Communities of African Descent (COAD) News Buzz
February 11, 2010
Here’s a look at some COAD-related stories in the media:
Playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s House Nominated for Chicago Landmark
The Chicago Tribune reported that the home of Black Renaissance writer Lorraine Hansberry has been nominated for landmark status in Woodlawn, Ill. Three years ago, a teacher, parents and students from Amelia Earhart Elementary School on Chicago’s South Side decided to nominate the house through city council after the students studied the Hansberry family’s turbulent case involving racial segregation for their history projects. The house will join the ranks of the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library, Richard Wright House and Gwendolyn Brooks House, which are now historically significant properties that are part of the city’s Black Renaissance Literary Movement of the 1930s through 1950s. They reported:
“The teacher, Stacy Stewart, says the students were struck by the family’s courage and how their challenge of discriminatory housing practices paved the way for integrated neighborhoods. She said they believed the home’s history needs to be remembered and studied by others.
‘The house is a symbol that anything is possible in America,’ said student Ishmael Smith, who is now a junior at Mount Carmel High School on the South Side.
The house’s current owner could not be reached for comment. The owner did not sign a consent form for landmark status and did not attend a hearing on the issue, but owner consent is not required for landmark designation. Before the Hansberry court ruling, African-Americans in the city were restricted to living in what was known as the ‘Black Belt,’ congested, impoverished neighborhoods on the South Side, said Tim Black, a historian and former professor at the City Colleges of Chicago, who knew the Hansberry family.”
LGBT People of Color Need More Than Health Insurance
In light of the health care debate that will ultimately affect all Americans, new research from the Center for American Progress 
shows that LGBT people of color have needs and challenges that are different from the rest of the population. The Root reports that risks involving diabetes and not receiving mammograms are just a few of the issues that must be uniquely addressed, particularly for African-American lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The article suggests possible solutions, including adding questions to health data to include sexual orientation and gender identity which could possibly provide researchers with information to better identify the health care needs of LGBT people of color.
Research also shows that the elderly are also significantly affected. Lack of health insurance, comprehensive health care and the potential threat of harassment and discrimination from health care providers and nursing homes are just a few of the challenges this demographic faces. And, because data collection is sparse, it is difficult to understand why and how cultural competency is vital in serving the health care needs of this underrepesented segment of the population.
Reporter Jeff Krehely writes:
“For example, lesbian and bisexual black women are the least likely to have had a mammogram in the past two years. Only 35 percent of these women have had mammograms recently, compared to nearly 70 percent of heterosexual African-American, Asian or Pacific Islander, or white women. One out of every five lesbian/gay/bisexual African-American adults has diabetes. Straight African-American and straight, lesbian, gay or bisexual Asian or Pacific Islander, Latino, and white adults are much less likely to have diabetes—fewer than 8 percent of these populations have been diagnosed with the disease.
Mental health needs are also a concern. For example, lesbian/gay/bisexual Asian or Pacific Islander adults are more likely than other groups to report experiencing psychological distress. Lesbian/gay/bisexual Latinos are similarly much more likely than all other racial or ethnic groups—gay or straight—to report problems with alcohol abuse and addiction.”
He offers these possible solutions:
“A clear first step to improve health treatment for LGBT racial and ethnic minorities is building the medical community’s knowledge of their unique needs. Unfortunately, no national government health survey regularly asks about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The federal government already collects health data based on race and ethnicity, and adding questions on sexual orientation and gender identity would provide researchers with this much-needed information to better identify the health care needs of LGBT people of color. In turn, advocates could then fight for programs and funding that better and more competently serve this population. Medical schools and other institutions could also incorporate this information into their curricula and training programs to prepare future practitioners to treat and care for these patients.”
Read the piece in its entirety here.
AOL Black Voices Spotlights Gay Couple in Online Feature
Damien Ramsey and Seanmichael Rodgers are the epitome of a unique black love story that has gone largely untold. AOL Black Voices interviewed the couple in “Damien and Seanmichael: An Untold Love Story.” The couple has been in a committed relationship for three years and and are engaged to be married this spring in New York City. Ramsey, a singer/songwriter, and Rodgers, a producer/vocal coach, said the secret to their love is simple.
