The Ongoing Discussion

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Who are we?

How do we define ourselves? Which symbols do we choose? Do we choose symbols drawn from the struggles of Europeans? Do we create symbols rooted in our African heritage, or does our double consciousness--as described by W.E.B. DuBois--cause us to create a synthesis between our African and American identities?

These questions and others are part of the Ongoing Discussion in (Same Gender Loving), (Queer), (Gay and Lesbian) communities of African Descent. Even the terms we use to define ourselves are in dispute.

The order of our allegiance is also part of the Ongoing Discussion. Are we Black first and foremost? Does our sexual orientation take center stage?

How do we relate to our community of origin? Can we be who we are and remain a respected part of the larger black community? Do we have enough in common with white gays and lesbians to consider ourselves part of that community?

The pieces in this area will explore our efforts to define ourselves.

The Ongoing Discussion

• Cleo Manago: At the 11th hour, in the 11th year From Protest To Keynote - My NBLGLF Experience
• Review: All God's Children.
• DOMA Members of the Congressional Black & Hispanic Caucuses speakout against H.R. 3396 the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.
• A Call To Action!
• Coming Home Conrad R. Pegues explores what it means to be true to oneself and remain part of the black community.
• N-word Bernard Jones defines the infamous n-word.
• Reign of Terror at GLAAD!
• Open Letter to GLAAD
• Questions and Answers
• Transgender Caucus Letter of Support
• LGPOC Letter of Support
• Black Gay Impressions of the Million Man March.
• Call to Action NBGLLF's pre-march release.
• Steve Walker's Reasons for attending the MMM.
• Keith O. Boykin's Account of the MMM.
• The Real MMM Satire.
• Byron C. Mayes'The March and Me.
• Cleo Manago Over A Million Men Came!
• Michelangelo Signorile's Queer in a Million. Out Magazine February, 1996
• Cary Alan Johnson's A Few Good Men. Out Magazine February, 1996
• Chuck Tarver's account of attending the MMM with his oldest son.
• Robert Wesley's account of the Million Man March
• The Calling Tim'm T. West.
• Identity: How do "homosexuals" of African Descent identify themselves. Much of the ongoing debate is over terms. Among them: Gay, Lesbian, Same Gender Loving (SGL), In the Life, and many more. Contributors here talk about what their individual personal choices mean to them and why they selected that particular term or terms.
• Homosexuality: My Perspective by Keguro Macharia.
• Identity: Queer by Matthew Williams.
• Identity: BGM by Bernard Tarver.
• Identity: My Label by Marco Castro.
• Identity: SGL by Donald Andrew Agarrat.
• Identity: SGL by GWinstonJ
• Identity: Latina Femme Dyke with Butch Rising by Mirka Negroni.
• Take Part in the Discussion.
• Sistahnet a mailinglist for lesbian and bisexual women of African Descent.
• GLBPOC a mailinglist for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people of color.
• More to come