2012 OUT on the Hill-Day 4 Recap

Another beautiful day on Washington DC, but it's one with a hint of sadness for me because it's the last day of OUT on the Hill. 

It's also the last day of the CBCF-ALC which has its traditional 7 AM Prayer Breakfast.  This year it was featuring Bishop Noel Jones and Kim Burrell and Valerie and Carmarion attended it as the NBJC reps.

While that was going on at the Convention Center,  the NBJC General Session started at 9 AM as I anticipated the start of the 10:15 AM Blogger's Roundtable that includes myself, LZ Granderson, Danielle Moodie-Mills of threeLOL, Kimberley McLeod of ELIXHER, Derrick McMahon of the Anti-Intellect Blog, and Huff Po contributor Darnell Moore.

This was a continuation of the conversation that was started at the CBCF-ALC yesterday that was also focused on the topic of 'How the LGBT Equality Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape.'   There was some interesting conversation concerning that topic before we broke for our lunchtime keynote speaker, the Deputy Director of the US Small Business Administration Eugene Cornelius. 

We also had a pleasant problem during this lunch that is the result of the rapid growth of OUT on the Hill.  For a breif moment we had a few more people than seats in the Delaware Room. but the NBJC staff and volunteers quickly solved that problem. 

And yes, Eugene is family.   He not only challenged us to own our economic power, but was part of an interesting discusssion moderated by Maurice Jamal that discussed the upcoming LGBT Economic Empowerment Tour that will be cosponsored by the NBJC/and SBA.

With the afternoon session came a dilemma for me.  Now that my panels were completed, I was a spectator and had to choose which one I attended because all three had interesting topics.

I eventually split time between the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities one and the Stemming The Tide of Aggression one before we headed into the OUT on the Hill closing session.   

With the closing session's end also signaling the end of OUT on the Hill 2012 activity at the host hotel, there was still a community mixer at FAB Lounge in the Dupont Circle area starting at 7 PM that I skipped so I could catch up on my blogging. 

Before she split for the CBCF-ALC dinner that the FLOTUS was attending, Sharon Lettman-Hicks did give us a sneak peek at one of the events that will take place during the 2013 OUT on the Hill

There will be a transman town hall similar to the one that we transwomen had this year.  It will also be NBJC's tenth anniversary next year with an OUT on the Hill that promises in just its fourth year to be bigger and better event than it was in 2012 .

And I definitely want to be participating in it next year.

2012 Out On the Hill-Day 4 Schedule

Darn, Day 4 got here pretty quickly and in 24 hours I'll be headed back to the Lone Star State.  But as the old saying goes, time flies when you're having fun and around some amazing Black LGBT leaders. 

While the CBCF-ALC is having their prayer breakfast from 7:30-10:30 AM, those who didn't want to (or couldn't get) tickets to that event have 8:00 AM-1:00 PM workshops and sessions to attend,

Meanwhile up the Metro line on our side of town in NW DC we' ll start a packed Saturday of OOTH events.  It starts from 9:00-10:00 AM with another OOTH 2o12 General Session which will be entitled The Future of the National Black Justice Coalition.

From 10:15-12:15 PM we'll have the Black LGBT Emerging Leaders Caucus entitled Taking a Seat at the Table: Energizing Black LGBT Youth to OWN Their Power  Another 10:15-12:15 PM session will be entitled Invisible No More: A Roundtable of Elders in the Black LGBT Community

The third one in that 10:15-12:15 PM time slot will be the second one I was invited to participate in, the Bloggers’ Roundtable: How the LGBT Equality Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape From 12:30-2:30 PM we'll have our Keynote Luncheon with the title of The Great Recession: Harnessing the Collective Economic Potential of the Black LGBT Community 
When the Keynote Luncheon concludes, three more sessions in the 2:45-4:15 PM time slot

We Shall Not Be Moved:The Role of Faith in the Fight for Black LGBT Equality
Stemming the Tide of Aggression: Addressing Violence, Bias, and Hate Crimes in the Black LGBT Community
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities  Black LGBT Health: An Exploration of Current Trends and ChallengesThe closing 2012 Out On The Hill General Session will happen from 4:30-5:30 and focus on highlights of upcoming events .

And from 6:00-9:30 PM is another ticketed CBCF-ALC event, the CBCF-ALC Phoenix Awards dinner.  Yeah, I think I'll be chilling in the room at that time unless somebody in DC or OOTH has other ideas.

2012 OUT on the Hill-Day 3 Recap

Well, today's the day I've been eagerly waiting for ever since I received the invitation letter for it.

The National Town Hall meeting I was slated to participate in along with Danielle King, my fellow Texan Rev Carmarion Anderson, Valerie Spencer and our moderator Laverne Cox was finally happening .

It was a double treat for me because I was FINALLY getting to meet Laverne and see Carmarian, Danielle and that fun loving diva Valerie again.

I've done more than a few panel discussions over the years, but for some reason I was nervous before this one.   Maybe because unlike the historic first ever trans panel I was proud to be part of earler this summer at Netroots Nation, this historic first ever trans themed Town Hall discussion was happening in front my trans and SGL peeps and NBJC family, and I wanted to make certain it went well. 

The theme was 'Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women'.  After sending out some tweets and Facebook comments noting my nervousness, I headed to the Wilson Room for this 9 AM town hall.  

