NBJC's Out On The Hill 2012 Coming Soon!

I attended The National Black Justice Coalition's second annual Out On The Hill conference last year and had as you can probably guess from the posts I got to compile during that week one fantastic week in Washington DC.

In addition to meeting many African-American rainbow community leaders, allies and the wonderful people associated with the National Black Justice Coalition, I had time when it was done to play tourist and see the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the National Holocaust Museum before I headed back to Texas. 

It's almost time for the third annual Out On The Hill to take place, and it will be happening September 19-22.   This year's national chair will be ESPN/CNN columnist LZ Granderson, who was one of the long list of people I had the pleasure of meeting at last year's event.

"LZ embodies what is at the heart of OUT on the Hill - informed, intentional and purpose-driven leadership," says NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks. "As one of the most influential and powerful Black LGBT voices in media, his vision and guidance as National Chair will be invaluable."

Last year, Granderson moderated "From Civil Rights to LGBT Equality: African Americans and the LGBT Community at the Intersection," the first-ever, LGBT-themed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Issue Forum sponsored by NBJC and the National Education Association (NEA).

OOTH attendees get to participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educate congressional leaders, the White House and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns and meet other African-American TBLG leaders while doing so..

I definitely want to be there for this year's edition of it, and if your schedule allows you to be in Washington DC during that weekend I highly recommend attending OOTH.2012..

NBJC Comments On Kylar's Historic Senate ENDA Hearing Testimony

Senate Hears from First Transgender Witness on Employment Non-Discrimination Act

TPOCC Founder and NBJC Board Member Kylar Broadus Testifies

Washington, D.C. – June 13, 2012 – Yesterday, history was made when the Senate heard testimony from a transgender witness for the first time. In a hearing dedicated to highlighting workplace discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, Kylar Broadus, an African American transgender man, recounted how he was harassed while working at a major financial institution and emphasized the importance of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

Broadus is the Founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), a national social justice organization that promotes the interests of trans people of color as well as a Board Member and former Board Chair of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a national civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black LGBT people.

“There are many more people like me that are not employed as a result of just being who they are,” said Broadus during his testimony. “It’s extremely important that this bill be passed to protect workers like me.”

It is still legal in 29 states to discriminate based on sexual orientation and in 37 states to do so based on gender identity and expression. According to the Williams Institute, “17 percent reported being fired because of their sexual orientation, 13 percent reported being denied a promotion of receiving a negative job evaluation, and 20 percent reported being harassed verbally or in writing on the job” because they are gay or transgender. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would extend employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“To have a trans person of color shed light on the challenges faced by transgender Americans who simply want the same chance at earning a living and providing for themselves was monumental,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. “This was a historic moment in the Senate and for our nation as a whole.”

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

NBJC Commends the NAACP’s Support of Marriage Equality

TransGriot Note: The press release from the National Black Justice Coalition concerning the NAACP resolution supporting marriage equality.

Yesterday the NAACP released a resolution supporting marriage equality. The organization’s board of directors voted to support the freedom to marry as a continuation of its commitment to equal protection under the law. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, commends the NAACP for this historic step.

“As a Life Member of the NAACP, I am happy to see the organization join the President of the United States in ‘evolving’ and follow the powerful example of civil rights icons and Black voices like Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, Julian Bond, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and others who have said committed LGBT couples and families deserve the same protections as everyone else,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. “Family is the epicenter of Black life, community and culture. For Black LGBT people, its importance is just as great.”

The NAACP has addressed civil rights with regard to marriage since Loving v. Virginia declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional in 1967. In recent years the organization has taken public positions against state and federal efforts to ban the rights and privileges for LGBT citizens, including strong opposition to Proposition 8 in California, the Defense of Marriage Act, and most recently, North Carolina’s Amendment 1, which instituted a constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples.

Studies show that Black lesbian partners parent at almost the same rate as Black heterosexual couples. In comparison to their white counterparts, both Black gay and lesbian couples are more likely to be raising children. Robbed of the 1,138 federal protections and benefits available to married couples, including Social Security survivors benefits, Medicaid spend-down protections, and workers' compensation, Black same-sex families are disproportionately put in harm’s way. Despite these challenges, Black gay men and lesbians continue to care for children in need of a loving and supportive home.


According to the LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance Report, same-sex partners who become foster parents are more likely to be families of color than among heterosexual married couples. Yet 40 states plus the District of Columbia are silent on fostering by LGBT parents, while 2 states restrict it. Same-sex couples also face uncertainty about joint adoption in 28 states and are prohibited entirely in 5 other states.

“Outdated anti-gay laws and mindsets disproportionately undermine Black families,” adds Lettman-Hicks. “When you deny loving and committed same-sex couples equal protection under the law, you’re inflicting an even greater blow on LGBT families of color whose challenges are compounded by both race and orientation.

As a voice of Black leadership, the NAACP can help the country understand that the fight for equality isn’t about ‘Black vs. gay,’ but that there are loving couples and families at the intersection who are a part of the Black/African American narrative.”

