The Magic City Advocate
Official Newsletter for the Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity
City of Birmingham, AL
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Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera marching at the Christopher Street Liberation Day, Gay Pride Parade.
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During the 1960’s solicitation of same sex or homosexual relations was illegal in New York City. Members of the LGBTQ+ community congregated at gay bars and clubs frequently as an asylum, where they could socialize and gather openly. However, these establishments were constantly the target for harassment and discrimination. For instance, The New York State Liquor Authority punished and closed establishments that served alcohol to known or presumed LGBT community members. The New York State Liquor Authority states that the reasoning was due to homosexuals being disorderly when gathered at gay bars and clubs. A ‘Sip In’ organized by the Mattachine Society, an early gay rights activist group, attributed to these practices and policies being overturned in 1966.
In the early hours of June 28th, 1969, New York City Police raided a gay bar known as the Stonewall Inn. The police raided Stonewall Inn and arrested over 13 employees and individuals for violating the state’s law against cross-dressing. Neighborhood residents and patrons gathered outside attacking the police for their brutality against their community members. The protestors threw pennies, bottles, and anything that could be found. This form of protest turned into a full out riot involving over 100 individuals. This riot sparked political activism among the LGBT community, leading to the founding of many gay rights organizations including the Human Rights Campaign and the Liberation Front. June is now recognized as PRIDE month in commemoration of these events.
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We stand in solidarity with lives taken from us too soon.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
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QUEER FOLKS IN THE BLACK CHURCH
By: Uche Bean (She, Her, Hers/Ally)
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I remember there being conversations, whispers even, about the ‘sissies’ in church. The old folks would say, "You know he got a little sugar in his tank", or flip their hands back and forth while discussing my cousin who they said was, ‘
funny acting
’. What made me giggle as a child, them mocking something I didn’t understand, now as an adult makes me sick to my stomach.
Growing up in black church meant Sundays filled with soulful music glorifying and honoring God, colorful church outfits and hats that would put your fiercest runway model to shame and of course a word from our pastor. But in the same place where hope and forgiveness was offered, were harsh overtones of homophobia that fill the pews like parishioners. There was a clear presence of queer people in the church and just as clear was a staunch don’t ask, don’t tell policy.
“He can sholl sing but I don’t want to know what he does when he leaves here”, I would hear one of the deacons say, referring to a choir member. This all while many churches thrive on the talents of those forced to hide their truths. Gay musicians and singers alike have been instrumental in helping many gospel choirs become chart-topping acts that help churches grow congregations and even bring some fame to pastors. And in recent history, we have seen male pastors caught in scandals involving alleged affairs with other men. This hypocrisy of faith and misuse of talents is concerning, especially for those who wish for acceptance in the church. Being black and queer is a unique paradigm and looked at as a double if not triple-negative, depending on who you ask. Simply put, to them homosexuality is a sin.
Gospel music star and megachurch pastor, Donnie McClurkin revealed in his 2001 book, Eternal Victim, Eternal Victor, that God had “delivered” him from being gay. He blamed that lifestyle on being sexually abused as a child.
McClurkin later went on to say that being gay is a choice. He is still accepted by the black church. But others have not fared the same fate. For instance, Gospel artist, Tonex came out in 2009 and was shunned by the black church community and the many in the gospel music world.
For those in the LGBTQ+ community, it is already a daunting task to come out and face confusion and be misunderstood but Black LGBTQ+ people have to face systemic racism and prejudice, the ignorance of society, the black community and the pillar of most black communities—the church.
My call to action to many of our places of worship, as an ally and as a black woman, is to practice what you preach. We should accept everyone the way they choose to be accepted under God’s grace and love.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
1 John 4:16 New International Version (NIV)
Uche Bean, serves as administrator for the City of Birmingham's Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity.
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Bham LGBTQ+ CultureThon
A Fundraiser for Birmingham Art, Culture, & Entertainment
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The City of Birmingham LGBTQ+ Advisory Board believes in providing local platforms for artistic expression and support. They are pleased to present, CultureThon, a virtual artistic production that will increase morale and provide an avenue of fundraising on June 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm. In collaboration with House of Cocx Productions, this virtual experience will feature performances of drag, theater, podcasts, dance, comedy and more. For more information, contact The City of Birmingham, Office of Social Justice and Racial Equity. Watch CultureThon live on the office’s Facebook Page and on YouTube from House of Cocx, June 25th at 6:00 pm.
Bham LGBTQ+ CultureThon Donation Page:
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Join our efforts in ensuring every citizen in our city is counted. Count Me In Birmingham is a program created to raise awareness and increase completion of the 2020 Census in the City of Birmingham.
TAKE THE CENSUS NOW:
Usted puede responder al Censo del 2020 en español.
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Magic City Acceptance Center
The Magic City Acceptance Center (MCAC) provides a safe, supportive and affirming space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) people and their allies in Birmingham, Alabama.
Call Us:
205-407-5799
Find Us:
Visit:
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HRC Alabama
HRC Alabama is the local presence of the Human Rights Campaign - Project One America. We're working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
Visit:
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AIDS Alabama
AIDS Alabama has been committed to helping people living with HIV/AIDS in Alabama for over 30 years. We focus on housing, policy and advocacy, supportive services, HIV prevention and education, as well as free and confidential HIV testing
.
Call Us:
205-324-9822
Find Us:
3529 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL, 35222
Visit:
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PFLAG
PFLAG Birmingham advocates full equality and civil rights for all people. Our monthly peer-to-peer support group meetings help families in crisis to dispel myths and stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender identity. By encouraging dialogue in a confidential, non-judgmental environment, we strive to promote the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons, their families and their friends.
