racial justice and LGBT equality please visit us at http://www.nbjc.org or http://www.facebook.com/nationalblackjusticecoalition.


Sharon Lettman is the executive director of NBJC, which is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering black LGBT people. Its mission is to end racism and homophobia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NBJC was founded on December 8, 2003, by a group of committed and passionate black LGBT people, led by activist, author, and commentator Keith Boykin, who believed there needed to be a strong voice advocating on behalf of black LGBT people.

NBJC Comments On Shepherd-Hughley 'The View' Ignorance Of HIV/AIDS Prevalence In Black Community

TransGriot Note: Message from NBJC Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman

Last week, we heard once again that Black gay and bisexual men are responsible for the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Black community, a dangerous stereotype repeated on ABC's "The View" by host Sherri Shepherd and guest host D. L. Hughley.

While discussing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ban that prevents gay and bisexual men from donating blood, Shepherd and Hughley communicated oft-repeated misinformation about the causes of increased HIV rates among Black women.

Here is an excerpt from the exchange on the June 22 broadcast:

Hughley: When you look at the prevalence of HIV in the African American Community, it's primarily young women who are getting it from men who are on the down low. That's the thing.

Shepherd: The down low is black men who've been going out. They are having sex with men and they're not telling their girlfriends or their wives that they're gay and they're husbands, as well. And it's very prevalent with African American women because they come home and have sex with their wives or their girlfriends. And they're not telling them that they're gay.

Shepherd: It's so big in the Black community with women because they're having unprotected sex with men who have been having sex with... with men.


Following this exchange, D.L. Hughley went on to express his support for gay marriage. While we applaud his support, we cannot ignore the need for responsible reporting of the facts, by Hughley, Shepherd, and others who have irresponsibly repeated this stereotype.

Last week, ABC refused to issue an on-air correction.

Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director of the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention told the National Newspaper Publisher's Association in October of 2009, the CDC "has looked to see what proportion of [HIV] infections is coming from male partners who are bisexual and found that there are actually relatively few." According to Dr. Fenton and the CDC's research, most HIV infections can be attributed to other factors including injecting drugs and drug use.

It is time that we have an informed dialogue around the truths about HIV/AIDS in the Black community, void of the stereotypes about Black LGBT people--engaging Shepherd, Hughley, and other celebrity voices.

NBJC joins the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in calling for immediate action to correct these falsehoods that put our community in harm's way.

We refuse to stay silent, and we hope you will join us. Take action by:

1: Clicking here to read a transcript of the offending broadcast and sign the petition.

2: Posting a link of GLAAD's Action Alert to your Twitter feed, Facebook page, and any other social media you use to spread the word to your network.

It is all of our responsibility to correct the spreading of myths that contribute to hostility towards African-American LGBT people.

In solidarity,

Sharon J. Lettman
Executive Director
National Black Justice Coalition

NBJC Applauds DC Council Passage Of Marriage Equality Legislation

NBJC applauds the 11-to-2 passage of marriage equality legislation by the Washington D.C. City Council late this afternoon. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has said he will sign the legislation into law.

“The families of our LGBT sisters and brothers deserve the same rights and protections as any others, and this legislation absolutely strengthens families,” said NBJC Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman. “We celebrate this victory along with all those who have worked to ensure that civil rights in our nation's capital apply to everyone.”

This legislation makes Washington D.C. the nation's first southern jurisdiction to pass marriage equality legislation. D.C. already recognizes marriages performed in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont, each of which passed laws supporting marriage equality earlier this year.


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The National Black Justice Coalition (www.NBJC.org) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Its mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.

NBJC Statement On Interracial Louisiana Marriage Denial

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL BLACK JUSTICE COALITION ON THE DENIAL OF MARRIAGE TO AN INTERRACIAL LOUISIANA COUPLE


WASHINGTON, D.C., FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 2009

The following statement may be attributed to Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC):

“It is hard to believe that a Louisiana state official could simply refuse to follow the law of the land as set forth in Loving v. Virginia. The status of this person as a justice of the peace is something that needs to be revoked.

“Time and again we have seen public officials discriminate against loving, committed couples and claim that their discrimination is really motivated by concern for children. That justification is wrong when it’s used to deny marriage to a couple on the basis of their race. It’s wrong when it’s used to prevent committed gay and lesbian couples from being able to marry. And it’s our responsibility to speak out against it, whenever it happens.

