Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

Detroit NAACP Holds Historic Panel Discussion on LGBT Rights

Last Friday, the Detroit chapter of the NAACP sponsored a panel discussion featuring prominent black straight and gay voices entitled "Is Gay the New Black?" The discussion was spearheaded by Detroit NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony. The standing room only discussion attracted hundreds, reports say, and is the first time the local chapter and black churches publicly engaged LGBT issues.

Panelists included newly-elected Charles Pugh, Detroit's first-ever openly gay city councilman and council president, and straight ally National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon Lettman.

PrideSource reports:

"[Pugh] pointed to his own electoral success last fall as proof of growing acceptance of gays and lesbians within the black community. 'Homophobia could have reared its ugly head in that campaign, but that did not become an issue,' Pugh said, proudly ticking off the endorsements he received during the race from the Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors and the AME Ministerial Alliance.

'The gay agenda does not and cannot supersede the agenda for black people,' said Minister Malik Shabazz, a Detroit community activist and leader of the New Black Panther Party. 'Can you define the gay agenda?' Pugh interjected. 'Hold on Charles. This isn't a personal thing,'  Shabazz replied. 'OK, but I still want to know,' Pugh fired back.

Frankie Darcell of Mix 92.3 FM, who moderated the panel with Angelo Henderson from FM 105.7, asked why a gay person would want to "wear 'gay' on their forehead at work," saying it is inappropriate in the workplace. Curtis Lipscomb of Detroit's KICK, the agency for LGBT African Americans, answered by saying, 'It's not that we wear 'gay' on our foreheads, it's that we are who we are. I was fired because I am gay. Someone at work asked me if I was gay, and I answered honestly, 'yes,' and I was fired. What we want is simple equality.' "

And:

"On the issue of same-sex marriage, [Columnist Anthony Samad] asserted that socially conservative African Americans are being forced 'to choose between (the gay rights) cause and their church.' Disagreeing with Samad, Pugh argued that Christian leaders in the black community 'need to be drawing gay people to church, to draw people to God and spirituality and a center.' The comment was greeted by extended applause."

Pugh and Lettman also talked the importance of coming out. Says Lettman: "I would say being black and gay is the old black because the black LGBT community is the invisible 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' staple of the black community.

Absolutely right. And it's really a shame that too many in our community are comfortable with their glass closets and allow it to continue.

Read the full article and an editorial at PrideSource ....

NBJC Names Straight Ally Sharon Lettman as Executive Director

The National Black Justice Coalition, the country's only nationwide black LGBT civil rights organization, has named its new executive director. Sharon J. Lettman succeeds Alexander Robinson and Dr. Sylvia Rhue, who has served as the interim ED since June. And this is major: Lettman is a straight ally and becomes the only straight black woman running a major black LGBT organization.

Lettman has impressive progressive credentials. She comes to NBJC after eight years at People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation. Letterman spearheaded the African American Religious Affairs Program at PFAWF that addressed homophobia in the black church. The Gill Foundation highlighted her in its 2008 annual report as a "key ally" to the LGBT equality movement.

Lettman says: "We must bring our families together. Gay and transgender people are our children, our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, parents, co-workers and friends. They are a vital part of the black community, and it is time for everyone to recognize the real issues we all face when our brothers and sisters are denied full participation in the life of our community."

NBJC Deputy Director Jason W. Bartlett, who made history as the first openly gay black state legislator in the nation when he was elected to the Connecticut assembly in February 2008, tells Rod 2.0 that hiring a straight ally to lead the NBJC was the right thing to do. "NBJC is poised to go to another level. The question was, 'Who could bring us there?' Sharon is fierce in her advocacy and I am convinced she can open a few doors, She can begin the conversation especially with black women. As one of the few [black gay] elected officials in this country, nobody understands this better, you have to build bridges to the straight black community and deal with homophobia. Sharon can be our bridge."

In recent months the National Black Justice Coalition has made inroads working with straight black allies. In July, it became the first black LGBT organization to address the NAACP's annual convention. NAACP also announced an LGBT Equality Task Force partnership with the group. NBJC also coordinated with NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus to demand a congressional investigation into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton.

Lettman's appointment makes a strong statement about making inroads with the larger black community and building potential bridges to the black church. They're desperately needed. Congratulations to Sharon Lettman and the NBJC.

Thanks: Donna P @ HRC, Jason B @ NBJC. Kellee and Cindi @ GLAAD