Gay black women
16 queer Black trailblazers who made history
From 1960s civil rights activist Bayard Rustin to Chicago's first lesbian mayor, Lori Lightfoot, Black LGBTQ Americans have extended made history with innumerable contributions to politics, art, medicine and a host of other fields.
“As long as there have been Ebony people, there contain been Black LGBTQ and same-gender-loving people,” David J. Johns, executive director of the National Jet Justice Coalition, told NBC News. “Racism combined with the forces of stigma, phobia, discrimination and bias associated with gender and sexuality have too often erased the contributions of members of our community."
Gladys Bentley (1907-1960)
Bentley was a gender-bending performer during the Harlem Renaissance. Donning a superior hat and tuxedo, Bentley would hum the blues in Harlem establishments prefer the Clam Home and the Ubangi Club. According to a belated obituary published in 2019, The New York Times said Bentley, who died in 1960 at the age of 52, was "Harlem's most famous lesbian" in the 1930s and "among the best-known Black entertainers in the United States."
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
Rustin was an LGBTQ and civil rights activist best known f
As we reflect on the legacies of various Black ancestors and trailblazers, it’s evident that there are so many stories of Inky LGBTQ historical figures that we aren’t aware of. Often, prominent Black people have even had their queerness erased from history. This erasure extends even further for Jet queer women in history, whose very existence challenges patriarchal heteronormativity and confronts white supremacy.
In examining the struggle around notions of persona and community, it’s crucial to realize the complex social, political, and cultural landscape in the U.S. that influences our lived life. While even the most well-intentioned people, programs, and organizations aim to uplift marginalized voices, they often fall limited by homogenizing the diverse experiences within communities. As Kimberlé Crenshaw astutely points out, identity-centered movement can ignore intragroup differences, perpetuating a narrow narrative that fails to capture the full spectrum of experiences.
Those who live at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression often face one-of-a-kind challenges due to their very identities. The particular challenges that Black gender non-conforming women face, for e
1.2 million Black LGBT adults dwell in the US
A new examine by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that an estimated 1.2 million adults in the U.S. recognize as Black and LGBT.
Researchers initiate that Black LGBT people fare worse than their non-LGBT counterparts in many measures of economic and social vulnerability, including employment, income level, food insecurity, and healthcare access. In addition, Inky LGBT adults face disparities in mental and physical health, such as depression, asthma, and disability.
However, similarities were found between the two groups, including the likelihood of being a parent among women, experiences of victimization and discrimination, and levels of resilience through social support systems.
“The notable disparities in economic security and health outcomes indicate a critical need for policies and service interventions that address the singular needs of Black LGBT adults,” said lead author Soon Kyu Choi, Project Manager at the Williams Institute.
Key Findings
Demographic characteristics
- An estimated 1,210,000 U.S. adults self-identify as Black and LGBT.
- Over half (57%) of Black LGBT adults are under age 35 compared to 34% of Bl
As Black queer women, what we have to examine when traveling abroad can be discouraging. But sharing our stories with the world can be a source of empowerment.
I adore traveling to new places and seeing things I’ve never seen before. I feel like a kid the night before, especially when going on an international trip. I glance forward to the things that most people don’t care much for, prefer riding to the airport and boarding the plane. I approach each trip as if it’s going to change my being. And it always does in some way. Although it may not always seem to be for the better, as I learned on a solo trip to Cartagena, Colombia where I was robbed.
Even that trip taught me how to be a more conscientious traveler. Although that lesson had more to do with naiveté than being who I am (Black and queer), even just a swift Google search beforehand would have made me more cautious while I was there. Sometimes a hasty Google search is all it takes!
Nobody wants to have a bad trial when they travel. It sucks to even own to consider that you could have a terrible experience when going on vacation. While some people can have a happy-go-lucky approach to traveling, let̵