NBJC Celebrates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
WASHINGTON — On May 17, 2020, in recognition of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), David J. Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, released the following statement:
“Did you know that today, May 17, 2020 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT)? Today is an opportunity to raise awareness to address, and ultimately end, the violence, discrimination, and repression experienced by LGBTQ and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) communities throughout the world.
“As an organization committed to the ability of all Black people to live and love as they are, without apologizing or hiding or fear of violence, discrimination, and repression, IDAHOBIT is an important opportunity to raise awareness and highlight organizations working across the globe to combat, homophobia, transphobia, Biphobia, and misogynoir. Misogynoir is a term, coined by Moya Bailey, to highlight the unique experiences of misogyny directed toward Black women where both race and gender ideals and expectations inform the bias, discrimiantion, and violence that Black women experience. Transmisogynoir builds upon legal theorist Kimerlee Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory by acknowledging the compounding forces of transphobia and poverty, which often negatively impact lives of Black trans women in unique ways. Consider for example, that annually Black trans women are murdered at higher rates than any other community of women, CIS and trans. We know this based on the number of reported cases in which Black trans women have been killed in hate fueled, violent homicides. Nina Pop, a Black trans woman was recently found murdered in her home in Sikeston, Missouri. Nina is the 10th Black trans woman to have been killed thus far, this year, that we know of. Reporting this data is complicated because the is it incomplete and unreliable as some deaths are not reported and some victims may not be identified as transgender by first responders or in the media.
“Awareness days like IDAHOBIT allow for opportunities to raise awareness, encourage stigma-free, asset based conversation, and action to support members of communities that face additional, socially considered barriers, as a result of being LGBTQ/SLG. Language and opportunities like today, to raise awareness and make critical connections are important steps toward advancing global, collective liberation.
“The National Black Justice Coalition is proud to stand with our colleague at the Arcus foundation to highlight this important day. Click here to learn more with Arcus’ International Social Justice Program Director Adrian Coman—a movement leader and human rights advocate for over 20 years—on how fear affects us, how phobias are learned, and what we can do to dismantle ingrained biases.”
For more information on the National Black Justice Coalition, and on how you can support the fight for gender justice across the country, visit us at http://nbjc.org. Our Gender Justice Toolkit is now available, be sure to check out to learn how you can lead potentially uncomfortable conversations around gender as effectively as possible.