Full equality will only come after the many diverse segments of our country accept and appreciate LGBT Americans as an important, contributing and valued member of the American family. It’s not simply legal change that will make this happen; over time, the changing of hearts and minds is central to the realization of this goal. A key constituency on this journey is the nation’s African American population and that’s why Gill proudly includes an African American Initiative as part of its work.
The goal of the initiative is two-fold: to engage African American civil rights and social justice organizations at the local, state and national level on LGBT issues; and to increase the involvement of LGBT African Americans in advocacy and public policy efforts.
At the end of the day, LGBT Americans have a lot in common with our nation’s African American community: we share a desire for equal rights and stand on common ground in our desire to reduce to bias-motivated crimes, bullying, housing and job discrimination.