Black

Jaymes Black as New Chief Executive Officer

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Jaymes Black

The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) young people, announced Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns) as its new Chief Executive Officer. Black, an accomplished senior leader with more than 20 years of experience managing high performing teams at scale, is stepping in to lead the organization, effective July 15. Black will succeed Peggy Rajski (she/her), a founder and decades-long Board Member who stepped in as Interim CEO in 2022.

Black’s substantial expertise blends nonprofit and corporate competencies, and spans business and community leadership, LGBTQ+ advocacy and coalition building, fundraising strategy and innovation, large budget oversight and financial acumen, call center operations and user experience, and more. In addition to their extensive professional qualifications, they identify as a Black nonbinary lesbian – bringing compelling lived experience that will help The Trevor Project work toward its mission to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people.

“I am elated and deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at The Trevor Project for so many reasons – especially since this is an organization I desperately needed myself as a queer young person growing up in South Texas,” said Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns), incoming CEO at The Trevor Project. “Right now, far too many queer and transgender young people are struggling with thoughts of suicide and other mental health challenges – not because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized by other people. I know what that feels like, first hand. I also know this is an enormously difficult moment for both Trevor and the young people we serve. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the dangerous, demeaning rhetoric surrounding it has reached a record high in this country, and LGBTQ+ young people are constantly being exposed to messages that attempt to invalidate their very identities. As CEO, it is my job to reinforce that LGBTQ+ young people have so many more people who love and support them exactly as they are, than those who wish them harm. This work won’t be easy, but I am ready to roll my sleeves up to help create a world in which all LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, accepted, and free to thrive as their truest selves.”

Prior to joining Trevor, Black served as President & CEO at Family Equality, the leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families. Family Equality works to ensure everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling, and education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jaymes as our new CEO at such a critical moment for The Trevor Project, and for the LGBTQ+ young people we serve,” said Julian Moore (he/him), Chair of The Trevor Project’s Board of Directors. “The search for Trevor’s new leader was rigorous and throughout the process, Jaymes established themself as a sort of ‘unicorn’ candidate. Their history of successful leadership in finance, technology, and business, combined with leading and growing an LGBTQ+ nonprofit during a historically challenging time for our community, makes Jaymes a uniquely remarkable fit. The role of CEO is a big job, and we are more than confident in Jaymes’ ability to lead The Trevor Project forward.”

Prior to leading Family Equality, Black had a seasoned career in the corporate sector, where they held a variety of senior leadership roles, including at companies such as Charles Schwab, Sabre Corporation, and Northrop Grumman. Black has an MS in Management and was honored on The 2022 Out Magazine’s Out100 list — a compilation of the year’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.

Statement from Kelley Robinson (she/her), President, Human Rights Campaign:
“Our movement is facing an urgent moment where we must both meet the needs of our people today and fight for a future where there are laws, policy, and the type of representation for us to get free. This is also a defining moment as movement leaders seek to meet the demands and build organizations that can create the kind of impact our communities deserve. Jaymes uniquely gets this.”

Statement from Nadine Smith (she/her), Co-Founder & CEO at Equality Florida:
“Jaymes Black’s leadership at The Trevor Project comes at a crucial time for LGBTQ youth and families facing extremist attacks. With a deep understanding of our community’s needs and a strong commitment to innovative problem-solving, Jaymes will guide The Trevor Project in meeting current challenges and building a stronger, and more resilient organization.”

“We are overjoyed to welcome Jaymes to Trevor, and they are well-positioned to lead the organization into its next chapter,” said Rajski. “For more than 26 years, The Trevor Project has been providing high-quality, life-saving crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to our beloved LGBTQ+ young people. When I founded the organization back in 1998, I never imagined it would grow to such heights. I know that Jaymes – and their decorated background – will usher the organization through its next phase, continuing our critical work supporting LGBTQ+ young people for generations to come.”

“We are immensely grateful to Peggy Rajski for stepping in at the Board’s request as The Trevor Project’s Interim CEO, and stabilizing the organization during a period of significant change,” continued Moore. “Peggy’s leadership has enabled The Trevor Project to serve more LGBTQ+ youth in crisis than ever before. We’re thankful for Peggy’s support as Jaymes steps into their role as the organization’s new CEO. As a Founder of The Trevor Project in 1998, Peggy has continued her deep commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ youth mental health for longer than 26 years, and her positive impact will continue as she returns to her seat on the Board.”

