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Dear Sistahs and Brothers:

We, the undersigned, people of African descent, are diverse across gender, class, region, sexual orientation, political perspective, activist experience, religious and spiritual conviction, practice and traditions. We have come together for two purposes: 1) To raise our concerns about an alarming absence of national leadership in Black lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexual communities. Currently no such movement exist in this country. 2) To spark a national dialogue on launching a progressive Black les/bi/trans/gay movement. We acknowledge that there is no cohesive movement because there has been a lack of community building, leadership development and agenda setting.

We agree that what constitutes leadership in part, is accountability, responsibility, vision, courage, commitment to inclusivity, and constituency. We understand that Black leaders are not to be chosen externally; and visibility does not automatically equate leadership. We understand that the most radical work happens when everyone is involved in recreating, restoring, and recovering our communities. We understand that all oppressions are linked, and that we do not have the luxury to be separatist, divisive, or elitist.

We envision a movement in this country which:
• has a multi-issue agenda
• is inclusive (demographics, perspectives, levels of experience,etc.)
• has a broad geographic focus (not exclusively urban centers)
• establishes a positive model for engaging in progressive and radical work within the larger Black community.
• encourages strong alliances built on a clear analysis of intersecting oppressions.
• promotes critical affirmation
  • That there exists a basis of trust, compassion, forgiveness, and self-criticism. We do not need to be afraid to talk about loving one another in a political context.
• promotes wellness and wholeness
  • This resolve will help build strength, hope, vision, courage, love, community and a movement.

We urge individuals who seek to eliminate the soul destroying schisms in our communities, to use this open letter as a catalyst for dialogue, strategizing, healing, and alliance building on local and national levels. Distribute this "Call for Sustained Action" to local mainstream Black publications, civic groups, conference participants, educational and cultural groups, individuals, family members and other Black folk willing to listen and move toward positive action. Radical work happens when everyone is involved...Forward!!

[66 signatures]

"We, the undersigned, people of African descent, are diverse across gender, class, region, sexual orientation, political perspective, activist experience, religious and spiritual conviction, practice and traditions."

African-American Bisexual, Gay , Transgender Caucus, Cleveland, OH
Kel Archie, OH
Kofi Adoma, Ypsilanti, MI.
Veda W. Atwater, OH
Erneiliza D. Brown, OH
Vicky Brown, OH
Pat Callahan, OH
Lillian C. Clay, OH
Baniz Daneshbah, New York, NY
Donna Daniels, Oakland, CA
Connie Durran, Lakewood, OH
Lawrence Ellis, San Francisco, CA
Marvelas Evans, Palmdale, CA
Jeanette Farrow, OH
Brenda Gay, OH
Karmen Garrett, OH
Lerora Gresham, Massillon, OH
Col. Ronald Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Rose Hardy, OH
Phyllis M. Harris, OH
Marcia Houston, OH
Kim Jones, OH
Mitzi Jones, CA
Chana Kai Lee, Bloomington, IN
Monica Lane, OH
Stephanie Y. Lowe, OH
Wendy McCormick, Painesville, OH
Rochelle McKenzie, Columbus, OH
Valerie McKenzie, OH
Gail McWilliams, Akron, OH
Mikki Mitchell, OH
Kelly Mitchell-Clark, Oakland, CA
Shelley McCoy, OH
Patricia Nelson, Brooklyn, NY
Reverend Carol A. Johnson, Founder
Harvard AIDS Ministries, Cambridge, MA
Sias Jones, Lancaster, CA
Lila Love, Lancaster, CA
Karen D. Medlock, Oakland, CA
Arthur Moore, II, Little Rock, AK
Onyx: Women With Choices, Des Moines, IA
Deidra Pearson, OH
Violet Pennington, OH
Annie Potter, OH
Andrea Queely, Berkeley, CA
Robin Sallie, Cuyahoga Fals, OH
Deb Sharp, Euclid, OH
Francine Smith, CA
Pat Smith, Columbus, OH
Louisa Smithe, OH
Stephanie J. Smith, CA
Myra Bess Stewart, OH
Tee Stallworth, OH
Candy Strattford, OH
Vernon R. Stokay, Little Rock, AK
Donald Tarver, M.D., San Francisco, CA
Deidra Wells, Oberlin, OH
Crystal Weston, CA
Skye Ward, CA
Sharon D. White, Akron, OH
Tora Whitehead, OH
Michelle Williams, OH
Karen Job Wills, Cleveland Heights, OH
Donna Wossne, CA
Kim Wright, San Francisco, CA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: " A Call For Action"
c/o POB 4718 Berkeley, CA 94704-0718
(510) 874-4794

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