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The
Huffington Post is featuring an Op-Ed entitled "Department of Defense, I
am Waiting to Receive My Survey," authored by Executive Director Sharon
Lettman-Hicks. A straight Black ally and wife to a military career
man, Sharon addresses the 13-page survey that was recently issued by the
Department of Defense to 150,000 spouses of military personnel to seek
out views on everything ranging from how a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
repeal would affect attendance at social events to whether the
servicemember would continue to serve in the military.
Sharon states,
"How dare any of us rob our active duty brothers and sisters of mental
and emotional support from family, loved ones and spouses, be they gay or
straight. This is about love, integrity, self-respect, self-worth and
most importantly, this is about family and support."
Read it here.
High Profile Black Leaders on LGBT Rights
by Keli Goff
via The Huffington Post
I decided to follow-up with some of the leaders I referenced in my piece last year to ask them to share their thoughts on what they think can be done to help eradicate homophobia in the black community and elsewhere, and some of the most effective methods for winning over more supporters for LGBT rights.
Their thoughts, some obtained via phone, others via e-mail, are shared below. Please note that some have been edited for length, but you can read them in their entirety here.
Full article is here.
 NBJC Commends Judge Walker for Removing Stay on LGBT Couples Marrying in California
On August 12, San Francisco Federal Judge Vaughn Walker lifted the stay on his August 4 ruling, in which he determined that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. Judge Walker extended a temporary stay until August 18, giving Proposition 8 supporters and opponents time to appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Proposition 8 is a 2008 amendment to California’s constitution that bans marriage between gay and lesbian couples.
In response to Judge Walker’s decision, the National Black Justice Coalition’s Board Chairman the Honorable Darryl Moore, a member of the Berkeley City Council, released the following statement:
“A week ago we were vindicated when Judge Vaughn Walker declared that Proposition 8 violated the rights of gay and lesbian couples who desire to celebrate and protect their families through the institution of marriage. Repealing Proposition 8 is a move to strengthen our communities and families––not weaken them.
“With today’s ruling to remove the stay on gay couples marrying, we emerge victorious, after a two-year battle to restore the rights that were so cruelly taken away from every day people who happen to be gay and who simply desire to raise their families in love. We applaud the steadfast commitment of Judge Walker to interpreting the law so that all citizens have equal access to the marriage protections that uphold and preserve our families and communities.
Full statement and media release is here.
NBJC Demands Justice for California
Gay and Lesbian Couples
On August 16, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals imposed an emergency stay on gay and lesbian couples marrying as a result of Federal Judge Vaughn Walker’s recent determination that Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution.
In response to Judge Walker’s decision, the National Black Justice Coalition’s Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks released the following statement:
"While we are disappointed in the decision to keep gay and lesbian couples waiting to have their basic human rights acknowledged to protect family and celebrate love, we remain encouraged that soon and very soon marriage equality will become a reality for gay and lesbian people in America. We will not back down. We must stay the course and continue to fight for what we know to be true—all men and women are created equal; as Dr. King warned us—a right delayed is a right denied; and injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
Full statement is here.
Editorial: Working to Empower Black LGBTs
by Sharon J. Lettman
via Bay Area Reporter
 Barbecues, backyard parties, and soul-food jams. Summer is a time for family get-togethers. A time when people all over the world take vacations so they can make memories with close friends and loved ones, but in African American communities only some of us feel comfortable going home.
In our communities, only some of us feel safe enough to be who we are in the company of those who raised us. Only some of us can show up and be all of ourselves all of the time with the people we love most. The pain of moving through our families – closeted, and, in many instances, alienated – is devastating black families everywhere.
Full editorial is here.
Would a Black Judge Have Been Biased
in Brown v. Board of Education?
by Cenk Uygur
via Huffington Post
US District Judge Vaughn Walker is the judge who issued the ruling that Prop 8, which bans same sex marriage in California, is unconstitutional. Conservatives are now claiming that he is gay (which is unconfirmed at this point) and that his gayness presents an obvious bias. Furthermore, he should have recused himself from the case because as a gay man he would have a conflict of interest in deciding a case on gay rights.
The obvious question is - would a straight man not have a bias?
Full article is here.
NBJC Talks Prop 8
on Tom Joyner Morning Show
 In case you missed this morning’s Tom Joyner Morning Show broadcast, NBJC’s Executive Director Sharon Lettman was interviewed about the overturn of Proposition 8 by Roland Martin.
Yesterday, the federal court issued a ruling in the challenge to Proposition 8, a 2008 amendment to California’s constitution that bans marriage between gay and lesbian couples. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck down California’s ban on marriage equality for gay and lesbian people, ruling it unconstitutional.
Lettman was invited to speak on the Tom Joyner Morning Show in support of marriage equality, where she stated:
"This is about equal rights. This is about equality. We as Black people cannot forget the struggles we went through. For too long, we have been in denial about our brothers and sisters, that we have gays and lesbians in the African American community. We don't want to put our dignity on a ballot. It is about your dignity, it is about your respect."
Full article and statements are here.
NBJC Applauds Prop 8 Ruling
On August 4, the federal court issued a ruling in the challenge to Proposition 8, a 2008 amendment to California’s constitution that bans marriage between gay and lesbian couples. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck down California’s ban on marriage equality for gay and lesbian people, ruling it unconstitutional.
In response to the court’s decision, the National Black Justice Coalition’s Executive Director Sharon Lettman released the following statement:
"Finally, the justice that was derailed during the California elections held in November 2008 was corrected by the U.S. District Court so that gay and lesbian Americans have the freedom to marry whomever they love. Today’s victory holds landmark implications for the future of marriage equality, After two years of battling for the right to marry, gay and lesbian couples in the state of California can legally celebrate their unions and provide protections for their families. Today’s ruling is a cause for renewed optimism in the value of the judiciary's role in affirming equality for all American citizens.
Full press statement is here.
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