• ELIXHER
• On June 6, 2014

Jackson Responds To Mississippi’s ‘Religious Freedom’ Law By Passing Non-Discrimination Resolution

There is something unexpected happening in Mississippi. Even as the state legislature sinks deeper into unabashed homophobia, recently passing SB2681 – its infamous “Religious Freedom” Act that sanctions discrimination against gays – local city councils are passing their own non-discrimination ordinances, even though they do not comply with state law.

Continue reading at The New Civil Rights Movement.

The New Black premieres on PBS Independent Lens

From church pews to the streets to kitchen tables, The New Black follows the African-American community as it grapples with the gay rights issue in light of the recent same-sex marriage movement. The film follows the struggle over marriage equality in the state of Maryland, where the battle for the hearts and minds of black voters — almost a third of the electorate — is fought from the pulpit. Through the stories of activists, families, and clergy on both sides of the debate, the film charts the evolution of this divisive issue within the black community. Directed by Yoruba Richen, The New Black premieres on Independent Lens, hosted by Stanley Tucci, on Sunday, June 15, 2014, 10:30-11:30 PM ET on PBS ( check local listings ).

More on Windy City Times.

What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Cuba

African Commission on Human Rights Passes LGBT Resolution

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights passed a resolution last week calling on national leaders on the continent to respect the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The commission adopted Resolution 275 during its 55th Ordinary Session in late May. Resolution 275 outlines specific goals that African nations should strive to achieve without delay, including the creation of positive environments that protect the safety and reputations of advocates for LGBT equality.

Read more over at the Advocate.

Jesus Wasn’t A Slut-Shamer or How Conservative Theology Harms Black Women

I’m a feminist who believes in God. Raised Christian, I still attend church. But what I am not is a person who will willingly check her brain, political convictions, or academic training at the door in order to enter the house of God or to participate in a community of faith. Express homophobic views, tell me that God requires me to let a man rule my house because I have a vagina, or spout a prosperity theology premised on the idea that poor folks are poor because they lack faith, and you are likely to see me get up and walk out.

I love Jesus, and I remain a person of faith, because I know, to put it in the parlance of the Black Churches of my youth, how good God has been to me. And while that kind of God-talk doesn’t play well in secular academic contexts, it doesn’t have to. My Christianity isn’t about trying to save anyone else’s soul but my own. I know that’s not what a good evangelical is supposed to say, but if you haven’t figured it out yet, a good evangelical is not what I’m trying to be.

Continue reading at the Crunk Feminist Collective.