IFBP CONVENES SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL BLACK AND BROWN SUMMIT by: Jrfowlkes@aol.com, OIA Newswire
Over sixty Latino/Hispanic and Black/African American LGBT leaders gathered at the first National Black and Brown Summit on Friday April 25, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia in conjunction with Philadelphia Black Gay Pride weekend (April 24 – 27, 2008). Participants came from over one dozen cities from across the United States to participate in a facilitated dialogue about issues that impact LGBT Blacks and Latinos. The Black/Brown Coalition was conceptualized by Carolina Ramos, Latino Services Coordinator, San Diego LGBT Community Center and Earl Fowlkes, IFBP President/CEO after a joint presentation on reaching out to LGBT Communities of Color for the Democratic National Committee Western Region training in Las Vegas, NV in March 2007.
The IFBP is a coalition of twenty-nine Black Pride organizations formed to promote a multinational network of LGBT/Same Gender Loving Pride and community-based organizations dedicated to building solidarity, health and wellness, promoting unity, and ensuring the development of education, economic empowerment, and individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination. Over 350,000 people attended Black Prides in the United States in 2007.
"The purpose of the National Black and Brown Summit wass to identify areas for potential collaboration between African American and Latino LGBT communities, leaders, organizations, and grass roots movements," said Fowlkes. The highlight of the day long summit was the opening plenary and Elder Storytelling "History of our Movements" with long time LGBT activists Mandy Carter and Nicole Murray-Ramirez. "Knowing the history of Black and Latino participation in the LGBT movement is something that we never can forgot", said Ramos who also moderated the panel.
Other highlights of the Summit included luncheon plenary speakers Jose M. Roman, Executive Director for Restricted Funds and Financial Compliance at Columbia University and Dr. Marjorie Hill, President/CEO of the Gay Men's Health Crisis; and actors Jose Ortiz and Michael Everett of Philadelphia who used prose and drama to eexpose the myths, stereotypes and obstacles that keep LGBT Black and brown communities apart.
Several of the outcomes of the National Black and Brown Summit include planning four or five regional summits around the United States; a position paper on immigration equality, and providing technical assistance and supporting Latino Pride organizations. The Summit was funded by generous support of the Gill Foundation and Calamus Foundation.
COLUMBUS GAY MEN’S CHORUS TO PRESENT ROCKET MAN COLUMBUS, April 28, 2008 - The Columbus Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) wraps up its 18th season with a spectacular tribute to the music of Sir Elton John. No keyboard, sunglasses, or costume change will be safe when CGMC pulls out all the stops in this musical extravaganza! > Full Story. [4/28/08]
NEW BOOK OF GAY FAMILY DRAWINGS; CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED BOSTON, MA — Today Family Equality Council is thrilled to congratulate Julian, age 8 of New Mexico, as the winner of our 2nd Annual Family Drawing Contest. Julian will receive a $250 savings bond. This year’s ten finalists hailed from across the nation: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas. Over 4,000 people cast votes in the Contest this year. The Drawing Contest serves to put a face on too-often invisible lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) headed families in communities around the country. > Full Story. [4/24/08]
GLBT RADIO NETWORK ® AND GAY DAYS, INC. ® ANNOUNCE NATIONWIDE DJ CONTEST WINNERS Fort Lauderdale / Orlando, FL. - April 1, 2008 - On November 15, 2007 GLBT Radio Network and Gay Days, Inc. announced a nationwide contest for DJ's across America to compete for a chance to spin their very own pool party at the host hotel, Royal Plaza, during Gay Days 2008. > Full Story. [4/3/08]
