NBJC Applauds Obama Administration Inclusion of LGBT in HUD Programs

NBJC Applauds Obama Administration Inclusion of LGBT in HUD Programs Steps include first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the renting and sale of housing Media Contact Contact: Cindi Creager (917) 331-5684 creager@glaad.org Media Contact Contact: Kellee Terrell (323) 313-7019 terrell@glaad.org     The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) applauds today's announcement of proposals designed to ensure that U.S. Housing And Urban Development (HUD) housing programs are open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. These initiatives are among the strongest steps yet taken by the Obama Administration to ensure full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) individuals in all aspects of society. Included is a proposed rule to explicitly include LGBT individuals in eligibility requirements, as well as specifying that sexual orientation or gender identity not be considered as factors in qualifying for any FHA-insured mortgage. "This is a very positive development, and we are confident that it is one step among many that the LGBT community can look forward to from this President," said Sharon J. Lettman, NBJC Executive Director. "It is vital that we recognize all the compositions of African American families, from single mom-led households to grandparents raising their grandchildren; families of color also include LGBT households and family members." Noting that prior state and local studies have demonstrated the existence of bias against LGBT renters and homebuyers, HUD also announced its intent to commission the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in rental and sale of housing and intends to being the regulatory process immediately. "It has long been said that local government most clearly reflects the hearts and minds of the people," noted Lettman, "and so we applaud the federal government following the lead of state and local governments in working to secure equal opportunity for its LGBT citizens." "We hope to see a focus on LGBT youth, specifically youth of color," added Deputy Executive Director Jason W. Bartlett, who is also a Connecticut State Representative. "As an African American organization, we think that LGBT youth of color is a significant factor that needs to be addressed by these changes." More than 42 percent of the country's homeless youth identify as LGBT, and approximately 90 percent of that group are people of color, according to a 2006 study released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute and the National Coalition for the Homeless. The National Black Justice Coalition (www.NBJC.org) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Our mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation. - ### - To stop receiving email from National Black Justice Coalition, click here.

Morehouse Bans Do-Rags, Grills, And Sagging Pants In New Dress Code

http://newsone.com/nation/morehouse-bans-do-rags-grills-and-sagging-pants-in-new-dress-code/

 

ACTION ALERT: The Return of Abstinence-Only Education!

October 2009 I am outraged and dismayed to tell you this... But part of the funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs is back. On September 29, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) pushed through an amendment in the Senate Finance Committee authorizing $50 million in funding for abstinence-only programs as part of Health Care Reform- despite over 10 years of evidence that these programs do not work. By a razor-thin vote of 12-11, the Senators on the Finance Committee gave conservative ideology a victory over science and common sense. We are too close to finally ending federal funding for failed abstinence-only programs. Tell your Senators it's time to stop these programs once and for all! In fact, we have been working with coalition partners around the country to launch a National Sex Ed Month of Action beginning tomorrow, October 1. Our hope was - and is - to build support in Congress for the REAL Act and comprehensive sex education. It's been a 10-year fight to end funding for these harmful and ineffective programs. President Obama has called for their elimination. Democrats in the House and Senate have held firm through budget negotiations. This fight has been long, but - with the end in sight - it is more important than ever that we all make our voices heard. Ask your Senators to strip the Hatch Amendment from Health Care Reform. Don't let 12 Senators undermine sex education in the United States! With the passage of the Hatch Amendment, it is more important than ever that we send a clear message to the United States Senate: Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs were a dangerous experiment, teaching ignorance instead of education. Their time is finally past - and together, we will end these harmful programs. Sincerely, James Wagoner President Advocates for Youth

We Are Family

October 6, 2009

We Are Family
Humanity
www.dailyom.com

When it comes to our families, we sometimes see only our differences. We see the way our parents cling to ideas we don't believe, or act in ways we try not to act. We see how practical one of our siblings is and wonder how we can be from the same gene pool. Similarly, within the human family we see how different we are from each other, in ways ranging from gender and race to geographical location and religious beliefs. It is almost as if we think we are a different species sometimes. But the truth is, in our personal families as well as the human family, we really are the same.

A single mother of four living in Africa looks up at the same stars and moon that shine down on an elderly Frenchman in Paris. A Tibetan monk living in India, a newborn infant in China, and a young couple saying their marriage vows in Indiana all breathe the same air, by the same process. We have all been hurt and we have all cried. Each one of us knows how it feels to love someone dearly. No matter what our political views are, we all love to laugh. Regardless of how much or how little money we have, our hearts pump blood through our bodies in the same way. With all this in common, it is clear we are each individual members of the same family. We are human.

Acknowledging how close we all are, instead of clinging to what separates us, enables us to feel less alone in the world. Every person we meet, see, hear, or read about, is a member of our family. We are truly not alone. We also begin to see that we are perfectly capable of understanding and relating to people who, on the surface, may seem very different from us. This awareness prevents us from disconnecting from people on the other side of the tracks, and the other side of the world. We begin to understand that we must treat all people for what they are—family.

New African American Barbies Too African American???

Here is a story I read about the new Barbie dolls made by toy manufacturer Mattel. Some people have said that these more "culturally sensitive" versions are long overdue, while others are stating that they are prejudice anecdote or the punchline to a racist joke. What do you think?? http://hellobeautiful.com/your-world/barbie-finally-goes-ethnic/