National Black Justice Coalition

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

For a full list of local events happening nationwide, click here.

Wanda Sykes Comes Out Amid Black Homophobia and Interracial Division Between Gays

When comedian Wanda Sykes disclosed during a rally in Las Vegas this week that she had been in a same-sex marriage since October, no one cheered louder than those who face the double indemnity of being black and gay.

"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation," said Sykes, 44, who stars in the television series "Adventures of Old Christine." "I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life."

But living life in the spotlight -- as black and gay -- is twice as hard, according to other blacks who say they are stigmatized by society at large for their sexual orientation and again by their own homophobic culture.

Full story available here.

Family says Moses Cannon was shot because he was gay, and his killing should be treated as a hate crime

Moses "Teish" Cannon was openly gay, and his family said today that is why he was shot and killed Friday night. His death should be treated as a hate crime, they said.

Moses Cannon was killed, his mother said, because he was gay. "This death was senseless, and I'm very angry," Roxanne Green said.

Green said she received a phone call at 5:30 a.m. Saturday from a woman who claimed to know the circumstances of the killing. The caller told Green that her son was shot because the shooter objected to his sexual orientation. Full story available here.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Moses "Teish" Cannon's family as they grieve their loss. We pray for the speedy recovery of his brother Mark.

This senseless violence against LGBT people must come to an end. However, as long as we allow the forces of religious bigotry and political divisiveness hold sway in the public square misguide souls will feel justified in taking the life of those who the do not understand. This killing should outrage every American and for us the loss of yet another life of a Black gay man is hard to bear.

While we march in the streets to secure our civil rights we must likewise march to save the lives of young black gay men, women and transgender Americans. There is nothing that could be more urgent.

NBJC stands prepared to support the Cannon family and their New York community in seeking justice in the case.

Hate Crime Victim Duanna Johnson Shot to Death

On the night of Sunday, November 9, Duanna Johnson was shot to death in North Memphis, Tenn. Her body was found lying in the street. After a witness reportedly heard gunshots, three people were seen fleeing the crime scene. Investigators have yet to identify any suspects.

This tragic news comes after Johnson, a transgender woman, was verbally assaulted and brutally beaten by two Memphis police officers in June. A video of the attack was leaked and both police officers were fired from the department. According to Memphis’ ABC24-CW30, Johnson was trying to leave Memphis and move back to her hometown of Chicago. She had filed suit against the city for a violation of civil rights. GLAAD coverage link is here.

NBJC had issued a statement denouncing her beating earlier this year, available here.

Reactions in the Wake of Anti-Gay Ballot Initiatives:

Black Californians and Proposition 8: Is White Gay Anger Justifiable?

The public outcry likely stems from already strained relations between white gays and lesbians and blacks and from a misunderstanding of blacks’ commitment to progressive and liberal causes. White gay racism and homophobia among black heterosexuals prevent these groups from forming meaningful political alliances. The immediate victims of this problem are black gays and lesbians, who have frequently described their isolation from both communities. While black homophobia is inexcusable and ultimately detrimental to blacks (see Same-Sex Marriage and Racial Justice), blacks and gays will only form viable coalitions if both groups begin to engage in healthy self-criticism and to seek avenues for inter-group understanding. Black gays and lesbians could facilitate this reflection and outreach. According to media accounts, however, the campaign to defeat Proposition 8 failed to draw upon the important resources of black gay and lesbian activists in order to persuade blacks to vote against the measure. The lack of diversity among mainstream gay and lesbian organizations probably explains their failure to engage in necessary community-based advocacy.

Angry over Antigay Ballot Initiatives? Do Something Positive

While most protesters have been peaceful, some protests against the passage of antigay constitutional amendments in Arizona, California, and Florida — but especially California — have been marred by attendees who shouted racist epithets. Truth Wins Out condemns this scapegoating.

Are Blacks More Homophobic?

Every time a Tim Hardaway or an Isaiah Washington or an unknown black preacher makes an anti-gay comment, reporters call me up and ask why are black people so homophobic. But when high-profile white people make homophobic remarks, nobody ever asks why are white people so homophobic. They should, because the answers to the two questions are related. African Americans are homophobic because white Americans are homophobic. We all live in the same homophobic society, and in this case the prejudice starts from the president on down.

Gays, blacks divided on Proposition 8: For many African Americans, it's not a civil rights issue.

Although many of the state's black political leaders spoke out against Proposition 8, an exit poll of California voters showed that black voters favored the measure by a ratio of more than 2 to 1. Not only was the black vote weighted heavily in favor of Proposition 8, but black turnout -- spurred by Barack Obama's historic campaign for president -- was unusually large, with African Americans making up roughly 10% of the state electorate.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there."

President-elect Barack Obama November 4, 2008 election night victory speech

The National Black Justice Coalition is excited about this historic moment, and we look forward to working with his administration on issues of importance to the LGBT community and African American communities and to ultimately bring about an end to discrimination for all Americans.

Want to help ensure LBGT representation in the Obama administration?

Kylar W. Broadus Esq.
NBJC Board Chair

Change!

I think that we can all agree that these are historic times in numerous ways. Since the tragic events of 9/11, our world has drastically changed with the looming war that has become one of the longest in U.S. history. There is a heightened need for security more than ever. The financial crisis is yet another major event that affects us all. The declining value of the dollar, higher gas prices, unemployment, foreclosure and medical bills plague most of us on a daily basis. The rising national deficit and the imminent fear of recession beleaguer the economy. This is truly a time for change.