NY Governor Leads State to Marriage Equality

On Thursday, New York's newly appointed and relatively unknown governor, David A. Paterson, announced his directive to make same-sex marriage legally recognized by the state of New York. Paterson showed his commitment to marriage equality in 1994, long before gay rights groups were broadly pushing for it. In the 1980s, Paterson presented himself as a strong ally for gay and lesbian rights when he refused to compromise a hate crimes bill in the State Senate that did not include sexual orientation. The bill became law in 2000 and, thanks to Paterson, 'sexual orientation' was included as a protected group, which historically marks the first time the term appears in New York law.

“In many respects, people in our society, we only recognize our own struggles,” Mr. Paterson said. “I’ve wanted to be someone in the African-American community who recognizes the new civil rights struggle that is being undertaken by gay and lesbian and transgendered people.”

Read more on Paterson's directive: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/nyregion/30paterson.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087&em&en=57f877b49f4b8395&ex=1212292800

Student of the Month: Cydne' Kimbrough

Approaching her senior year at Coppin State University, Cydne' Kimbrough is a relatively new member of the HBCU queer student community. During the 2007-08 school year, Cydne’ established and chartered Coppin’s first LGBT student group - Diverse Essential Expressions of People United (DEEP-U). Coppin State’s nondiscrimination policy does not include gender identity, gender expression or sexual identity among its protected groups. It is evident that the Baltimore school needs a leader to help progress toward equality. Cydne’ approached the challenge with strength and determination. Her kind demeanor, positive reputation and thirst for change make Cydne’ the perfect figure for Coppin State’s much needed progressive movement.

Cydne’s ability to lead her university out of an oppressive era was not what initially caught my attention. Beyond her extracurricular work as Coppin’s LGBT student group president, Ms. Kimbrough works as an entrepreneur making a business out of fighting for equality. Cydne’ freelances as a Diversity Trainer and Gender/Sexual Health Educator. Qualified by her 10+ years of experience as a disease prevention counselor and gender equality activist, Cydne’ has become a valuable educator in her community.

Here’s a little more on Cydne':

+ Chairperson and President Board of Directors of Baltimore Black Pride, Inc.
+ Former Program Director of TransAm - the pioneering HIV Education/Prevention program for African American Transgender Persons in Baltimore
+ Served 3 years as member of the Maryland HIV Community Planning Group & Membership Committee Chair
+ Member of the Mayor's GLB/T Task Force
+ Co-founder and Executive Director of the Gender Learning Advocacy and Support System of Baltimore (G.L.A.S.S Baltimore) – scheduled to launch the fall of 2008

I don’t know where she finds the time. Cydne’ Kimbrough – she’s what’s happening.

Visit Cydne's Page: http://www.cydnekimbrough.com/

Birmingham Pride is maybe a Go! Mayor Langford is a definite Jerk

The Bad News: The mayor of Birmingham Larry Langford refuses to sign a proclamation allowing for the city of Birmingham to have their 20th annual Gay Pride Parade.

The Good News: The city of Birmingham's permit applications do not require a signature (or comment) from the mayor.

On Friday, Mayor Langford refused to sign Birmingham's pride proclamation. On Saturday, he clarified his position, saying that although he disagrees with the event, he would not restrict the parade’s application. The mayor stated, "I don't think I'm intolerant; I just don't condone the lifestyle. I'm not going to endorse, condone, or condemn anybody. I'm just not going to sign the proclamation." In other words, he condones the sinner, but not the sin. Way to make variations on a demeaning and oppressive strand of words, Mr. Mayor. Luckily, requests for parade permits go through the police department, not the mayor's office.

It is still unclear whether the Birmingham police department will allow the parade due to the negative comments made by the influential executive. Birmingham Pride president Johnathan Quinn is optimistic saying, "Central Alabama Pride is going to stand firm in who we are. We are proud every day, and we're building a stronger community, whether it's signed off on or not."

