Happy Black History Month!

From Nadine Bridges, One Colorado Executive Director: 

‍It is important to acknowledge and honor the invaluable contributions of Black Queer Leaders who have set a blueprint for us to follow. Their dedication has paved the way for us to overcome the most difficult of struggles, despite the failure to be recognized within our own communities.

• Why it matters: In the face of increased anti-Blackness and misogynoir, our Black trans family members bear the brunt of devastating harm. And yet their trans joy is something we should celebrate and protect. Their resilience and courage creates a strong foundation within our community and it is our duty to hold anyone accountable who tries to do harm.
• The work ahead: As we navigate through these challenging times, let’s commit to genuine anti-racist action. We must investigate our identities and mitigate power dynamics and work to ensure the amplification of Black and Brown voices. The incredible Pauli Murray once said, “True community is based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together.” The key word is reciprocity, and now is the time for us to not just recognize and celebrate Black contributors to our history but defend our communities against invalidation and erasure.  

May this Black History Month be a catalyst for lasting change, fostering a community where all voices are seen, heard, uplifted and protected. Peace and respect to all who contribute to this shared journey.

Black LGBTQIA+ Activists

The One Colorado team is inspired by these Black queer, trans and intersex leaders and, we hope you will be too! The names, organizations and resources are by no means exhaustive, but may serve as a launching point. They are listed in alphabetical order.

‍

Adrienne Maree Brown | Queer visionary author, teacher, doula, activist and organizer

Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) | Choreographer, artistic director and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Arewá Basit | Co-founder of LEGACY: A BLACK QUEER PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE 

Audre Lorde (1932-1992) | Feminist poet

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) Civil rights activist

bell hooks (1952-2021) | Writer, teacher, and cultural critic

Dominique Jackson | Model, actor, Elektra Abundance on the FX tv series Pose

Imara Jones | Trans journalist, Founder of TransLash Media

James Baldwin  (1924-1987) | Fiction writer, essayist, dramatist, and poet

Jazzmyne Jay | Co-creator of @plussizefriendly 

Jennifer Mullan | Clinical Psychologist and author

Jessamyn Stanley | Fat activist, yoga teacher

Logan Grendel | Artist

Lori Lightfoot | Politician, attorney, 56th mayor of Chicago from 2019-2023

Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) | Drag performer and social activist

Miss Major Griffin Gracy | Trans activist, Stonewall Riots veteran

Nelson Holland | Outdoor enthusiast

Parker Buschman aka Kween Werk | JEDI Strategist, Artist, and Co-founder of Inclusive Journeys

Rachel Ricketts | Afrofuturist healer, disabled creative, author, activist

Reggie Gavin AKA Symone, House of Avalon | Winner of Drag Race, Season 13 (2021)

Sean Saifa Wall | Intersex activist and scholar

Organizations

Colorado

Black Pride CO – blackpridedenver.com

Denver Black Queer Collective – meetup.com/denver-black-queer-collective

Shades of Honey – shadesofhoney.org

Soul 2 Soul Sisters – soul2soulsisters.org

YouthSeen – youthseen.org

National

Audre Lorde Project – alp.org

Black Trans Advocacy Coalition – blacktrans.org

Black Trans Liberation – blacktransliberation.com

BTFA Collective – btfacollective.org

Dem Bois – dembois.org

Marsha P. Johnson Institute – marshap.org

Mental Health Libration, BIPOC Therapy Fund – mentalhealthliberation.org

My Brother Too – mybrothertoo.com

National Black Justice Coalition – nbjc.org

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network – nqttcn.com/en

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) – surj.org

The Okra Project – theokraproject.com

Therapist of Color Collaborative – therapistofcolor.com

Trans Empowerment Project – transempowerment.org

Resources

Dear Black Women – “Your Care Package”

HRC –  “Report: Coming Out, Living Authentically as Black LGBTQ+ People” 

HRC – “Resources for Black parents, family and caregivers of Black trans, non-binary and gender-expansive youth”

HRC & Mental Health America – “Questions to Help QTBIPOC Find Affirming Mental Health Providers”

It Gets Better – “Resources serving the Black LGBTQ+ community” 

Soul 2 Soul Sisters – “Black Women Healing Resources”