Mental Health in Virginia & LGBT

A recent article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch revealed some disturbing facts when it comes to mental health and youth in Virginia. According to Mental Health America, Virginia was ranked 38th among states, down from the previous ranking of 27th. A major reason for this downgrade in ranking was due to the fact that youth in the state who battle depression are less likely to receive treatment compared to other states.

Major barriers currently exist that prevent youth from receiving mental health treatment, including the fact that Virginia only spends 52% of the national average on community-based mental health care according to Bruce Cruser, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Virginia—who was quoted in the article. Currently, the Governor is exploring a number of efforts to improve access to mental health care in the state. Some of these efforts include an expansion of Medicaid and improving access to care.

Addressing mental health of youth is critically important, especially for those who identify as LGBTQ+ who are twice as likely as their peers to say they have been physically assaulted, kicked or shoved. Having one’s physical well-being at risk can have negative consequences on LGBTQ+ youth education. In fact, the latest school climate snap shot by GLSEN revealed that Virginia schools are not safe for most LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, this impacts the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in the following ways:

• Substance Use: Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth are more than twice as likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
• Happiness: Only 37% of LGBT youth report being happy, while 67% of non-LGBT youth say they are happy. However, over 80% of LGBT youth believe they will be happy eventually, with nearly half believing that they will need to move away from their current town to find happiness.
• Self-Harm: With each instance of verbal or physical harassment, the risk of self-harm among LGBT youth is 2 ½ times more likely.
• Suicide: Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.

Mental health is a major issue that cannot be ignored, particularly as it pertains to our youth who are some of the most vulnerable. The article and aforementioned facts, demonstrate just how important it is for the community to be aware of the impact that a lack of mental health awareness and solutions can have on society. Without comprehensive solutions, the future of our youth is at stake.

Safe Space, Inc., encourages Governor Terry McAuliffe and members of the Virginia General Assembly to pay particular attention to LGBTQ+ youth when making critical decisions about how to improve mental health services for Virginia youth.

Blog was originally posted at: http://safespaceva.com/mental-health-in-virginia-lgbt-youth/

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and Civic Engagement

This past weekend’s 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, reminds us that much work still needs to be done to bring equality to everyone in this country.  More importantly, it shows that voices united can make a difference.  Without a united voice from people regardless of their race, ethnicity, creed, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, we could not begin to tackle issues like voting rights, economic justice, immigration reform, or the repealing of stand your ground laws.

This quest does not just fall on the shoulders of individuals like Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton; it falls on every individual in this country who believes that equality applies to everyone, not just a select few.  Let’s face the facts we cannot just expect the individuals who originally marched back in 1963 or have fought for equality since to continue to push equality for my generation and the generation to follow.  They will not be around forever and it would be a great injustice if we simply stood by idle and let their hard fought battle, which caused some their lives, to go for naught.

Fortunately, this commemorative march brought together people of all generations who are committed to fight the long hard battle for equality. Some may have been galvanized by the Travon Martin case, the recent gutting of the Voting Rights Act, the push for immigration reform, jobs, LGBT equality, DC statehood or a variety of issues.  Regardless of the individual goal, we see that so much has been accomplished in the past 50 years, but much more still needs to be done.

As we know, equality won’t be achieved simply by showing up on the National Mall on a sun soaked Saturday afternoon in late August.  However, the strong showing of support for issues of equality at the seat of our government shows our elected officials and people around the country (and the world) that progress will not be thwarted because the strength is in the numbers.  Now we as a country must turn our attention to not only a plan of action, but to being more civically and politically involved.

We must make being civically involved more than just a requirement to graduate high school or to be able to get into a good college or university.  Don’t get me wrong this required civic engagement is important.  However, when something is required it is often seen as just something to needs to be done quickly and never be done again.  Instead, we need to instill in our friends, family, and co-workers that being civically involved is a lifelong commitment that makes us better as a society.

What’s the best way to do this you may ask?  Well, you can start by volunteering for a cause that you personally connect with and bring a few friends, family members, or co-workers who feel the same way as you do.  And if it is done as a requirement, focusing on an area of importance to you will help to eliminate the stigma associated with doing things as a requirement.  Additionally, the organizations will benefit as well because they stand to gain committed volunteers who will show up year around, not just at critical academic times.

The work does not stop with finding an organization that you connect to on a personal level.  We need to start thinking about why these organizations are needed in a society where we expect the government to protect and care for the people.  This is where the political engagement comes in.

Volunteering may fill you with a sense of pride, accomplishment or civic duty, but it should also fill you with a sense of political engagement.  The aim of the organization you so freely give your time for may be to provide job training and clothing for low income residents of your city for example.  However, some thought should also be given to what is the government doing about employment and why is this organization filling this void?

The simple answer is going to be that the government does not have the money or the capacity to take care of every person in this country.  Fair enough.  In this case this organization is filling the void and you are helping to ensure that we live in an effective society.   But let me play devil’s advocate for a minute and say that while this is true, this doesn’t simply mean the government can just release all responsibility.  The government should at least be helping to subsidize some of these services or at the very least create a pipeline to government employment with these organizations.