Commissioner Earline Budd, AKA 'Number 4' was on hand and it was also videotaped.   As usual the panel had a lot of informational ground to cover and not enough time to do so, but it was expertly moderated by Laverne.   As we stayed behind to take photos and get interviewed.  Laverne headed to the Walter Williams Convention Center to take part in a media panel at the CBCF-ALC while Carmarion, Valerie, Danielle and another local DC resident joined us for lunch along with Ace Portis of NCTE.

After some lively conversation over lunch we headed to the Convention Center on this beautiful DC weather day to check out the CBCF-ALC forum moderated by Jeff Johnson entitled ' How the LGBT Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape.'

Joining Laverne on that panel was MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart, Clay Cane, Keith Boykin, and our summit chair LZ Granderson.

There was some mini drama near the tail end of a lively discussion when a person identifying himself as a heterosexual veteran asked a problematic trans related question that Laverne and Keith diplomatically answered.   I was three spots in line behind homey and even i didn't understand what in Hades he was talking about, but after the panel was over I noted three people politely talking to the brother and 'ejumacaing him about our issues.

I was in line three spots behind homeboy.  I got to ask my question about white trans people speaking for POC trans folks and what Black LGBT journalists could do to stand up for their trans sisters, using the example of the recent Melissa Harris-Perry show that had an all white panel discussing the Cece McDonald case as an annoying example.

While I was at the CBCF-ALC forum, continued to get compliments about that morning's town hall and my contributions to the discussion.

When it was over, hung around the room for a few moments, talked to Jeff Johnson, Clay Cane and finally met the other half of the Moodie-Mills power couple in Danielle, who was going to participate in a bloggers roundtable with me tomorrow.

Hit the METRO to head back to the hotel, get out of my paltform pumps and go to the Board of Directors reception before I crashed around 1 AM

Three days gone, one to go.

2012 Out On The Hill-Day 3 Schedule

Day 3 of Out On The Hill will be dawning in a few hours, and it's showtime at Out on the Hill for me and my fellow panelists today.   The CBCF-ALC will have their workshops and sessions from 8-5 PM today but I won't be there for them.

I'm part of the OOTH national town hall meeting that will run from  9:00-11:30 AM entitled Honoring and Protecting the lives of Black Trans Women.    It will be moderated by Laverne Cox and in addition to yours truly being on the panel, it also includes Rev.Carmarion Anderson, Valerie Spencer, Bali White, and

I get to do lunch and then from 2:30-4:30 PM for the second straight year the CBCF-ALC will have an NBJC sponsored forum entitled How The LGBT Equality Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape.

Day 3 of Out on the Hill will conclude with an NBJC Board of Directors Reception

2012 OUT on The Hill-Day 2 Recap

Missed most of the action today since I was saying goodbye to Jeri that morning, eating breakfast at her house and prepping to move to the conference hotel.   I hoped I could  get it done before it was time for the Issue Advocacy Day to start at the Church of the Redemption at 12 noon EDT and then from there head over to Capitol Hill to Own Our Power.

I also had the option of heading downtown to the Walter Williams Convention Center to witness the opening of NBJC's Exhibit Booth at the 42nd annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation-Annual Legislative Conference or CBCF-ALC in DC acronym speak.    That event was also starting at 12 noon EDT.

There was also the CBCF-ALC workshops schedule for that date of which the one I was interested in, a national Town Hall meeting moderated by Melissa Harris-Perry was scheduled for 9 AM, just as I was getting my behind up from the previous night's reception and chilling with Kimberley and Janet.

By the time I got packed, made the ride over with Jeri and checked into my room in the historic Marriott Wardman Tower it was 1:15 PM and I just decided to catch up on my blogging and take a nap before the 2012 Chairman's Reception.

You'll note I wrote the historic Wardman Tower.  In that part of the sprawling complex, by the elevators that led up to my third floor room was a black plaque hanging on the wall noting that one tine busboy Langston Hughes on November 27, 1925 nervously handed three of his poems to noted poet Vachel Lindsay while he was dining at the hotel's restaurant.  

Lindsay at a segregated event later that night in the hotel read those three poems Hughes left by his dinner plate and announced he'd discovered a talented Negro poet. 

The media picked up Lindsay's comments, remarked about the 'busboy poet' and the career of Hughes was born.  So yep, it was awesome as a writer to know that I was staying in the same hotel where Langston Hughes once worked.  

Speaking of work, back to this post.

At 7:00 PM the 2012 OUT on the Hill Chairman's Reception cranked up in Maryland Suites A, B and C.   Nice spread with a set up dance floor and DJ so we got to get our grub on, meet and greet each other and dance to tune courtesy of our DJ that covered a wide variety of music including soca from the Islands.
Since we were in DC, I requested EU's Da Butt.   Hey when in DC you gotta hear some Go-Go, so when the DJ honored my request and played it moments later, I hit the dance floor along with half the room  

Hopefully there aren't any incriminating pictures of me on the Net allegedly dancing way close to the floor..

Oh well, Day 2 over, two more to go.   

2012 OUT on the Hill-Day 1 Recap

Hey TransGriot readers, I've moved from my double secret location in NE DC at Jeri's house to the host hotel for tonight's, Friday's and Saturday's Out on the Hill 2012 activities, but needed to write up while it's still fresh on my mind what transpired during Day 1.   

