event details posted by: The Womyn's Village begins: Apr 17, 5:30 pm ends: Apr 17, 8:00 pm location: St Lukes Church, 13th & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia PA The Womyn's Village

Transgressive Politics: Unprecedented Organizing Among LGBT Communities of Color
By: LGBT People of Color Coalition

This is a very exciting time for LGBT communities of color in the “City of Brotherly Love and
Sisterly Affection”. We are beginning to organize in ways we have not in recent years. For
instance, new organizing and awesome partnerships have been created between lesbian and
transgender communities. In addition, a coalition comprised of12 LGBT organizations of color representing Black, Latino and Asian ethnic communities along the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender spectrum has been created. These are unprecedented occurrences among LGBT populations of color in Philadelphia and we feel the time is right to challenge the oppressive gender and racial shackles of old that have served to constrain our progression.

On Thursday April 17, 2008, the LGBT People of Color Coalition will be sponsoring an open political community forum. Historically issues affecting LGBT people of color communities such as immigration, access to health care, affordable housing, urban education issues and police harassment are heard through the lens of "mainstream" LGBT groups. A forum by and for people of color LGBT communities ensures that these issues, in addition to other critical issues such as the proposed marriage amendment act in the state legislature will be properly vetted through communities who haven’t necessarily weighed in on such important issues in previous years.

The forum will start with a moderated community discussion where audience members will have time to respond to issues of both local and national significance to LGBT communities. Some of the issues we will discuss include our support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the version that is inclusive of Gender Identity; support for universal health care, including improved standards of care for LGBT populations; support for an inclusive educational system for students, families, teachers and administrators; support for affordable and appropriate shelter services for LGBT populations and more.

The final hour of the community forum will feature time for presidential representatives, and
state and local officials to discuss how they will support the plight of our communities.
Confirmed officials include: Tobias Wolff (LGBT advisor for Barack Obama), Mark Walsh (LGBT advisor for Hillary Clinton); State Senate District 1 candidates Anne Dicker, Larry Farnese and John Dougherty; and City Council members Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Frank Rizzo. We anticipate more elected officials will confirm prior to the forum.
This forum should be viewed as expanding the dialogue regarding the interests and needs of
LGBT communities, not closing it. This is an opportunity for LGBT people of color to share the mirrored experiences of being both racial minorities and members of LGBT communities. It's also an opportunity for allies both straight and non people of color to support the development of a stronger more united community with a shared interest in improving the quality of life for all LGBT individuals, families and communities.

The LGBT People of Color Coalition extends an invitation for the community to join us in this
progressive event to strengthen our communities. The forum will be held on Thursday April 17, 2008, 5:30PM-8PM at St. Luke’s Church located at 330 S.13th Street. For questions or comments about the forum, please contact Soda Nobuhle at soda_nobuhle@yahoo.com or Lee Carson at lcarson@bgmlc.org.

The LGBT People of Color Coalition is comprised of: AIDS Services in Asian Communities (ASIAC), Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc, Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council (BGMLC), Black LGBT Archivists Society, COLOURS Organization, Inc, Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI), House of Blahnik, People With Hope Trans Conference, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, The Womyn’s Village, Trans
Masculine Advocacy Network (TMAN) and Unity Fellowship Church.

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