But as we all know, we don’t live in an ideal world and things are not always so black in white.  That is why we need to be political engaged to see exactly why the government may not be able to provide job training for these low income individuals in your city.  It may be discovered that the root of the problem is your elected official who doesn’t see this as a pressing issue or the mismanagement of funds.  If this were the case you would know how to act politically to try to rectify the problem— reach out to your elected official, vote another person in office, call for greater accountability, etc.

Simply, civic and political engagement is by no means easy or provides a quick fix to issues, but we all have the power to change things for the better because of them. That is a major take away from the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington; we have the power to change things and can do so with some hard work and a plan of action.  If we as a society increase our efforts even a little bit, equality for all can and will be accomplished. We owe it to those who paved the way before us and the future generations of this country.

Obama: Leader of Change and Progress

Originally posted at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/12/10/obama-leader-of-change-and-progress/

In the wee morning hours of November 7th, I like many Americans had my heavy sleep deprived eyes glued to the TV as President Obama addressed his supporters and the nation. Make no mistake about it; this was a moment for history. The first African American president in the history of the United States had been reelected to a second term, cementing his rightful place in history and showing the world that his initial election was not a fluke.

Let’s face it, President Obama was facing tremendous pressure in his reelection campaign. Would he end up going down in history as the first African-American president who was only able to serve one term? Would he still have the same support he had in 2008? How would his handling of the economy and stance on social issues sit with voter when they went to cast their ballots?

Therefore, President Obama’s decision to come out in support of same sex marriage so close to reelection was even more important. This decision showed us that President Obama was a leader who talked-the-talked and walked-the-walk. More importantly, his advocacy has shown Americans that equality is an issue that has been ignored for too long and now is the time to start making change.

His reelection coincided with a number of major victories for LGBT equality across the country. For the first time, all of the ballot measures dealing with marriage equality came out in favor of marriage equality advocates and allowed them to place a check mark in the victory column. Social conservatives were handed a defeat as they tried to remove an Iowa Supreme Court judge who had voted to legalize gay marriage in 2009 (despite the fact that they had previously succeeded in removing three judges in 2010). Additionally, 118 out of 180 gay candidates endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund won their respective races—including Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin who becomes the first openly gay member of the U.S. Senate.

In many ways the LGBT community and advocates owe part of these victories to President Obama and his administration. Now I know some are saying that is absolutely absurd and are ready to write negative comments about how misguided I am. But I ask you give me a second to make my point.

I am in no way trying to demean the efforts by millions of Americans who have fought for years to obtain equality for the LGBT community. The successes to date are directly a result of their blood, sweat, tears, hard work, and determination. However, we have to look no further than the Civil Rights Movement to see how the support of an administration can mean the world to the quest for equality.

The election of Barack Obama as president in 2008 not only marked an era of change but a new era for progressives and their goals. President Obama with his mantra of change ushered in a new way of thinking and a more progressive government needed for modern times. President Obama was not about to let the old way of thinking get in the way of creating a greater America for all. As a result, we have witnessed an administration that has done more to extended equality to the LGBT community than any before it.

While some may counter and say that President Obama has not done enough, we cannot discount all that has been done for the LGBT community. I personally would have liked to see an end to work place discrimination with the passage of sexual orientation and gender identity inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act. We have far too many LGBT workers either suffering from high unemployment or are a decision away of losing their jobs simply for being who they are. But we all must acknowledge that all of the issues affecting the LGBT community cannot be solved in four short years.

The president’s support of LGBT issues and his evolution on marriage equality are a tremendous boost to progressives everywhere. Regardless if LGBT equality may be the “sexy” issue, leaning too far left on these issues could have ended up being a political liability. Even in the face of a reelection campaign where social issues may not have been the biggest hot button issue, President Obama’s decisions on these issues could have cost him some critical votes. Yet, he chose to stand on the side of equality. He did not waver. He did not back down.

That is simply what we ask of a leader—to stand up for those in need and ensure that they are treated fairly and equally with the rest of society—especially the President of the United States. President Obama has done just that. He should be commended for that. He could have buckled under the pressure that he has done much for the LGBT community but did not do nearly enough in other areas like immigration.

When the leader of the free world throws his support behind something, people take notice. Knowing that the president makes equality a priority helps to elevate reservations that some may have when it comes to progressive measures. I am sure that some voters who were on the fence about LGBT equality were swayed with the fact that the President of the United States was able to evolve on equality issues, so why shouldn’t they?

Simply, we need to be thanking President Obama for his unwavering leadership when it comes to LGBT equality. He has allowed equality to be the topic of conversation for a number of people who otherwise would not because his presidency has galvanized people politically. His leadership is ushering us forward, not back. Full LGBT equality is closer because President Obama has had the courage to make it so.

Jumping Beyond The Broom: Policy Priorities Outside Of Marriage Equality

Originally posted at: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/01/19/407409/jumping-beyond-the-broom-policy-priorities-outside-of-marriage-equality/?mobile=nc

Today, the Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality, or FIRE initiative, at the Center for American Progress released a comprehensive report about the policy priorities of black LGBT Americans outside of marriage equality. “Jumping Beyond the Broom: Why Black Gay and Transgender Americans Need More Than Marriage Equality,” specifically examines the issues of economic insecurity, educational attainment and outcomes, and health and wellness disparities this population faces, and offers a host of policy solutions to bridge the gaps.

