NBJC Mourns the Murder of Black Gay Dancer O’Shae Sibley
CONTACT: Brett Abrams | brett@unbendablemedia.com
NEW YORK – Following news of the tragic murder of Brooklyn Dancer O’Shae Sibley, who was fatally stabbed for voguing at a gas station with friends, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+/SGL (same-gender loving) civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“As we mourn the stolen life of O’Shae Sibley, a vibrant and talented Black same-gender loving dancer from Brooklyn, we must confront the alarming reality that anti-Black and anti-LGBTQ+ hate disrupts and destroys the lives of our community members. O’Shea Sibley’s life was cut short by an act of violence that should never have happened – dancing at a gas station, or anywhere for that matter, should never be a death sentence. Being Black and queer should not be a death sentence.
“The National Black Justice Coalition extends our deepest condolences to his family and friends. The pain and loss they are experiencing are unimaginable, and our hearts and policy change efforts are with them.
“The heinous attack on O’Shae serves as a stark reminder that anti-LGBTQ+ violence disproportionately affects Black LGBTQ+ individuals. This painful reality is a manifestation of the broader systemic issues of racism, homophobia, and transphobia that have been perpetuated throughout history, and deeply embedded within society.
“We must confront this ugly truth head-on. Rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate perpetuates a climate of fear and intolerance, enabling acts of violence that claim the lives of our brothers, sisters, and siblings. Black LGBTQ+ people continue to face compounded discrimination, making them more vulnerable to becoming targets of such violence.
“We welcome the swift announcement that the NYPD has opened a hate crime investigation into the murder of O’Shae Sibley – and demand that his killers be held accountable.”