Rajski will support Black’s transition as the Special Advisor to the CEO, then return to her role on the organization’s Board.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.

Malcolm Kenyatta Could Become Pennsyania’s First Out LGBTQ+ Statewide Official

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Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta won the Democratic primary for state auditor in Pennsylvania, putting him on track to become the commonwealth’s first out LGBTQ+ statewide official.

Kenyatta has represented District 181 in the Pennsylvania House since 2019. He has received numerous endorsements including an endorsement from the Victory Fund as a Victory Fund Spotlight Candidate. Annise Parker, president & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvanians trust Malcolm Kenyatta to be their watchdog as auditor general because that’s exactly what he’s been as a legislator. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is all in for Malcolm, because we know he has the experience to win this race and carry on his fight for students, seniors and workers as Pennsylvania’s auditor general. LGBTQ+ Americans are severely underrepresented in public office and the numbers are even worse for Black LGBTQ+ representation. I look forward to doing everything I can to mobilize LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians and our allies to get out and vote for Malcolm this November so we can make history.”

In addition to his experience as a State Representative for Philadelphia-based District 181, he was a past U.S. Senate candidate and an is a current active surrogate for the Biden Harris campaign.

LGBT Center of Raleigh Appoints Patricia R. Corbett

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Patricia R. Corbett

The LGBT Center of Raleigh is announced the appointment of Patricia R. Corbett (she/her) following an extensive national search. Corbett has over 20 years professional nonprofit leadership experience and most recently served as Deputy Director of District and School Partnerships with Citizen Schools. She has led teams, organizations, projects in and around LGBTQ+ and BIPOC movements, including at Metro DC PFLAG and Richmond Organization of Sexual Minority Youth (now known as Side by Side).

Corbett is uniquely qualified to lead the Center into its next decade. Corbett, who is a natural collaborator with experience strengthening and growing community based nonprofit organizations, has a strong connection and commitment to the LGBTQ+ communities we serve. Additionally, she also brings the managerial and professional expertise the Center sought in its next chief executive.

“As I think about this position, I am eager to amplify my work for the LGBTQ community. I believe that the sum of who we are as a community is not strictly defined by our sexuality or how we identify. We must consider the entire being of our constituents and strengthen the Center’s core by providing services that reflect the needs of the most vulnerable of our community while celebrating the strength we have collectively,” notes Patricia R. Corbett, “I am honored to serve as the Executive Director and to support, affirm, empower, and provide positive experiences that are reinforced by internal and external communities.”

Board Chair Kaye Vassey noted, “The Center board unanimously appointed Patricia R. Corbett as our next chief executive because she has the experience and vision necessary to expand our programs and services in new and more inclusive directions.”

Patricia R. Corbett, who currently lives in North Carolina and will relocate to Raleigh for this position, will start on July 25. When asked about Corbett’s appointment, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin shared that “ The LGBT Center of Raleigh has been a critical partner in supporting our LGBTQ+ community, providing programs and services to our diverse residents. We welcome Patricia Corbett as the new executive director and look forward to working with her to ensure that Raleigh is a welcoming and thriving community for all.

Find out more about the LGBT Center of Raleigh at: www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com

Gay, Bi, and Trans Youth of Color at Higher Risk for Transactional Sex

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LGBTQ Youth and Transactional Sex

Johns Hopkins Medicine

About a fifth of young sexual minority males and transgender females are estimated to be engaging in transactional, or survival sex, according to results of a new survey study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers. The findings, which define the practice as trading sex for money, housing and other necessities (e.g., food, clothing), were published in the February 2022 issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health and first appeared online Jan. 16. The findings affirm that transactional sex may place young Black and Latinx gay or bisexual males and transgender females at risk for exposure to HIV.

“Previous studies have focused on transactional sex among young gay or bisexual males and transgender females, but few have tried to understand the prevalence among Black and Latinx youth in these groups,” says Johns Hopkins Children’s Center adolescent medicine specialist Renata Sanders, M.D., M.P.H., Sc.M. She is the study’s first author and an associate professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

From August 2017 and January 2021, researchers surveyed 454 teenagers and young adults who are Black or Latinx. Most (385) identified as gay or bisexual, 65 identified as transgender women, and 389 identified as men. All of the subjects were between the ages of 15 and 24 and lived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida — urban locations that have high rates of HIV and unstable housing among youth. Participants were recruited through peers, advertisements on webpages and in social media, and flyers at clinical sites serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, community-based organizations and events. The study included a 45-minute base line web-based survey and HIV testing. The average age of participants was 21, and about 15% of participants identified as transgender.

