READ Mo'Nique's Open Letter to the Black Community about LGBT Love and Support

I can remember the first time I was introduced to the gay community. I was 16 years old. It was a group of beautiful young Black men. They were friendly, kind and funny. They introduced me to the gay nighliife scene–The Clubhouse in Washington DC and The Garage in New York City– and can I say, I’ve never partied so hard in my life! What a moment in time. It was at The Garage that I saw Grace Jones rocking out on top of a speaker, completely naked.

For as great as these experiences were, I was heartbroken to hear over and over again as most of my gay friends had the same unnerving story about being ostracized for being who they were made to be. Some of them had families rejecting them, others were simply not accepting of themselves. That made those clubs their safe haven. I found out that I had a lot in common with them, despite my own gender and sexual orientation, I was a plus-sized Black woman who knew what it was to be ostracized and rejected by both my own family and society because of my size.

When my husband, Sidney and I received the script for Blackbird from Isaiah Washington through our attorney Ricky Anderson, we knew we wanted to be a part of this necessary and amazing film. Blackbird is our love letter not only to the gay community, but to the church community as well. We all want to be loved.

Our hope is with this movie people can start living the life that they were given and not the one someone thinks they should live.

As a little girl, I had an uncle named Donald. My family treated him different and I didn’t understand why until I got older and understood that he was gay. Uncle Donald never really seemed to be too happy, and the only time I really saw him laughing was when he was drunk. “What a way to live,” I would always think to myself. Not being accepted for simply being how you were made to be. With this campaign #ThisIsLuv, maybe we can truly understand the meaning of the word ‘love.’ We believe the moment we practice the meaning of love, people can stop ‘coming out’ and simply just be who they are. Imagine having to make an announcement that you’re heterosexual. Imagine one day that to be considered normal, you must stop being heterosexual based on someone’s belief and go against everything you feel inside of you–just to survive, to be accepted!. Sounds silly, right? It is.bird

Blackbird is a movie that allows you to come inside and see the journey that one family has to take on the road to acceptance. Julian Walker, who plays Randy, is fearless and brave to tell this story through his eyes and own personal journey. For the parents who may be struggling to accept their baby for who they were made to be, this film is for you. For the parents who are full of acceptance, this film is for you. For every LGBT person who has ever faced resistance for living their truth, this film is for you. With this film and this campaign, we are truly trying to make a difference. We hope not just the Black community, but all communities will come to a place of acceptance so people can really live their truth.”

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Black Christian Group working for LGBTQ rights from within Black Churches

This is great news!

An new initiative is geared to strengthen ties between the Black and Gay communities. It's called Many Voices and it could be a game changer.

Here's more:

Many Voices is committed to creating a national movement for gay and transgender justice from within the Black church.

Working in partnership with nationally-recognized pastors, theologians, and Christian educators, Many Voices is laying a foundation for respectful and loving dialogue. Through trainings, mentoring, and online resources that provide a safe place to ask questions, learn, and take new steps, we equip African American pastors and church members to publicly share the faith journeys that have led them to affirm love and justice for gay and transgender (LGBT) families.

Here's their promo video


Go here, for more info

CNN's Don Lemon Responds to Critics, 'Attack The Problem Not The Messenger'

After Don Lemon expressed his opinions about the Black Community, he was not welcomed with the warmest reception. So he's responding to the critics of his views

I see his point, I don't completely agree on the style of his message... But I get it.

5 Things the Black Community should always Think About

Okay, Don Lemon stepped it. He said some things that many people weren't happy with. And while folks were highly upset and jumping on Twitter with silly hashtags, it really didn't change a thing. Don Lemon still stands firm with his beliefs.

But let's move on from him and get into the facts... We have issues in the Black community. Regardless of what we think or feel, there are still issues we need address. So, I thought I would create my list of 5 things we should be thinking about as a community (I also added facts/links to these issues):

Black Women and Obesity
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 60 percent of Black women are obese, the highest of all other groups of women. This matter is lowering life expectancy of Black Women and increasing their chances of developing a myriad of health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

Incarceration
The Incarceration rate for Black people now six times the national average. In fact, it's so high that Black men with no high school diploma are more likely to go to jail than to find a job.

HIV
The latest CDC estimates show that Black people account for almost half of all new infections in the country each year (44 percent), as well as, almost half of all people living with HIV (44 percent). And Black men account for 70 percent of new HIV infections. Black Women account for 30 percent.

Living
Black people still die almost four years earlier than White people. According the the study, a lot has to do with health and a lack of education.

Gay Youth
According to a survey conducted by the National Strategy for Black Gay Youth in America, 43% of Black gay teens have contemplated or attempted suicide due to issues related to their sexuality.

While there are other matters to discuss, I thought these issues would be a great place to start.

Dallas Councilwoman Vonciel Hill complains about HIV/AIDS ad featuring Black Men

More mess in Texas.

A new ad/billboard campaign for AIDS/HIV awareness in Dallas is geared to the Black community in the area. Numbers are growing fast in the area and the Dallas County Health Director Zachary Thompson wants to spread the word before it gets worse.

However, some folks have problems with some of billboards showcasing Black gay men. Councilwoman Vonciel Hill isn't happy about this at all. She thinks the ad will promote homosexuality and tell others that gay is okay. She believes that the ads say:

"African American men who engage in homosexual conduct [are] presented as acceptable".

Vonciel is known for her anti-gay views and backwards thinking. She doesn't see the educational pieces within the ad campaign. She sees gay sex and silly Bible blab that keeps gay men in closet and beset by fear.

Vonciel's views are a part of the reasons why the HIV rate continues to rise among the Black community in the Dallas area. Hopefully, these ads will save lives.

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'The New Black' Documentary discusses Gay Rights and the Black Community

Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Yoruba Richen gives us a real look at Gay marriage, gay rights and the Black community in "The New Black".

It's real talk, folks and I hope this gives some insight to the issues we face as a community, especially for those of us who are Black and gay.