NBJC Take Action_

 Learn how you can join the fight to pass the Equality Act.

The overwhelming majority of Americans agree: Everybody deserves to live free from discrimination. Especially during Pride month, there is a surge in LGBTQ+ visibility, celebration and allyship. Yet, LGBTQ+ folks in nearly 30 states lack the critical protections they need to make that happen. That’s why we’re fighting to pass the Equality Act now. 

 

The Equality Act would help protect the most vulnerable people in our communities from discrimination in our justice system, our housing industry, our schools and more. Right now, thousands of people in the opposition are calling their senators and telling them to vote against the Equality Act — so we need your help. 

 

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR AND LET THEM KNOW: IT’S TIME TO PASS THE EQUALITY ACT.

 

LGBTQ Americans have waited long enough for federal anti-discrimination protections, and now is our chance to get the job done. 

 

Thanks for helping strive towards fairness and equality for ALL Americans. 

 

Sincerely, 

National Black Justic Coalition

Equality Act: The Equality Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week and now faces the hurdle of getting 60 U.S. Senators to also vote “yes.” You can learn more about NBJC’s position HERE and stay tuned to our TAKE ACTION page to learn how you can be a partner in making the Equality Act become the law of the land.

Call to Action: Call your U.S. Senators  using https://www.congress.gov/contact-us and ask them all to co-sponsor and vote YES on the Equality Act (HR5).

Reparations: NBJC supports both HR40 and HR100 as pathways to move the U.S. forward on the creation of a commissionto proactively and productively discuss reparations to the descendants of enslaved Africans and for the systemic racial bias and discrimination that has followed in Slavery’s waked. Throughout the month of March we will engage media, lawmakers, and partners on the importance of reparations to our national security and future. NBJC is clear that racial reconciliation will not happen without reparations. Watch last month’s Judiciary committee hearing on reparations to learn more!

Call to Action: Call your members of Congress using https://www.congress.gov/contact-us and ask them all to co-sponsor and vote YES on the HR40 and/or HR100.

Reparations: NBJC supports both HR40 and HR100 as pathways to move the U.S. forward on the creation of a commissionto proactively and productively discuss reparations to the descendants of enslaved Africans and for the systemic racial bias and discrimination that has followed in Slavery’s waked. Throughout the month of March we will engage media, lawmakers, and partners on the importance of reparations to our national security and future. NBJC is clear that racial reconciliation will not happen without reparations. Watch last month’s Judiciary committee hearing on reparations to learn more!

Call to Action: Call your members of Congress using https://www.congress.gov/contact-us and ask them all to co-sponsor and vote YES on the HR40 and/or HR100.

Do No Harm Act: The Do No Harm Act was introduced last week by U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott. It re-asserts the constitutional balance of civil rights and religious freedom in the U.S. to prevent failures to uphold civil rights laws based on subjective “moral convictions.” NBJC supports this bill and will continue to advocate for its passage.

Call to Action: Call your members of Congress using https://www.congress.gov/contact-us and ask them all to co-sponsor and vote YES on the Do No Harm Act.

U.S. Citizenship Act: The U.S. Citizenship Act (introduced two weeks ago) would create a pathway towards citizenship for the over 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S., including African Diasporic immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. NBJC supports this legislation and encourages our supporters to become active champions of its passage.

Call to Action: Call your members of Congress using https://www.congress.gov/contact-us and ask them all to co-sponsor and vote YES on the U.S. Citizenship Act.

Queering the African-Diaspora: 

• Puerto Rico has announced a state of emergency regarding gender based violence against transgender and cisgender women. Read more about what has been happening HERE.
• Angola has decriminalized same sex relationships and put in place civil rights protections on the basis of sexual orientation. This action has made Angola one of a handful of African nations to take this step to dismantle discriminatory colonial era laws targeting LGBTQ+ people. Many are wondering, especially in light of President Biden’s recent executive orderpromoting LGBTQ+ equality globally, if more African countrieswill follow.
• News of death threats and a raid on the newly established LGBTQI Center in Ghana just last week reminds us all that there is still more work to do to ensure Black LGBTQ+/SGL people across the globe are safe and free.

Call to Action: Take action by amplifying the tweets from @LGBTRightsGhana to help spread awareness.

On January 19, 2021, the 5th Annual Day of Racial Healing, Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Senator Booker will reintroduce HR 40: Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans. The commission would examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies. Among other requirements, the commission would identify (1) the role of federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery, (2) forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed slaves and their descendants, and (3) lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and society. In addition to supporting this bill in Congress, we also join the #BreatheWithUs campaign in calling for the Biden/Harris administration to be leaders and action takers towards economic, environmental, and social reparations for all descendants of formerly enslaved Americans. Join us in taking digital action here: