Coalition for Justice and Respect ( CJR ) hosted a day of spoken word, special guest speakers, experts' presentations and more in its annual African-American Same Gender Loving Black Gay and Lesbian Community Summit at the Carter G. Woodson Library.
Chicago State University student and spoken-word performer Ra Perre LeMar Shelton introduced guests with a reading from his thesis that explores the intricacies, trajectories and problems of gender norms in relation to the LGBTQ community, in particular African-American women and men.
"African-American gay Black men are double-ostracizedonce because they are Black and another time because they are LGBTQ. I found that the real problem isn't necessarily who you have sex with but is that you are defined by gender norms in a world that is built on structure and commonality, which is not okay. Black people should embrace LGBTQ people not just as a part of their Black community but because Black people have in fact gone through some form of discrimination," said Shelton.
Special guests included dignitaries and activists such as state Sen. Howard Brookins, Sr.; 21st Ward Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; city policy director Mike Simmons; political consultant TyJuan Cratic; and more. Brookins, Jr., welcomed guests to the 21st Ward and thanked Marc Loveless, executive director of CJR, for his constant support and "teaching him some of the nuances that go on in the LGBT community."
"I understood racism," said Brookins, Jr. "But, I did not understand that there was racism in the gay, lesbian, and transgender community. I thank Marc for that education and enlightenment. I appreciate you all [ LGBT community ] and if you ever need an ally or a friend, I'm here."
Benefit and Insurance specialist Darren Tillis of State Farm Insurance presented guests with an update on how the passing of the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act affects insurance benefits. Under Tillis' tutorial, guests learned that, for instance, health-insurance policies and HMO contracts issued in Illinois must offer coverage to couples in civil unions.
There was also a political roundtable ( moderated by Cratic ) consisting of activists and civic leaders including former 46th Ward aldermanic candidate Emily Stewart; entrepreneur and former 4th Ward aldermanic candidate Norman Bolden; township administrator Tony Harper; political consultant Dorothy Bell; Kapri Brown-Enge and Kenye Tyms Enge offered an inside look into the behind the scenes of a campaign, voting and the dynamics of race and sexuality in regards to the political agenda and running for office. While Bolden described the 4th Ward as a "lakefront liberal community" and did not experience any open discrimination, Stewart remembered the negative attention and outcry from local business owners and Boystown residents concerning African-American gay youth who walk down Halsted Street and frequent the Center on Halsted.
"It was a very difficult situation," Stewart said. "It was unclear on rather or not these kids were engaged in any illegal behavior or the people of that area were uncomfortable with a group of people of a different culture coming into the community. So, you really don't know if this mostly white area of residents were being racist or rather there was a serious problem being caused by these kids."
Marine Corps veteran Marquell Smith touched on his experiences as a gay man in service. Smith noted that there is a disproportionate amount of gay minorities that are discharged on account of their sexuality in relation to their white counterparts. Smith was discharged from the corps because he is a gay man. Since then, he has worked towards the status of an honorable discharge. Smith looks forward to the day when "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a thing of the past.
Loveless felt that the conference accomplished its goals of keeping people informed, inviting the community for discussions on problems and solutions, and receiving their feedback. In the end, Loveless said the conference "was great, well-attended and featured some good presenters."