Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Apologizes, #whatablacklesbianlookslike Campaign Continues
Visibility matters.
That is why when Florida's Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll attempted to deflect questions about an alleged same-sex encounter with a female subordinate by telling a local news outlet that Black lesbian and bisexual women ‘don’t look like her,’ NBJC immediately launched a campaign with the Twitter hashtag #whatablacklesbianlookslike. Our beautiful Black lesbian, bisexual and same-gender loving sisters across the country have been tweeting their photos @NBJContheMove. (View the full gallery at www.nbjc.org/whatablacklesbianlookslike.)
After more than a week of pressure from groups like NBJC, Equality Florida and GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and hundreds of online signatures, Carroll finally apologized, calling her comments "wrong and inexcusable" in a letter to Equality Florida's Executive Director Nadine Smith.
"We are very proud of our sister, Nadine Smith, for her leadership in Florida and for standing up for Black lesbian, bisexual and single women around the country," says NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks. "All politics are local. This campaign started with Lt. Gov. Carroll but her remarks were rooted in a much larger issue of Black lesbian invisibility. NBJC is committed to bringing voice to Black LGBT people, especially women. #whatablacklesbianlookslike encompasses all of our radiant sisters under the rainbow."
In addition to the Twitter campaign, Black LGBT women and allies have weighed in and joined the national conversation:
NBJC: Lt. Gov. Carroll: How Dare You Denigrate Me and My Beautiful Black Lesbian and Bi Sisters? by NBJC Director of Communications Kimberley McLeod
Huffington Post: Words Matter, Jennifer Carroll, Words Matter by NBJC Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks
Huffington Post: "This Is What A Lesbian Looks Like": An Open Letter to Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll by Doria Roberts
ESSENCE: Disrespected by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll by Aisha and Danielle Moodie-Mills
Tom Joyner Morning Show: Jacque Reid Goes Inside Her Story with Aisha Moodie-Mills
theGrio: Dear Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll: Yes, You Do Look Like a Lesbian by Nadine Smith
Tweet your photo to @NBJContheMove with the hashtag #whatablacklesbianlooks! Not on Twitter? Post your photo on NBJC's Facebook page or email it to kmcleod@nbjc.org. Each week, new photos will be added to www.nbjc.org/whatablacklesbianlookslike!