In addition to questions about their gender identity, experiences of sexual violence, substance abuse and financial well-being, participants were asked, “Have you ever had sex with a male in exchange for money, a place to stay or food?”

Some 22% (slightly more than one in five respondents overall) reported engaging in transactional (survival) sex. Among survey participants with HIV, 32% reported survival sex experiences. The researchers say a positive response to the question about transactional sex was associated with transgender identity, unstable housing in the previous 12 months, poorer perceived financial well-being, coerced sex and marijuana use. Youth and young adults who had a job were less likely to be engaged in transactional sex. 

“A lot of the people who identify as sexual minority men or transgender woman are vulnerable and may not be accepted in their own personal environments or families,” Sanders says. “They are often displaced, and they don’t have a place to stay, which puts them at risk for transactional or survival sex and HIV.”

In addition, the researchers found that transactional sex was associated with substance use disorder. In particular, “alcohol or marijuana use may be a way of coping with engaging in transactional sex or not having a place to live,” Sanders says. More than 25% of all participants who reported using substances engaged in transactional sex, with 31% of tobacco users, 27% of marijuana users and 26% of alcohol users reporting transactional sex. Marijuana use was associated with transactional sex among young sexual minority men, while alcohol use was associated with transactional sex among youth living with HIV.

Researchers noted some limitations in the study. For example, while there was a wide recruitment of participants, the results may not represent all sexual and gender minority youth in this age group, including youth in rural areas. Also, the survey results are based on the participants’ experiences, and in some situations, youth may underreport transactional sex, or may not view sex to survive as harmful or placing them at risk.

The researchers plan to devote future studies to building and testing interventions that address economic, housing and social vulnerabilities that predispose sexual and gender minority youth and young adults to transactional sex.

For now, Sanders says health care providers, parents and others involved with sexual and gender minority youth should screen them for vulnerabilities and other health inequities, and link them to information about preventing sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Health care providers can encourage the use of condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis medication, which can prevent HIV transmission. Parents should also talk with their adolescents and create a safe environment that accepts them, even if they don’t agree with or understand aspects of their sexual or gender identity. The goal, Sanders says, is to help those at risk understand that they are not alone, and that resources to help them are available from health professionals, community organizations and elsewhere.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01DA043089), through the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research (P30AI094189).

Other scientists who contributed to the work are Aubrey Alvarenga from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Noya Galai, Ph.D., Andrea Wirtz, Ph.D., M.H.S., Chris Beyrer, M.D., M.P.H., David Celentano, Sc.D., and Joyell Arscott, Ph.D., from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; ; Rashida Carr from Children’s National Hospital; Alexander Lopez from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Rebecca Nessen, M.P.H., from Metro Inclusive Health.

Click here to see the original study

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers Named New Executive Director of GLSEN

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Melanie Willingham-Jaggers

GLSEN’s First Black, Nonbinary Executive Director Commits to Prioritizing Racial Justice, Gender Justice and Disability Justice

GLSEN, the leading national organization working to guarantee lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) students a supportive and empowering education, has announced Melanie Willingham-Jaggers (they/she) will be the organization’s new Executive Director.

“LGBTQ+ students across the country are facing a crisis amid attacks on their rights and the ongoing pandemic, and we need bold leadership now more than ever,” said Rocío Inclán, GLSEN Board of Directors Chair. “A true leader for their community, Melanie always looks first to the grassroots leadership of the LGBTQ+ youth of color, trans youth and youth with disabilities who are on the frontlines, and centers their experiences and needs in all GLSEN’s work. Melanie is exactly the leader our movement needs to bring our fight for LGBTQ+ justice to the next level as GLSEN’s Executive Director.”

The news of Willingham-Jaggers’ new position was welcomed by additional leaders and advocates in the LGBTQ+ and education movements, as well as those in the fight for social justice among marginalized communities, including GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings, former GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard, Antoni Porowski, Wilson Cruz, Alicia Garza, Lateefah Simon, Ryan Li Dahlstrom, Marlene Sanchez, Brian Bond, Kierra Johnson, and Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen.