The key finding of the report is that black LGBT Americans continue to experience stark social, economic, and health disparities despite significant gains in securing basic right for LGBT people over the past decade.

For example, black gay Americans earn $10,000 less than their black heterosexual counterparts and face higher rates of poverty and unemployment as well. Black lesbians are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases (i.e. heart disease and diabetes) than others, and black LGBT youth are more likely to end up homeless and living on the streets compared to other youth. These social, economic, and health disparities are often ignored as broader gay and transgender policy priorities—including marriage equality—receive the time and attention of advocates and the mainstream and LGBT press. They’re also neglected by racial and economic justice agendas that fail to include the needs and priorities of gay and transgender populations. In short black gay and transgender Americans fall through the cracks of silo’d policy and advocacy efforts – so we must make progress in bridging these gaps.

“Jumping Beyond the Broom,” shows how progress can be made by applying an intersectional lens that accounts for race, class, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity in federal policy analysis and advocacy.

The report also makes recommendations that Congress and federal agencies could adopt that would help eliminate the disparities between black gay and transgender people and others. Recommendations include ensuring full LGBT inclusion in social safety net programs; developing a comprehensive federal response to LGBT homelessness; adopting safe schools polices; implementing the Affordable Care Act in a fully LGBT-inclusive way at the state and federal level; and collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity across key federal surveys of the public. The FIRE Initiative will explore many of these policy issues in-depth in the months to come, including through additional publications and public events.

Making Sense Of The LGBT Community’s High Rates Of Substance Use

Originally posted at: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/03/12/442903/making-sense-of-the-lgbt-communitys-high-rates-of-substance-use/

Last week, the Center for American Progress released a new issue brief on “Why the Gay and Transgender Population Experiences Higher Rates of Substance Use” and what can be done to reduce these rates.  Specifically, the brief mentions that an estimated 20 to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances, compared to about 9 percent of the general population.

According to the brief, there are three main factors that contribute to these higher rates of substance use in the gay and transgender population.  The first factor is minority stress that comes from social prejudice and discriminatory laws in everyday life such as employment, relationship recognition, and health care.  Second, the lack of cultural competency in the health care system not only discourages gay and transgender individuals from seeking treatment, but can lead to inappropriate or irrelevant service.  Finally,targeted marketing by alcohol and tobacco companies are exploiting the fact that bars and clubs are not only safe spaces for socialization for gay and transgender individuals but provide easy access to tobacco products and alcohol.

As a result, gay and transgender people turn to tobacco, alcohol, and other substances as a way to cope with the challenges. The data that are available about substance abuse show just how much of an impact this is having on the gay and transgender population.  For example, gay and transgender people smoke tobacco up to 200 percent more than their heterosexual counterparts.  Additionally, twenty five percent of gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, compared to 5 to 10 percent of the general population.

The brief also mentions a number of administrative and legislative recommendations that if employed could help to reduce the high rates of substance abuse within the gay and transgender population, including several outlined by the Center for American Progress last year that the Department of Health and Human Services could take.   The legislative recommendations included the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, The Respect for Marriage Act, and the Health Equality Act.

Antiquated Family Policies Hurt LGBT Families of Color

Originally posted at: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/28/433927/report-antiquated-family-policies-hurt-lgbt-families-of-color/

Today, a coalition of public policy and family advocacy organizations released “LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance,” which sheds light on the disparate impact of outdated laws and family policies on LGBT families of color and their children. The publication explores the challenges that LGBT Families of color face on a daily basis and dispels the myth often perpetuated in the media that LGBT families are largely white and middle class.

According to “LGBT Families of Color,” there are roughly 2 million children in the United States being raised in LGBT families and 41 percent of these families are people of color. Both black and Latino same-sex couples are more likely to raise children than white same- sex couples. Black lesbians for example are twice as likely to be raising children as their white lesbian counterparts. The report also notes that:

Children of color, in particular, are more likely to be raised in diverse family configurations that include de facto parents and are more likely to be raised by LGBT parents. Therefore, antiquated laws have a disproportionately negative impact on children of color.

An alarming number of LGBT families of color are living in poverty. For example, 32 percent of children being raised by black same-sex couples are living in poverty compared to 7 percent of children raised by married heterosexual white parents. Yet many of these families, simply because they are LGBT, are denied access to safety net programs and federal and state tax benefits that would improve their economic situations.

LGBT families of color also experience higher rates of unemployment, or underemployment, which disrupts their access to quality healthcare since the majority of Americans rely on employer-sponsored health plans. Nonetheless, access to coverage does not always bridge the gap for these families, since most of these plans do not cover same-sex partners or their non-biological children. LGBT families of color, who are already economically insecure, may have to face the steep cost of purchasing private insurance to cover their families (or simply go without).

Stigma and discrimination further erodes these families’ overall wellbeing. The fact sheet touches on the dual burden of social stigma and discrimination LGBT families of color and their children face. These families are not only subject to racial/ethnic stereotypes and discrimination – they also face invisibility within the boarder communities to which they belong. Moreover, their children may be bullied or harassed based on their own race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity—or that of their parents.