As i write this there is a lobbying event going on along with the unveiling of the NBJC booth in the vendor area at the CBCF-ALC, but I needed to give y'all the 411 on what happened during Day One of OUT On The Hill

After getting my beauty sleep at Jeri's and getting my diva look on, I headed to the Georgia Ave-Petworth station, jumped on the METRO train and headed over to HUD headquarters to start my OUT on the Hill 2012 experience.   I was more than eager to get registered.for the informative action packed day that was going to unfold and feeling like a kid attending their first day of school.

I was more than ready to see everyone after my interesting travel day up there.

After I cleared security (this is Washington DC people)  I picked up my packet to the warm greetings and hugs from two of the volunteers who remembered me from last year's event.

While in the lobby area outside the Auditorium waiting for the OUT on ther Hill Opening General Session to start introduced myself to some of the first timers attending the conference.  As I talked to them, I was spotted by some of the vets, NBJC staff and other friends in the Black SGL and trans community

The General Session started with remarks from our OUT on the Hill national chair LZ Granderson, NBJC Founder Donna Payne, Darlene Nipper and eventually NBJC ED/CEO Sharom-Lettman Hicks after some thought provoking words about why OUT on the Hill was so important to this community via LZ and Donna.

After Sharon's welcoming speech and reminder to all of us we were here to Own Our Power, after some housekeeping anoouncements it was time for our first session.

It was the Legislative Issues briefing moderated by Aisha Moodie-Mills.    It had in addition to her moderating it my GLAAD media training classmate Maya Rupert, and Michael Brewer from NBJC.  There were points made about pending legislation such as the Student Non Discrimination Act, DOMA repeal,  ENDA, discussion about voter suppression and other issues pertinent to our chocolate LGBT community.

That panel ended, and we picked up our box lunches and prepared to head over on the METRO once again to the White House for our 1:00 PM briefing.    I chuckled when on my way into the White House I ran into someone I'd met during Netroots Nation who had just left as I discovred after I cleared security that had attended an LGBT Policy Roundtable that started at 9:30 AM.

I was also pleasantly pleased and surprised to discover that the White House intern who was working our event was part of our trans family. 

As we settled in to receive policy briefings from Obama administration officials and ask questions about it if we had time, my attention got diverted for a few moments from the speaker on the stage to a very familiar person walking into the briefing room carrying her purse and her travel bags  .

It was Janet Mock.   She'd told me she was coming to DC while I was in New York for the GLAAD media training, but I'd forgotten she had an invite to attend an event at Vice President Joe Biden's house that was scheduled for yesterday. 

She was attending it with Sharon Lettman-Hicks and Kimberley McLeod, so she killed some time with us until it was time for her to head over there.

After Senior Presidential Advisor Valerie Jarrett's remarks at 5:00 PM closed the event came the interesting part of the day for me.  

 There was a Networking reception starting at 6:00 PM.  No problem.  Y'all know I love hanging with my Black LGBT peeps and interacting with them during this event.  

The interesting part was the location for it, the headquarters of a certain Equal Sign organizations on Rhode Island Avenue.

As y'all know from reading this blog, as a long time activist I started during at time in the late 90's when there was a no love lost Cold War type hostility between the trans community and HRC, and the 2007 ENDA shenanigans didn't help that. 

I still have a verify then trust attitude toward HRC as a result of that formative activist drama, but as I entered the HQ after walking over there from the White House with my trans and SGL family I decided to focus on the fact I was there on NBJC business and on the activism announcement I was going to make a little later.

Got to meet more people, see more old friends, more of my TransGriot readers, and have some interesting and substantive conversations.  Finally got to see Kylar, Charles Pugh, Jeffrey Richardson from the DC city government and renew acquaintances with Shannon Minter.  I also didn't realize until after I left for the evening that I'd been sitting less than 50 feet from Kye Allums, who I have been eager to meet. 

I also had a serious conversation with members of a student group from Florida A&M.  I told them a little bit about some of the stuff I was exposed to in terms of passing sexual orientation and gender identity languge in collegiate noddisrimination policies idoing with the Texas Transgender Nnondiscrimimation Summit.  It's a battle they are currently engaged in at FAMU.

We had a moment during the reception in which we were invited to tell the gathered people in the room why OUT on the Hill was important to us, and yes I was the first up to the mic to say so. 

I also took that opportunity to announce that I was joining the Trans Person Of Color Coalition team effective immediately.

Not long after that Janet, Sharon, and Kimberley arrived from VP Biden's house and Janet took a moment along with Sharon to address the crowd.

9 PM came far too soon and Kimberley and I discovered that I was staying less than three blocks from her place, so I joined her and  Janet for a drink and converation at Chez Billy's.

After almost two hours, it was time for all of us to crash for the night since Kimberley's day started way earlier than mine and I safely made my way back to Jeri's house to prepeare for Day 2 of OUT on the Hill
 

2012 Out On The Hill-Day 2 Schedule

In case you readers weren't aware of it, Out on the Hill also takes place during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference which is held at the sprawling Walter Williams Convention Center. 

