More than one million African Americans self-identify as LGBTQ/SGL in our nation. When you are African American and also identify as LGBTQ/SGL, or when you’re gender non-conforming, more generally, one often experiences dual discrimination, which can have a substantial economic impact in addition to exacting an emotional and physical toll. In fact, recent research has found that the LGBTQ/SGL population is less likely to be employed, less likely to have a college degree, and less likely to have health insurance when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. On top of this, we know that children in African American LGBTQ/SGL families are more likely to be living in poverty than children in white LGBT families. Because of homophobia, stigma, bias, and other external factors, we have historically been discriminated against by the broader American public and sometimes within our own families and communities.
A Call to Action
Over the next six months, National Black Justice Coalition and White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans in collaboration with Black Enterprise are excited to further this important conversation by celebrating and honoring unapologetic black LGBTQ/SGL history makers, as well as highlighting promising and proven strategies to provide safe and supportive environments in which African American LGBTQ/SGL self-identified youth can learn and develop.