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Dear Friend,
On Tuesday, more openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) candidates were elected to office than in any year previous. Among the 106 openly LGBT candidates who won were two Black elected officials to state legislatures. Marcus Brandon was elected to the North Carolina State House of Representatives and Mary Washington was elected to the Maryland State House of Delegates. They join Georgia State Representative Simone Bell and Speaker of the Rhode Island State House of Representatives Gordon Fox. Also winning a key election was Joan Garner, who will be the first openly gay person to serve on the Fulton County Commission in Georgia, which encompasses the city of Atlanta. Each of them understand the concerns that people who are both Black and LGBT face on a daily basis.
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OUT on the Hill Newsletter Available Now
The OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit commemorative newsletter is now available for download. The issue documents who attended and what issues were addressed at the historic gathering held in September. OUT on the Hill convened the nation's top Black LGBT thought leaders, philanthropists and activists who organize to empower their communities while educating the Obama Administration, Congressional leaders and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns.
Dr. Rhue Presents at "Scholarship and Activism"
Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Director of Research and Academic Initiatives, participated in a panel discussion on "Scholarship and Activism" for the American Academy of Religion in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Rhue told the gathering that "Challenging homophobia is some of the unfinished business of the Civil Rights Movement." The American Academy of Religion's mission is to promote reflection through excellence in scholarship and teaching in the field of religion.
Donate Now to Support NBJC via Causes
As a salute to Lettman-Hicks' one-year anniversary at NBJC, she has made a $1000 pledge to match the next $1000 in donations received via NBJC's re-launched Causes page. Please contribute to her fundraising pledge by giving $10, $20, $50, $100, or whatever you can. NBJC's welcomes your tax-deductible donation in the battle to end racism and homophobia.
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NBJC ED Mentioned in Essence magazine
 Sharon Lettman-Hicks was mentioned in the November issue of Essence magazine as one of ten "Warrior Women" we should watch. Lettman-Hicks is celebrated for her mission to create a Black LGBT agenda for the overall African-American social justice movement. In 2010 Essence has done great coverage of LGBT people, including 3 very affirming articles about Black lesbian and gay couples and their families. Please pick up your November issue today and let Essence know that you appreciate the coverage.
Lettman-Hicks at City Club of Cleveland (video)
Sharon Lettman-Hicks recently spoke at the City Club of Cleveland about the need to value all Black children, especially our LGBT babies. Established to encourage new ideas and a free exchange of thought, The City Club of Cleveland is the oldest continuous free speech forum in the country, renowned for its tradition of debate and discussion.
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African American gay man wins election to N.C. House – Gay Politics
Marcus Brandon has been elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He will represent the cities of Greensboro and High Point in the state legislature. Brandon will be the only openly LGBT state legislator in North Carolina, and one of just five openly LGBT African-Americans serving in state legislatures across the country, including Mary Washington, newly-elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.
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Five LGBT Victories from Election Day 2010 – Change.org
 You've heard the saying that the glass is either half empty, or half full? Well, for many an LGBT voter, particularly on a federal level, that glass might be looking a little empty this morning, as a slew of anti-gay politicians have been given marching orders to the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and a few state executive offices, too.
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Election results put LGBT advocates back on defense – Washington Blade
 In the wake of the seismic change brought about by Election Day results on Tuesday, supporters of LGBT rights are making new plans to advance their agenda in Congress as many signature bills now seem out of reach.
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Kolakowski wins race for Alameda County Superior Court judge – Inside Bay Area
 Alameda County has become home to the first transgender trial judge in the country as Victoria Kolakowski won the race to fill an empty seat on the county's Superior Court bench.
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NCAA's First Openly Transgender Player Set to Take the Court – ColorLines.com
The NCAA's first openly trans player is set to take the court soon. Kye Allums, a 20-year-old basketball player at George Washington University. On November 13, he'll take the floor at the Best Buy Classic in Minneapolis for a game against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and become the first publicly transgender person to play NCAA Division 1 college basketball.
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Bishop Eddie Long | Responses to lawsuits filed – Atlanta Journal Constitution
On Monday, Long filed four separate responses, each about 30 pages and denying each accusation point by point. He admitted that he took the men on trips, but he denied the complaints of sexual contact. He did admit to hugging some of the men."Bishop Long admits that it is common among his church congregation for members to hug each other and hug the Bishop," the suit reads.
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A Real Message to Real People from Bishop Swilley (VIDEO) – Creative Loafing
 Bishop Jim Swilley comes out and also sheds light on bullying, suicide, Eddie Long, homophobia, and much more.
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Obama Renews Call to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' – National Journal
 Despite widespread Democratic election losses on Tuesday, President Obama isn't backing off his effort to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" and thinks Congress still can act on the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian troops during the upcoming lame-duck session.
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DADT's Impact on Women of Color – Service Women's Action Network
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy prohibits openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual people from serving in the military. In practice, this policy disproportionately impacts women and people of color. Women make up 15% of the armed forces but accounted for over one-third of discharges under DADT in 2008. Similiary, racial and ethnic minorities made up almost half of DADT discharges in 2008.
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Desegregation Offers Lessons for Gay Troops Debate – Diverse Education
The stories of Woods and other Black veterans who served among the military's first desegregated units during the Korean conflict may bear lessons at a time when Americans are debating an end to "don't ask, don't tell.'' The 1993 policy that bars gays from serving openly in uniform has been challenged by a federal court and President Barack Obama and is under review by the Pentagon.
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Hate-crimes enforcement on rise, reflecting administration priorities – Washington Post
 Federal authorities are stepping up enforcement against hate crimes, filing charges in a racially motivated cross-burning while announcing the sentencing this week of a Massachusetts man for burning a predominantly African American church the morning after Barack Obama's election.
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LGBTQ Youth Take on Violence, Suicides – Gay City News
 Nearly 100 LGBT youth and their allies joined with elected officials on the steps of City Hall on October 21 to speak out against recent suicides and anti-gay attacks in the city and nationwide, and to stress the pressing need for effective solutions.
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George Takei Calls Out Anti-Gay Arkansas School Board Member (VIDEO)
 George Takei's hilarious response to anti-gay bully Clint McCance, former Arkansas school board member who called for more gays teens to kill themselves.
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Two Open Letters Call For Lt. Dan Choi To Apologize For Sexist And Degrading Comment – LezGetReal.com
 The comments made by Lieutenant Dan Choi regarding Senator Harry Reid have certainly not endeared him to many people, especially many women. Despite his attempts at an apology, which I spoke out against rather vehemently not long ago, he has not actually walked back or apologized for his statements calling Senator Reid a very derogatory term for a woman, and doing so in unnecessarily graphic detail.
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Judge orders Ugandan paper to stop publishing 'gay lists' – CNN
 A judge temporarily ordered a tabloid in Uganda to stop publishing lists identifying people it claims are gay after an advocacy organization filed a lawsuit.
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It Gets Better: Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles "True Colors" (VIDEO)
 Members of GMCLA, along with their friends and supporters, gathered at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles to sing a song of hope. This is the result of that extraordinary afternoon.
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