Black Gay & Here To Stay - LGBT March in the Los Angeles MLK Day Parade

I'm Marching in the MLK Day Parade

Today, I'm marching in the King Day Parade representing the LGBT people of color community in Los Angeles. This is my 4th year doing this and I hope we have more joining us in the march.

I'm always excited about this march because we are showing many in the African American community that we are out, proud and truly happy.

This day always gives me a sense of hope.

WATCH LGBT People of Color March in the MLK Day Parade 2011

This was a great day! We had over 100 marchers today, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream.


Here's the Why We March video

Happy Martin Luther King Day

Black LGBT Organizations March in the Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King

Tomorrow, I will be marching in the annual MLK Day March for LGBT of Color. I'm excited and I hope to see a huge group marching with us.

Here is the official press release:

BLACK LGBT ORGANIZATIONS UNITE IN COALITION TO MARCH IN REMEMBERENCE OF KING FOR 3^rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR

 

On the heels of the historic repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", the Barbara Jordan/ Bayard Rustin Coalition, The Here to Stay Coalition, Black Lesbians United, In the Meantime Men's Group, At the Beach Los Angeles Black Pride, and over 50 same gender-loving/LGBT activists will march down Crenshaw and King Blvd. on Monday, January 17, 2011 for the third consecutive year to promote acceptance, visibility, dialogue and community-building as a strategy to fight homophobia and promote more awareness of Black LGBT issues within the Black community.

 

"We as Black LGBTQI's are Here to Stay and we are walking together in theMLK parade in our community because we are a living, loving, andvibrant part of both the Black and LGBTQI communities.  We are here tocelebrate the beauty of both again for the 3rd year," said Here to Stay Organizer Yardenna Aaron.

 

On Saturday, January 15^th, 2011 Here to Stay Coalition and Jordan/Rustin Coalition are hosting a sign making party and check in at Jewels Catch One at 11:30 am.  "The sign making party is a time where our organizations can come together and show unity before the parade. All participants in the LGBT contingency of the parade have been asked to where white as a symbol of unity," said JRC Field Organizer Andre J. Molette.

 

"This is a historic time for our country and the Black LGBT community has to ensure that our issues are not being forgotten amidst the statewide and national climate, said Rodney Nickens Jr. JRC Field Organizer. "Some will question what purpose the MLK March serves for the Black LGBT community in Los Angeles, but I think now more than ever, it is important that we come together in solidarity and present a united front to ourselves and to the world. It is only going to be through coming together during difficult times that we can begin to have difficult conversations."

 

All of this occurring as a record number of pro-LGBT political candidates swept statewide offices and a number of Black LGBT candidates took office nationwide in last year's midterm elections. Democrat Marcus Brandon, an openly gay African-American political consultant from North Carolina made history Tuesday, after being elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives becoming the 2^nd openly gay person elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. Brandon will be the only openly LGBT state legislator in North Carolina, and one of just five openly LGBT African-Americans serving in state legislatures across the country (including Maryland House of Delegates candidate Mary Washington. 

 

Openly lesbian N.C. State Sen. Julia Boseman is stepping down at the end of this term. "Although JRC is a non-partisan organization we are very excited to see so much progress being made across our great nation.  It is truly inspiring to watch our movement strengthen as Americans realize the inherent harm in discriminating against the LGBT community.  As more LGBT legislators of color rise to power it is very likely that the Black LGBT community will become more empowered to live healthier and happier lives as openly LGBT individuals and families, said JRC Field Organizer Rodney Nickens Jr. 

 

 WHO: BLACK LGBT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

WHAT: BLACK LGBT ORGANIZATIONS UNITE IN COALITION TO MARCH IN REMEMBRANCE 

OF KING FOR 3^rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR

WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011 AT 11 a.m.

Marchers will gather at Lucy Florence Coffee (on 43^rd and Degnan Ave. beginning at 8:30 a.m.)

MLK Kingdom Day Parade: LGBT style

For the 2nd year in a row, I marched in the MLK Kingdom Day Parade, representing LGBT people of color.

It's always a pleasure to represent 2 important pieces of me: my gayness and my culture. Seeing the faces and feeling the support was truly intoxicating... Especially, in the pouring rain.

Here are some pics of the event.

Such a great day!

Happy MLK day!

We will Be Marching

TAKE A STRIDE FOR JUSTICE

LET’S MARCH

AT THE LOS ANGELES

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. KINGDOM DAY PARADE

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2010

LUCY FLORENCE COFFEE SHOP

9:00AM SHARP!

3351 West 43rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90008-4521, (323) 293-1356

JOIN THE BLACK, SAME GENDER-LOVING

&

Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered, Intersex,

and Queer Communities of Los Angeles

Black Lesbians United (BLU),

Here To Stay, Jordan/Rustin Coalitions,

& Courage Campaign

Calling all newly married couples, singles, families, community leaders, youth, artists, educators, students, people of faith and the larger Black LGBTQI same gender loving community, and its allies, to join us in taking another STRIDE FOR JUSTICE !

**Volunteers and donations needed for food, water, supplies!!

For More Information or Carpool:

Call: 562-331-4038 OR 562-242-8601

Email: MLKDAY2010@jordanrustin.org

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/strideforjustice

***breakfast will be provided***

Making History in the MLK Day Parade

I was very fortunate to be apart of the annual MLK Day Parade here in South Central. To see the faces of this great community was something I will never forget. It was like being at a huge family gathering. Friendly smiles, kids and diversity covered the streets yesterday.

But my real reason for being there was to participate in the first Black and Gay march. The organizations: Here To Stay Coalition, National Black Justice Coalition and The Jordan/Rustin Coalition got together and decided it was time to put a face to the LGBT community of color. In lieu of Prop 8, the finger pointing and blaming, these groups made decision that would make history.

They knew it would be risky, but it had to happen. I walked several blocks before I saw the group march down the street. Immediately, I walked up and joined them. I have to say that I was very nervous. I've marched in NYC Gay Pride Parade, but this was totally different. Knowing how some blacks feel about the LGBT community, I was worried that something could go wrong. But I was worried for nothing. I experienced nothing but love from the Black community. Yeah, there were some haters, but they were quickly drowned out by the folks in the crowd...I was moved.

My spirit in my people was renewed. I can't explain it, but I felt so liberated. We were not only marching in an important event, but we were telling people that we are Black and Gay and we are here to stay. We put a face to the mystery and hopefully inspired others to either accept the LGBT community or come out themselves.

We made history yesterday. That's weird to say, but it's true. I thank the organizers who put a lot on the line to inform people that we're real. They really had the LGBT community of color's best interest at heart. My only complaint was the lack of gay men. There was just 5 of us, but hopefully there will be more opportunities to express our pride.