Celebrating Black LGBTQIA Trailblazers

In February, we particularly celebrate Black history and the contributions of Black Americans. June Jordan and James Baldwin, pictured below, advanced the civil rights movement and the gay liberation movement with their critically-acclaimed literature.

Audre Lorde, bottom right, was an American writer, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist who described herself as a "black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet." With her advocacy and sharp creativity, she addressed racism, misogyny, and homophobia. bell hooks, top middle, died just two months ago in December 2021 after a renowned career examining gender, race, and sexuality with her own writing.

From civil rights activist Bayard Rustin to Marsha P. Johnson and her advocacy at the Stonewall Inn, Black LGBTQ Americans have long expanded the fields of art, medicine, politics and host of others.

Within Black History Month, February 7 marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. While celebrating progress in reducing new HIV diagnoses among Black people, we are still called to work against the racism, homophobia, and transphobia that reduces accessibility to HIV prevention and treatment.

The PC(USA) is holding an online worship service and three forums to commemorate Black History Month. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3ANs1BK.