Fortunately, some common-sense solutions can be employed that would help to eliminate or reduce the legal inequalities and social stigma that hurt LGBT families of color, especially their children. They include:

– Legally recognizing LGBT families of color via parental recognition laws at the state level; allowing same-sex couples to marry; and providing pathways to immigration and U.S. citizenship for binational and immigrant LGBT families.

– Providing equal access to government-based economic protections such as safety net programs by adopting a consistent and broad definition of family within these programs (i.e. domestic partners).

– Providing equal access to health care and health insurance, as well as medical decision-making authority for all families.

– Protecting LGBT families of color and their children with non-discrimination employment and public accommodation laws and anti-bullying policies.

We Cannot Wait on Congress to Protect Our LGBT Youth

Originally posted at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/12/09/we-cannot-wait-on-congress-to-protect-our-lgbt-youth/

Last week, a coalition of LGBT organizations and allies sent a letter to the Senate HELP Committee expressing “great concern” and “a lack of support” for the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act, due to its lack of LGBT inclusion. These organizations and allies are to be commended for holding members of Congress accountable and pushing for the passage of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA). But it is becoming very clear that SNDA and SSIA face a long uphill political battle that will hopefully result in their passage sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, outside of advocating for their passage, we should push for the creation of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools all across this country, especially in schools with a predominantly black population. The creation of GSAs will help promote a more inclusive and safer educational environment for LGBT youth across this country until federal legislation is passed. In fact, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), schools that have GSAs positively impact LGBT youth because these schools have fewer homophobic remarks, less victimization, less absenteeism, and greater sense of belonging. Considering that in 2009, 84 percent of LGBT students have been verbally harassed, 40 percent have been physically harassed, and 18 percent have been physically assaulted, it is imperative to tackle LGBT bullying and harassment. Establishing GSAs is an effective way to do that.

Combating LGBT bullying and harassment is especially important in schools with a predominantly black student body because black LGBT students face some of the most hostile treatment in our nation’s schools. Earlier this year, the Center for American Progress released an article that explored the plight of black LGBT youth in America’s schools. This article presented research that showed that black LGBT youth fare better academically and socially in schools with GSAs. Unfortunately, many predominantly black schools do not have GSAs because of the commonly accepted notion that being LGBT is a “white issue” and because the issue is rarely discussed in many black communities.

Yes, it will be a challenge to establish GSAs in schools where LGBT students are seen but rarely talked about in a positive manner. But that is the exact reason we should advocate hard to have them. Regardless if you are a parent, educator, or community member, your support is needed to make these GSAs a reality. LGBT students cannot do the work alone; providing them with assistance and support can be the difference between having a GSA or not and providing a safe environment for education. More importantly, GSAs benefit both LGBT students and non-LGBT students by creating an environment where it is okay for all students to express who they are.

The creation of GSAs will not completely solve the problem of bullying and harassment for LGBT youth; only federal legislation can lay the groundwork for that to be accomplished. Nevertheless, their creation can place schools on the road to not only being more inclusive but to providing a safe educational environment that will help all students. We owe that much to our LGBT youth, to ensure that school does not become a place of dread because of consistent fear of violence and rejection.

So while our elected representatives work out the politics, we can help lead our nation’s schools to being more inclusive to our LGBT youth through the creation of GSAs. Together we create a very powerful voice, one that cannot be ignored and will not go away until equality is given to LGBT youth.

The Work Begins Within

Originally posted at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/10/25/the-work-begins-within/

A few weeks back I had the pleasure to attend the National Black Justice Coalition’s (NBJC)—the only national Black LGBT civil rights organization—second annual OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit. The summit afforded me the opportunity to meet a number of local and national grassroots and organizational leaders who are advocating for equality for Black LGBT individuals not only in the Black community but also in the broader LGBT movement. Participants were treated to a number of panels that discussed Black LGBT issues, briefings by Obama administration officials, and the opportunity to lobby members of Congress and their aides.

While this was a wonderful experience I am glad I was able to partake in, I could not help but notice the proverbial pink elephant in the room—a Black LGBT leadership summit was being hosted the same week of the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Legislative Conference. This made me wonder: Was this the only time Black LGBT issues could garner attention locally and nationally? Then I started to think: Does it really matter? No. It really doesn’t.

The more important question we should be asking ourselves in the Black LGBT community is: How do we get our issues to matter year round, not just during an event that brings Black leaders and Black LGBT leaders together in the same city at the same time? The answer is simple from my perspective—the work has to begin within. The leadership summit and legislative conference are a great springboard to present Black LGBT issues to a large Black audience and advocate for change. The work begins way before these leaders assemble in Washington, D.C., however.

As a Black LGBT community, we must do our part to ensure Black LGBT issues are present and accounted for year round in the larger LGBT movement and in broader societal conversations. We cannot sit around and wait to be invited into the conversation for equality. Instead, we must be on the ground informing people within and outside of the community why equality is needed. People need to be informed that the quest for equality is much more than marriage. The Black LGBT community and communities of color for that matter suffer disproportionately from discriminatory laws that impede employment, health care, family recognition, and a slew of other factors.

