NBJC nominated for Prestigious Award

In recognition of the tremendous service that NBJC has provided to LGBT communities, we have been nominated to become a Community Grand Marshal for the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration. NBJC is one of 5 nominees in the running for this prestigious award.

We need YOUR votes to secure the honor of becoming the 2007 Community Grand Marshal!! Here's what we need you to do to vote us to victory:

Anyone, anywhere may submit a ballot during community polling, including people outside the United States. Ballots may be obtained in one of three ways:

1.) Online at www.sfpride.org

2.) Inside issues of the Bay Area Reporter (SF/Oakland Bay Area) in the March

3.) At a community polling site in the Bay Area

Ballots that are not submitted at a polling location may be mailed to the San Francisco LGBT Pride Offices (so long as no more than two ballots are mailed in each individual envelope) at:

ATTN: Grand Marshal Polling

1800 Market St., PMB #5

San Francisco, CA 94102

Ballots may also be hand-delivered to the Pride Offices Monday – Friday from Noon to 5 p.m., but these ballots must be delivered by the individual who filled out the ballot. In other words, ballots may not be hand-delivered on behalf of another person(s).

Polling is set to close on March 31, 2007. No ballots received or postmarked after that date will be counted in the final tabulation.

There is no on-line voting; however, a "PDF" version of the official ballot form will be available at www.sfpride.org for those who wish to print and mail it in. All ballots must include the name and address of the voter so as to prevent individuals from submitting multiple ballots.

Envelopes mailed into the office may not contain more than two ballots from two distinct individuals. Votes will be tallied and submitted to the Board for finalization at their May meeting.

Please vote NBJC to victory!!!

NBJC Moderated
Groundbreaking LGBT Discussion
With Black New York State Legislators

The panel included Jonathan Lang and Wilhelmina Perry with Empire State Pride, Mark McLaurin, Executive Director for New York State Black Gay Network, Rev. Dr. Edgar Danielsen-Morales,  Pastor of  Congregational Live Metropolitan Community Church in New York, Ana Roado of SEIU 1199, and Louis Garay a student from a New York City high school.

The panel discussed legislative and community efforts to prevent bias-based harassment and bullying in schools, prevent discrimination based upon gender identity and expression, funding for LGBT health and human services as well as marriage and family protections for same-sex couples.

NBJC has hosted similar events during the legislative Black caucus in California and has plans for a Maryland legislative briefing as well. Any organizations interested in convening panel discussions on LGBT issues for African American legislators in your city or state should contact Meredith Moise mmoise@nbjc.org.