Keith Boykin

A Publication of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum Vol. No. 1 Winter 95/96 aaaaaaa aaaaaaa the BLACK FORUM Letter from the E. Lynn Harris to Release New Book at Executive Director Dallas Conference The train is on track, it's left the station, and it's on the way Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris will give the first major address enlightening topics that affect the community. This to your community. After eight years in Los Angeles, the reading from his new book, And This Too Shall Pass, at the year's conference theme "Black, Lesbians and Gays: Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum has become National Black Lesbian and Gay Conference February 15- Continuing the Struggle" celebrates the lives, legacies and national. 19, 1996 in Dallas, Texas. ongoing work of African American, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, The ride so far has been so incredible that we decid- The reading is one of several exciting events sched- and Transgender communities across our nation. ed to start a newsletter to keep our members and sup- uled to take place at the Forum's 9th Annual Conference. Previous conference speakers have included the Rev. porters informed. In the three months since I became Also at the conference, Drs. Sylvia Rhue and Dee Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Executive Director, we Mosbacher will screen the new film, "All God's Children," Tom Bradley, Angela Davis, bell hooks, Bishop Carl Bean, have already started to a documentary response to the radical right's homophobic Essence Magazine Executive Editor Linda Villarosa, make a difference. We efforts to exploit black churches. Cambridge Mayor Ken Reeves, Dr. Majorie Hill, and met with members of Other invited guests include Harvard Professor Cornel writer/activists Audre Lorde, Essex Hemphill and Barbara the Congressional Black West, National AIDS Policy Coordinator Patsy Fleming, and Smith. Previous conference entertainers have included Caucus in September, U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson from Dallas. Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Whoopi Goldberg, Peabo organized a historic Each year, the conference brings together more than Bryson, and Me'shell NdegéOcello. openly gay contingent 1,000 delegates from across the country in the nation's in the Million Man largest gathering of African American lesbians and gays to continued on page 2 March in October, and hosted successful events in Detroit and Houston in November. We are on our way Black Gays and Lesbians Revel in the to building a stronger organization that will Spirit of the Million Man March (1) challenge racism, sexism, and homopho- For hundreds of black gay men and lesbians, October 16, accepts us, they respect us more," remarked Forum bia, (2) create a perma- Keith Boykin 1995 was no ordinary day, for on that day they joined more Executive Director Keith Boykin. nent presence in the black community and black organi- than a million black men from across the nation in the The openly gay contingent in the March marked the zations, (3) build a national voice for black lesbians and gay "Million Man March." Marching proudly in culmination of a men, and (4) build a resource network for black lesbian, an historic openly gay contingent, they weekend-long gay, bisexual, and transgendered organizations throughout chanted, "We're black! We're Gay! We series of events the country. Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way!" and planned and If we haven't arrived in your community, we will be earned the respect and recognition of thou- sponsored by the soon. We need contributions to the Forum, volunteers for sands who saw them. Forum, including our Dallas conference, and suggestions on how we can The group of 200 gay men and some NATIONAL BLACK two pre-march better serve your community. Please take moment to lesbians gathered early in the morning at social functions, read through this and learn more about the Mt. Vernon Place in Washington, and were future. led in prayer by the Rev. Rainey Cheeks. GAY & LESBIAN Singleton an educational conference, a Happy holiday and welc aboard! Noted civil rights author and law LEADE SHIP FORUM Sunday spiritual professor Derrick Bell addressed the gay service, a press contingent, as did the Honorable Ken conference at the Reeves, the openly gay mayor of National Press Cambridge, Massachusetts. Club, and a Despite a controversial climate leading NGBLLF at the Million Man March reception for Keith O. Boykin up to the Million Man March and a flurry of homophobic HIV-positive men hosted by "Us Helping Us." remarks by some March organizers, black gays and lesbians Although the march organizers did not heed the calls instead encountered encouraging supporters and peaceful from black gay and lesbian activists to include an openly crowds along the march route. "The lesson in this experi- gay man or a person living with AIDS to speak at the ence is that when we have the courage to come out and be open about who we are, the black community not only continued on page 2 Forum Meets with BGLLF Expands Congressional Black Caucus AIDS Prevention Team Members of the Forum met with leaders tect affirmative action. Many of you are aware of the Forum by in the U.S. We are proud to present of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Forum representatives also attended way of the annual conference or by word "Women Love 2," our new women's pro- on September 21 and 22 during two "braintrusts" and workshops as part of of mouth. But how many of you are aware gram headed by Lenore Rivers. intensive days of volunteer the CBC's Annual of the AIDS Prevention Team, a project of Lenore, lobbying in the offices of Legislative Weekend in the National Black Gay & Lesbian an African the Caucus members. Washington. Leadership Forum? American Every member of the CBC The Forum hosted sev- The AIDS Prevention Team (APT) was lesbian, received a visit by the eral receptions in founded in 1991 in response to the grow- recently Forum during the two-day Washington that weekend, ing rate of HIV transmission in African joined APT period. Some visits were to including a dazzling affair American gay and bisexual males. Through from the make new acquaintances at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to education, awareness and outreach efforts, Alcoholism and others were to shore honor select CBC mem- APT is spreading the word on how to pre- Center for up old relationships bers for their support. Rep. vent HIV transmission and how infected W o m e n between the Forum and Edolphus Towns from persons may live longer and healthier lives. here in Los black members of Brooklyn and Rep. Maxine We currently offer a wide range of ser- Angeles. Congress. Waters from Los Angeles vices: treatment advocacy, one-on-one men- Lenore is a Following a lobby received awards from the tal health counseling, HIV support groups, prevention Lenore Rivers training and strategy ses- Forum for their support of peer-to-peer counseling, safer sex work- specialist in sion each morning, Forum the black lesbian and gay shops, and most recently acupuncture and volunteers headed out to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) substance abuse and is proudly celebrating community. massage therapy. her sixth year of sobriety. "Women Love 2" the halls of Congress to discuss issues As our organization is expanding, we will include a series of safer sex parties and including continued support of the Ryan have not forgotten our sisters, as African White Care Act, maintaining funding pri- American women comprise 54 percent of orities for Medicaid, and the need to pro- reported AIDS cases among adult women continued on page 2