Whether it is grassroots organizing, volunteering in the LGBT community, or working for a mainstream LGBT organization, the plight of Black LGBT individuals and families must be discussed and advocated for. There is nothing wrong with advocating for the needs of Black LGBT individuals when advocating for the general LGBT collective, because if we don’t, who will? More importantly, it is critical to address the needs of those marginalized within the LGBT community if equality is going to be achieved for all. The road will not be easy and it will be filled with bumps and naysayers, but Black LGBT equality is not separate from LGBT equality in general. It is a key component of the equation.

While the pink elephant in the room may be a strategic effort and ignored by some, I am ready to do my part to advance our movement to include all LGBT people. It can be as simple as writing or calling members of Congress and asking them to consider legislation that will improve the lives of the Black LGBT community, or volunteering in the Black LGBT community. Maybe even making sure that the Black LGBT perspective is being considered at panels and town halls, either through the inclusion of Black LGBT individuals or through asking questions that center around Black LGBT issues. No matter if the action is big or small, it will help ensure Black LGBT issues are being presented into the larger mainstream discussion.

NBJC’s OUT on the Hill and the CBCF Legislative Conference should not be the only time that awareness about Black LGBT issues is presented. Work must be done year round, and we cannot sit back and expect our Black LGBT leaders to do all the work.

We all stand to benefit from the equality we seek. No matter if you are young or old, experienced or inexperienced, you can make a difference. Will you join me? Will you stand and answer the call?

Spirit Day 2011 - Stand Up To Bullying

Today I wear my purple with pride. It's the second annual Spirit Day and I am showing my support for LGBT youth and speaking out against bullying.

I know first hand how difficult it can be to be bullied.  There were numerous days where I was afraid to go to school because I didn't know if that day was going to be the day that someone would decide to hit me because I was "different."  It was extremely hard at times to stay focused and enjoy my time in high school.  I was called gay before I even knew what the word really meant.  While I didn't know what it meant, I knew the word carried a negative connotation among my peers.  But I could never wrap my mind around why it was such a bad thing.  To me it didn't matter if you were a guy who like other guys, all that mattered is that you had a strong enough connection with someone else to make you happy.  After all don't we all just want to be happy and loved?

Thankfully, I had a wonderful groups of friends and discovered a love for music by joining the band.  Because of this support, I was able to thrive being "different," by being allowed to be me by my friends and family.  Unfortunately, some LGBT youth are not able to share this similar support. That is why I wear purple today.  In supportive of them, to let people know that bullying is not okay and is not a rite of passage.  That it is okay to dare to be who you are.  It takes a lot of courage to embrace you in the face of others who want you to conform.  I applaud all those LGBT youth who embrace themselves and are out proudly being who they are.  I also applaud those LGBT youth who are not yet comfortable coming out, still discovering who they are, and making strides to come out.  Together we will create environments that are supportive of you to make your journey easier.

Being different is not as bad as everyone in grade school and high school make it out to be.  With out people striving to be different, we would not have the internet, Iphone, twitter, facebook, or many of the advances that we cannot live without today.  Today, I stand with millions of Americans and people across the world by wearing my purple and being vocal about how bullying affects all youth, especially LGBT youth.  So , I challenge you regardless of whether or not you are wearing purple to be vocal and take a stand against bullying.  Whether you are LGBT or straight we can all do our part to speak out against bullying.

HUD Is Taking Important Steps To Combat LGBT Homelessness

Originally Posted at: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/10/14/344630/hud-is-taking-important-steps-to-combat-lgbt-homelessness/

This week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) addressed gay and transgender housing discrimination on the White House Blog. The post revealed that in a recent survey of transgender and gender non-conforming persons, 19 percent have been refused housing or an apartment and 19 percent became homeless as a result of their gender identity. A recent brief by the Center for American Progress also found that 38 percent of same-sex couples were discriminated against when attempting to buy or rent property.

The administration’s post comes on the heels of the Unites States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) 2011 annual update to Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, an interagency effort to prevent and end homelessness. Despite the fact that gay and transgender individuals were only reference once in the annual update — in the context of a collaborative effort by the Department of Education hosting the first ever gay and transgender youth summit — homelessness in this community is a serious problem.

The estimated 320,000 to 400,000 gay and transgender homeless youth face the greatest challenges. These Americans find themselves homeless for a number of factors beyond their control including a lack of supportive family or educational structures and discriminatory treatment in out-of-home care facilities. Gay and transgender youth who fall through the cracks have a hard time transiting to a successful and stable adulthood and face higher rates of workplace discrimination and poverty that only exacerbates the problem of homelessness. For example, approximately 8 to 17 percent of gay and transgender workers have reported being passed over for a job or fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Over the past two years, HUD has taken several important steps to ensure that gay and transgender person not only have equal access to housing, but HUD programs. The agency is pursing complaints from gay and transgender persons who have experienced discrimination in housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, conducting a nationwide study of gay and transgender housing discrimination, and has issued a rule that proposes regulatory changes to ensure that gay and transgender individuals and families have equal access to housing.

While Congress considers a legislative fix — Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) recently introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act to expand existing federal housing nondiscrimination requirements to include sexual orientation and gender identity — HUD is filling an important void in ensuring that homeless LGBT Americans are no longer invisible.

