OUT On The Hill-Sunday Events

The 2nd Annual National Black Justice Coalition OUT on the Hill event concludes today with a daylong invitation only meeting of the NBJC Leadership Advisory Council that is kicking off as I type this and runs until 5:00 PM EDT.

And yes people, there are talented transmen and transwomen on the NBJC Advisory Council that will more than hold their own in that meeting and aren't 'scurred' to speak up for our community's interests as they formulate policy and NBJC's strategies going forward.

The concluding event will be a 7:00 PM EDT screening of the movie Pariah.  It premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film festival and is a critically acclaimed coming out story starring Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker and Kim Wayans.   It is directed by Dee Rees and executive produced by Spike Lee.. 

The movie will be in limited release on December 25 and is a feature length expansion of Rees' 2007 short film of the same name.   The screening will be taking place at the Regal Gallery Place  on 7th St NW and is sponsored by NBJC and the DC Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs.

I'm going to take the opportunity to get my trip to the MLK Jr Memorial in today since the weather's nice and I'm leaving for the Lone Star State tomorrow.   But I'm definitely going to check this film out.

OUT On The Hill-Saturday Sessions

OUT on the Hill continues to its conclusion as we gathered to discuss the Black LGBT Revolution that would not be televised.

The first part of the morning was devoted to plotting and planning the next steps in that Black LGBT Agenda that NBJC ED and CEO Sharon Lettman Hicks along with the National Black Justice Coalition BOD has been ably leading.   Ms Lettman-Hicks will approach her second anniversary as the head of the NBJC on October 1, and as I heard from many people before I arrived here in DC and have witnessed firsthand, she is definitely a positive force to be reckoned with.

After a few moments of Lettman-Hicks laying out a strategic vision that needs to stay covert for the time being, we sprang into the Youth Emerging Leaders conversation in which a panel discussion co-moderated by Kamora Herrington and Maurice Jamal tapped four young TBLG leaders to come up with a FUBU organizing strategy.that would capture the imagination, creativity and energy of our 18-35 GLBT youth.

Some of the ideas they came up with will be discussed in the NBJC Advisory Board meeting tomorrow and the four people on that panel will continue to have those conversations

When that concluded we broke for lunch and prepared to listen to a keynote luncheon speech from the Black AIDS Institute's Phill Wilson  entitled ''30 years of AIDS Is Enough'.


Wilson not only pointed out the sobering statistics and reality of the fact that AIDS has become a Black disease, he challenged us in the NBJC to step up to the plate and do something about it.

One of the things he also mention at the conclusion of his speech is what he called the Four Gets:

1. Get Informed
2  Get Tested
3. Get Treated
4. Get Involved!

After Wilson's inspiring speech, and some panel and audience questions and commentary, the retiring Dr. Sylvia Rhue was presented with an award from NBJC for her six years of service to the organization to a standing ovation

We then moved on to two breakout sessions in which one of them was conducted by Cory Allen Johnson and Roy Potts of the IGLHRC concerning LGBT rights across the African Diaspora.   That's a discussion I would have loved to have been in the room for.

The other breakout session was focused on TPOC, the Transgender Persons of Color Initiative facilitated by Kylar in which we discussed the issues that are germane to transpeople of color, its progress and the TPOC plans for addressing those issues.

And yeah, some of that is part of the Black trans revolution I warned y'all about that won't be televised.

While we were in those sessions, the NBJC board and ED/CEO Lettman-Hicks were in a session of their own in listening mode. 

5 PM came much too fast to end this day.   Some of my fellow NBJCers are headed to the Convention Center for the CBCF-ALC dinner tonight.

As for the TransGriot....well, somebody had to write about what was going on during this OUT on the Hill session day.

Well, at least the parts I can tell y'all about.

OUT On The Hill-NBJC Friday In Full Effect

While I'm siting in another exciting program at this moment, thought I'd tell y'all about yesterday's DC events.  .

As y'all have been discovering during the updates, I've been having a blast at the second annual NBJC OUT on the Hill event in our nation's capitol that is dovetailing with the 41st annual CBCF-ALC.

Friday dawned cool and cloudy as I headed out the door to the Convention Center and the NBJC sponsored panel discussion that was set to kick off at 9:00 AM entitled 'From Civil Rights To LGBT Equality'

The panel was co moderated by ESPN's LZ Granderson and Detroit City Council president Charles Pugh with the participants being Phill Wilson, Dr. Cathy Cohen, Valerie Spencer, filmmaker Maurice Jamal, 'My Princess Boy' author Cheryl Kilodavis, and GLSEN board member Sirdeaner Walker.

