lgbtq veterans

African American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities have always existed in Harlem, residing here since this former Dutch enclave became America’s Black Mecca in the 1920s.

On July 15, five military veterans set out on The Long Road Home Project, a 90-day, 4,200-mile cross-country cycling journey from Ocean Shores, WA to their destination in Washington D.C. on October 14, to raise money and awareness for vets. Among the cyclists is 27-year-old veteran Marie B. (Marty) who was able to come out openly about being a lesbian following DADT’s repeal.

Soon after Obama’s inauguration in 2009, the LGBTQ community waited anxiously to hear that steps were being made to repeal DADT. But on June 8 of that year when the Supreme Court refused to review the Pentagon policy that prohibits LGBTQ servicemembers to serve openly in the military, Obama’s people added salt to the wounds of our LGBTQ servicemembers by stating in court papers that the ruling on DADT was correct because of the military’s legitimate concern of LGBTQ servicemembers endangering “unit cohesion”— a concept totally debunked by a 2002 study.

Having voice in the Black Community is still an arduous struggle for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) members. As we cross over into 2012, one of our biggest accomplishments in 2011 has been the various ways in which LGBTQ of African descent have employed different public venues to be heard. These following venues will be used as instruments of change in our future struggle.

A photo exhibit celebrates those who crossed gender lines to serve in the Civil War.