Breaking the Silence: Including the ‘B’ and ‘T’ in the Black LG Community

Originally Posted: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/10/07/breaking-the-silence/

“If the LG community stood up as hard and strong as they did for marriage equality, there might not be as much violence against our most vulnerable members of the community.”
—Jeffery Richardson, Director of the Office of GLBT Affairs

“Here in the District of Columbia, transgender individuals are free to be lynched.”
— Danielle King, Board Member, DC Black Pride; Chair, Capital TransPride

These are two profound statements made at a recent two-part town hall hosted by the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs and the National Black Justice Coalition. After the town hall these statements continue to resonate with me and eat away at me. How can the Black LG community continue to largely ignore the needs and issues of our bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters?

Some would argue that we do not fight as fiercely for our bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters as we should. And I would tend to agree. I cannot even keep count of the numerous events I have gone to where the “L” and “G” are prominent and the “B” and “T” are virtually invisible. I personally take some responsibility for that. While going through my coming out process and becoming more involved in the community, I was for the most part ignorant to the issues affecting the bisexual and transgender communities. Outside of the brief moment where I thought I may have been bisexual, I know nothing about the experiences of a bisexual individual. Additionally, I barely knew anything about transgender individuals, or the issues that they faced. Thankfully, that has changed.

My experience, however, may be similar to a lot of people in the community. We tend to be in our own little bubble and do not realize there is life outside of our gay and lesbian circles. Frankly, we should be ashamed of that. The recent National Transgender Discrimination Survey revealed some eye-opening numbers about our transgender brothers and sisters and showed why we should be working hard to ensure they are included in the community. Some of the key findings include:

• Black transgender people live in extreme poverty and an astounding 34 percent have a household income of less than $10,000 a year.
• Fifty percent of Black transgender or gender nonconforming individuals have experienced harassment in school.
• Forty-six percent have experienced harassment at work.
• Fifteen percent have been physically assaulted at work.
• Thirteen percent have been sexually assaulted.

These numbers are just a small sample of the discrimination that the transgender community faces. Sadly, discrimination is not the only area in which the transgender community is affected. Black transgender individuals also face high rates of violence. Look no further than the recent rash of violence against the transgender community in the District of Columbia. Since July there have been five reported or attempted shootings of transgender women. Sadly, one of those shootings took the life of 23-year-old transgender woman Lashai McClean.

On the other hand, not much is known about the issues affecting those in the bisexual community outside of HIV/AIDS. This dearth of research and data collection has led bisexual individuals to be a silent part of the community that we need to know more about. And who can blame them for remaining silent when the larger community does not accept them and their struggles as part of the movement?

Clearly, the “L” and “G” community can do more to be more inclusive to the bisexual and transgender members of the community. We should band together to end discrimination for all members of the LGBT community. More importantly, we should all rally around each other to curb the violence against a vulnerable segment of the population. We should advocate and call for change no matter how long it takes to end senseless violence against the transgender community. In addition, we should welcome the bisexual and transgender community to the table to better understand how to advocate for and alongside them.

In essence, not being inclusive of the “B” and “T” community is the oppressed being the oppressor. It will only lead to more violence and discrimination, which will continue to rip the community further apart.

Black LGBT Equality Is A Civil Rights Issue

Originally Posted: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/08/30/black-lgbt-equality-is-a-civil-rights-issue/

Even though Hurricane Irene may have thwarted the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, a number of events were held all over the area to commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. Among these events was “Building the Dream for LGBT Equality: Reflections on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” which was presented by a number of LGBT organizations. Events such as this have allowed the issue of LGBT equality, particularly in the Black community, to once again be discussed in the context of civil rights. After attending this event and reading opinion pieces from Rev. Dennis Wiley, Ph.D. (a contributor for the FIRE initiative at the Center for American Progress and pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ), all I could think is, how can some individuals in the Black community not see LGBT equality as a civil rights issue?

Being a child of the ‘80s who grew up reading about the civil rights movement in textbooks and hearing recounts from older members of my family, I’ve always had a strong emotional connection to the fight for equality. I could not fathom why at any point in our nation’s history, such disregard could be had for a race of people to treat them as mere property and eventually second-class citizens. I am not sure why I had such an emotional reaction to the stories I read or videos I saw about the civil rights movement; after all, I could turn on the TV and see people like me on weekly sitcoms or the news and I did not have to use separate entrances or attend segregated schools. But what I did know is that it was fundamentally wrong to treat a group of people with such disdain just because they were what God intended them to be—Black.

In its simplest form, the fight for LGBT equality has a lot in common with the civil rights movement—equality. Millions of LGBT Americans are suffering because of legislation that is preventing them from being able to obtain items such as equal housing, employment, and health care. This is particularly the case in the Black community. I could talk at length ad nauseam about the number of studies that show that Black LGBT individuals and families disproportionately have lower wages and higher rates of unemployment than their White LGBT counterparts that make obtaining basic necessities an everyday battle. But these are statistics that we all already know. What some in the Black community don’t seem to realize, however, is that these issues are civil rights issues.

