National Black Justice Coalition Celebrates the Victories of Black LGBTQ+ Candidates at the Polls
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
Councilor Shannon Hardin (Columbus, OH) and Councillor Andrea Jenkins (Minneapolis, MN) Win Re-Election; Bozeman Elects First Out Black LGBTQ City Council Member Chris Coburn; Chi Osse, Crystal Hudson and Kristin Richardson Win Big in NYC; Willie Burnley Joins Somerville’s City Council
WASHINGTON, DC — The National Black Justice Coalition celebrates the election and re-election of Black LGBTQ+ elected officials across the country. The following Black LGBTQ+ or same gender loving people won at the polls last night:
- Councilor Shannon Hardin was REELECTED in Columbus, OH.
- Councilor Andrea Jenkins was REELECTED in Minneapolis, MN.
- Chris Coburn was ELECTED as the first out Black LGBTQ+ city council member in Bozeman, MT.
- Chi Ossé was ELECTED to represent the 36th District of New York’s City Council.
- Crystal Hudson was ELECTED to represent the 35th District of New York’s City Council.
- Kristin Richardson Jordan was ELECTED to represent the 9th District of New York’s City Council.
- Willie Burnley Jr. was ELECTED to Somerville, MA city council.
In September, the National Black Justice Coalition, 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, launched the Good Trouble Network, the first-ever network of Black LGBTQ+/SGL elected officials.
The National Black Justice Coalition’s Good Trouble Network aims to celebrate the historic moment of having a record number of Black LGBTQ+/SGL people serving in elected office and build and advance a robust public policy agenda to advance policies and practices benefitting Black LGBTQ+/SGL people, families, and communities. Andrew Gillum, former Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida, is serving as Senior Advisor, and focused on building the strategy and blueprint for the Good Trouble Network.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GOOD TROUBLE NETWORK HERE: https://nbjc.org/good-trouble-network/
“With a record number of Black LGBTQ+ and same gender loving leaders serving in elected offices around the country, now is the time to celebrate this historic moment in our movement in ways that will enable us to provide a safe and supportive space to build power to advance the political priorities that Black LGBTQ+/SGL elected officials champion in to advance policies and practices benefitting Black LGBTQ+/SGL people, families, and communities,” explained David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “Working together, the Good Trouble Network — inspired by the legacies of the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Barbara Jordan, Mayor Kenneth Reeves, and Bayard Rustin, and consistent with the mission of NBJC — will support our community in owning our power and helping to support a new generation of Black LGBTQ+/SGL leaders who will advance the policies and advocate for the issues that matter most to us. We are glad that we now have even more Black LGBTQ+ leaders ready to join the ranks.”
“Last night, Black, Queer candidates inspired voters to the ballot box across the country,” said Andrew Gillum. “I am thrilled by the re-election of Good Trouble Network members Shannon Hardin in Columbus and Andrea Jenkins in Minneapolis, as well as the many other incredible Black, LGBTQ+/SGL leaders who claimed victory last night. I look forward to working with these elected officials towards creating the beloved community that our nation so desperately needs.”
