The NBJC Blog

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day
June 20, 2018 10:00 PM

June 27, our nation observes National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), which serves as a day of action that unites organizations, health departments, community leaders and families of all backgrounds to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), is joining NHTD efforts to encourage Black families to get tested regularly for HIV, know their status, and get link to care and treatment services.

 

Read more >

Five Ways to Create More Inclusive Spaces for the Trans* Community
March 31, 2018 08:55 AM

For as long as there have been Black people, there have been Black LGBTQ/same gender loving (SGL) people. Disappointingly, because we face the additional barriers that come with homophobia, transphobia and fear and hatred of things not “traditional” or “heterosexual,” that truth is often hidden or erased altogether. And as it relates to the transgender community, far too often, we find ourselves speaking of injustices—from discrimination to disproportionate health risks, and too often, violence.

Read more >

NBJC Celebrates the 8th Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and Continues Efforts to Ensure All Americans Have Access to Affordable Quality Care
March 23, 2018 01:12 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2018) – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, released the following statement in recognition of the eighth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which continues to face attacks led by the Republican Majority in Congress and the White House.

Read more >

Why We Should Care About National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 4, 2018 02:22 PM

From pulling down the Confederate flag at the Columbia, S.C. statehouse after all those years of inflicting pain, winning a number of political office campaigns including the recent Atlanta mayoral seat, and stepping out of the shadows and into the forefront of the “Me Too” movement, Black women have led the charge on many issues that affect our communities with their #BlackGirlMagic.  

Yet, despite the leaps women - especially Black women - have made over countless hurdles, an issue that continues to affect them at disproportionate rates is HIV/AIDS.

Read more >

NBJC Disagrees with DOE’s Decision to No Longer Address the Complaints of Transgender Students
February 14, 2018 04:39 PM

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, released the following statement in response to reports exposing the Department of Education’s decision to no longer investigate or take action on complaints filed by transgender students who are banned from restrooms that match their gender identity.

Read more >

David J. Johns on Angela Rye's State of the Union
January 31, 2018 06:18 PM

Read more >

Let’s Own Our Power to Mobilize and Implement Inclusive Policies
January 12, 2018 02:26 PM

“When the architects of our Republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which EVERY American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that ALL men [and women] – yes, black men as well as white men – would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this... " - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On this day, all around America, we celebrate one of the greatest civil rights leaders in history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Some of the most memorable and moving lines from one of his most celebrated and profound speeches given in Washington, DC – “I Have a Dream” – will be read on airwaves, posted on social media and shared across media throughout this country.

Read more >

The Vision for NBJC in 2018 & Beyond: Liberation for all of Black America
December 21, 2017 01:46 PM

Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me, who showed up in the world as I did—equally proud of and settled into their Blackness as well as their queerness. For me, this meant embracing same-gender attraction as a fundamental part of who I am and how I move through the world. 

Read more >

NBJC Announces Opportunities for Spring 2018 and Summer 2018 Interns and Fellows
December 5, 2017 10:56 AM

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is soliciting applications from interested interns and fellows desiring to learn about and lead in the movement to improve the lives of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and same gender loving (SGL) people. The internship/fellowship program provides a unique opportunity to students, and young and emerging professionals, interested in civil rights and LGBTQ equality to explore the unique intersections between and among these related efforts.

Read more >

The End of HIV/AIDS Depends On Us
December 1, 2017 02:27 PM

As the world pauses on World AIDS Day 2017, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) joins the efforts to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and remember those who have died. To honor this day, NBJC’s Director of Public Policy, Isaiah Wilson, has penned a passionate call to action op-ed for Black America to take up the fight to end HIV/AIDS by centering those most impacted in our communities. As a person living with HIV while working to expand the movement of justice for all Black people, including Black LGBTQ and same gender loving people, Isaiah’s words are a sharp reminder of the progress we have made and the work that is still urgently required to end the epidemic within Black people and families. 

Read more >