Darian Aaron writes:
“‘It’s like falling in love again every week,’ says Damien, ’sometimes for the same reasons and sometimes for new ones. We take these days seriously because it allows us the time to stay fresh and revisit one another and the reasons why we love each other the way that we do,’ he added.
Those reasons were made perfectly clear during Seanmichael’s traditional ‘down-on-one-knee’ proposal along with an ageless silver ring with diamonds inscribed with roman numerals from Tiffanys.
‘I am in love with you for many reasons. For the rhythms that only our two hearts can beat, for the strengths you show in my weaknesses, for the passion that burns every time you kiss me, and for the joy you give me everyday. I want to give you the depth and the shallow of me with all transparency. I want to love you through this eternity into the next.’
It’s been said that black men loving each other is a revolutionary act, given the pervasive homophobia that exists in American culture and the black community . The fear of losing the support of family and friends, a vital element to the success of black unions can become a major hindrance for a black same gender loving couple. But even with support of family and friends, it is still no guarantee of a successful relationship when both partners are of the same sex.”
Watch their video: “Coupled Up”
Related Posts:
Celebrating Pride in New York and Across the Country
June 30, 2009
Hundreds of thousands crowded New York City’s streets Sunday for the city’s annual LGBT Pride festivities. Sunday’s march marked an especially significant occasion for LGBT people and their allies as it commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the event that most view as sparking the modern LGBT rights movement.
San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and other cities across the globe celebrated on Sunday as well – marking 40 years to the day since the famed uprising took place.
New York’s march, which ends its two mile course near the historic Stonewall Inn, drew prominent figures from the LGBT movement, both past and present. Dustin Lance Black, who recently won an Oscar for his screenplay Milk, was one of four grand marshals at the parade. Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg, both of whom worked closely with the iconic LGBT rights leader, Harvey Milk, also grand marshaled the event. Additionally, hundreds of organizations, companies, and political groups marched in support of the local and national LGBT community.
New Yorkers appeared hopeful that soon they would join the ranks of such states as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Delaware and New Hampshire and become the seventh state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples. A bill that would extend marriage protections to same-sex couples is currently pending a vote in the NY senate.
Gov. David Paterson (D-NY), a strong proponent of the bill, was an honorary grand marshal in yesterday’s parade. Gov. Paterson told The Associated Press yesterday that “if we have an end to the stalemate in Albany, [he] would think that [the bill] would be passed shortly after.”
But some were in more somber spirits, reflecting on what they see as President Obama’s lack of commitment to the LGBT community. The New York Times, for instance, published an editorial on Sunday, in which columnist Frank Rich noted that “Obama’s inaction on gay civil rights is striking.”
Rich goes on challenge President Obama to action, saying:
Gay Americans aren’t just another political special interest group. They are Americans who are actively discriminated against by federal laws. If the president is to properly honor the memory of Stonewall, he should get up to speed on what happened 40 years ago, when courageous kids who had nothing, not even a public acknowledgment of their existence, stood up to make history happen in the least likely of places.
Blogger ‘ARDem’, however, said to readers on DailyKos and Pam’s House Blend that LGBT people should celebrate their progress, rather than ruminate over their losses:
the fact that a popular President is being held to task for his lack of action on behalf of [the LGBT] community is something that should be reassuring… instead we could be facing the same things those that went before us did – organized state oppression, a world where hatred of LGBT Americans isn’t simply a disgusting fact of life but something to be expected and uplifted. . .
‘ARDem’ bids his readers to “channel the courage of Stonewall” in their struggle toward equality.
Yesterday, President Obama honored the 40th anniversary of Stonewall alongside 250 plus LGBT leaders in the East Room of the White House.
Shin Inouye, a White House spokesman, said of the event:
[It] is a chance for the White House to recognize the accomplishments of LGBT Americans. Invited guests include families, volunteers and activists, and community leaders. This event was long planned as a way to applaud these individuals during Pride month.
GLAAD’s incoming President, Jarrett Barrios, attended the White House event with his 17-year-old son, Javier. Barrios said the event “was a symbol of the fact that the administration recognizes our community at a time when there has been growing frustration about his administration’s seeming reticence to follow through on campaign promises.”