The start of the panel discussion was delayed a few minutes in order to allow the students from Norfolk State University to arrive at the venue and hear the discussion in its entirety.

Once our students arrived and NBJC CEO and ED Lettman-Hicks gave the opening remarks, the moderated discussion began in earnest.   It touched on a wide variety of subjects such as the bullying that prompted Ms.Walker's son Carl on April 6, 2009 to take his own life, Kilodavis speaking about her son Dyson and her journey towards being the best mother she can be for her child with her proud parents in the audience, Valerie keeping it real on the trans related portion of it, and Phill Wilson reminding us that HIV/AIDS is still around 30 years later and the disease has a disproportionately Black face to it..

Speaking of people in the audience, NBJC founders Mandy Carter, Dr Sylvia Rhue and Keith Boykin were in the room to witness this panel as well.

The discussion also talked about media images, The Safe Schools Improvement Act, and a spirited debate on the 'Black people are uniquely homophobic' myth.   It also contained a humorous moment in which Valerie was taking about in relation to trans issues having the courage and pride to be your authentic self to which Charles Pugh wryly remarked,"Does that include the Indian hair you're wearing on your head?

Ouch.  Val walked right into that one.  Of course, Valerie is lying in wait for an opportunity to read him back when he least expects it.

But that moment quickly turned into a serious tear jerking emotion choked one when Ms Walker was the final person on the panel to make her closing statement.  She responded with a moving standing ovation receiving tribute to her son Carl and a plea for us to do more to protect all our kids from the scourge of bullying.

NBJC also donated a check to the Carl Walker-Hoover Foundation before photos were taken of the panel, the board of directors, and the NBJC advisory board.  There's also a possible future photo of me and Valerie.

At this point everyone breaks for lunch and I decided to kill time and and hang out with the people working the NBJC booth in the vendor area while waiting to see how Cheryl's 'My Princess Boy' book signing turned out. When I checked on her she was being interviewed by a local television station and the No More Down Low TV cameraman who has been documenting the happenings of the OUT on the Hill conference since it started.

It's several hours until the CBCF Foundation Chairman's Reception starts at 5 PM, but I was planning to go to the NBJC one at the hotel in Arlington, VA that started an hour later.   Since I had the invite to it in my grab bag, decided not to let it go to waste and checked it out for an hour until it was time to hop the Yellow line to the Crystal City station, hang with the NBJC peeps and get my grub on.

The food selection included crab cakes, and sure did help myself to them. Crab cakes are as indigenous to the DC-Maryland area as barbecue is to my home state and it would have been a crime not to partake in them.  Yep, they were good as advertised.  So was the jazz ensemble band with a very familiar vocalist to us.


We had once again some great food, great times and I got challenged by ED Lettman-Hicks at the dinner table to make a personal blog project happen by January 1, 2012.

Time flies when you're having fun, and it's hard to believe that the time I'm spending with these wonderful people will soon be coming to an end.   

Oh well, have today and Sunday to make the most of it.

OUT On The Hill-Day of Reflection

My butt needs to be in bed getting some sleep for the day I have tomorrow at the CBCF-ALC and the NBJC sponsored panel discussion that starts at 9 AM EDT at the Convention Center.

Had a late night yesterday as part of a kick butt panel discussion on trans issues that could have gone another hour and still not addressed many of the issues we face as African descended trans people. I was still getting kudos about when I arrived at the Center of American Progress HQ for a panel discussion a little late because I overslept. 

Hey people, somebody had to write these updates you're getting about the inside I-495 happenings.

No More Down Low TV is videotaping much of what's going on with the NBJC Out on the Hill event and the 41st Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation-Annual Legislative Conference.

As I mentioned when I started the updates earlier in the week, it's been one of my goals as an activist to one day attend the CBCF-ALC, and it was even more awe inspiring that I imagined.  Everyone who is anyone in Black America from the political, entertainment and sports worlds is at this event.

Including this trans blogger from H-town who is soaking it all in

I was hanging out with some of my NBJC colleagues from New Orleans (and yes Mark, the Texans are going to beat Den Saints on Sunday) friends and our conversation was interrupted because one of their friends was greeted by CNN pundit Roland S. Martin's wife..

I wandered around the vendor area and DC homegirl Stacy Lattisaw was there in the book authors section taking photos with her fans.  Line was too long for my nosey behind to find out what was up, but it's on my ALC to do list for tomorrow.

Yep, THAT Stacy Lattisaw.  She was looking good for all you peeps who had crushes on her back in the day.   Speaking of looking good, the brothers are looking fly and the sisters are on their fashion A games.


