With the historic repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, on Monday, January 17, 2011 for the third consecutive year, the Barbara Jordan/ Bayard Rustin Coalition, The Here to Stay Coalition, Black Lesbians United, In the Meantime Men’s Group, At the Beach Los Angeles Black Pride, and over 50 same gender-loving/LGBT activists will march down Crenshaw and King Blvd. to promote acceptance, visibility, dialogue and community-building as a strategy to fight homophobia and promote more awareness of Black LGBT issues within the Black community.

On Saturday, January 15th, 2011 Here to Stay Coalition and Jordan Rustin Coalition will be hosting a sign making party and check in at Jewels Catch One at 11:30 am. “The sign making party is a time where our organizations can come together and show unity before the parade. All participants in the LGBT contingency of the parade have been asked to where white as a symbol of unity.”, said JRC Field Organizer Andre J. Molette

“This is a historic time for our country and the Black LGBT community has to ensure that our issues are not being forgotten amidst the statewide and national climate,” said Rodney Nickens Jr. Field Organizer for the Jordan/Rustin Coalition. “Some will question what purpose the MLK March serves for the Black LGBT community in Los Angeles, but I think now more than ever, it is important that we come together in solidarity and present a united front to ourselves and to the world. It is only going to be through coming together during difficult times that we can begin to have difficult conversations.”

All of this occurring as a record number of pro-LGBT political candidates swept statewide offices and a number of Black LGBT candidates took office nationwide in last year’s midterm elections. Democrat Marcus Brandon, an openly gay African-American political consultant from North Carolina made history Tuesday, after being elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives becoming the 2nd openly gay person elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. Brandon will be the only openly LGBT state legislator in North Carolina, and one of just five openly LGBT African-Americans serving in state legislatures across the country (including Maryland House of Delegates candidate Mary Washington.

Openly lesbian N.C. State Sen. Julia Boseman is stepping down at the end of this term. “Although JRC is a non-partisan organization we are very excited to see so much progress being made across our great nation. It is truly inspiring to watch our movement strengthen as Americans realize the inherent harm in discriminating against the LGBT community. As more LGBT legislators of color rise to power it is very likely that the Black LGBT community will become more empowered to live healthier and happier lives as openly LGBT individuals and families, said JRC Field Organizer Rodney Nickens Jr.

In response to this year’s parade theme, “Working Together We Can Make the Dream Come True”, Here To Stay coailtion partner Yardenna Aaron adds, We as Black LGBTQIs are Here to Stay. We’re walking together in the MLK parade in our community because we are a living, loving and vibrant part of both the Black and LGBTQI communities. We are here to celebrate the beauty of both again for the 3rd year.

WHO: BLACK LGBT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
WHAT: BLACK LGBT ORGANIZATIONS UNITE IN COALITION TO MARCH IN REMEMBERENCE OF KING FOR 3rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR
WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011 AT 11 a.m.
Marchers will gather at Lucy Florence Coffee (on 43rd and Degnan Ave. beginning at 8:30 a.m.)

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