GLSEN has advocated for our nation’s K-12 schools since 1990 to be safer, more affirming, and inclusive environments for all youth. Willingham-Jaggers becomes the first person of color, first nonbinary person, and first Black woman to lead the organization in its three decade existence. They joined GLSEN in 2019 as Deputy Executive Director before becoming Interim Executive Director in early 2021.

“I am thrilled to continue and accelerate the important work GLSEN started more than 30 years ago,” said Willingham-Jaggers. “Education is the cornerstone of our democracy and GLSEN’s work is rooted in the belief that education can and should be an experience that is safe, inclusive, and affirming for all students. I am committed to ensuring our organization lives up to that promise and advances work based always on GLSEN’s core strategies: anti-racism, gender justice and disability justice.”

Willingham-Jaggers brings extensive experience as a leader in the social justice movements, including in curriculum design, facilitation, organizing within and beyond various marginalized and intersecting communities, such as including those who are currently or formerly incarcerated, involved in the underground economy, LGBTQ+, youth, immigrants, people with disabilities and senior citizens. They also have a proven track record of building and running successful high-impact programming, training and developing individuals and leading teams, as well as designing effective and value-responsive infrastructure that drive high levels of performance and impact across the organization.

“The appointment of Melanie Willingham-Jaggers heralds an exciting new chapter in the organization’s history,” said Kevin Jennings (he/him), CEO, Lambda Legal and GLSEN founder. “I look forward to seeing GLSEN reach new heights under their leadership.”

“Melanie’s expertise as an organizer and deep connections across movements are invaluable for the next chapter of GLSEN’s work,” said Eliza Byard, Senior Advisor, Campaign for Our Shared Future and GLSEN former Executive Director. “The world of K-12 schools has been turned completely upside-down over the past few years, and Melanie’s vision and experience will provide the essential ingredients of new strategies for a new time.”

Before joining GLSEN, Willingham-Jaggers served as the program associate director of The Worker Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. As a part of the leadership team, they worked to ensure the strategic, programmatic, and operational excellence of the Institute.

“With Melanie’s lifelong experience as an advocate and commitment to putting the voices of LGBTQ+ youth at the forefront of their work, GLSEN is ready to tackle this year’s new challenges. I’m grateful to join GLSEN and Melanie as they continue to work for LGBTQ+ equity in K-12 education for our nation’s students,” said Antoni Porowski.

From 2016-2019, Willingham-Jaggers also served as board chair of The Audre Lorde Project (ALP), the oldest center for community organizing for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color, in the New York City area. Melanie’s work on the ALP board was rooted in the belief that as long as there are organizations connected to our freedom movements – those organizations must be internally safe, healthy and vibrant spaces, on which movements can rely if they so choose.

About GLSEN

GLSEN works to create safe and inclusive schools for all. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach millions of students and educators in K-12 schools, via action at the national, state, and local level. Since 1990, GLSEN has improved conditions for LGBTQ+ students across the United States and helped launch an international movement to address LGBTQ+ issues in education.

Dallas Native Venton Jones Launches Campaign for House District 100

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Venton Jones

DALLAS, TEXAS –Non-Profit CEO and community leader Venton Jones announces bid for the open House District 100 seat in the March Democratic Primary. Jones, who has devoted almost two decades of service in public health, seeks to represent a district with some of the highest rates of uninsured families and mortality in Texas.

Jones stated, “Public health must be at the top of the agenda for any Texas public official. I grew up, live, and operate a non-profit all within the district. I see every day how the lack of adequate healthcare leads to the economic disparity of Black and Hispanic communities and if elected, I look forward to leading the effort to change that.”

Jones, 37, boasts an impressive resume of public service from Dallas, TX to Washington D.C. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and received his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. After college, Jones moved to Washington, D.C. working for almost a decade on initiatives impacting public policy and building community coalitions. He then returned to the District 100 neighborhood he grew up in and founded the non-profit Southern Black Policy & Advocacy Network; an organization that aims to improve the health, social, and economic conditions facing Black communities living in the U.S. South. Jones also currently serves as a Democratic Precinct Chair, Election Judge, appointee to the City of Dallas MLK, Jr. Community Center Board, an appointee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health Resources and Services Administration Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment by Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

It’s also quite fitting that Jones launches his campaign on December 1st, which marks the observance of World AIDS Day. Jones has been a tireless fighter for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS including serving as the current Chair to the Dallas County HIV Taskforce, and former Vice-Chair to the Dallas County Ryan White Planning Council.

