GLAAD Encourages LGBT-Inclusive Coverage During Black History Month

While February was declared Black History Month to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, the lives of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people are often left out of the picture. From civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to community advocate Mandy Carter to well-renowned inventor George Washington Carver, black LGBT people have enriched our nation and our lives.

GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the Black AIDS Institute, the Audre Lorde Project (ALP), Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), Black Men's XChange, African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change (AALUSC), Southerners On New Ground (SONG), and LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent encourage journalists to include black LGBT people in their coverage of Black History Month.

We have distributed GLAAD’s Black History Month resource kit to various media outlets urging them to include voices of black LGBT people in stories that survey African American history.  Our resource kit includes suggestions for inclusive coverage, story ideas, a list of famous African American LGBT people and various media contacts.

GLAAD will also be highlighting the achievements of black LGBT trailblazers throughout the month on our blog. 

Other useful resources: GLAAD’s Communities of African Descent Resource Kit