“Every child who is a minority faces discrimination, exclusion and oppression at some point in their lives. It is actions like those of this state official – refusing to marry a loving couple because of personal prejudice – that perpetuate the discrimination and racism that continue to pervade our culture.

“There is also the fact that this state official is just plain wrong. There are countless children of interracial parents who grew up to embody the strength of our families: President Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Soledad O’Brien. And parents themselves -- like Seal and Heidi Klum, former Defense Secretary William Cohen and journalist Janet Langhart. And the lists go on and on, with millions of successful families who have thrived in the face of prejudice directed at their parents and their children.

“The story of Connecticut state Rep. Jason Bartlett, also deputy director of the National Black Justice Coalition, illustrates this truth. When he grew up, his mother told him that he might not be accepted by some who are white, and might not be accepted by some who are black, because of his mixed heritage. But he learned through understanding who you are in the knowledge of your family’s love, that he could overcome those obstacles.

“It is that very love of a family that helps overcome the oppressions that so many Americans continue to face. And knowing who we are – as people, and as a family -- is at the heart of survival in a culture that is too-often still hostile to our lives.”


***

Lettman resides in the Washington, DC area and recently married a Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, who returned this past July from a tour of duty in Balad, Iraq.

The National Black Justice Coalition (www.NBJC.org) is America's only nationwide Black gay civil rights organization and is dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation. Founded in 2003, NBJC is the authoritative source on LGBT issues as they affect Black communities.

NBJC Names Sharon J. Lettman As New Executive Director

TransGriot Note: The National Black Justice Coalition has selected their new executive director.

So what's the National Black Justice Coalition? It's the Washington DC based GLBT oriented civil rights organization that represents the African descended GLBT community dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and ending racism and homophobia.

Here's the press release they issued this morning announcing the hiring of their new ED.

***

The National Black Justice Coalition Board of Directors announced today they have chosen Sharon J. Lettman as the organization's new Executive Director.

"We must bring our families together," Lettman said. "Gay and transgender people are our children, our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, parents, co-workers and friends. They are a vital part of the black community, and it is time for everyone to recognize the real issues we all face when our brothers and sisters are denied full participation in the life of our community.

"What has always drawn me to this work, and to the people I've been proud to stand alongside, is the knowledge that we must work together to create the better future we seek," Lettman continued. "In my new role at NBJC, that means lifting the voices of our community, building bridges so that all who experience discrimination can understand the common ground we share, and walking across those bridges together in greater and greater numbers toward equal rights for all."

Lettman’s efforts to advance the conversation of race, religion, and sexual orientation have shown remarkable progress through the African American Religious Affairs Program she led at People For the American Way Foundation that addressed Homophobia in the Black Church. In addition, The Gill Foundation highlighted Lettman in its 2008 annual report as a “key ally” for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality movement. She is also on the board of directors for National Stonewall Democrats.

Throughout her career Lettman has been selflessly committed to a vast array of causes to bring about social change. She comes to NBJC after eight years at People For the American Way (PFAW) and People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF). Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President for Leadership Programs and External Affairs at PFAW and PFAWF. Lettman oversaw the organizations’ dynamic leadership programs, including Young People For, Young Elected Officials Network, and African American Religious Affairs, in addition to the organizations’ engagement with supporters and investors, key constituency groups and coalition allies. Lettman’s belief in religious freedom and the separation of church and state gave her the insight to expand the agenda of the African American Religious Affairs programs which countered right wing efforts in African American communities, especially around LGBT equality.

As a longtime Floridian, Lettman began her impressive career as the Executive Director of the Florida Student Association (FSA) and then served as the Director of Communications for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). Subsequently, she built a successful public affairs firm, P&P Communications. Her clients have included the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Education Association (NEA), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and The Schott Foundation for Public Education, among others.

Along with advising others on media and public relations strategies, Lettman is also a dynamic spokesperson and has appeared on and in a wide range of media outlets including CNN, NPR, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Miami Herald.

Lettman succeeds Alexander Robinson who led NBJC for five years. Dr. Sylvia Rhue has been serving as the Interim Executive Director since Robinson's departure in June 2009. NBJC's Board of Directors appointed Lettman after conducting a thorough national search. Board Chair Kylar Broadus welcomed Lettman to her new role:

"Sharon Lettman has a stellar track record in social justice and knows how to unite diverse interests to benefit the greater good," Broadus said. "Throughout her life Sharon has stood with and for those who are oppressed, and this appointment continues that tradition of advocacy. I am confident that her vision and leadership will ensure NBJC is equipped to handle the unique challenges of today's social climate, and move us towards our ultimate goal of full equality. Sharon has the background, the drive and the experience to lead NBJC into the next decade.”