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

NBJC Applauds President Obama’s Endorsement of Marriage Equality

TransGriot Note: The May 9 press release from the National Black Justice Coalition concerning the POTUS' marriage endorsement

Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauds the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry.

“It is an honor to witness our President take such a strong stand in support of gay and lesbian couples across the country,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition. “This affirmation reinforces the Administration’s ongoing commitment to LGBT Americans and our families.”

The President has had an exemplary record advancing protections for the LGBT community. However, he explained that his position on marriage equality had been changing and had not explicitly proclaimed his support of extending marriage to gay and lesbian couples until now. Despite the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” ending the legal defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), endorsing the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and more, President Obama had been under increased pressure for his self-described “evolving” position on marriage equality when Vice President Biden said he was “absolutely comfortable” with marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples.

“As my (s)hero, Barbara Jordan, once said, ‘one thing is clear to me: we, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves,’” Lettman-Hicks adds. “Here is President Obama, the nation’s first Black president, taking a position that no sitting president in history has had the fortitude to ever take. If anyone in America has ever wondered what courageous leadership looks like, here it is.”

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

NBJC Statement On Passage Of North Carolina's Amendment One.

TransGriot Note: Press Release from the National Black Justice Coalition concerning the regrettable passage of the unjust Amendment One

Yesterday, North Carolinians voted to pass Amendment One, which will change the state’s constitution to recognize only marriage between one man and one woman; ban civil unions; and eliminate health care, prescription drug coverage and other benefits for public employees and children receiving domestic partner benefits.

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, responds to North Carolina’s disappointing passage of Amendment One and how Black faith leaders rallied to condemn the amendment as well as educate voters.


Recent polls found that 60 percent of North Carolina voters were unaware of the full implications of the referendum. In fact, Public Policy Polling found that “if all voters were informed of [the amendment’s] consequences, the amendment would fail by a 38-46 margin…”

“It is a grave disappointment that North Carolinians voted to deny couples and children equal protections under the law,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. “Although this represents an unfortunate setback to progress and has devastating consequences to many families, we are encouraged by the number of Black clergy that spoke out against the amendment.”

Support for Amendment One had continued to slip, especially among African Americans. Public Policy Polling data revealed support for the amendment from Black voters dropped from 61/30 to 51/39. That was the lowest level of support PPP has found in monthly polling of the amendment since last October.

Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP, spoke out in opposition of any proposal that would alter the federal or state constitution to exclude any groups from equal protection under the law. Rev. Barber joined several Black pastors that spoke out publicly about their stance against the amendment.

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

TPOCC and NBJC Stand With CeCe

TransGriot Note: Here are the press release from TPOCC  and the National Black Justice Coalition concerning the upsetting news about a plea deal in the CeCe McDonald case.

"It is unfortunate that in this case, as in so many, the hate crime itself is overlooked entirely," explains Kylar Broadus, NBJC Board Member and Executive Director of the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), a national organization that promotes the interests of trans people of color. "We must continue to rally for fair and equal treatment for our Black trans sisters who are disproportionally targeted and killed because of who they are."

"CeCe's case is a sad reminder of the injustices transgender women of color face," says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. "Where do we get off blaming the victim in what was clearly a hate- and bias-motivated attack? It's unthinkable and it's un-American."

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Statement To End Bias Against Black Trans People

I missed this one when it originally was posted on the NBJC website during the TDOR, but it needs to be seen especially with us in the holiday season and less than two weeks from starting a new year.  

I'm not surprised to hear that it came from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY).   Back in 2007 she was one of the group of liberal progressive Democrats who voted NO against Barney's unjust trans free ENDA bill..

She also released this statement in reaction to the Injustice At Every Turn survey that documents just how much hell African-American transpeople are catching.

“I applaud the National Black Justice Coalition and its partners The National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force for this groundbreaking survey. We have always had anecdotal information regarding the tremendous hurdles that Black transgender people face, but this survey provides us with cold, hard facts - facts that we as policy makers must act on!
 
“One of the most important findings in this survey was that anti-transgender bias, coupled with structural and individual racism, resulted in transgender people of color experiencing devastatingly high levels of discrimination. Specifically, Black respondents reported the highest levels of discrimination, including a 26% unemployment rate, which is two times the rate of the overall transgender sample and four times the rate of the general population; a 32% job lost due to anti-transgender bias; and, of those who are employed, 15% report being physically assaulted at work and 13% report being sexually assaulted at work simply because they are transgender.

“We are in the 21^st century, and most enlightened people would have expected that issues of discrimination – especially in education and employment – would have been eradicated by now.  Discrimination in any form and against any individual or group is not acceptable. Therefore, in the coming months, I will work with the National Black Justice Coalition to shed light on these findings and to address the issues raised by this important survey.”

Out On The Hill 2011 Post Roundup

The 2011 NBJC Out On The Hill Conference has concluded and the planning for the 2012 edition of the event is getting underway.  