With the March 1st Democratic Primary quickly approaching, Jones’ campaign is gearing up very fast. Jones is proud to have already received the endorsements from Commissioner John Wiley Price, former House District 100 Representative Lorraine Birabil, and a host of Precinct Chairs and community leaders.

District 100 is currently served by Representative Jasmine Crockett who is not seeking re-election, and covers South Dallas, and parts of Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, East Dallas and West Dallas. “District 100 has with a wide range of racial, social and economic diversity, and I look forward to representing the needs of all communities”.

New Short Film Brings Light To Transgender Parenting & Surrogacy

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‘Intended Parents’ is a short film about a Black millennial couple, seeking to expand their family through surrogacy. With one partner identifying as a transgender woman, the couple (Alexander Grey as “Robyn” and Lawrence Locke as “Anthony”) find themselves continously educating or being imprisoned by outdated traditions and opinions from loved ones. While the film explores the intersections of love, gender, surrogacy, acceptance, and desperation; the powerful couple aims to deflate multiple negative stigmas as they prepare for the life-alternating roller coaster of fertility and surrogacy. The short film also features Marc Rose, Varinia Justine and Fredrick Irvin as supporting characters.

WATCH OFFICIAL TRAILER HERE

The film is set to release November 25, 2021 nationwide  and can be streamed via Amazon Prime Video.

Emmy Award Winner and co-director, Dr. Louis Deon Jones, states, “Intended Parents strives to normalize surrogacy, love, support and advocacy, for the transgender community.” In addition, the beautifully directed film has been co-directed by Jabari Redd and executive produced by; Taylor Bryan Barr, Andre Davis, Tori Kay, & Shar Jossell.

Unfortunately, 2021 has already seen 45 transgender or gender non-conforming people fatally killed. With the fatal violence disproportionately affecting transgender women of color, particularly Black transgender women, showing films like ‘Intended Parents’ is imperative to dismantle a culture violence and shame against the transgender community.

About Dr. Louis Deon Jones

Dr. Louis Deon Jones is a screenwriter, producer, director and psych doctor originally from Chicago, IL but resides in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Louis is known for his award winning digital series, Cycles and NoHo: A North Hollywood Story. He is the writer, producer, and director of several short films such as The Good Teacher, A Hopeless Father, Can I Be Me?, Divided, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? and Produced the Daytime Emmy Award winning film, ‘The Girl in Apartment 15’ which earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Fiction Program.

Why Tracey Scott Wilson Deserves Your Respect

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Tracey Scott Wilson

How the ‘Respect’ screenwriter’s sexual identity influenced her telling of Aretha’s story
By Chris Azzopardi

Aretha Franklin’s journey to self-discovery is seen through the lens of openly lesbian screenwriter Tracey Scott Wilson in “Respect,” the biopic starring Jennifer Hudson as Detroit’s own Queen of Soul. In director Liesl Tommy’s film, Wilson focuses on Franklin’s tumultuous path to the top, one that involved many years of fighting for personal and professional agency. 

During her formative years, Aretha was bound to the controlling men in her life, namely her first husband, Ted White, and father, C.L. Franklin. That is, until she realized she didn’t have to be. The movie’s message — find your own voice — is one Wilson is very familiar with. After all, she’s lesbian. And, like Aretha, a preacher’s daughter. 

From Brooklyn, the screenwriter spoke about how being part of the LGBTQ+ community influenced her script, why Aretha isn’t considered a gay icon, and how she wants the Queen’s song “Ain’t No Way” to be reclaimed as the gay anthem she says it is. 

There are so many ways to tell Aretha’s story. How do you think your identity helped shape the narrative direction of the story as you chose to tell it?

That’s such a great question and something that no one has ever asked me. I didn’t know that Carolyn [Aretha’s younger sister] was a lesbian and so, when I found that out, that was just huge. I was like, “Wow. I wonder what would’ve happened had I known that when I was a kid.” 

