This Black History Month, I am demanding better for all of us, especially our
Black queer youth. Will you join me and HRC in this important work?
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Hello friend,
I began this Black History Month
[[link removed]] thinking about my own story, particularly my childhood and what the world so
often takes away from Black queer youth like me.
I spent my teen years in survival mode, constantly suppressing my full identity.
When you are at the intersection of Blackness and queerness, not only are you
walking around in the body society has deemed a menace, you are further stifled
by having to adapt to relentless heterosexual norms you were never meant to fit
in to. Every day can feel like a battle you never wanted any part of.
When I wrote my memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue
[[link removed]] , I did so with purpose. I wanted to break down my own young Black queer
experience and show readers how they can fight for themselves or be advocates in
the struggle for equity and equality. They are not alone and they need to know
that.
That is why I am working with the Human Rights Campaign this Black History Month
[[link removed]] to put in the work of transforming our society for the better and to challenge
you — no matter who you are — to ask yourself a question: Are you doing your part to uplift and fight for Black lives?
I am heartened to see how the organization has grown in this space over the last
few years, but there is still more work to be done. With Alphonso David at its
helm, racial justice is not only on the table; it’s a paramount goal and I am
happy to see them show up for Black people and other multiply marginalized
people more than ever before. Check out some of their resources made especially for the Black LGBTQ community
here.
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Just a few weeks ago, the Human Rights Campaign announced its $3.2 million grant from Gilead
Sciences, Inc.
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arm – aimed at ending the HIV epidemic, particularly in the Black and Latinx
community, as well as fund the organization’s dynamic Transgender Justice
Initiative. As a non-binary person living with HIV, it is imperative that we
continue working in both spaces.
This is what we need more of from partners and advocates because this work
shouldn’t be on Black queer people alone. We need non-queer and non-Black people
to help dismantle the systems that oppress us… because the costs are far too
great if we do not fight this together.
The fight must continue and it will take all of us. It is difficult sometimes,
without a doubt, but I make sure I never forget my power … and I hope you never
forget yours. This Black History Month
[[link removed]] and beyond, let’s live into the legacy of the Black trailblazers who have come
before us and deliver on the promise of a better world.
In solidarity,
[[link removed]] [[link removed]]George M. Johnson
Author and Activist
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Bio: George M. Johnson is a journalist, author and HIV and LGBTQ+ activist living in
Newark, New Jersey. They write on topics ranging from race, gender, sex, HIV,
intersectionality, politics, culture, health, and pop culture, and are never
afraid to “go there.” Learn more HERE [[link removed]] .
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