Dear Editor,
I am delighted that your newspaper recognized the significance of covering Minister Louis Farrakhan's invitation for Black gays and lesbians to attend [ the ] Millions More March.
However, I am equally disturbed that your focus was more on the scandal surrounding the selection of a Black LGBT speaker than on the work that is actually being done to decrease homophobia and increase tolerance within African American communities.
While the Nation of Islam and its affiliates are traditionally known for their anti-homosexual beliefs and doctrines, over the past several years there has been a considerable amount of dialogue around the acceptance of Black gays and lesbians within the African American community at large. In fact, in 1998 the Black Men's Xchange ( BMX ) sponsored a forum on homosexuality in the Black community, with several members of the Nation of Islam and other religious sects present.
This discussion, in conjunction with the BMX's continued effort to build a bridge between Black same-gender-loving individuals and religious institutions that are notorious for perpetuating homophobia in Black communities, led to the executive committee of the Millions More Movement electing for Cleo Manago, founder of the BMX, to speak at this year's March.
But this truth, unfortunately, did not make headlines. Instead, the community has focused its energy on the exclusion of media personality Keith Boykin from the speakers' roster, resulting in an increase in division within the Black gay community on the grounds of how we choose to identify our sexuality.
I am writing you, as well as other established gay media outlets, to plead for your assistance in uniting our same-gender-loving communities of color, rather than playing into the apparent personality conflicts that divide us. Quite frankly, neither Keith Boykin nor Cleo Manago represent the Black gay and lesbian community as a whole and, therefore, our focus must extend beyond these two individual figures. There are far greater issues that need to be addressed as it relates to our community, and disputes such as these are mere distractions from those concerns. I beseech you to rise above the superficial drama and responsibly report on the real matters that are plaguing our communities daily, along with the real efforts that are in place to create change within them. The role that you play is a critical one, and it is my sincere hope that you perceive it as such.
Much peace, power and love to you.
Keith R. Green
An article by Keith Green about the Millions More March also appears in the November edition of Identity, now available in print and online at www.windycitymediagroup.com .
LCCP Controversy: Response
Recently there have been letters referencing an e-mail exchange between a board member of LCCP and the Executive Director. The e-mail was intended to be a private discussion and yes, some blowing off of steam, regarding the discussion of nominees to the Hall of Fame.
The breach of confidentiality and the information shared from several sources at the Hall of Fame meeting created very hurt feelings and was then unfortunately perpetuated by a member of the board, the Executive Director, and the person who inappropriately made the private e-mail exchange public.
For our part, we apologize for people's feelings being hurt and for letting our emotions get the better of us.
We will not publicly discuss Board or personnel process at LCCP. We have offered to meet with the individuals involved and that invitation remains open.
If you have further questions or would like to discuss this matter please call LCCP's Executive Director, Jessica Halem, directly at 773-572-5116 or me at 773-248-8887.
Sincerely, Mary M. York,
LCCP Board President