We OOTH attendees have the opportunity to attend the CBCF-ALC at a discounted rate, so for those of you who would like to attend that event, it's another reason you need to come to OOTH 2013 because it's always the same week as the CBCF-ALC  

What's on the schedule for Day 2 of Out on the Hill is the Grand Opening of the NBJC CBCF-ALC exhibit booth, a town hall moderated by Melissa Harris-Perry entitled Voting Rights and New Age Discrimination with the assorted CBCF-ALC workshops and session if you chose the option to attend them.   

It's also Issue Advocacy Day, so from 1-5 PM we'll be jumping on the Red Line and heading to Capitol Hill to talk to members of congress and their staffs about various issues before heading back to the hotel and getting ready for the OOTH Chairman's Reception starting at 7:00 PM

2012 Out On The Hill-Day 1 Schedule

Thanks to the magic of the auto-post feature, while I'm sleeping I get to tell y'all about Day 1 of this conference and why I eagerly flew 1500 miles to get here. 

It's the day I have been eagerly awaiting since the Save the Date announcement went out. 

It's the first day of Out on the Hill 2012 and on the agenda from 9:00 AM-12:30 PM EDT will be the Opening General Session and welcome to Washington DC.  I'm looking forward to it because I not only get to see my NBJC fam,  I get to see who's here for OOTH 2012..

Anyway, focus Moni.   We then head to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House from 1-5 PM   Last year we got a surprise visit from Valerie Jarrett.. Who will it be from the POTUS's staff this year?   

We move on from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to a legislative issues briefing and networking reception from 6-9 PM entitled Building Black LGBT Political Power In Our Nation's Capitol.

Check with y'all in a few hours..

Leaving On a Jet Plane-DC Bound Again

Been piling up the frequent flyer miles this summer and loving every minute of it as you TransGriot readers have noticed. 

My trips have basically been for one community event or another.

Whether it was the first ever trans themed panel discussion at Netroots Nation, the double secret trip I took to DC for business I still can't talk about,  the one to Charlotte to do the keynote address for the TransFaith In Color conference or the GLAAD National POC Media Institute in New York I not only felt blessed to be at all these events this summer representing our community, I not only enjoyed them, but loved seeing my trans and SGL peeps. 

Getting out of Houston's blast furnace heat for a few days is a bonus, although July was the coolest summer month on record for us and it's been in the high 80's-low 90's temperature wise for the last few days..

This time I'm bouncing from H-town to go back to Washington DC and inside I-495 for the third annual edition of Out On The Hill.  I'm looking forward to it, hanging with my National Black Justice Coalition family, my Black trans and SGL peeps my freinds in the area and participating in the two panel discussions I'm slated for.  

Oh yeah, will be making a major activism announcement while I'm up here. 

If I get the time or opportunity to hit a computer will talk about what happening at Out On The Hill 2012.  And DC area Facebook friends, I'll be here until Sunday.

Time to get the beauty sleep.    See y'all in a few hours Chocolate City.

NBJC OUT On The Hill Host Committee Gearing Up For Biggest Summit Ever

I can testify to how much work is involved in putting together a conference like OUT On The Hill, having done it while organizing the 2005 and 2006 Transsistahs-Transbrothas ones in Louisville. 

The National Black Justice Coalition has done a masterful job at the planning and execution of this event over the last two years and the 2012 one looks to be the biggest one yet.  As the reputation of the quality of it grows and word of mouth and publicity about OUT on The Hill continues to expand amongst Black LGBT people and our allies about this unapologetically Black conference of Black trans and SGL leaders, it's also time that the OUT On The Hill Host Committee get a little love as well.

OUT on the Hill Host Committee members have been working closely with other distinguished Black LGBT leaders and activists to contribute their time and talents to the event and encourage others to do the same. Host Committee members are integral to making OUT on the Hill a success.              

This year's OUT on the Hill Host Committee members include: Shaun Allende, UDC OUTLAW; Brandynicole Brooks, DC Child and Family Services Agency; Ashlee Davis, Emerging Leader; Rev. MacArthur Flournoy, Human Rights Campaign (HRC); Robby Gregg, Diversity Thought Leader; Monique Hall, DCI Group; Rev. Cedric Harmon, Many Voices; Rev. Candy Holmes, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC); Huston Inniss, National Coalition for LGBT Health; Bakari Jones, Bois of Baltimore; Katheryn King, U.S. Bank; Stacey Long, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Samantha Master, Morgan State University; Aisha Moodie-Mills, Center for American Progress; Rev. Darlene Nipper, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Donna Payne, Human Rights Campaign (HRC); Jeffrey Richardson, DC Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs; Maya Rupert, National Council for Lesbian Rights (NCLR); Twaun Samuel, Office of Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Andre Wade, National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH); Rev. George Walker, Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute/Victory Fund; Lauren Waters, Emerging Leader; and Isaiah Wilson, Office of Congressman Steve Rothman.   

Thanks Host Committee for the work you collectively put in to make OUT On The Hill a success and I'm looking forward to seeing y'all on Tuesday. 

