New Boston Campaign Targets Homophobia in Black Communities

In addition to yesterday's fantastic decision on same-sex marriage, there is more good news coming out of Massachusetts: A new awareness campaign targeting homophobia in Boston's historic black community has been well-received.

"We Are Part of You" is a series of three related ads (previously mentioned here), each using the phrase "I Am Gay", that was originally developed for black communities in New York City. The goal of the campaign, which will run on billboards and in MBTA stations in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, is to drive home the point in Boston’s black communities that "gay men have always been and will always be a part of those communities," says Douglas Brooks, the executive director of JRI Health. Brooks took the # 22 bus up Columbus Avenue to gauge the reaction to the above billboard in Egleston Square:

"[I was] on a bus full of black people, and wondering what the reactions would be…. I saw people looking at it. I saw people reading it. You can’t help it, it draws your attention because it’s so bold. And I think more than anything the fact that there were no comments made me feel good. I thought, ‘Okay, maybe people are just sort of taking it in,’ or at least they’re not making loud homophobic remarks on the bus. But I was very proud of it, too. I hope it makes a difference.”

Another billboard, showing a black gay man with a pastor, was placed in Dorchester on Blue Hill Avenue "because of the high number of churches in the area." State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston), whose own church is nearby, says she "could not think of a more perfect place to make a statement to remind people that it is our reality and we have to deal with it." The location is near the church of the Rev. Eugene Rivers, one of Boston's loudest ant-gay black pastors.

Sending a Message [Bay Windows]

Some Background:

News: Harry, "I Am Gay" [R20]
ABC AIDS Special [Keith Boykin]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
Pier Kids [R20]
Homeless Gay Youth an "Epidemic" [R20]
GLAAD's Ad Targets Black Families [R20]
Would You Stop Loving Him? [R20]
(Virtual) Sex and the City [R20]

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

Beautiful. These ads can only have a positive effect. Maybe we can get them all over the country--even in Filthidelphia.

[Luther]

Great news, and good luck to them on it, one step at a time and hopefully it will end. I must be the only black gay man in the USA who has never had any issues with the black community about being gay, thank the Lord for that. And, yes, I grew up in an all black community.

[C. Baptiste-Williams]

i love these ads

[Dluv]

Luther, you are very lucky. Why don't you give us some more insight on how you dealt with family, friends, etc. and what there reactions were and how they treat you now. Everybody has a story.

[Pastor Michael-Vincent Crea]

I attended the press conference at 125th & Broadway, when the ads
were unveiled in Harlem with their most brilliant, affirming and direct loving support of brothers and sisters in the Black & African community.

Powerful, bold and very clear messages go a very long way, most especially, at this time when the
media sends so many negative statements and derogatory images of Black & African community members, especially of LGBT folks.

It proves again that members of the community do not need anyone to act in behalf of Blacks and
Africans.

Rather respect, rights and resourcefulness from within, serving the best interest for all people of color, and otherwise, is seen here in real leadership:
giving props and a self-determined
strategy for Black & African Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered & Bisexual persons, their loved ones and the
public-at-large.

Thanks Rod! I'm here in Rome, Italy for another Boston breakthrough for the Truth: the European premiere of "Hand of God;" the award-winning, shown on PBS' Frontline, documentary by Joe Cultera about his brother, Paul being sexually violated is to be screened before members of the Italian Parliament June 22.

Courageously both men stood up, again using art like the "I AM GAY" posters, to right wrongs and put the responsibility where it belongs: on disgraced Boston/Rome Cardinal Law, the Pope & Catholic clergy and people in the pews still silent in denial.

Bravo, Boston! Molto bene! Grazie, Rod!

Ciao,

Pastor Michael-Vincent Crea
One World Life Systems
@ "1 Step From St. Peter"
Rome, Italy
20 June 2007

[Bloggernista]

These ads are awesome! They should run this campaign in cities across the country.