By Lee Carson (PGN Contributor)
A key element of an effective civil-rights movement is a personal commitment to fight norms, behaviors and laws that marginalize communities. This commitment is evident in the collective struggles and histories of the poor/working class, women, people of color, GLBT communities and people living with HIV/AIDS. Whether working in isolation or in partnerships, these groups found creative ways to demand their equal rights.Philadelphia’s black gay communities are no strangers to this work. There is a long history of organizing by organizations such as IMPACT, Friends of Philadelphia Reunion, Unity, The COLOURS Organization, ADODI and countless black gay men at house parties, clubs, bars and churches.
In our national history, there have been several organizations serving the black gay community that have come and gone. A select few, such as New York’s Gay Men of African Descent and People of Color in Crisis, have managed to sustain themselves over the years. These organizations were birthed to address the varied needs of black gay men, such as improving their health and wellness and fighting a variety of “-isms” that are imposed from the dominant culture, and even the larger GLBT and black communities.Even today, many of these issues continue to threaten civil freedoms and our ability to be who we are without having to hide parts of our identity.
Building on the legacies left by our predecessors, newer organizations have been empowered to work on these incomplete tasks. Given the state of this country and black gay communities, there is still a need for advocacy, leadership development, mentorship, political awareness, community building and alliance forming.Recognizing these needs, the Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council was formed in September 2005 — becoming a recognized, Pennsylvania non-profit organization in August 2006.Over the past year, BGMLC has been busy working towards the advancement of black gay men. Such activities have included advocating for better health messages directed towards black gay men and organizing black GLBTs to speak out against gun violence in Philadelphia. The Council has also been present at local school board hearings to show support for their decision to designate October as “Gay and Lesbian History Month.” Our ongoing, monthly Social Hour continues to provide social and professional networking opportunities for members of the community.Most recently, the Council has been working with community members and organizations to develop a comprehensive health and wellness plan for gay men. We are also actively involved in the planning of the LGBTI Health Summit being held in Philadelphia in March 2007, and the planning of a pre-conference institute focusing on black gay research.Collectively, these activities are viewed as critical projects to educate and involve gay men in fighting against the oppressive mechanisms that limit full participation in society.
BGMLC is pleased to contribute to the PGN, as it provides an additional opportunity to provide a perspective on those issues impacting Philadelphia’s diverse communities of gay men. In the future, we hope to share additional articles addressing Philadelphia’s social scene, providing perspective on diabetes and other health and wellness concerns and broaching the topic of political participation by black gay men.We hope to continue to engage and challenge the readership in activities that create change. As we continue to work hard for our diverse communities, we hope you will share this journey with us.The nonprofit Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council is dedicated to political advocacy and building alliances for the black gay community.
Article originally published in the Philadelphia Gay News © 2007