NBJC Presents March Speakers

By Keith Boykin
October 10, 2005 01:50 PM

The National Black Justice Coalition, the country’s only national black lesbian and gay civil rights organization, today hailed the decision by Minister Louis Farrakhan to include gay speakers at the 10th anniversary observance of the Million Man March. At the same time, the group also put forward a list of 10 Black lesbian, gay and bisexual speakers, including activist and teacher Angela Davis and bestselling author E. Lynn Harris.

Responding to a Washington Post report on Saturday that Farrakhan had agreed to include “gay speakers” at the march, NBJC President Keith Boykin said he was “very pleased that eight months of discussions with Minister Louis Farrakhan and March organizers have begun to pay off.”

NBJC board members have been in direct correspondence with Farrakhan and have met with the Nation of Islam leader on three separate occasions since February. In a telephone conference call with Farrakhan last month, NBJC leaders urged the Minister to include openly gay and lesbian speakers at the October 15 march. Farrakhan said he would take the request under consideration.

Minister Farrakhan also acknowledged that gay and lesbian concerns were fairly new to him and said that NBJC might be able to "educate" him on those issues. To help with that process, NBJC formally submitted a list of 10 names of prominent Black lesbian, gay and bisexual leaders to speak at the March. The names were communicated to march organizers in August but were formally submitted to Minister Farrakhan himself today.

"These are the leading lights in our community," said NBJC Executive Director H. Alexander Robinson. "We hope that Minister Farrakhan will take these names into serious consideration now that he has agreed to include gay, lesbian and bisexual speakers."

The list of names follows:

Black Women Speakers

Angela Davis, Well-Known Activist and Professor
Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author
Me'Shell Ndege'Ocello, Grammy-nominated recording artist
Dr. Marjorie Hill, Former Adviser to New York Mayor David Dinkins
Linda Villarosa, Former Executive Editor of Essence Magazine

Black Men Speakers

Phil Reed, New York City Council Member
Ken Reeves, Former Mayor of Cambridge, MA
Ron Oden, Mayor of Palm Springs, CA
E. Lynn Harris, Bestselling Author
Rev. Peter Gomes, Harvard University Chaplain

Comments

I went to the first MMM and enjoyed it and I just went the 10th Anniversity of MMM and enjoyed myself again. Look am heterosexual. I have members in my family that are gay or was gay, but this event should not be about what group get the "facetime" or their causes across. We can never move ahead with this pettiness that is going on about who should or shouldn't be allowed to speak. Because as Black person that is all that others see when they see us. They do not know it you are straight or gay. All they see is a Black person. We should all just bring our talents to the table to make thing better in our large communities!

Posted by: Ray at October 17, 2005 07:50 AM

I understand that at today's Millions More march, the announced gay activist speaker was DELIBERATELY BANNED by the march leadership, at the last minute. So much for working together in a coalition of mutual respect. Fucktards.

Posted by: Tadzio at October 16, 2005 01:18 AM

About 20 of my gay African male friends (and I myself) attended the last March and had a GREAT time. I only had one black male friend who opted out, and I respect that.

But given the state of leadership in our country, I find it difficult to just not engage myself in the events of my world. Bill Clinton was not perfect (I never voted for him and I am glad I did not); W has blood on his hands that he will never wash off; Jesse (Cosby, Coby, ... Dr. King, etc.) proved that he was no better than many men who don't know how to keep their hands to themselves. But I do think all these leaders, including Bush, deseved the opportunity to redeem themselves and help us make our world better. Farrakhan (don't lower yourselves and act like stupid republicans by spelling/pronouncing his name wrong) has said things I find offensive, but no more offensive that what 99% of the black church pastors I have met say, but he/they do have a positive impact on our world that we should not denigrate.

Peace, Love, and Keep on Marchin' til you reach the Higher Ground.
Martin

Posted by: Martin at October 14, 2005 02:52 PM

there is an interesting opinion piece about this whole MMM/LGBT controversy on this site:

http://adeebafolami.com/archives/twistedMMM.html

Posted by: AV101 at October 12, 2005 06:26 PM

Roger, I'm with you. I find it very hard to support anything that FarraCon does. I don't think Black folk (especially preachers) will be any less homophobic because of it.

Posted by: Bklynbro at October 12, 2005 03:03 PM

Isn't activist Cleo Manago also speaking Friday at the march?

Posted by: Lamar at October 12, 2005 08:57 AM

I'm with you Roger. As quiet as it is kept.

But, then again, I'm always the odd man out.

A lot of folks will show up, but for very different reasons than Khan intended.

Posted by: cody at October 11, 2005 01:32 PM

I'm sorry to be the odd man out here, but I still don't support this march. Try as I may (and I have tried D@mn hard) I can't see anything positive with Louis Farrakhan's face on it.

I know this march is a coalition of black leaders and organizations from across the spectrum, and I know how hard Keith and other NBJC members have been working to engage the minister in dialogue. But...I just dont feel it.

Its the same gut feeling I get when I feel uneasy with my surroundings. Its never been wrong. I just feel bad about this.

Posted by: Roger at October 11, 2005 12:00 AM

Has anyone heard about charter buses for Black gay folk going to the Millions More March from NYC (or from anywhere for that matter)? So far, I've only heard about BMX (Black Men's Exchange) who has joined forces with The Martin Luther King Non Violence Project booking seats for a bus ride to DC. Is NBJC arranging such?

Posted by: Bklybro at October 10, 2005 08:48 PM

Oh, & I see y'all put my girl Me'shell on the list. That should be interesting.

Posted by: jazzi at October 10, 2005 08:32 PM

So AD is out, now?

Cool.

Posted by: Laura at October 10, 2005 08:30 PM

Fratman, I agree with thee! Not putting Keith on a pedestal but I consider him to be one of the most eloquent & informed voices of the African American Gay coommunity. It should be given a national platform, even if but for one day. The borther has something to say & I think he should be heard.

Switching gears here, what on earth could rhonda have said to get her comment deleted & get her banned from the site? It can't be that she merely disagreed with something you posted, Keith. People have disagreed & even took it to a personal level & you've never deleted their comments or had them banned. So what was it? Was she a white racist? Did she use the "n" word? Just curious (and, I admit, a bit nosey).

Posted by: jazzi at October 10, 2005 08:28 PM

rhonda:

obsurd = not a real word...

Posted by: ashon at October 10, 2005 07:02 PM

[COMMENT DELETED. USER BANNED]

Posted by: rhonda at October 10, 2005 06:34 PM

May I suggest adding to this distinguished list of possible speakers the name of Mr. Keith Boykin. After all, he is nationally known, is extremely articulate, and is a forceful advocate for black community issues that including SGL men & women issues. Shem hotep!

Posted by: Fratman1906 at October 10, 2005 05:45 PM