But the ALC is also chock full of informative and thought provoking seminars.  I'm looking forward to checking many of them out in addition to the other sights, sounds, and delicious smells of the food wafting through the convention center.

I just decided to call it a day and get some sleep.  My body was crying out for it and I needed to peruse my program in order to figure out how best to efficiently maximize my time here gettin' my learn on.
 
I've waited ten years for this moment.   Definitely going to take advantage of it.

OUT On The Hill-Hangin' With The CBC

I get to fulfill another long held dream today when I and my NBJC peeps spend some time with the Congressional Black Caucus at the ALC. in conjunction with this second annual NBJC OUT on the Hill event.

Remember, you can catch the tweets of those of us discussing the seminars and the day's action on Twitter by following the # OOTH 2011 hashtag  .

And on that note, gotta go.   I've waited ten years for this and have a train to catch.

 

OUT On The Hill-Busy Day, Especially For Me

Yesterday was the first full day of events for the 2011 edition of OUT on the Hill and I made my way from my undisclosed location in NW Washington once again to the AFL-CIO headquarters. 

Made a wrong turn after I exited the Farragut North Red Line stop and walked two blocks before I had to retrace my steps up L Street and back to 16th St.

Since I was in the 1000 block, still had to walk a few blocks to get to the AFL-CIO headquarters building in the 800 block, and chuckled when I passed the infamous K Street where many of the DC lobbying firms are predominately located.

Eventually strolled into the building after my extra exercise I got enroute and was greeted by the smiling faces of MarQuis, Katina and the rest of the NBJC gang at the registration desk.  I picked up my packet and started surveying the room to see who was in the house.

Spotted my mentor and NBJC founder Mandy Carter, and walked over to her as she was checking her computer and bowed to her, which elicited a smile and a hug from her. 

While I was chatting with her Kamora Herrington and I finally got to meet and hug.  Have known Kamora and talked to her online for years and we barely missed crossing paths while I was in western Mass for NoHo pride last year. .

Same was true for Valerie Spencer of LA and finally got to meet her.   She was siting next to my DC homegirl Tia.

Okay I'll drop some more names later in the lifestyles of the activist not so rich but famous files.  It's time to get to business chronicling the events of the day.

After some opening remarks from NBJC ED/CEO Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Katina Parker, NBJC's Communications Director took the stage to do some media housekeeping announcements.  In addition to the official Out on The Hill hashtag for tweets from the conference, (# OOTH2011), No More Down Low TV is also filming the conference.as well.

We moved to a panel discussion that focused on various aspects of activism and focuses from Mandy talking about the historical perspective, Kylar taking about the trans piece, Charles Pugh on the political one, George Walker talking about he importance of LGBT officials and Stacey Long discussing the Task Force' work.

We broke for lunch before shoving off to the White House for our three hour meeting with Obama administration staffers.  After clearing security and getting comfortably ensconced were were treated to a briefing on the various aspects of Obama administration policy initiatives as it applies to TBLG people.    

We had a surprise guest in White House advisor Valerie Jarrett.before we dove into three hours of briefings covering public policy on issues ranging from minority health issues to DADT , jobs and HIV/AIDS.

We then moved when it was over via bus to Washington DC's city hall and after another reception with good food, we headed to the fourth floor for a panel discussion on two topics.   The first half of it was devoted to the DC marriage equality fight and how they melded local and national orgs and activists into a winning team on that issue.


The second half panel I was to take part in was a discussion on the recent spike in trans hate incidents and assaults that was a mix of local and national activists .  We touched on everything from racism in the trans community, laments on the infighting and challenging the GL community and our allies to do a better job of supporting transpeople.   We also challenged transpeople to handle our own shame and guilt issues before the discussion broke up.

One day down, another to go.

OUT On The Hill-Busy Day

It's Wednesday, and the first full day of events on the OUT on the Hill conference schedule commences in a few hours.

On the schedule for today is the first Out on the Hill Opening General Session from 10-12 noon, The Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House from 1:30-4:30 PM followed up by a 5:30-6:30 PM reception and the Black LGBT National Town Hall meeting being held at Washington DC's City Hall and sponsored jointly by NBJC and the DC Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs from 6:30-9:30 PM .

A lot of interesting events packed into this day.. Glad I got my beauty sleep and some comfortable shoes after last night's kickoff event..

I'm excited. and Moni's going to be in the middle of all the fun.  And yes, I will be be talking about it when my long initial day is finally done.