So, reading about Aretha’s family and the uniqueness of circumstances. And, also, my father was a minister. Obviously not as big as C.L., but I was very sort of tuned into the preacher’s kid part of me because, whenever you’re a preacher’s kid, you have to find your own identity outside of your parents. It can be so overwhelming. So I was just thinking about Carolyn and being a preacher’s kid, with a world-famous father at that. And then also, as a gay person, to decide you’re going to live your truth is just remarkable. Aretha, you know, never questioned [it]. They completely accepted that.

So was Carolyn your inroad to this story?

I think that Aretha was still the inroad, but because of her and Erma [Aretha’s elder sister], they were really important because I realized how much they influenced her, and vice versa. Their relationship was very formative to her. And whenever I was thinking about Aretha, I was thinking about where her sisters were at that moment.

Of course there’s gay gospel musician and Aretha collaborator James Cleveland, played by Tituss Burgess in the movie. Do you think Aretha coming out of her shell and harnessing her inner power had anything to do with the LGBTQ+ people around her, like Carolyn and James? 

I actually do believe that. James Cleveland would have these parties and there were just gay people there, where it was sort of unspoken. Singers in the Black churches, ministers of music…

I think that her father, from all of my research, was just never sort of judgmental about that. I mean, I think it was different when it came to his own daughter. But I do think that seeing so many people — women, gay men — just live their truest under her father’s roof really did help her later on, in terms of just declaring her own identity. 

Why do you think Aretha’s contemporaries, like Diana Ross and Patti LaBelle, are considered gay icons but Aretha is rarely referred to as one? 

I think that the reason she hasn’t traditionally fallen into that category is because of her relationship with the church. For so many gay people, the church has been a source of pain. And for Aretha, it was a source of pain, but also her greatest source of inspiration. I think that’s why she wasn’t a gay icon. You know, “Amazing Grace” is her best-selling album [Note: It’s also the best selling gospel album of all time, period]. Whereas Patti LaBelle grew up in the church as well, but musically she wasn’t as connected to it. Same thing as Diana Ross. Diana Ross, growing up in the Motown scene, she didn’t have anything to do with that. So, I think that’s the unintended barrier, because she definitely had all of the other qualities these women had. The larger-than-life persona, the feminism…

And the shade. The shade was just so good.

The shade. Oh my god.

To me, a lot of things that Aretha had done in her career fall into the gay icon category: the over-the-top exuberance, the voice, the sass, the shade.  

Carolyn, she wrote “Ain’t No Way” to be… it’s a gay anthem. When you look at those lyrics, it was so clear. You know what she’s talking about.

Do you think Aretha knew?

Oh, absolutely. I think the lyrics spoke to her as well, but her singing there was also an acknowledgement of her sister. [Aretha] was very private, so she didn’t talk about her life and she certainly wasn’t going to talk about her sister’s private life. I think if it would have been known, she would’ve been right up there with Cher. 

I can’t find a lot of examples of Aretha actually openly talking about her LGBTQ+ fanbase.

I don’t think that was because of any type of shame. I just think that she was so intensely private that any opening up of that conversation would’ve meant talking about Carolyn. It would’ve meant talking about James Cleveland. It would’ve meant talking about her childhood. And she just didn’t want to. 

It sounds like Aretha’s relationship with Carolyn gave you some insight into how Aretha felt about the community. 

James Cleveland as well. You can see from “Amazing Grace” how close they were, growing up at the house with him. He was obviously very open about it. 

Because of the movie, now I hear “Ain’t No Way” in a brand new queer light. It really does sound like a gay anthem. 

Yeah, it really is. I hope it gets reclaimed. Because of just time, I wasn’t able to talk about Carolyn being a lesbian in the movie. There were a couple of scenes where I sort of laid it out. They had conversations, but it had to be cut. But I just hope it gets reclaimed for the anthem that it is.

Can you talk about the scenes that didn’t make the cut? 

There’s a scene where Erma and Aretha were talking with Carolyn, and Carolyn is feeling sorry about somebody she dated that was crazy [laughs]. It was a scene where Aretha and Erma were talking to Carolyn, and they were asking her about someone she had previously dated and Carolyn was basically saying, “Don’t. Please. Don’t ever mention that girl’s name again.” And there was another scene where she started wrestling with who she was interested in. 

Maybe the follow-up you write is Carolyn’s story.

