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NBJC Calls on the U.S. Government to Support Our LGBT Brothers and Sisters in Uganda
February 26, 2014 06:52 PM

Washington, D.C.-- The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization, strongly condemns the so-called “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” signed into law by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Under this anti-gay law, anyone found guilty of repeated same-sex sexual acts in Uganda will be sentenced to life in prison. The bill also proposes years in prison for anyone who counsels or reaches out to gay and lesbian Ugandans, a provision that would dangerously complicate humanitarian work and implicate those providing services to Uganda’s LGBT community.

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Historic Partnership to Defeat Discrimination: Diverse Business Groups Say NO to AZ SB 1062
February 26, 2014 01:56 PM

On the evening of Wednesday, February 26, 2014, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer heard us all loud and clear and vetoed Senate Bill 1062! On Monday the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce join forces with fellow organizations from the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Black Justice Coalition, and United States Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work, in sending a strong letter to the Governor demanding the veto and calling on our collective affiliates, corporate partners, and small businesses to follow suit. We asked, you listened and our collective voice was heard!

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National Black Justice Coalition Joins Campaign to Support Michael Sam with Brendon Ayanbadejo
February 12, 2014 07:58 AM

NEW YORK, NY(February 12, 2014) – With the announcement that Michael Sam, the University of Missouri’s star defensive end, has made history by publicly coming out as the first high profile openly gay NFL prospect, Athlete Ally launched an online campaign to mobilize support for Sam. The campaign, launched yesterday by Brendon Ayanbadejo as a reaction to backlash against Sam, is now joined by the National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. 

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NBJC Salutes NFL Prospect, Michael Sam, For Owning His Truth
February 10, 2014 10:33 AM

Washington, DC – February 10, 2014 – Michael Sam, University of Missouri’s All-American defensive lineman and the 2013 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year, has made history by owning his truth and proclaiming to the world that he is an “openly gay, proud man.” Sam, at 6 foot 2 and 260 pounds, ended his senior season with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss of yards. He is likely to be a major factor in May’s National Football League (NFL) draft, where he is expected to go in the early rounds with a possible position switch to outside linebacker. If drafted, Michael Sam would be the first openly gay player in the NFL.

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NBJC Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
February 6, 2014 08:27 PM

Washington, D.C. – February 7, 2014 – I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper. That’s the theme of the 14th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and we want you to take this call seriously. 
African Americans are disproportionately represented in new infection rates of HIV and often have few resources to treat the virus when they learn they have the virus. Even people in the Black LGBT community face stigma and isolation if they come out about their status. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) observes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in an effort to highlight the importance of Black LGBT leadership at the forefront of our fight against the epidemic, if we ever hope to see an AIDS-free generation. 

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President Obama Nominates Judge Darrin P. Gayles to the Federal Bench
February 6, 2014 09:54 AM

Washington, DC -- February 6, 2014 – President Obama has announced the intent to nominate four judges to the federal bench in two different U.S. District Courts in Florida. Among the list of nominees are Judges Beth Bloom and Darrin Gayles, who both currently serve on the Miami-Dade Circuit Court and were chosen for the Southern District Court of Florida.  If confirmed by the Senate, Judge Gayles would become the first Black, openly gay male to serve on the federal bench.

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NBJC Applauds the Early Release of CeCe McDonald
January 13, 2014 01:25 PM

Washington, D.C. – January 13, 2014 – The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauds the early release of CeCe McDonald. CeCe is a Black transgender woman who accepted a plea bargain of second degree manslaughter in response to being violently attacked by a group of people in a racist and transphobic hate violence incident in June 2011 in Minneapolis, MN.  

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World AIDS Day, 2013
November 30, 2013 10:49 AM

December 1, 2013 marks the 25th Anniversary of World AIDS Day. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), America's leading Black LGBT civil rights organization focused on federal public policy, joins with the global community to unite in the fight against HIV, to affirm and support those living with HIV, and to remember those we have lost from the virus. This year's World AIDS Day theme is:

"Getting to Zero:
Zero New HIV Infections. Zero discrimination.
Zero AIDS-related deaths."

 

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Press Call: LGBT Advocates Discuss Plans, Priorities for March on Washington 50th Anniversary
August 19, 2013 07:37 PM

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington is being recognized with a week-long series of events culminating in a rally and march on Saturday, August 24th.  More information on this week of events is available at http://nationalactionnetwork.net/mow/.

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LGBT Rights Organizations Issue Open Letter in Support of the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington
August 19, 2013 06:40 PM

WASHINGTON, August 19, 2013 — A coalition of national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organizations, led the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, today issued the following open letter: 
An Open Letter in Support of 50th Anniversary of March on Washington
Over the past year, our community has celebrated tremendous wins in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality and justice.
We have collectively cheered the first ever Senate committee markup of an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Social Security Administration’s modernization of its gender marker policy, and U.S. Supreme Court wins on marriage equality in the Windsor and Perry rulings. But we remain frustrated that ENDA is still not the law of the land and we’re angered and deeply disappointed with the Court’s decision to turn back critical parts of the historic Voting Rights Act in Shelby.

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