OUT On The Hill-The LGBT Congressional Staff Association Briefing

Dense Leclair and I took off from our undisclosed location in NW Washington DC and hit the subway enroute to the first event of the 2011 OUT on the Hill schedule at the Congressional Visitors Center.

I was also interested in finding out who was here for OUT on the Hill.  . 

The event Denise and I were attending was a scheduled 5-7 PM panel discussion sponsored by the LGBT Congressional Staff Association with the theme of 'Brother Outsider: Linking the Racial Justice and LGBT Equality Movement.'  

Denise and I got there in plenty of time although I had to go through security a few times because my low heel  boots were setting off the metal detector.   I wasn't alone because a few people had to do the same thing for various reasons. 

Note to self: don't wear those tomorrow.

I was also interested in finding out who was here for OUT on the Hill and immediately ran into Diego Sanchez and Kylar Broadus in addition to having a few of my FB friends and TransGriot readers introduce themselves to me before the panel got started.    

The panel's moderator was Robert Traynham of Comcast and the panelists for this discussion not only included Kylar, but ESPN's LZ Granderson, NAACP Washington DC bureau director Hilary Shelton, NBJC ED/CEO Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Carolyn Brown of Black Enterprise magazine, Courtney Snowden of the Raben Group and George Walker of the Victory Fund.  .

In addition to some scripted questions, they took some thoughtful questions from the audience. And yes, I wrote a question that got read to the panel and answered by Hilary Shelton and others.

The question I asked?  In light of the fact that the recent NAACP LGBT town hall had no bi or trans representation, when will African Americans  inside and outside the LGBT community have that family discussion about the transgender community and our issues?

After Shelton asked for a clarification, I along with Diego pointed out that the LA convention panel had no bi and trans representation and was heavy on the GL portion of it.  That question triggered a 15 minute discussion on trans issues which up until that point was heavily GL centric.

Since it didn't get started until 5:30, the panel concluded at 7:30 PM.   Shook hands with Hilary Shelton and had a brief discussion with him, hugged Sharon Lettman-Hicks and told her how glad I was to be here for OUT on the Hill,. had a thoughtful conversation with LZ Granderson and thanked him for the piece he wrote for CNN panning the 'Gay Is the The New Black' slogan, and talked to two students from Howard about a panel discussion on trans issues they are doing on campus soon.   

Also got to meet Stacey Long from the Task Force and Kim McLeod from GLAAD and other OUT on the Hill attendees.before I rejoined Kylar, Denise and Diego to discuss trans community and other 'bidness'.

I was also thanked by several people who attended the discussion for asking that question

Hey, it needed to be asked.  If you say an event is supposed to be TBLG, some 'B' and 'T' discussion and inclusion needs to happen, too.

And on that note, have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.  Gotta be up early tomorrow to register and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for the Out On the Hill Opening Session.

See y'all tomorrow.

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Second Annual NBJC OUT On The Hill Approaching

There will be another event happening on September 20 besides the demise of DADT that the African descended rainbow community will be focusing on.     
The second annual National Black Justice Coalition OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit will be taking place in Washington, DC from September 20-25, 2011. 

This is an event that convenes our nation's preeminent Black LGBT activists, thought leaders, elected officials, faith leaders and youth to participate in social action on the national stage to demonstrate that all politics are local. 

According to the NBJC website, the goals for the summit are to educate the Obama Administration, Congressional leaders, federal agencies on public policy concerns of Black TBLG people and our families and move the masses towards an America that is more inclusive of Black BTLG people.

NBJC is making an expanded effort to recruit emerging Black LGBT leaders to engage in an intergenerational dialogue that will help grow the leadership pipeline necessary to sustain a vibrant, forceful movement for equal rights.

The OUT on the Hill summit will include briefings with the Obama Administration, Congressional leaders, and federal agency officials, as well as sessions that give us the opportunity to share information and strategize together.  In addition to a purposeful dialogue addressing a federal policy agenda, this unique gathering also allows Black LGBT leaders and activists to strengthen individual relationships and nurture networks that sustain us in our advocacy for racial justice and LGBT equality.

OUT on the Hill registration includes its delegates being fully registered to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative conference (CBCF-ALC) later in the week.  This effort will give participants the opportunity to add their voices and perspectives to the issue forums addressing the critical challenges facing Black communities.  This high-profile gathering brings thousands of African American policy makers, organizers, and concerned citizens to our nation’s capital every year.

For those of you who can attend OUT on the Hill, it's an event worth attending and the folks I talked to who did get that opportunity raved about it.   It's one the TransGriot has on her list and I hope to be taking part in one of these days.