WASHINGTON—The National Black Justice Coalition ( NBJC ) released a compelling, comprehensive "2018 NBJC Federal Government Report Card" today, outlining the performance of all three branches of the federal government on a number of issues relevant to Black LGBTQ and same gender loving ( SGL ) people. View the full report here.
The release coincides with the NBJC's Issue Advocacy Day, also today, where copies of the report will be shared with elected officials and their staff on Capitol Hill to raise awareness of the critical policies discussed in the report. NBJC is joined by the Black AIDS Institute and Black Youth Project 100 in this effort. Confirmed congressional meetings include: Senator Kamala Harris ( CA ), Senator Cory Booker ( NJ ), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke ( NY-09 ), Congressman Anthony Brown ( MD-04 ) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi ( CA-12 ), among others.
"It is dangerous and inaccurate to think that the current presidential administration has been ineffective," said David J. Johns, the Executive Director of the NBJC. "As evidenced in this report, the current Administration has been destructively productive and the impact of their efforts will be felt for decades to come."
As one of the only report cards monitoring the quality of civil rights for Black LGBTQ/SGL people in America, the report card evaluates Donald Trump and the executive branch, all 535 members of the U.S. Congress, and the Supreme Court on all the ways "this Administration has stymied the advancement of public policies and executive actions that would empower Black communities, LGBTQ/SGL people."
REPORT CARD HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
The Trump Administration's dismissal of all members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS;
The Trump Administration's executive order citing 'religious freedom' as a license to discriminate against LGBTQ/SGL parents;
The Trump Administration's rescinding of past guidance that protected transgender students by civil rights laws;
The Supreme Court ruling on Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission- a ruling that opens the door to discrimination against LGBTQ/SGL people; and
A grade chart outlining every member of Congress' vote on a number of relevant legislation including the American Healthcare Act of 2018, Betsy Devos' confirmation, and the Affordable Care Act Repeal.
"We cannot grow fatigued or turn away from what's happening federally, but instead continue to engage and use this info to help spur action—civic and political participation," said Johns.
QUOTES FROM NBJC SUPPORTERS:
"NBJC's report card shows that this administration has not only created pathways for outright discrimination against same-sex couples but has made decisions that will hurt this community in all aspects of their lives, from access to housing to state-mandated discrimination at work. NBJC's report card highlights why intersectional policy making will lead to a stronger nation overall. It is crucial that we stay vigilant about the agenda that is being pushed through the Trump administration, be proactive about being counted in the 2020 census, and take the information from NBJC's report card with us to the polls in November." ~ Reverend Al Sharpton, National Action Network
"The Federal Report Card produced by the National Black Justice Coalition represents the gold standard in holding elected officials accountable to protect civil rights. I stand with the National Black Justice Coalition and other allies in the fight for social justice to stand up against the Trump Administration by fighting harder than ever to protect those most susceptible to his attacks. This is what it looks like to #WorkWoke!" ~ Angela Rye, CNN Political Commentator, IMPACT Strategies Principal and CEO
"One of the things I have always respected about NBJC and David Johns is their ability to model allyship. The Disability Community and the LGBTQIA/SGL communities share so many fights and have such significant overlap, that any chance to work together and create a more inclusive document is not just a responsibility that we all take seriously, but also an honor and a pleasure." ~ Rebecca Cokley, Director, Disability Justice Initiative Center for American Progress
The report includes a call to action—with phone numbers to the White House and Capitol switchboard— that include registering to vote, holding elected leaders accountable, calling member of Congress.
—From a press release
The National Black Justice Coalition is ( NBJC ) is America's leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving ( LGBTQ/SGL ) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