Let’s take a moment to think about if the shoe was on the other foot. Hypothetically speaking, let’s imagine a young Black man was unable to marry his fiancé, receive quality health care, and was in constant fear of violence because he was Black and minimal legislation was on the books to protect him from discrimination. What would we say? His civil rights are being impeded upon because he is being denied things that every other member of society can have, simply because he is Black. And I am pretty sure one would have no problem finding hundreds if not thousands of people who would rally around this issue and work hard to get legislation passed to stop this infringement of civil rights. Unfortunately, this hypothetical situation plays out every day not on the basis of skin color but on the basis of one’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.

Yet while many people are rallying to change these discriminatory laws, just as many are fighting to keep them in place. As a society we are so consumed with the sexual acts that occur between two LGBT individuals that we cannot see the forest through the trees. The Black community is no exception. We either condemn or totally ignore one’s sexual orientation or gender identity if we do not agree with it, even if it is slapping us right in the face. The Bible is often used to condemn homosexuality, without any regard to the person that one is inflicting the condemnation on. At the end of the day, it does not matter if you do not agree with what LGBT individuals do in the privacy of their homes. What does matter is that a group of people are not afforded the same measures of equality that non-LGBT individuals enjoy.

It breaks my heart to hear individuals like Rev. Keith Ratliff Sr. (an NAACP board member) say that the gay community needs to “stop hijacking the civil rights movement.” No one is trying to hijack anything. It is deplorable that some members of a group that was denied equality (and in many ways is still fighting for equality) would turn their backs on their own just because they identify by a different sexual orientation or gender identity. If nothing else, Blacks should be sympathetic to the struggles for equality that Black LGBT (and non-Black LGBT) individuals are currently facing. It was not that long ago that the rights of Blacks were impeded simply because their skin color was Black and not White.

At the end of the day, civil rights are just that: civil rights. They know no color, race, gender, or religion. These boundaries are placed by people who think it is in their power to deny equality to others. But I say, who are we to deny the rights we ourselves enjoy because we do not like the way a person expresses who they are? I challenge those in the Black community who oppose LGBT equality to take a long, hard look in the mirror. I am sure you will come to the conclusion that Black LGBT equality is simply a civil rights issue—one of equality.

Phillies "It Gets Better" Video Released!!

True to their word, the Philadelphia Phillies released their "It Gets Better" video prior to their game this past Friday evening, which happened to be Gay Community Night at Citizens Bank Park (watch the video after the jump).

I can say it gives me great joy to see the Phillies do this video and have it debut on the Phanavision prior to the game.  As a life long Phillies Phan, I am proud that the Phillies are showing a commitment to their LGBT fans.  This success of the petition I started shows that everyday people like myself can do tremendous things that can have a positive impact.

Thank you Phillies for joining the It Gets Better Campaign and supporting the LGBT community!

Additionally, I am proud to report that the video as well as the story about the petition has been covered by Philadelphia Weekly and Philly.com.  Links are below to the stories.

http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2011/08/29/phillies-release-%E2%80%98it-gets-better%E2%80%99-video/

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillygossip/Phillies-record-anti-bullying-It-Gets-Better-message.html

Rethinking the NAACP Town Hall on LGBT Issues

Orignially Posted: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/08/02/rethinking-the-naacp-town-hall-on-lgbt-issues/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=story&utm_term=Washington%2BBlade&utm_campaign=Washington%2BBlade

Last week, the NAACP made history at its 102nd Annual Convention in Los Angeles by hosting the first-ever NAACP town hall on LGBT issues. The town hall comes on the heels of a partnership between the National Black Justice Coalition and the NAACP to create an LGBT taskforce in 2009. One of the goals of the taskforce’s three-part mission is to advance the awareness of LGBT issues “as they relate to the overarching programs and interest of the NAACP.” Interestingly, the NAACP as an organization has not endorsed full equal rights for LGBT people, but its current president and CEO, Benjamin Todd Jealous, has been extremely supportive of equality for the LGBT community. Thus, hosting a town hall on LGBT issues sends a powerful message that the NAACP is working toward being a more inclusive civil rights organization.

When I first heard about the town hall, I was elated. The NAACP surely was going to finally make a firm commitment to helping LGBT people of color in the quest for equality. This joy would be short lived, however, after I read about the town hall. Instead, I was left to wonder when civil rights organizations like the NAACP are going to start asserting some leadership.

Although the panel included lesbian actress/comedian Wanda Sykes, gay CNN anchor Don Lemon, and civil rights activist and NAACP Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond, there was no representation from the bisexual and transgender community. Instead of seizing an opportunity to have open and frank dialogue about the issues affecting the whole LGBT community, a critical segment of the population and their legitimate concerns were absent from the conversation.

Seeing that there is a dearth of research about the black bisexual and transgender community, their participation in the town hall was critical. A quick examination of what we do know about the transgender community reveals that they earn an estimated $10,000 less a year than the general population, according to a study by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Additionally, transgender individuals face high levels of discrimination and violence. On the other hand, most of the research about the bisexual community largely focuses on the issue of HIV/AIDS.

This quick examination sure raises red flags for me and makes me eager to know what other issues the bisexual and transgender community is facing. Knowing that people of color face a number of obstacles achieving economic security, educational attainment, and affordable health care, LGBT people of color are surely facing additional sets of barriers. So why was this population not represented? Their experiences and the issues they face are just as important as those of gay and lesbian individuals.