I did write my thoughts and reports on the proceedings, at least the stuff I could publically talk about.   There's some stuff of a strategic nature that I can't and won't reveal that falls into 'the Black LGBT Revolution will not be televised' realm.

To make it easier for y'all to read the posts with my thoughts about the various days Moni was in the middle of the 2011 conference I'm going to put the links in this post.

Looking forward to attending the 2012 Out on the Hill.  The date for OUT on the Hill will be set once the CBCF-ALC 2012 dates are set and hope I'm not only there next year (and I'm planning on it) but hoping I get to see a larger trans contingent there next year in DC as well in addition to more LGB African descended people .

Second Annual NBJC Out on The Hill Approaching 

Guess Who's At OUT on The Hill?
OUT on The Hill-The LGBT Congressional Staff Association Briefing.

OUT On The Hill-Busy Day


OUT On The Hill-Busy Day, Especially For Me

OUT On The Hill-Hangin' With The CBC

OUT On The Hill-Day of Reflection

OUT On The Hill-NBJC Friday In Full Effect

OUT On The Hill-Saturday Sessions

OUT On The Hill-Sunday Events

OUT On The Hill-Moni's Reflections

OUT On The Hill-Moni's Reflections

OUT on the Hill has come to a close for this year and the staff of the National Black Justice Coalition has once again managed to put together a first class, informative and empowering event.

One of the themes that NBJC ED/CEO Sharon Lettman-Hicks has stressed during the time we've been up here is 'Owning Our Power'.   There have been a lot of frank, thought provoking family conversations inside and outside the breakout sessions and events where we have had discussions into just how do we as African descended TBLG people 'Own Our Power' and fearlessly name and claim it. 


You TransGriot readers know I've never been shy on this blog about speaking my mind and calling people organizations and feces laden crap out, but when I return to Houston, I'm planning on owning my power.

How I plan to do it, you'll have to stay tuned to see how I execute that.   Only the TPOCC leadership, the NBJC ED/CEO and BOD members will know what I'm up to.  That part of me 'owning my power' will not be revealed or broadcast on this blog for my haters, sellouts and agent provocateurs to undermine it.  

I'm coming back home with a purse full of business cards and contacts that in between the time until we have the 2012 Out on the Hill event, I will be diligently working to expand on.  I have the reassurance and knowledge that I have far more love, respect and support inside and outside the African American BTLG community and our allies than I believed I had and a stronger support system to help me 'Own My Power'.  

It was an honor for me to finally meet people I've talked to either on the phone, e-mailed or chats for years like Kylar Broadus, Kamora Herrington, and Valerie Spencer.   It was wonderful finally getting to meet Sharon Lettman-Hicks, the BOD and staff of the National Black Justice Coalition.   It was also an honor to meet leaders like Kimberly McLeod, Stacey Long and a host of others I'd need another post to name and know they feel the same way about moi.   


I said this in a post I fittingly wrote on King Day 2011, and it bears repeating.   If you claim to love all Black people, then by extension that means Black transpeople are included in that definition as well.  

I love Black people, and to me, while fighting for the human rights of transpeople is a primary focus, I'm Black first and everything else comes second to that.   Loving Black people means that I love ALL Black people in all their permutations including my lesbian, gay, bi, trans and straight brothers and sisters.  That also includes my brothers and sisters across the African Diaspora as well.  


That is the first prerequisite to leading us and yes Sharon, I got that Owning My Power message loud and clear this week.   I'm happy to see that my bi, gay, and straight brothers and sisters love and value their trans ones.  

It was amazing to talk to civic leaders in DC and beyond, faith leaders, people like Cheryl Kilodavis and Sirdeaner Walker, and transleaders in Washington DC such as 'Number Four' Earline Budd, Danielle King and Ruby Corado.   I enjoyed my time talking to Washington DC GLB leaders and my gracious hosts Jeri Hughes and Denise Leclair about a wide variety of issues that were on their minds.

I head back to H-town knowing our movement is in great hands thanks to the talented, emerging, energetic young leaders I met here that are coming out of the best educated and brightest generation of Black youth we've ever had in our people's history.

The bottom line is that the Black trans community in Houston and elsewhere nationally has been silent for far too long, and I can,.will be and must be that leader they can look up to and count on for leadership in that area.   If I'm the only one standing up for Black trans people when I get back to the Lone Star State, so be it.  But the invisibility and silence of the Black trans community in Houston ends when I step off that plane tomorrow afternoon. 

The work of us closing ranks to become a stronger part of the greater community has begun, and I'm happy to be playing my part in it. 

I know this Out on the Hill conference isn't going to solve what ails Black LGBT America in one exhilarating week.  The problems we have took years to get to this point and we have a lot of hard solid thinking we need to do and organizing work that needs to be done to lift up our community.  

As for the trans sector, we are in even more dire need of hard solid thinking, organizing, and getting over the shame and guilt issues that plague us as we struggle to utilize our many talents to become a more cohesive part of the greater Black BTLG and African American family.