GLAAD will continue to report on the media’s coverage of Stonewall’s 40th Anniversary. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org as they become available.
Related Posts:Homofrecuencia: Latin@ Youth Frequency
March 25, 2009
The faces of Homofrecuencia./Las caras de Homofrecuencia.
Every Monday Homofrecuencia hits the airwaves on 90.5FM Radio Arte Chicago. Homofrecuencia is the only Spanish language radio show in the United States for and by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community produced by youth.
It is produced by students, graduates and volunteers of the Radio Arte Journalism and Media Training Program.
“We’re ahead of other programs because we talk about things that are still controversial in our community…We have people who have been straight allies who have been the most amazing team members. They learn a lot about our community,” says Managing Producer Emmanuel Garcia.
Todos los lunes Homofrecuencia se puede escuchar por 90.5FM Radio Arte Chicago. Homofrecuencia es el único programa radial en español en los Estados Unidos hecho por y para la comunidad lesbiana, gay, bisexual, transgénero y “queer” producido por jovenes. Es producido por estudiantes, graduados y voluntarios del programa de periodismo y capacitación en los medios de Radio Arte.
“Estamos al frente de otros programas por que hablamos de cosas que aun son controversiales en nuestra comunidad…Tenemos a personas heterosexuales que han formado parte del equipo y han sido compañeros formidables. Aprenden mucho de nuestra comunidad”, dice el gerente de producción Emmanuel Garcia.
Reaching the community./Llegando a la comunidad.
Homofrecuencia consists of news, music, commentary, documentaries and discussions within the human rights context of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community. “A lot of people tend to run into us that aren’t part of our community.
We’re not just preaching to the choir…We’re talking about marriage. A lot of Latinos don’t know what that means. With all that happened in California and Florida and Latinos voting a certain way, it’s really important to educate the public about why we’re protesting,” Garcia says.
Working it out on the board./Trabajando duro.
Homofrecuencia consiste de noticias, música, comentarios, documentales y discusiones dentro del contexto de los derechos humanos para la comunidad lesbiana, gay, bisexual, transgénero y “queer”. “Mucha gente que no forma parte de nuestra comunidad sintoniza por accidente.
No estamos solamente predicando a los convertidos…Estamos hablando sobre el matrimonio. Muchos latinos no saben que significa esto. Con todo lo que pasó en California y Florida y como votaron los latinos, es importante educar al público el por que estamos protestando”, dice Garcia.
Nestor Rivera, Ireri Unzueta Carrasco, Tayben Ramirez, Eduardo Culbeaux y Deyanira Ávila Zapata
For more information about Homofrecuencia and to listen live on Mondays from 7-9pm CST/8-10pm EST visit: www.wrte.org/homofrecuencia
Para más información sobre Homofrecuencia y para escuchar el programa en vivo los lunes de 7-9pm CST/8-10pm EST visita: www.wrte.org/homofrecuencia.
Chicago’s Queer Prom 2009: Amor sin fronteras/Love Without Borders
March 6, 2009
Dancing it up at Queer Prom 2008.
“Amor sin fronteras” or “Love Without Borders” is this year’s theme for the only prom for and by LGBT youth in the Chicago area. Queer Prom 2009 will take place on May 29th at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
“We want to provide a feeling of community, an event that identifies the Latin@ community, the gay community and Pilsen as a neighborhood…I think a lot times a young gay person, especially in schools in La Villita [a predominantly Mexican neighborhood] feel isolated from the gay community. The only thing they know is Boystown [a predominantly gay white male neighborhood in Chicago], clubs and the commercial aspects of being gay. We mean to connect them to another aspect of the community, ” said Tania Unzueta, Coordinator of Queer Prom 2009.
“Amor sin fronteras” es el título del Queer Prom 2009 que es el único evento de este tipo para la juventud en el area de Chicago. El evento se llevará acabo el 29 de mayo en el Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano.