Founding NBJC board member and Associate Director of Diversity for the Human Rights Campaign Donna Payne said, “Lettman is exactly the right person to articulate our needs and understand our connectedness to our families.”

A wide variety of social justice and civil rights leaders also weighed in on Lettman’s appointment to NBJC:

Prominent Civil Rights activist and former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights Mary Frances Berry said, "Having witnessed Lettman’s leadership firsthand while she led key initiatives at PFAW, I am certain she has the ability to unify families and our community and succeed in her goal to establish a common ground around black LGBT issues. Her unwavering commitment to social justice will break barriers at the intersection of race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.”

President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Wade Henderson said, “With Sharon J. Lettman at the helm, NBJC will build bridges to a future of expanded equal rights for Black gay and transgender people. Her unparalleled ability to bring people together guarantees a future with far less homophobia.”

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said, “I am thrilled to welcome Sharon as the new Executive Director of the NBJC. Sharon's long history working to build bridges between a diverse group of communities will be a skill set that will make our movement stronger. Far too often racism still exists in our society, including in the LGBT community, and if we are going to achieve the equality we strive for- it will be once we all realize that we are brothers and sisters in this struggle. Sharon Lettman is the right person to help all of us realize that we are stronger together than we are divided."

People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan said, “At People For the American Way, Sharon brought the African American Affairs programs into a unique position of national leadership at the intersection of race, religion, and politics, and distinguished herself as a crucial ally in the struggle for LGBT equality. I know that Sharon will be a powerful, passionate leader for NBJC, and I very much look forward to working with her in her new role.”

View her full professional biography here.

Founded in 2003, NBJC is America's only nationwide Black gay civil rights organization and the authoritative source on LGBT issues as they affect Black communities. Lettman resides in the Washington, DC area and recently married a Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, who returned this past July from a tour of duty in Balad, Iraq.

For more information, go to: www.NBJC.org.

NBJC and GLAAD Will Host Forum At Upcoming NAACP Image Awards

On the eve of the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards which will be hosted by Oscar winning actor Halle Berry and screenwriter-actor Tyler Perry, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will jointly host a forum February 11 on the infrequent intersection of African American and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images in media, and the importance of these stories being told, particularly in the wake of California's Proposition 8.

The panel will explore the historical under-representation of these images, the ongoing advocacy efforts to promote the telling of these stories and the professional issues and challenges facing openly gay African American artists.

The planned two hour forum will also be co-sponsored by The Screen Actors Guild LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch of the NAACP starting at 7 PM PST in the Screen Actors Guild James Cagney Board Room.

The panelists confirmed for the event include Willis Edwards, Member, National Board of Directors, NAACP; Vice Chair of the NAACP Image Awards, Deondray Gossett, Writer/Producer/Director, "The DL Chronicles", Maurice Jamal, Writer/Producer/Director, "Dirty Laundry," "The Ski Trip", Sonja Sohn, Actor, "The Wire" and J. Karen Thomas, Actor; Founding Member SAG LGBT Actors Committee

The panel will be moderated by GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson.

"For the first time we have five openly gay individuals and multiple gay-themed projects nominated at the NAACP Image Awards," said Jasper Hendricks, NBJC Director of Field Operations. "We are hopeful this historic achievement will begin to break down barriers to openly LGBT arts and entertainment professionals in getting roles and jobs in the industry. We need to continue to highlight our successes and this forum will be a part of educating the media and the industry as to the issues LGBT people face."

"This year's nominees for the NAACP Image Awards demonstrate significant progress at a time when LGBT African Americans continue to be underrepresented in the media and those representations are often based on stereotypes," said GLAAD Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson. "We hope that through open dialogue with industry leaders at forums like this, we can continue to open doors for stories and images of our lives and our communities. These stories – when told in a fair, accurate and inclusive way – have the power to change hearts and minds."

The "Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media" will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 from 7-9 PM PST at the Screen Actors Guild, James Cagney Board Room, First Floor.

For any further information contact: Damon Romine, GLAAD, (323) 634-2012

Nation's African-American Civil Rights Groups Denounce Beating of Transgender Woman

TransGriot Note: Thanks NBJC! ;)

WASHINGTON, DC --The nation's most influential African-American civil rights organizations have joined together to denounce the beating of a transgender women by Memphis, TN police and has also called for an investigation and prosecution of the officers involved.

