LGBT King Memorial Event

No More Down Low TV was in the house for an LGBT event in Washington DC celebrating the opening of the MLK Jr Memorial.

In addition to African American LGBT leaders speaking about Dr. King and his legacy, it also mentioned Bayard Rustin's efforts as Dr. King's advisor and the lead organizer for the 1963 March On Washington..

Rustin's 100th birthday will be next year and the efforts of a team spearheaded by Mandy Carter to get a commemorative postage stamp done in his honor. . 

 

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.

Why It Is Important For Us To Support LGBT Pride Events

TransGriot Note:  Guest post by mezzo soprano Tona Brown who recently became the first African-American trans person to perform for a sitting US president.

I have been questioned by some as to why I feel that performing for LGBT Pride events are important to me.

Those of us affiliated with the transgender community have felt for quite sometime that lesbian gay and bisexual organizations and pride functions exclude our community. 

We are constantly disappointed when its time for organizations and legislators to support our community only for these organizations to show us time and time again that the transgender, transsexual and/or gender non-conforming community is not important and can be dropped from the discussion, out of legislation or not included at all.

Or worse,  programming that has nothing to do with trans issues and to see that a drag show is used to say that these organizations are open to the trans-community.

To answer to the question of why I feel that performing for the LGBT Pride functions and events are important to me:   Simply put I am a part of the LGBT community.  This is why I feel I should perform and or speak at these events whether they accept that or not.

It is my belief that not only does the transgender community need to regroup and build our own infrastructure and plan for change but that we make ourselves known whenever possible. No longer will and can these organizations use the excuse that there are "no transgender people available" for boards, discussions, television shows, panels etc.  The transgender community is showing its importance in monumental ways everyday. 

And although the media both mainstream and gay does not like to report our triumphs unless it's mixed with scandal; we must work harder to share our stories, to develop and learn more about our history and  showcase why we are an important community in today's society.

If the transgender community is going to complain about not being included in the discussion or being excluded from legislation then it's imperative that we do what we can do to be seen and heard. 

It's far more powerful to put a face to a community then just to have it mentioned as a letter. 

Do your part.  Support these events especially those that have programs and outreach for trans people and we are on their boards.  Make it known that you would like to be a part of such boards and follow all steps to do so.  I currently sit on the advisory board for the LGBT Academy of Recording Arts, the organization that organizes the Outmusic Awards.

Whenever invited to perform or speak for various events in the LGBT community I try my best to do what I can to be a part of them and perform for them.  My schedule is very busy but these events are very important if we are EVER to be included in this GLB (T) community.

When I walk into the room I know that I am representing not only myself but others like me in the best way possible!

So ladies and gents join me in Baltimore in October. Dream bigger and shoot for the stars!

I will be performing the Baltimore Black Pride events on October 8-9 and I look forward to seeing you there!

****

TransGriot Note: These are the Baltimore Black Pride events Tona will perform at.  Check them out if you can.


October 8   Baltimore Black Pride Cultural Affair and " ICON WE LOVE" Awards
                   Honoree(s)  Del. Mary L. Washington of the 43rd district
                   Archbishop Carl Bean of  The Unity Fellowship Church Movement
                   Featuring Artist : Mezzo Soprano Tona Brown
                   Eubie Blake National Jazz  Institute and Cultural Center
                   847 North  Howard Street
                   7pm-11pm   : DRESS ATTIRE SEMI-FORMAL....DRESS TO IMPRESS
                   Lite Buffet, Open Bar, Live Entertainment and Dancing
                   Donation $50.00

 October 9  Sunday Spiritual Service
                   Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore
                   Sermon by Rev. Sam Offer
                   Featuring Artist : Mezzo Soprano Tona Brown
                   UFCB Mass Choir and special guest
                   Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
                   847 N. Howard Street
                   11am- 1pm