“Queremos proveer un sentido de comunidad, un evento que identifica a la comunidad latina, la comunidad gay y Pilsen como barrio…Creo que muchas veces los jóvenes gays, especialmente en La Villita [barrio predominantemente mexicano] se sienten aislados de la comunidad gay. Lo único que conocen es Boystown [barrio predominantemente de hombres gays anglosajones], centros nocturnos y el aspecto comercial de ser gay. Nosotros buscamos conectarlos a otras partes de la comunidad”, comentó la coordinadora del evento Tania Unzueta.
The first Queer Prom
The first Queer Prom took place in 2004 with the theme, “Noche de arcoiris” or “Rainbow Night” as an event sponsored by Homofrecuencia, the only Spanish language radio show by and for LGBT youth in the United States and recipient of a Special Recognition at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The coordinators were not sure what was going to happen.
El primer Queer Prom se llevó acabo en el 2004 con el título de “Noche de Arcoiris”. El evento fue patrocinado por Homofrecuencia, el único programa radial en español ejecutado por y para los jóvenes LGBT en EU y recipiente de un reconocimiento especial en la 19ª entrega de los Premios GLAAD. Los coordinadores en ese entonces no sabían que iba pasar.
All dressed up.
“The community in general has asked us, ‘Why have an event that segregates gay youth?’ Our response to that is that when all youth are able to go to school feeling safe then there won’t be a need for such events,” said Unzueta. T
he coordinator of Queer Prom 2009 states that some of the challenges they’ve received to the event parallel those that have also challenged the proposed Social Justice High School – Pride Campus.
The high school aims to have a curriculum and environment that is inclusive of LGBT students. Currently, Chicago Public Schools has delayed a Board of Education vote on the campus that would be a first in the area and only second in the country to the Harvey Milk High School in New York City.
“La comunidad en general nos ha preguntado, ‘Por qué tener un evento donde se estan aislando?’. Nuestro argumento es que cuando todos los jóevens tengan el derecho de ir a la escuela y sentirse seguros no habrá necesidad de estos eventos”, comentó Unzueta.
La coordinadora del Queer Prom 2009 comenta que algunos de los comentarios en contra de el evento son parecidos a aquellos comentarios que retan al Social Justice High School – Pride Campus. Esta escuela aspira tener un plan de estudio que incluye la historia de la comunidad gay y también de crear un espacio donde los jóvenes LGBT se sientan seguros.
El departamento de educación de Chicago ha demorado el voto para implementar esta escuela que sería la primera de su tipo en esta area y la segunda en el país. La primera fue la Harvey Milk High School en Nueva York.
Smiling faces.
Queer Prom is more than just a party. The coordinators and attendees feel that they are uniting to celebrate their common experiences, “How beautiful to gay! How beautiful to be Latin@!,” Unzueta finalizes. For more information about Queer Prom 2009 visit www.wrte.org/homofrecuencia or call 312-455-9455 x203.
Queer Prom es más que una fiesta. Los coordinadores y participantes sienten que se estan reuniendo para apreciar sus experiencias comunes, “Que bonito es ser gay! Que bonito es ser latino!”, finalizó Unzueta. Para más información sobre el Queer Prom 2009 visita www.wrte.org/homofrecuencia o llama 312-455-9455 x203.
Sharon Gless is Hannah Free
November 6, 2008
Longtime gay rights advocate Sharon Gless (Queer As Folk, Nip/Tuck) is set to star in a new independent feature entitled Hannah Free. The film centers on two women who find love with one another, against all odds.
Sharon Gless
Hannah (played by three actresses of different generations, with Gless as the present-day version) and Rachel (also played by three actresses, with Maureen Gallagher as the eldest) are good Midwestern girls who grow up in the same conservative town. While Hannah develops into an adventurous and openly gay young woman, Rachel remains quiet and becomes a homemaker. Through a world war, family denial and marriage, the two share a love that overcomes the impossible.
The screenplay is based on Chicago playwright Claudia Allen’s popular stage play of the same name. Gless worked with Allen on her play, Cahoots, and, according to press materials, is “delighted” to be working with Allen again.
The film is directed by Wendy Jo Carlton and produced by Ripe Fruit Films, a Chicago-based production company, for distribution in 2009.