Yes, it is no secret that the Black community has issues with acceptance of homosexuality. Nevertheless, the town hall was not a plea for acceptance but a medium to learn about how to help the LGBT community achieve the equality it deserves. Leaving out important members of the community is not a step toward equality but a step back from equality.

With that said, I applaud the NAACP’s efforts to better understand the needs of the Black LGBT community. This is the beginning of what I am sure will be a meaningful relationship with the LGBT community. The NAACP is an organization of honor and distinction for its work on civil rights and a natural ally for the LGBT community. And while the NAACP may be late to the LGBT equality rodeo, they should not tread lightly. Inclusion of all LGBT individuals is crucial and vital to the fight for equality. Now is not the time to point fingers and dwell on the past.

“No disrespect to the gay and transgender community”? Brother, please!

Originally posted:

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/07/25/%E2%80%9Cno-disrespect-to-the-gay-and-transgender-community%E2%80%9D-brother-please/

DeSean Jackson, James Harrison, Kobe Bryant, and Joakim Noah—these names are certainly first synonymous with their sports prowess. Unfortunately, each of these names can be associated with homophobic remarks as well. Were their remarks ways of asserting their masculinity? Some people may say so, but that’s a topic for another time. Were they offensive? Misguided? Absolutely.

The sad part is that in 2011, Black professional athletes still have to use derogatory comments to get under other players’ skin or draw a reaction as if they are playing a game of the dozens to gain credibility on their street. They fail to realize that they are no longer young kids who are still wet behind the ears and don’t really understand that the words they utter carry profound meaning. This is not to say, however, that we should place professional athletes on a pedestal and think they will never make a mistake. Professional athletes are human after all and all humans make mistakes.

As clichéd as it may sound, with fame comes some form of responsibility to be a positive role model, no matter if one wants to be one or not. That is not to say that the person needs to change ultimately what makes them the unique person they are, but they need to be more aware of the impact their words and actions can have. This is particularly true in the Black community, where many youth idolize professional athletes and strive to be the next big star. It is not uncommon to see many Black youth wearing the sneakers their favorite athlete wears, partaking in products they endorse, or modeling their potential sports career after their favorite player. In this day and age, being a professional athlete means being a brand, a person who can appeal across racial and economic boundaries to sell products or be the spokesperson for an organization or charity. Thus it is crazy for an athlete to think they do not have any gay or transgender followers who would be offended by comments that were not meant to be “disrespectful” to the gay and transgender community.

More importantly, Black professional athletes like DeSean Jackson are sending mixed signals when they stand up for a bullied individual in one breath and then make derogatory and offensive comments about a community that suffers from high rates of bullying in another. Fortunately, not all Black professional athletes send mixed messages. Figures like Michael Irving and Grant Hill understand the importance of their words and the weight they carry, and have come out in support of gay and transgender rights. If nothing else, Black professional athletes need to understand that when they use “gay” or “faggot” in an unsavory manner, they will be viewed as homophobic, especially in the gay and transgender community.

These words are particularly harmful for Black gay and transgender youth who are struggling to fight homophobia within the Black community and create a self-identity. That is why Black professional athletes need to think of just how powerful a message they can send by speaking up to protect gay and transgender individuals from homophobia, discrimination, and violence by leading the way to a more inclusive society. Being bold and asserting their voice in a positive manner will be more appreciated than obligatory statements of saying their comments were “not meant to disrespect the gay and transgender community.”

"It Gets Better" Phillies Style

Late last Thursday evening, the Philadelphia Phillies became the seventh professional baseball team to announce they will produce an “It Gets Better” video.  The Phillies will join the Giants, Cubs, and Redsox (who have already made videos) and the Twins, Mariners, and Nationals (who have announced they will be making videos).

Bullying is an issue that is near and dear to my heart.  As someone who was bullied in grade school and for a good part of high school, I understand the magnitude that words can have.  If it were not for the supportive friends and family, I would not have been able to feel comfortable being who I am.  That is why I started a change.org petition to get the Phillies to join the other ball clubs.  As a lifelong Phillies fan and partial season ticket holder, there is no other organization I would have loved to see speak out against LGBT bullying than the Phillies.

Considering that LGBT youth who face bullying is increasingly likely to drop out of school, become homeless, use drugs, and even attempt suicide, I applaud efforts like “It Gets Better” that strive to make places like schools more inclusive.  The unspoken greatness of this campaign is that it allows LGBT youth who are not out or may not feel comfortable coming out know that things do get better and they should not stop being who they are.  And for those who are out and are feeling like there is nowhere to go, “It Gets Better” provides a beacon of hope.

Homophobia is very present in the sports world and when organizations take a stand against homophobia that speaks volumes.  Seeing the professional athlete you admire telling you that things get better and not to hide what makes you unique is powerful.  Through teams like the Phillies, LGBT youth are able to see that even in places where homophobia may be present, an inclusive and welcoming environment can be forged.  Having straight allies do make a difference in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and I am glad the Phillies have once again shown why they are an elite organization who truly cares about the community.

I hope that the momentum does not stop here and that other professional sports teams decide to take a stand against anti-gay bullying and homophobia.   But today, I am even more honored to wear my Phillies red because I know that this organization values and respects its LGBT fans, like myself.