Feb
21

National Black Justice Coalition Comments on Jussie Smollett Arrest

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, news broke that Empire Actor Jussie Smollett has been arrested for allegedly filing a false hate crime report. In response to this news, David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
 
“It is important for cases to be tried in courts — legal courts, not courts of public opinion. While we know the allegations don’t look good for our brother Jussie, we will not be judge and jury...."

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Jan
29

National Black Justice Coalition Demands Justice for Jussie Smollett

WASHINGTON, DC-- This morning, news broke that early Tuesday morning, Jussie Smollett, a cast member of ‘Empire,’ was brutally attacked in an apparent hate crime. In response to the news David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened, disheartened and devastated that an attack steeped in racist and homophobic hatred could happen to anyone. But we are not surprised. This attack is a sad reminder that none of us — not even our famous entertainers — are safe from the ugly vestiges of white supremacy, anti-Blackness and homophobia.

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Jan
25

For the Civil Rights Act to do its job, Congress must pass the Equality Act

This year ushered in the most diverse set of Congressional representatives ever. We’ve celebrated historic firsts, like the first Queer woman of color, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), who is also one of the first two indigenous women in Congress. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) became the first openly bisexual member of the Senate. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) proudly displays a Transgender pride flag outside her office in support of the Trans community. With representation comes the promise of a voice, the promise of change.

 

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Jan
22

Supreme Court Permits Trump Administration to Enforce Transgender Military Ban

WASHINGTON -- Today, the US Supreme Court granted the Trump Administration’s request to begin implementing its discriminatory and pernicious ban of military service by transgender people, calling into question the honorable service of thousands of troops and putting our military readiness on the line. An estimated 15,000 transgender people currently serve in the military and the Supreme Court’s actions today places all of their careers in jeopardy.

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Jan
10

LGBTQ and Allied Organizations Urge Thorough, Independent Investigation and Critical Reforms Following Second Suspicious Death of a Black Man at the West Hollywood Home of Ed Buck

Today, 51 LGBTQ and allied organizations (listed below) released the following statement to demand a thorough investigation by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office of the second death of a Black man at the West Hollywood home of Ed Buck, a prominent political donor, within two years.

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