Visit:
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Central Alabama Pride
Central Alabama Pride, Inc. (CAP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to spreading the message of equality each year with the production of our LGBT Pride events which also brings together all Alabama citizens. We also support HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout the year such as Birmingham AIDS Outreach, AIDS Alabama, and Magic City Wellness Center and Acceptance Center.
Call Us:
(256) 813-4227
Find Us:
205 32nd St S
Birmingham, AL 35233
Visit:
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BHAM Black Pride
Our mission is to bring together LGBTQ communities of color to share, celebrate, and recognize the importance of our combined heritage, history, and culture. Our vision is To mobilize, organize, empower, and educate LGBTQ communities of color in Birmingham, and the state at large, to enhance health, wellness, and social justice.
Call Us:
205-918-8204
Find Us:
3529 7th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Visit:
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TAKE
The organization started out as a peer support group for trans women of color (TWOC) to come together and share their narratives. As a result, TAKE soon discovered that the organization needed to be more than a support group. There was organizing that needed to be done to break down barriers and to set standards within the Birmingham community for trans-related issues. The group began to focus on issues such as discrimination in the workplace, housing advocacy, support for sex workers, providing trans-friendly services, and working to alleviate the many other barriers that TWOC face that no one else was talking about.
Visit:
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Birmingham AIDS Outreach
The mission of Birmingham AIDS Outreach is to enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV / AIDS, at-risk, affected individuals, and the LGBTQ community through outreach, age-appropriate prevention education, and supportive services.
Call us:
205.322.4197
Find us:
205 32nd Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Visit:
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Invisible History Project
The Invisible Histories Project is designed to be a repository for the preservation of the history of LGBTQ life first in the state of Alabama and then the entire Southeast. The archive will preserve, collect, and protect the living history of the diversity of the Queer community–both urban and rural.
Visit:
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Magic City Wellness Center
In January 2016, BAO (Birmingham AIDS Outreach) opened the Magic City Wellness Center. This primary care medical center provides services for LGBTQ individuals and their allies. BAO is pleased to partner with MAO (Medical AIDS Outreach) of Montgomery with this new project. Counseling services, STD/STI testing and treatment, and nutritional services are also available. MCWC is the first LGBTQ Wellness Center in Alabama and one of the few in the Southeast.
Call us:
205.877.8677
Find us:
2500 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Visit:
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Mayor's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board
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The LGBTQ Advisory Board to Mayor Randall Woodfin is composed of citywide LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates.
The 28-member body makes recommendations to the Mayor that help shape the City’s policies and engagements with Birmingham’s LGBTQ communities.
Last Day to apply is August 31
st
2020
www.birminghamal.gov/socialjustice
For more information contact
Josh Coleman
205-254-2608
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CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WOMEN'S INITIATIVE
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On June 19, 2020, the
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
will honor Dr. Angela Y. Davis with the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. In recognition of Dr. Davis’ activism, scholarship and advocacy for human rights, the Board of Directors of the BCRI affirms the award extended in 2018. Dr. Davis has accepted the award and will be honored in a virtual program moderated by Professor D. Wendy Greene, of Drexel University. The program will be streamed live at 7:00 pm central through the BCRI’s Facebook and YouTube social media channels. BCRI invites you to join in celebrating Dr. Davis.
For more information:
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ACIJ will have two mental health webinars for DACA recipients at 6 pm on Thursday, June 11th and 18th. Due to the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the DACA program, we want to make sure that DACA recipients have general knowledge of how to take care of their mental health and we are grateful to have counselor Marcos Almonte Perez from the Eagle Consulting Counseling Division, as our speaker for both webinars and Dr. Denise Draa as our honorary guest for our first session.
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We are excited to announce that the Birmingham Freedom Fest will return this summer in an innovative new way!
Freedom Fest will be an one of a kind virtual experience with thought-provoking discussions, interactive videos and interviews that will shine a light on issues of equity and civic engagement along with entertainment acts from local and national artists.
SAVE THE DATE
, Saturday, July 25th, 2020! Be sure to follow us on social media
@
FreedomFestBHM
or visit our website
freedomfestbhm.com
to stay updated on the latest Freedom Festival news, including how to access the virtual experience.
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Event:
People Powered Fair Maps Campaign and Redistricting
Date:
June 22, 2020 at 6:30 PM
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NEW YORK TIMES
FORTUNE
THE WASHINGTON POST
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
BIRMINGHAM TIMES
BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
DAILY BEAST
CITY LAB
WVTM 13
TIME
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Be smart, follow these CDC guidelines:
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Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or a hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed
- Practice social distancing and avoid close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
- Avoid touching your face
- Cover coughs or sneezes
- Wear face coverings if possible
- Stay home if you are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
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Mayor Woodfin and the City of Birmingham are committed to keeping you informed on the latest information concerning city efforts related to COVID-19.
For English text keyword
BHMCOVID
to
888-777
to receive text message updates about important announcements and information from City of Birmingham.
Para Español texto
BHMCOVID19
al
888-777
para recibir actualizaciones de mensajes de texto sobre anuncios importantes e información de la ciudad de Birmingham.
UPDATED LIST OF TESTING SITES:
https://www.birminghamal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020.5.12.COVID_.Updated-Testing-Sites.pdf
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SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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Click image below to view PDF
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Visit our website:
Follow us on social media
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