Wouldn’t that be something? Wouldn’t it? Carolyn and James’s story.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

Lil Nas X: Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year

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Trevor Project Honors Lil Nas X

The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, honored Grammy Award-winning artist Lil Nas X with its inaugural Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award. Lil Nas X has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting The Trevor Project’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ young people with his openness about struggling with his sexuality and suicidal ideation, his continued advocacy around mental health issues, and his unapologetic celebration of his queer identity.

The Trevor Project’s inaugural Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and the crucial work that needs to be done to end suicide among LGBTQ youth. According to The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. Due to higher rates of discrimination, rejection, and social isolation, LGBTQ young people are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, seriously considering suicide, and more.

In accepting the award, Lil Nas X said: “Thank you so much to The Trevor Project for this award and for all they do for the LGBTQ community. Discrimination around sexuality and gender identity is still very real, and our community deserves to feel supported and totally free to be themselves. I often get messages from fans telling me about their struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and it made me realize that this was something bigger than myself. If using my voice and expressing myself in my music can help even one kid out there who feels alone, then it was all worth it.”

Amidst a record-breaking year for anti-LGBTQ legislation and violence against the LGBTQ community, The Trevor Project is highlighting the importance of queer representation in the media, and the powerful message of visibility and hope it sends to LGBTQ young people.

“The Trevor Project is thrilled to honor Lil Nas X with the Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award,” said Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director at The Trevor Project. “His vulnerability in his journey to self acceptance and expression has created space for candid conversations around mental health and sexual identity, signaling to LGBTQ youth that they are not alone. The Trevor Project’s research shows that over 80% of LGBTQ youth say that LGBTQ celebrities positively influence how they feel about being LGBTQ, further affirming the cultural impact of Lil Nas X being proud of who he is and an ideal recipient of this inaugural award.”

Following his chart-topping, genre-defying debut “Old Town Road” in 2019, Lil Nas X quickly became a global LGBTQ icon recognized for his fearless effort in changing the status quo around what it means to be queer and Black in the mainstream music industry. Throughout his career, he has been an outspoken and unapologetic advocate for the LGBTQ community, using his platform to shed light on mental health issues many LGBTQ young people face. In February, Lil Nas X shared a series of intimate TikTok videos documenting his life story, including his silent battle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation during his rise to fame. The following month, he penned a heartfelt letter to his 14-year-old self about coming out publicly to mark the release of “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).” In the letter he states, “I know we promised to die with the secret, but this will open doors for many other queer people to simply exist.” In May, he released the music video for his single “SUN GOES DOWN,” which depicts Lil Nas X uplifting a younger version of himself in high school when he was contemplating suicide and struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Through his bold music videos, poignant song lyrics, and candor on social media, Lil Nas X continues to fight for mainstream queer representation and elevate important issues around mental health, igniting change and spotlighting the experiences of LGBTQ young people around the world.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678678.

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide. If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, our trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat www.TheTrevorProject.org/Help, or by texting START to 678-678.

Victory Fund Endorses Malcom Kenyatta

by
Malcom Kenyatta

Victory Fund has endorsed Malcom Kenyatta for the United States Senate in Pennsylvania. If elected Kenyatta will become the first out gay man ever elected to the United States Senate. His primary election takes place May 17, 2022, and the general election is November 8, 2022.

The Victory Fund writes…

Representative Malcolm Kenyatta currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention, and on a host of committee leadership positions. As the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, he is deeply committed to creating an equitable and inclusive society. As a legislator, he has championed proposals to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage, protect workers’ rights, increase access to mental healthcare, stem the rise of gun violence, and protect our digital infrastructure. 
 
In 2016 and in 2020, he was elected as Delegate to the Democratic Convention, both times garnering the second-highest vote total of any delegate in the Commonwealth. He has also appeared on local and national media outlets to discuss systemic poverty, affordable education and childcare, and making government more accountable to citizens. He was the subject of an award-winning short documentary about his election run, ‘Going Forward’ produced by Seven Knot Productions, which premiered on ‘The Atlantic Magazine Selects’ in 2018. In 2020, he was chosen by President Joe Biden to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention along with a group of other ‘Rising Stars.’ He was one of twenty Electoral College votes cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 

Malcolm lives in the same neighborhood he grew up in North Philadelphia with his partner, Dr. Matthew Jordan Miller. 

Learn more about Malcom at: www.malcolmkenyatta.com