Read more: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid54943.asp

HRC Joins other LGBT Organizations in Criticizing New York's Judicial System

On May 14th, The Human Rights Campaign joined the National Black Justice Coalition - our nation's only Black LGBT organization - along with Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, The Audre Lorde Project, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to urge New York's justice department to prosecute and convict the police officers responsible for the wrongful death of Sean Bell.

On November 24, 2006, Sean Bell was celebrating his bachelor party with several of his friends. The location of the bachelor party, a strip club, is a New York hot spot for criminal activity, which explains why there were so many undercover police officers present. Later that evening, a fight broke out between one of Sean's friends and another club patron. According to Police testimony, Sean and two of his friends went to Sean's car to get a gun. The police officers followed Sean and his friends. Instead of retrieving a weapon and returning to the dispute, Sean was seen driving away from the club when, according to testimony, he saw five men in civilian clothing. Bell's two friends stated that they did not hear the five undercover officers identify themselves. The officers stated that Bell tried to mow one of them down after the officers drew their weapons. The five officers unloaded 50 bullets into the vehicle killing Bell and injuring two of his friends. Only three officers were charged with a crime. One officer, Michael Oliver, fired 31 bullets into Bell having to reload at least once. Sean was 23 and pronounced dead the morning of his wedding day. There was no weapon found in Bell's vehicle. Sean is survived by his wife and two daughters age 5 and 1.

On April 25, 2008, New York Justice Arthur Cooperman cleared all three officers from charges of assault, reckless endangerment, and manslaughter. There was no jury present at the trial because, according to Cooperman, there was no need for one.

Led by the National Black Justice Coalition, leaders from prominent LGBT organizations voiced their concern in a letter addressed to the US Attorney General. The letter urges the Department of Justice to properly convict the officers involved with the shooting. It states that a blatant injustice has been committed on both the November 2006 shooting and the April 2008 acquittal. The letter ties the Bell shooting to injustices done unto LGBT people stating,

“We are deeply troubled by the continuing pattern of racial incidents across the country –hate crimes, police misconduct, and racial intimidation – that are all-too-often tolerated and ignored by local law enforcement officials and courts. Moreover, despite significant progress in the treatment of LGBT people, the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals for police abuse and misconduct remains a persistent and widespread problem in the US."

Proof again that one's liberation is dependent on the liberation of all.

Read more on the Bell Case: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/26/sean.bell.trial/

Read NBJC's letter to the Attorney General: http://www.nbjcoalition.org/news/ag-sean-bell-letter.pdf

Possible Gay Genocide in Gambia

The Gambia's president is at it again. President Yahya Jammeh was once notorious for his insane policies on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention or, more accurately, lack there of. In a recent decree, Jammeh takes his next steps as a hate mongering dictator. According to the Afrol News, the official lunatic is seeking a crackdown on homosexuals harsher than Iran's acts of genocide. On Thursday, Jammeh announced that gays, lesbians, and "criminals" have 24 hours to leave the country or face death. He also ordered landlords and hotel owners to evict homosexuals or else they will have to endure mass searches, which the United States would deem unconstitutional by our own standards. Queer people have seen their fair share of genocide in the past. I can only hope the international authorities are working to prevent this guy from joining lists with names Milosovic, Stalin, Hitler and Kim Jong Il.




More on Jammeh and HIV - http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2007/02/05/5
Read more on Jammeh's threats - http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid54768.asp

Ain't No Shame in It

If you’re in DC, you are probably looking out your window and seeing the more than usual hustle and bustle of the city. You might think to yourself, “Man, DuPont Circle looks a lot Blacker than usual,” or, as Haley Joel Osment would say, “I see Black people.” There is a reason why so many beautiful, dark skinned brothers and sisters are crowding the streets, sitting next to you on the metro, and buying you drinks at the club. IT’S DC BLACK PRIDE!!!! There are events all week like tonight’s fashion show and speed dating, film festivals and poetry slams, concerts, dance parties, my oh my I'm overwhelmed. The don’t miss event will be Sunday’s Liberty-Unity-Strength festival on Francis Field on N Street – look out for HRC’s booth. How could I forget!? Fantasia from American Idol and the Broadway hit musical The Color Purple will be performing Sunday night. Just as an FYI, tickets are a mint unless you buy them in advance.

