November 5, 2008
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is proud to announce that three of the four African American LGBT candidates for public office were elected today.
Barack Obama was elected as the first African American president of the United States. We are excited about this historic moment and look forward to working with his administration on issues of importance to the LGBT community and African American communities and ultimately to bring about an end to discrimination for all Americans.
"The election of Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States marks a sea change in the political landscape of our nation" noted NBJC President H. Alexander Robinson. "While African Americans look on this election with a great deal of pride, all Americans can celebrate our achievement and our capacity to overcome. Despite the enormous challenges facing President-elect Obama he is likely to preside of the greatest expansion of LGBT civil rights in the history of our movement."
Jason Bartlett was re-elected as Connecticut State Representative of District 2. Bartlett came out during his first term in office so it was a testament to his work ethic and record that he was elected by a significant plurality. He is the only openly gay African American State Representative in the country.
"All three towns [in the District] voted to send me back to Hartford to represent them, and I am so grateful and appreciative," he said. "In these tough economic times I pledge to look out for the taxpayers in the 2nd District and to continue all of the projects that I began in my first term."
Bartlett, who also serves as Deputy Director of the NBJC, added “I am honored to be a part of history by being placed on the same ballot as President Elect Barack Obama. It is truly an honor I will never forget.”
More on Bartlett's re-election is available here.
In addition, Berkeley City Council incumbent Darryl Moore won reelection according to the Alameda County Registrar's returns. Moore, a management analyst for the Oakland Housing Authority, beat out his opponent by an overwhelming margin. Darryl also serves as a board member of NBJC.
Republican Councilman Bruce Harris and running mate James Lonergan easily defeated their opponents for two three-year seats on the borough council, according to unofficial election results.
Along with these candidates, there were several other races and ballot initiatives of interest to LGBT and African American voters. The highest profile ballot initiative was California’s Proposition 8, which would deny marriage rights to California’s LGBT population. We await the final outcome of this measure and know that legal challenges will commence if it is passed in yesterday’s election. Our hearts go out to the families in California who, because of Proposition 8, may for a little longer be denied important security and respect, and have to continue to fight against inequality.
When asked about these state initiatives, Robinson noted: "On this historic occasion, we are aware that there is still a lot of work to do. The results from California, Arkansas, Arizona and Florida trend toward laws being passed that discriminate against loving, committed couples and families. However, we must see these not as defeats but wake-up calls and a rallying cry for fair minded Americans on the quest to create that “more perfect union”. The election of first African American president comes 100 years after the founding of the NAACP. The path to justice and equality is long, takes many turns, and is filled with both triumphs and disappointments."
It was profoundly wrong to eliminate rights, and all Americans are harmed when any of us is treated differently under the law. Meanwhile other states will move forward to marriage equality in the months and years ahead, sooner than some think, and the broad chorus of voices, gay and non-gay, who spoke up for the freedom to marry will continue to swell. A critical component of NBJC mission is to work for equal marriage rights nationwide, for all people.
The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity or sexual orientation. As America's only nationwide Black gay civil rights organization, the NBJC is the authoritative source on LGBT issues as they affect Black communities. For more information, please contact Jason Bartlett 203-733-4266 or jbartlett@nbjc.org.
