LGBTQ Center of Durham的动态

Today I woke up feeling sad and angry about Nex Benedict's murder. Nex were a 16-year-old non-binary member of the Cherokee Nation, tragically attacked in their high school bathroom, a place meant for safety and privacy. This horrific news shows the ongoing threats faced by LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. The high school staff made no effort to call an ambulance or the police. Nex were bullied at school for months before their death. The bullying began after the governor of the state mandated bathroom use based on students' assigned sex at birth. A teacher in that school previously faced backlash for speaking out in support of LGBTQ+ students and had to resign. This is why I share the article about the Human Rights Campaign report on Black LGBTQ+ youth. It underscores the unique challenges they face due to intersecting identities, leading to increased bias, stigma, and discrimination. The alarming statistics – over 80% facing homophobia/transphobia within the Black community and over 80% experiencing racism within the LGBTQ+ community – show how urgently we need awareness and action. The HRC report highlights the need for greater awareness and support to address the specific challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, HRC provides actionable guidance for parents, educators, youth professionals, and peers to support them. Anti-queerness kills. Hate speeches empower killers. The lack of protective policies in schools or workplaces sets the tone, and we are paying the consequences. Don't remain indifferent. If you celebrate Pride in June, remember it's not only a celebration; it's also a protest and a demonstration of our resilience and strength to overcome the hate we have faced for centuries. Most importantly, remember Pride isn't confined to June; it's an everyday commitment to stand up against discrimination wherever and whenever it occurs. This Black History Month, let's celebrate inspiring Black LGBTQ+ figures like Stormé DeLarverie, Bayard Rustin, Josephine Baker, Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin and RuPaul Charles. Let's make discrimination something from the past and allow Black LGBTQ+ youth to live and thrive authentically and safely in the present and the future. #BlackLGBTQYouth #Diversity #Inclusion #Intersectionality #Allyship #EndHateSpeech #ProtectOurYouth #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM

Yesterday, I was honored to have been the Keynote Speaker at The Bagyly Youth Summit this year. It’s only March, and the Transgender Community has experienced so much loss. We continue to see Black Transgender Women dying at a tremendous rate. The most recent death of Rightous TK “Chevy” Hill black transman living in Atlanta. The current climate in the nation around Transgender accommodations has caused the death of High School Sophmore Nex Benedict a day after schoolmates attacked them in the girls’ restroom. Transgender Youth are affected by systemic transphobia rooted in patriarchal white supremacy more than we can even imagine. This is a conscious attack, like the attack against women’s rights, like the attack against Black lives, like the attack against immigrant lives, like the war in our homes and the war abroad. I believe in the potential and power of younger generations and that by creating a better community for them, we can ensure a better future for future generations. Unfortunately, many systems target our young people because they believe they are weak. However, our youth are incredibly powerful and insightful. Transgender youth challenge us to question the gender binary and the internalized ideas we have about gender that are not true to everyone’s experience. If we only challenge systems for certain aspects of our identity, we are not truly fighting for social justice. This behavior is selfish and isolating. Instead of choosing one part of ourselves or our community as more valuable than others, we must fight against those who force us to make these choices. This very choice divides us and weakens our fight for true social justice. The fight for justice and equity for all who are marginalized is the only way we will truly gain our own personal justice. Here is a part of my Keynote, I hope it inspires you…. #transgender #transyouth #blacktrans #translivesmatter

Women’s history is Trans history. This blog from The Trevor Project highlights the historical importance of transgender women in the LGBTQ+ community and other intersecting identities that have benefited from their fight in advancement for human rights. Read this blog to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02pbxP30 #HealthEquity #Health #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM24 #Equity #LGBTQEquity #TransEquity

I’m proud to release a report brief by Loyola Marymount University's LGBTQ+ Politics Research Initiative, the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and the Black Leaders Caucus on the experiences of Black LGBTQ+ candidates running for office in the United States. Despite recent progress, Black LGBTQ+ people remain severely underrepresented in elected office, with devastating consequences. This report is based on a survey of about 50 Black LGBTQ+ candidates who ran for office between 2018-2022. As of February 2024, 142 Black out LGBTQ+ people are serving in office. They hold just 0.03% of elected positions in the United States. To achieve equitable elected representation, 2,453 more Black LGBTQ+ candidates would need to be elected. Black LGBTQ+ candidates face distinct challenges on the campaign trail, including: a unique mix of racism, homophobia and transphobia; a lack of role models; financial challenges; a lack of campaign support from political parties and endorsing organizations; anti-LGBTQ+ attacks; and unfair media coverage. Black LGBTQ+ candidates in our survey highlighted that LGBTQ+ racial minorities also face unique challenges that are often not addressed by the larger LGBTQ+ community or Black community. They mentioned housing, healthcare, and employment as priority issues, inasmuch as these issues disproportionately affect Black and Brown LGBTQ+ people. They also indicated steps to increase Black LGBTQ+ representation and to confront racism, homophobia, and transphobia in electoral politics. These steps include: increase financial support for Black LGBTQ+ candidates; provide non-material resources to Black LGBTQ+ candidates, such as campaign training and media connections; offer leadership development programs for young Black LGBTQ+ leaders; proactively contrast racism, homophobia, and transphobia in political organizations; increase diversity in political staff and leadership; create networking opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ candidates; welcome and encourage Black LGBTQ+ candidates to be authentic in political spaces. This report brief reveals major hurdles for Black LGBTQ+ candidates, which may discourage some potential leaders from pursuing elected office. Increasing Black LGBTQ+ representation is crucial to ensure that the unique perspectives of Black LGBTQ+ people are heard and considered, which can lead to more inclusive legislation and stronger democracy. #BlackHistoryMonth #LGBTQrights #LGBTQrepresentation https://lnkd.in/dfW5AZHD