However, films don’t come cheap! If you want to support lesbian independent film, PLEASE click here to see how you can do your part to make sure this movie makes it to screen.
And do you live in the Chicago area? Meet Sharon Gless in person (WOW!) by attending a Hannah Free fundraiser this Sunday, November 9. Hey — you’ll receive a “thank you” credit in the film if you attend. For more details, click here.
John Amaechi Drops In on Shirts & Skins
September 30, 2008
In episode one of Logo’s new reality show Shirts & Skins , we were introduced to the Rockdogs, an all-star gay basketball team with aspirations of winning the National Gay Basketball Championship in Chicago.
Last week, openly gay former NBA player John Amaechi stopped by to offer some guidance both on and off the court. Amaechi watched the team play, suggested a few technical tips and then visited the guys at their house.
“I don’t think you guys realize how powerful and influential you can be,” Amaechi told the Rockdogs, explaining their potential to serve as role models to young gay athletes. While he gave the players insight into thinking of themselves as role models, he also encouraged the athletes to stay true to themselves.
I love the fact Amaechi reinforced the idea these athletes don’t have to live by any stereotype. He told them to be authentic – themselves – whoever that may be.
John Amaechi
For readers who may not know, Amaechi is also an experienced motivational speaker. His skills were used to great effect during his visit with the team.
In episode one, you couldn’t miss the controversy that stirred when Jamel inaccurately claimed that being gay was “a choice.” It caused a major rift (and some shouting matches) among his teammates that then carried into episode two.
Amaechi worked to resolve the conflict by creating a safe space for the players. He started by passing a basketball around and allowing only the person with the ball to express how they felt about Jamel’s comment.
What started out as verbal attacks aimed at Jamel ended up as a healthy conversation. Rather than giving into bickering and frustration, the players had an honest, heartfelt discussion. They let Jamel know both how his words affected them and also how much they cared about him.
Chicago’s Proposed School Would Keep LGBT and Ally Students Safe
September 23, 2008
The below post is by Sarah Kennedy, the Central Region’s Media Field Strategist here at GLAAD.
My brother is not gay. He is, however, an ally. He grew up with two openly gay siblings, and at his Midwestern high school he stands up for kids who get bullied because they are gay or people think they’re gay. In fact, he’s just about the only one there who does.
An ally supports Harvey Milk H.S. students
This past Thursday, Chicago Public Schools held a community forum at Chicago’s Center on Halstead to give community members the opportunity to discuss the proposed school. The Chi Town Daily News reported that the plans were well received and that during a “lengthy question and answer session, most audience members voiced support for the project.”
Reading through the media coverage of the proposed school, I thought of how amazing it would have been for me growing up in the Midwest if I had the option to go to a high school where I felt comfortable – and safe – being myself. As a former closeted high schooler, and as somebody who now worries about the safety of the students my brother tells me about, I’m excited Chicago is starting to take these steps.
I remember hearing about the Harvey Milk High School when it opened five years ago in New York City, and the way the media latched on to the story. The school was designed around the needs of at-risk LGBT students, yet the news stories weren’t about students‘ safety or anti-gay bullying. Instead, the focus was on the sensationalistic aspects.
People all over the country questioned the idea of Harvey Milk High School, rather than discussing how truly difficult it can be for an LGBT student to simply walk down the hallway. Sure, my younger brother would stick up for you, but he’s the rare exception, and with teachers who aren’t equipped to intervene it can lead to disastrous situations.
Students who are the victim of bullying, harassment and violence because of their orientation and how they express themselves, like Lawrence King, are not always in an educational environment where faculty and staff have the capacity to ensure their safety and well-being.
Beyond feeling safe from bullying and harassment, there is the basic need to feel okay about yourself at school. I wasn’t out in high school, not because I was afraid of physical harassment, but I wasn’t in an environment where I believed I could have led a sort-of-normal life at school, free from being ostracized.
I’m hopeful that conversation around this school will contribute to a larger national conversation about school safety for LGBT kids. The best option is always to have students feel comfortable and safe at any school. Until that becomes a reality, schools that focus on the safety of LGBT students may just be our best bet.
