May
17

Black Civil Rights and Faith Leaders Combat Divide & Conquer Strategies

Washington, DC, May 17, 2012 - "NoWedge 2012: A Memo to Black America" presented a unified, grassroots movement among Black civil rights and faith leaders in response to right-wing tactics to "drive a wedge between gays and Blacks." Launching at Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, DC, the Black community and faith leaders issued a national declaration regarding the need for a unified and organized response to attempts to create tensions among the Black community with the LGBT community.

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May
14

Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on President Obama's Support of Marriage Equality

On Friday, May 11, Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, guest host of MSNBC's The Ed Show, challenged Black pastors who are critical of President Obama's historic endorsement of marriage equality.

"Black leaders of faith should not use the Bible to suppress the rights of LGBT community just like the Bible was used to suppress the rights of Black Americans," said Dyson.

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May
13

Happy Mother’s Day: Saluting Our Black Lesbian Moms

As we celebrate the courageous leadership of our president and the reverence he showed in his consultation with his wife and daughters, NBJC recognizes the powerful women that have served as pioneers in our families and communities: our Black lesbian mothers.

Family is the epicenter of Black life, community and culture. For Black LGBT people, its importance is just as great. Studies show that Black lesbian partners parent at almost the same rate as Black heterosexual couples (45 percent and 51 percent, respectively). In comparison to their white counterparts, Black lesbian couples are more likely to be raising children. But without the legal protections that marriage provides, our families are some of our nation’s most vulnerable.

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May
9

NBJC Applauds President Obama’s Endorsement of Marriage Equality

Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Today, President Obama affirmed his support of marriage for loving and committed same-sex couples. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, applauds the President for this historic endorsement of the freedom to marry.

“It is an honor to witness our President take such a strong stand in support of gay and lesbian couples across the country,” says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director and CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition. “This affirmation reinforces the Administration’s ongoing commitment to LGBT Americans and our families.”

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May
9

North Carolina Passes Amendment One

Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2012 – Yesterday, North Carolinians voted to pass Amendment One, which will change the state’s constitution to recognize only marriage between one man and one woman; ban civil unions; and eliminate health care, prescription drug coverage and other benefits for public employees and children receiving domestic partner benefits. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, responds to North Carolina’s disappointing passage of Amendment One and how Black faith leaders rallied to condemn the amendment as well as educate voters.

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