Project 2025 is a direct assault on America’s middle class and our institutions of government. We’ve seen all too often that LGBTQ people experience disproportionate challenges when it comes to kitchen table issues like fair wages, affordable healthcare, and simply getting and keeping a job without fear of discrimination and harassment. It’s critical that our community understands what’s in this plan, how it would hurt them and their families, and how they can stop it. Learn more about GLAAD'S latest installment in a trilogy of national ads exposing the harms of #Project2025 for #LGBTQ Americans ? https://lnkd.in/eKhFkC2Q

??? National Banned Books Week: Standing Against Censorship ??? In the state of Florida, hundreds of books have been banned—works that explore Black history, LGBTQ+ experiences, and other critical perspectives that are integral to understanding our nation's past and present. This troubling trend is part of a broader effort to limit access to literature that fosters diversity, inclusion, and awareness. It's an attempt to erase stories that reflect the realities of marginalized communities, from the Black community to the LGBTQ+ community, and beyond. At Pridelines, we believe that these efforts to censor important, critically acclaimed literature are part of a larger strategy to shape an America that lacks sufficient knowledge of its own history, culture, and facts. Without these stories, we risk creating a generation that is deprived of the very knowledge and empathy necessary to build an inclusive society. In response, our Pridelines Lending Library has proudly opened its doors to accept and loan out hundreds of banned books. We refuse to let these important voices be silenced. Our library provides access to these works to ensure that our community continues to learn, grow, and challenge the status quo. By offering these banned books to the public, Pridelines affirms that the fight for knowledge, representation, and truth is more important than ever. We stand with Black, LGBTQ+, and all marginalized communities whose stories are at risk of being erased. Explore our collection and join us in the fight against censorship. Learn more at pridelines.org. #NationalBannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #BlackHistoryMatters #LGBTQStories #RepresentationMatters #StandAgainstCensorship #Pridelines #InclusiveEducation

NEW is delighted to present our inaugural Social Sector Strategy Symposium! This symposium is designed to be a catalyst for transformative change, bringing together 100 people (in-person and virtual) including futurists, visionary leaders, strategists, community members and folks across industries to build power, sharpen our strategies and consider political implications for our field in response to our current environment and to collaboratively shape the future of the sector, together. Our sector continues to shoulder the care and provision of human and social services for our society. Rising inflation, persistent inequities, and structural oppression shape the lives of the people we love and support. And recent divestment in equity and justice will have significant impact on the sector, especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ organizations. We can't just hope for things to change - we need a collaborative strategic approach. Our call to action is clear: Join us in this transformative journey. Engage actively in the symposium, bringing your experiences and ideas to the table. Use the practical tools and insights gained to drive meaningful change within your organization and community. Build collaborative relationships with fellow participants to create a unified movement for social justice. Challenge existing narratives and increase your awareness of policies that threaten equity and justice. And continue the dialogue beyond the event, supporting our peers to sustain our collective efforts. Limited tickets on sale from September 13 (09/13/24) - October 13 (09/13/24) Get your tickets today at: https://ow.ly/x7JQ50TmiVn

This months QPaP seminar is going to be great - do sign up via the link below.

Pride Month may have ended, but the fight for equality and acceptance continues. I’m excited to share an article that my brilliant colleague Eileen Taylor and I wrote for Politics4Her, titled "Hidden in Plain Sight: The Reality of Queer Women in Society." In our article, we delve into the experiences of queer women in Europe through a questionnaire. We aimed to capture how their queerness shaped their perception of the world and how they would coexist, respecting their own truth. We have learned that to be a queer woman in Europe is to conquer your voice and space in a heteronormative, patriarchal world that intends to repress it - not solely because you are a woman, but also because you are a queer woman. I invite you to read our article and reflect on these important issues. More importantly, we hope it inspires you to support the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, which are fundamentally human rights. You can find the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dCuNC3pH

The path of progress is rarely a straight line, and the next four years are going to demand incredible focus as we navigate a new presidential administration determined to dehumanize our community. This feels familiar — like we’ve been here before, but the world has changed. We expect new challenges, and we will meet them head-on. When I joined It Gets Better in 2016 and was charged with leading the organization through the first Trump presidency, we were able to tap into our anger and frustration to catalyze unprecedented growth for our organization –?growth that led to It Gets Better becoming the world’s largest storytelling effort to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ young people. ? Our community has been the target of a near-endless barrage of bullying by our elected officials. Anti-LGBT sentiment has surfaced in nearly every US State in the form of oppressive legislation that threatens the progress we’ve achieved over the last few decades. Though we are saddened by what our country has delivered to us this week, I know in my soul that whatever immediate disappointment we may experience will one day be a distant memory. ? It Gets Better has and will always be a guiding light for LGBTQ+ young people who continue to struggle with isolation, family rejection, and the?intense loneliness that comes with being queer in a society that rails against anything “different.” But being a guiding light will not be enough in the coming years – we must be more. ? It Gets Better is nurturing the next generation of?LGBTQ+ leaders. We are leveraging our position as the largest LGBTQ+ youth-centric organization on social media and our vast network of educators, grantees, youth ambassadors, content creators and investors to empower LGBTQ+ youth to carve out their place in this uncertain world. We are walking side-by-side with the next generation of LGBTQ+ people, providing the resources they need to thrive, so they can join the fight for progress with confidence. ? You’ve stayed by our side for the last 14 years, and we need you now more than ever. We cannot go back. The closet has been destroyed, and today’s LGBTQ+ youth need us to stay strong and focused. Together, we can power through the tough times to give future generations of LGBTQ+ people a fighting chance at a life worth living! With hope and determination for a better future for all, Brian Wenke Executive Director It Gets Better