GLAAD Intersection of Race and LGBT Issues Telebriefing

TransGriot Note: Saw this interesting note on the GLAAD POC media area of their website posted by Jeff Montes about a telebriefing from 2-3 PM EDT today sponsored by The Opportunity Agenda concerning the issues of race and LGBT issues   One of the participants is NBJC's Kimberley McLeod

Today, The Opportunity Agenda will hold a National Telebriefing on their recently released study entitled “Public Opinion and Discourse on the Intersection of LGBT Issues and Race.” The study analyzed research on LGBT topics in minority-oriented media that was conducted in 2010 and other data pertaining to public opinion on LGBT rights. The study shed light on how LGBT people of color are portrayed in the media and how different LGBT-related topics are discussed.


The study finds that coverage of LGBT issues is more prevalent in online-based media than in traditional print media and that pro-LGBT voices outnumber anti-LGBT ones across the board

Research also showed that African American-themed media did not shy away from topics such as LGBT discrimination, homophobia and HIV/AIDS. Spanish language and Latino media was found to predominantly reinforce the narrative that LGBT rights are the same as civil rights, compounding the idea that anti-equality measures amount to discrimination.

Both groups, however, have room to improve when it comes to in-depth discussions of the daily struggles LGBT people, especially low-income individuals, face in their communities and families.  At GLAAD, we have been committed to diversifying those voices, as demonstrated by the pair of Media Institutes held this summer in New York and Los Angeles. Between the two, we welcomed 21 people of color from across the country to gain valuable experience learning about how to share their own stories and discuss real-life LGBT issues with the media.

Today’s National Telebriefing will take place from 2 pm – 3 pm EST. Speakers will include Juhu Thukral (The Opportunity Agenda), Loren Siegel (Loren Siegel Consulting), Kimberley McLeod (National Black Justice Coalition), and Elena Shore (New America Media). They will explore some of the study’s findings and discuss how it relates to their own work. The telebriefing will also include a question and answer segment from the audience. If you are interested in dialing-in, please click the following link to register.

National Telebriefing
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST
Click here to RSVP 

NBJC Newsletter-Out On The Hill 2011 Recap Edition

The latest edition of the NBJC Newsletter is out, and if you're wondering why I'm so excited for the third edition of Out On The Hill to begin September 19-22, check out this one recapping the events of Out On The Hill 2011.   You may even see a certain blogger from Texas in a photo or two

And no, it's not too late to register for Out On The Hill.   If you do, you'll be glad you did.   

I'm taking part in two panel discussion during this edition of Out On The Hill in addition to finally getting to meet Laverne Cox after we missed each other while I was in New York.  

And yes, NBJC family, I'm deliriously happy I get to spend quality time with you once again and everybody else inside I-495 (AKA the Capitol Beltway).

And while I'm there I have an activism related announcement I'll be making during that weekend, so stay tuned.

See y'all September 19-22.

2012 NBJC Out On The Hill-I'm Part Of The Star Studded Lineup

Note to you peeps in the Washington DC area and beyond, I'm going to be in the Washington DC area for the 3rd annual edition of the National Black Justice Coalition's Out On The Hill.    Early bird registration at the discounted rate ends today, so get moving if you want to own your power, be at this powerful gathering of Black LGBT leaders and be fiscally responsible while doing so, too.

It'll be worth your time to attend Out On The Hill as well, and I'm not saying it because yours truly is taking part in two panel discussions.  I looking forward to meeting many of the people who will be there for this September 19-22 event and getting the opportunity to hang out with my NBJC family.

And I'll also be dropping an exciting announcement of my own during the conference as well. 

One of the panels I'll be participating in will be a September 21 one from 9-11:30 AM EDT moderated by Laverne Cox  entitled The System. The Reality. The Solution. Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women

OUT on the Hill will feature an unprecedented briefing of prominent Black trans women who are activists, media personalities and subject matter experts as they discuss why it is important to be intentional about including the "T" as we develop the national Black LBGT agenda. In the midst of adversity, this community of resilient, powerful sisters has managed to come together and demand a seat at the table. 

Some of my fellow panelists being invited to participate along with yours truly are my fellow Texan Rev. Carmarion Anderson,  Kokumo Kinetic, Danielle King, Valerie Spencer and Bali White       