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), America's only nationwide Black civil rights organization focused upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues is joined by the Black Leadership Forum (BLF), an alliance of over thirty national African-American civil rights and social service organizations in denouncing the incident.

In an historic move, NBJC reached out to BLF member organizations which include the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, 100 Black Men, Inc., and several others to join forces to stand for equality and against discrimination and hatred toward ALL African-Americans.

A newly released tape shows that on February 12, 2008 at least two police officers were involved in the horrific act of physically assaulting Duanna Johnson while she was being held in the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. Johnson, a transgender woman had been arrested on a charge of prostitution.

"What we saw on the video was disturbing. When those who have been sworn to protect us abuse their scared duty our justice system must respond," said NBJC CEO H. Alexander Robinson. "It appears that not only did an officer use unnecessary force to brutalize Ms. Johnson he did so as other officers looked on. "While being called names such as "faggot" and "he-she", surveillance video show an officer walk over and hit Johnson in the face several times while having handcuffs wrapped around his knuckles and another officer holding her down as she tried to protect herself from the punches.

Video of the attack can be seen at: http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8515744

We are deeply troubled by the continuing pattern of incidents across the country –hate crimes, police misconduct, and racial intimidation – that are all-too-often tolerated and ignored by local law enforcement officials and courts. Moreover, despite significant progress in the treatment of LGBT people, the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals for police abuse and misconduct remains a persistent and widespread problem in the US. People of color communities comprise of at least 36% of victims and survivors of anti-LGBT related crimes in America, according to the National Coalition of anti-violence programs.

When faced with the abuse of individual civil rights we look to our local police departments not only to guarantee that those engaging in such actions are held accountable for their behavior, but to send a distinct message from the highest levels of government that such conduct has no place in our American society. Swift and firm action will demonstrate that our hard-fought federal civil rights laws are not mere empty promises, but will be strictly enforced to guarantee all Americans the full and equal protection of our nation's laws.

The National Black Justice Coalition - America 's only nationwide Black civil rights organization focused upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

The Black Leadership Forum - An alliance of over thirty national African-American civil rights and social service organizations in denouncing the incident

Yo NAACP, NBJC...Where Y'all At?

It's been a few days since the video of a Memphis police officer beating down an African-American transwoman was released, and I have yet to see any statement released about it from two organizations claiming to represent me as an African-American person.

The first is the nearly 100 year old NAACP, in which I have had membership status off and on over the years. My brother, sisters and I even had NAACP youth memberships back in the day.

Their new ad slogan is 'The NAACP Is Today', but I don't see you addressing the very real issues that transgender people of African descent face today here in the States. If the NAACP is claiming to represent African-Americans, then I respectfully submit that it includes me as a transgender African-American as well.

While I applaud you for declaring a state of emergency over the treatment of African-Americans by the police, I have yet to hear any NAACP local, state or the national chapter speak up not only about this case, but about the verbal and physical hate attacks on African-American transpeople in general.

As Duanna Johnson's case graphically points out, some of the problems we transpeople of African descent face are at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect and serve us. Nizah Morris' family in Philly is still waiting for a straight answer on what happened to her in 2002.

I suspect that the silence is because some of your chapters are squeamish. hostile or outright reluctant to get involved in speaking out against the BS that African-American GLBT peeps deal with inside and outside the African-American community for specious religious reasons.

When I checked the mirror this morning, I was still Black, I can easily afford to join the NAACP and I still get called 'nigger' and face discrimination from and by racist peeps. Being transgender didn't change that one bit.

The one group I'm most disappointed with is the National Black Justice Coalition. I've had the pleasure of meeting its CEO H. Alexander Robinson at a Louisville event a few years ago. I'm happy that the now three year old organization is making the case about same gender marriage being a Black issue as well, and they are holding Black Church Summits and conferences. I'm estatic that the NBJC not only commented on the ENDA issue, but are a member of the United ENDA coalition as well.

But if you are going to claim that you represent me as an African-American transperson, the organization needs to be more timely and forecful about doing precisely that.

It's insulting and disgusting to me when the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that has done far more in the last ten years to retard my and other African-American transpeople's progress by bitterly fighting transgender inclusion in the Employment Non Discrimination Act, rapidly puts out a press release condemning the attack on Duanna Johnson and calling for a criminal investigation. I have yet to see one syllable written about it on the NBJC website, the organization that's supposed to represent me as an African-American transperson.

Hopefully these organizations will do so in the next week, but if they don't, it's time for African-American transpeople to call them on the carpet and have them explain why.