If you want to come to DC Black Pride but you would rather work it than play it, contact Shelena Williams – Black Pride’s President Courtney Snowden’s first lady – for volunteer opportunities. We need all the help we can get on any day we can get it.

If you are not in DC, then make like a Hostess truck and haul your sweet buns over here!

Black Pride 08’s Home page: http://www.dcblackpride.org/
Shelena Williams volunteer coordinator: shelenaw@att.blackberry.net

Morehouse Men Making a Mark

The Morehouse men do it again and get national recognition in the process. Michael (MJ) Brewer organized a successful week of events called the "No more 'no homo' initiative". From the exclusive 4 page LA times article and the feedback received from HRC volunteers who attended the panel discussion, the event was a major success. I am personally elated with the work the Morehouse men, MJ especially, have done for equality. In an environment not particularly friendly to our kind, people like MJ stand on the front lines, hearts on their sleeves, and fight with courage, patience, and compassion. I am touched and honored that someone I don't know personally is working to change the hearts and minds of people so that my friends and I can walk down the streets unafraid. I thank you, MJ, and the Human Rights Campaign thanks you.



Now, what about the future? Rumour has it that the Spelman women will be carrying on the tradition of the "no more 'no homo' initiative". Morehouse, you were great and all, but I'm really excited to see what a woman can do with this. You better bring it hard Afrekete because MJ set the bar high.

Find the LA Times Story at: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-morehouse22-2008may22,0,1504077.story

I Do...

Gay marriage is Legal in California! Now what does that mean for us? Let’s first talk about same-sex marriage. According to the Hunter College Poll conducted in 2007, queer identified people between the ages of 18-25 place “marriage rights” as the most important issue far above hate crime legislation, domestic partner benefits and AIDS funding. A possible explanation for our love of marriage is probably our yearning to settle down with a warm body after a long 4+ years of grueling college classes and an exhausting social calendar. Or maybe, as most of my friends tell me in their not so comforting ways during my existential freak-outs when I complain about going to another wedding, “We are just at that age so just get over it.” Marriage, like the ability to rent a car or understanding the cultural references made by VH1’s “Remember when” shows, just comes with the territory of being a 20-something no matter your sexuality.

All right, so marriage is in the cards for our generation. What about the institution’s relevance among people of color? The William’s Institute at UCLA estimated nearly 780,000 same-sex couples in the United States. Nearly 9% of those couples identified as black, 11% Hispanic and 2% Asian. Committed couples of color are present and ready for equal recognition under the law and most couples of color live in places like South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia where marriage equality seems like a distant dream. Let’s add this all up, shall we? Committed couples of color exist in vast numbers + those who are culturally old enough to get married want to get married + the basic message from marriage equality is positive and progressive = marriage equality is an important issue among queer youth.

What she should expect

Hello All and Welcome to HRC+HBCU’s New Blog!

I have many hopes and goals for our new blog. Essentially, this blog will give you the news, events, information, and causes important to us. I anticipate, however, that this blog will do and create much more. While browsing the internet, I noticed a lack of virtual communities dedicated to us – young, gifted, queer, and Black students and recent alum. A basic Google search would imply that we are an invisible group – layered minorities with hopes of acceptance that do not coincide well with our brothers and sisters in the Black community as well as dreams of equality that have often been overlooked by those in the gay community. I believe this to be a small step toward our much-needed recognition. I am optimistic that this blog will offer a convenient community - a place where we can commiserate each of our fears and validate each of our celebrations. Whether it is to vent or to praise, to deconstruct or to create, I, along with others at the Human Rights Campaign, am happy for the opportunity to share it with all of you.