NBJC Announces OUT on the Hill 2012 Star-Studded Line Up On September 19-22, over 200 Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders and activists from across the country will gather in the nation's capital for the National Black Justice Coalition's (NBJC) 3rd annual OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit. OUT on the Hill attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educating congressional leaders and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns. Openly gay ESPN/CNN columnist and commentator LZ Granderson serves as the 2012 OUT on the Hill national chair. Click here for the full schedule Early bird registration ends September 5, 2012. Register today!  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm     The OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House will include presentations from the Obama Administration. Previous speakers include Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; Gautam Raghavan, Associate Director of Public Engagement (LGBT Liaison), White House Office of Public Engagement; and Heather Foster, Director of African American Outreach, White House Office of Public Engagement.   Building Black LGBT Political Power in our Nation's Capitol  NBJC Issue Advocacy Day 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm    Issue Advocacy Day is an opportunity for the Black LGBT community to engage congressional offices on the issues that matter to our communities.  By empowering delegates to vocalize their personal stories and experiences with anti-LGBT discrimination in the halls of power, we will continue to build public support for pro-LGBT equality legislation in the Black community.  The System. The Reality. The Solution. Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women 9:00 am - 11:30 am OUT on the Hill will feature an unprecedented briefing of prominent Black trans women who are activists, media personalities and subject matter experts as they discuss why it is important to be intentional about including the "T" as we develop the national Black LBGT agenda. In the midst of adversity, this community of resilient, powerful sisters has managed to come together and demand a seat at the table.   Moderated by Laverne Cox, Trans Activist/Producer/Actress Invited Panelists Include: Rev. Carmarion Anderson - South Regional Minister, TransSaints Kokumo Kinetic - Performing Artist  Danielle King - Executive Director, National Aurora Campaign Monica Roberts - Blogger, TransGriot Valerie Spencer - Founder, Transcend Empowerment Institute  Bali White - Program Coordinator, Hetrick-Martin Institute How the LGBT Equality Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape A Discussion with Media Experts about How the National Dialogue Has Changed Over the Last Year 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm NBJC will host its now annual LGBT-themed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference issue forum, where prominent journalists and media experts examine how the president's affirmation of the freedom to marry has changed the media landscape, challenged the myth that Black people are 'more homophobic' than other racial groups, and opened up more doors to talk not just marriage, but other issues such as economic justice, HIV/AIDS, and job discrimination. Moderated by Jeff Johnson, Journalist/Political Commentator, BET Invited Panelists Include: Keith Boykin - Commentator, BET/CNBC Carolyn Brown - Senior Multimedia Content Producer, Black Enterprise Clay Cane - Entertainment Editor, BET.com Jonathan Capehart - Columnist, Washington Post Nelsan Ellis, Actor, True Blood  LZ Granderson - Contributor, CNN/ESPN Dee Rees - Filmmaker, Pariah The Great Recession Luncheon Harnessing the Collective Economic Potential of the Black LGBT Community 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Keynote speaker Eugene Cornelius, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), launches "Many Faces, One Dream," the SBA's 13-city LGBT economic empowerment tour with the National Black Justice Coalition. The luncheon will be a collaborative dialogue about current challenges to employment security, economic empowerment, and financial literacy for Black LGBT Americans.    Invited Panelists Include: Kenyon Farrow - Communications Director, The Praxis Project   Monique Hall - Vice President, DCI Group   Julian High - Vice President of Business Development, Carrington and Carrington Katheryn King - Regional Vice President, US Bank

    

2012 Out On The Hill-Countdown To Owning Our Power

Now that the calendar page has flipped to September, the days are rapidly counting down to the third annual edition of the National Black Justice Coalition's Out On The Hill conference. 

I'm looking forward to being with my trans and SGL family and friends as we own our power in inside I-495 once again from September 19-22..

If you haven't registered yet, might be a good idea to do so since Out On The Hill is going to be chock full of informative panel discussions, forums, lobbying events and opportunities for you to meet and talk to Black LGBT leaders and as Sharon Lettman-Hicks loves to say, own your power.. 

If you think I'm kidding about that, check out this event schedule. 

Last year was my first Out on the Hill which I was covering in my role as a blogger.  The cool thing about it is that it takes place during the  Congressional Black Caucus Foundation-Annual Legislative Conference event which I also got to attend for the first time. 

I got to meet many of the persons in the LGBT movement during this week and countless others. I was honored to be able to participate in a panel discussion at Washington's DC's City Hall concerning the violence my DC transsisters were facing.   I got to meet some of our emerging young leaders and yes, I did get to play tourist for a moment and see the MLK, Jr Memorial which is now a year old.  

I also had some thought provoking conversations with various Black leaders and allies inside and outside the trans and SGL community.  There was also the unexpected one in which I represented the national trans community at the local vigil held for Gaurav Gopalan.   

And yes, my time at Out on the Hill triggered a lot of reflection and hard solid thinking on my part about the state of the Black trans community.  I discussed our Black trans elders, and the state of the community in Texas and Houston when it was time to come back home.    

The countdown to the 2012 Out On The Hill has begun, and I',m looking forward to seeing what happens this year.

Gettng To Out On The Hill On A Dime

TransGriot Note: The 2012 edition of Out On The Hill is rapidly approaching, and for our collegiate younglings who would like to take part in this empowering event, here's a guest post from Toni-Michelle Williams, one of the members of the NBJC Leadership Advisory Council who I met at last year's Out On The Hill along with some of her Norfolk State classmates.

Attending the National Black Justice Coalition's  OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit last year was both an honor and a blessing. I left knowing who I was and who I wanted to be. I fell in love all over again with my Black LGBT family. As Emerging Leaders, we don't always have the means to pay for conference costs such as registration fees, lodging, and meals. That didn't stop me (and the ten Norfolk State University students I recruited). And it shouldn't stop you. Here's all you need to know about the upcoming summit and six steps for you to attend OUT on the Hill at practically no expense.

 

On September 19-22, 2012, over 200 Black LGBT leaders and activists from across the country will once again gather in the nation's capital for the 3rd annual OUT on the Hill. Attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educate congressional leaders and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns.

OUT on the Hill was a liberating experience for me and my colleagues. As African American LGBT and ally students, it is important for us to gain knowledge of not only the politics of the overall LGBT movement, but the strategies specifically dedicated to the experiences of people of color. OUT on the Hill provides opportunities for Emerging Leaders to network amongst each other, while providing a safe space for us as future leaders to hold conversations that will advance our community. The summit also allows Emerging Leaders to connect with powerful Black LGBT politicians, activists, creatives and more.

OUT on the Hill is an experience that will change your life as LGBT person of color and as an Emerging Leader at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) or majority institution. It is an experience worth fighting for. By the end of the journey you will be equipped with the tools necessary to own your power.

OUT on the Hill - Video Promo

Six Steps to Gain OUT on the Hill Sponsorship from Your College/University

1. Point out the pluses. Notable conferences are typically events that college campuses sponsor. The college gains "bragging rights" (they will get to boast that their students attended special briefings at the White House and met with Members of Congress) and students return to the institution with a wealth of knowledge to share with the campus community. It's a win-win all around.  
2.  Know your target. Seek out departments that are in need of knowledge on LGBT-inclusion. These include the Student Life and Engagement, Office of the Provost, Student and Resident Affairs, Women's Center, Sociology Department, Gender and Women's Studies and the Political Science Department. Maybe there has been an increase of reports of violence against LGBT students or a new women's center recently opened. Take advantage of these opportunities to be a resource for information and cultural sensitivity.  
3. Be relatable. Connect your experiences as an LGBT person to their broader research or mission. For example, approach the School of Education with an emphasis on bullying and how LGBT students of color are disproportionately victims. Or stress the importance of advocating on behalf of homeless LGBT youth to the School of Social Work. The possibilities are endless.  
4. Identify allies. Speak to Deans and other administrators who will have access to funds that could possibly promote awareness of these causes. Look to faculty advisors of student groups and professors of LGBT-inclusive courses.  
5. Be a champion of change. Know what you and/or your student organization want to accomplish on and off campus. Then market yourselves as ambassadors of change and diversity for your college campus.  
6. Be prepared. Utilize resources and statistics on everything from hate crimes to transgender equality from national organizations such as the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Gay & Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN), and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. You will be able to make a better case for why your presence at OUT on the Hill is imperative.

See you at OUT on the Hill, September 19-22, 2012. Read more about this year's summit here!  Contact NBJC's Programs Associate Je-Shawna Wholley via email at  jwholley@nbjc.org with any questions.

- Antonio "Toni-Michelle" Williams

Antonio "Toni-Michelle" Williams studies journalism at Norfolk State University and hails from Atlanta, Georgia. Her most significant leadership position is as President of LEGASI, which serves as NSU's Gay-Straight Alliance organization. Under her two year leadership, the organization's membership has significantly increased. Toni-Michelle is also a distinguished member of the National Black Justice Coalition's Leadership Advisory Council.

2012 Out On The Hill-Be There!

In just a few weeks the National Black Justice Coalition's Out On The Hill Conference will be taking place in Washington DC from September 19-22.

It's when and where Black trans and SGL leaders will have thoughtful discussions, own our power, and state unequivocally that Black LGBT people are Black people as well. 

So what's Out On The Hill?    Roll that empowering video footage.




And yeah, the TransGriot will be headed to DC to take part in some of the activities and discussions being planned for the 2012 edition of Out On The Hill.   

2012 Out On The Hill Registration Open!

TransGriot Note: From Sharon Lettman-Hicks, the Executive Director/CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition.  

As the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation's leading civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, it is my privilege to personally invite you to our 3rd annual OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit on September 19-22, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Earlier this summer, we were proud to name CNN/ESPN's LZ Granderson as this year's OUT on the Hill National Chair. We are thrilled to announce that registration is officially open.

Hundreds of established and emerging thought leaders, activists, elected officials, faith leaders and youth will convene in the nation's capital to educate congressional leaders, the White House and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns. As our guest, you are guaranteed to leave ignited to a whole new level of action, and with the language, tools and resources needed to be politically engaged to OWN YOUR POWER on the national and grassroots level.

NBJC has organized a robust agenda of several groundbreaking events, including our now annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) Issue Forum focused on the LGBT movement's impact on Black America as well as a national town hall meeting to address the epidemic of murders of transgender women. We will also convene a Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House, which will include presentations from the Obama Administration and an Issue Advocacy Day, which continues to serve as an opportunity for Black LGBT leaders to discuss important policy issues with Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership.

In addition to OUT on the Hill activities, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the CBCF's ALC. The CBCF's Annual Legislative Conference provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF - to develop leaders, to inform policy and to educate the public - by providing more than 80 high-level, thought-provoking forums to address the critical challenges facing the Black Diaspora.

This is an important year for our community and our nation as a whole. As we approach the presidential election, it's time to claim your seat at the table.

Will you join us at this year's OUT on the Hill? Registration is open today. Early bird specials and emerging leaders rates are now available. REGISTER TODAY...space is limited and the early bird special ends on September 5.

Let's OWN OUR POWER Together,

Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks

Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer

NBJC Out On The Hill 2012 Registration Open

The third annual National Black Justice Coalition Out On The Hill Leadership Summit will take place September 19-22 in Washington DC.   I had a wonderful time meeting other Black LGBT leaders and allies during the time I was up there for the 2011 event and have blocked off those dates on my fall calendar so I can be in DC again for it.

Registration is now opening for the 2012 edition of Out On The Hill, and you might wish to get busy taking advantage of the conference discounts and early bird registration for those of you who qualify for them.

Will also keep you TransGriot readers posted about OOTH 2012 news as I receive it.

Lt. Gov. Carroll: How Dare You Denigrate Me and My Beautiful Black Lesbian and Bi Sisters?

TransGriot Note: I had my say about Florida Lt. Gov  Jennifer Carroll's jacked up comments about my Black lesbian and bi sisters, and now I'm pleased to signal boost for my readers this post from the NBJC blog and from NBJC Communications Director Kimberly McLeod

July 16, 2012   06:26 PM

Florida's Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll is on the defensive (and has apparently lost her mind) after former staff member Carletha Cole claimed that she caught Carroll and her female travel aide in a compromising sexual position in Carroll's capitol office. In an absurd attempt to deflect questions about the alleged same-sex encounter, Carroll told a local news outlet that Black lesbian and bisexual women don’t look like her.

“My husband doesn’t want to hear that. He knows the type of woman I am for 29 years. I’m the one that’s married for 29 years. The accuser is the one that’s single for a long time,” Carroll continued on camera while chuckling. “Usually Black women that look like me don’t engage in relationships like that.”
What exactly do Black lesbians and bisexual women look like, Lt. Gov. Carroll, since you seem to know so well? And what “type of woman” have you been for the last 29 years that by default makes you not lesbian or bisexual?

Actually, don’t answer that. Because who knows what more ignorance and utter word vomit you can further spew. As a self-identified Black lesbian who embraces and celebrates her femininity, allow me to answer that for you.

At the core of Carroll’s problematic statement is the misconception that people “turn” gay because they are unattractive, cannot meet someone of the opposite sex and out of desperation “switch teams.” Being gay isn’t our “Plan B.” It is part of our identity that isn’t dependent on our physical features or “success rate” with men. Someone’s marriage to a man, good looks, or femininity isn’t evidence of anything related to their orientation.

There is nothing “wrong” or deviant about being a lesbian. In fact, the lesbians I’ve met personally, as friends, co-workers, lovers, partners and mentors, are some of the most radiant Black women – inside and out -- I’ve been blessed to know. They are mothers, sisters, daughters, community organizers, spiritual leaders, artists, wordsmiths, CEOs, doctors, and more. Their brilliance and beauty is undeniable. These women engage in some of the most loving and committed relationships I have witnessed.

What “type” of woman exactly are you, Lt. Gov. Carroll? You seem so keen on differentiating yourself from me and my Black lesbian and bi sisters. And what makes your relationship with your husband so different from the thousands of Black women raising children together? Inquiring minds would like to know.

The fact that Lt. Gov. Carroll went out of her way to specify that Black lesbians and bisexual women don’t “look like her” implies that non-Black lesbians and bi women are entitled to more a fluid gender expression. This is yet another problematic notion of female sexuality so many Black women, and women in general, have internalized from the patriarchal policing of Black female sexuality.

To add insult to injury, then there’s Lt. Gov. Carroll’s jab at single Black women. As if those single for extended periods of time have somehow gotten the short end of the stick, or, gasp, are gay. Heaven forbid there are Black women who are single by choice or who are happily single for long lengths of time.
For the record, this is what a Black lesbian looks like. They look like me. They look like comedian Wanda Sykes, actress Jasika Nicole, model Az Marie, singer Tracy Chapman, activist Angela Davis, poet Staceyann Chin and others. Many, Lt. Gov. Carroll, look just like you.

You can defend your marriage without dissing Black lesbian and single women. You can protect your reputation without revoking Black lesbian femininity.

That is why I am standing with the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, and with Black lesbians, bisexual women and our allies everywhere, demanding that Lt. Gov. Carroll retract her statement immediately.

Tweet your photo to @NBJContheMove to show Lt. Gov. Carroll and others what Black lesbians look like. Use the hashtag #whatablacklesbianlookslike.

Kimberley McLeod

Kimberley McLeod serves as NBJC's Director of Communications.

Introducing NBJC's Leadership Advisory Council

Y'all know how much love and confidence I have for and in the National Black Justice Coalition.  

I not only love the fact they are like the TransGriot unapologetically Black, I love the fact the NBJC is also about us Black trans and SGL peeps 'owning our power' as NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks is fond of saying.

They are building working coalitions with others to help us do precisely that and are like yours truly driving home the point that Black LGBT people are part of the kente cloth fabric of African-American society.

Stepping off electronic soapbox, getting to the main point of this post. 

NBJC recently rolled out its Leadership Advisory Council.   The 40 members of the LAC are a distinguished body of exemplary thought leaders with the purpose being to serve as both an incubator of ideas and a conduit connecting some of the most authentic advocates in our community to the NBJC leadership. LAC members update NBJC on significant developments at the core of our community's needs, strategically assess the direction of the organization and deepen NBJC's impact on federal, state, and local initiatives. They represent a wide range of geographical regions, professional disciplines, subject matters and generations.

Some of the trans people involved are Kye Allums, Valerie Spencer, and Louis Mitchell.

"LAC members have unapologetically served as positive messengers, advocates and ambassadors for NBJC in their own communities and professional and social networks," says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director. "The LAC also creates a unique opportunity to highlight the brilliant and important social justice work of many Black LGBT leaders across the country."

Congratulations to all the NBJC LAC members and looking forward to hopefully seeing and meeting you at Out On the Hill this September.