Chicago Community Alert

NBJC 
Chicago Community Alert

Monday
Dec. 31, 2007 

Chicago Community Alert

News Release

For Information:

Marc Loveless: 773-331-5956 or 773-559-1751  

Who:

Critical Caucus, Chicago's Black Gay Lesbian Bi Transgendered Leadership Council, and the Coalition for Justice and Respect – A Black African- American Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transperson Civil Rights and Social Justice Organization

What: March for Freedom, Equality, Justice and Peace. The march against is Hate Motivated Anti-Gay Violence whether the motivation is internal or external in the Black African-American Communities       

When: Monday, December 31st, 2007 2:00 p.m.

Where: 79th and Woodlawn

Background: For the first time in history of any major city in the United States the Black Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and Bisexuals will stage a public demonstration against anti gay hated motivated crimes in the Black Community.

This demonstration will be lead by leaders in the African-American Civil Rights and Social Justice Leaders and public officials. This event has received the support of over 40 organizations across the city calling for the assaults on Black Lesbians and Gays to stop and recognition of the full civil rights of Black Lesbians and Gays. 

The March will be lead by allies including Reverend Willie T. Barrow Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the RainbowPUSH Coalition, Congressman Danny K. Davis, and Alderman Sandy Jackson.  

December 31st of 2007 is year from when a tragic shooting that took place in the community on Woodlawn at 79th Street. Since the shooting the residents of that home have been harassed with objects being thrown their windows and other hate motivated anti gay attacks.

These attacks and the recent killings of Larry Bland and Donald Young in similar neighborhoods have caused major concerns of the Black Lesbians, Gays, and Transpersons.   

Below is partial list of organizations, business and promoters that are supporting the march:

Bayard Rustin Access Center
Rails Production of Chicago
Affinity, Adodi Chicago
Jeffery's Pub
The Prop House
Club Escape Chicago Ball Houses and Gay Families
Clubhouse -Afrik Productions, Coalition for Justice and Respect,
Circuit Night Club
Executive Sweets
I-Candy
KC Productions
Madman Productions,
Screenz Digital Universe
House of Tut
Heavy Diva Productions
Chicago Department of Public Heath Black Gay Men's Caucus
The Sanctuary Ministry
Windy City Black LGBT Pride
Tokyo 21
Pillar of Love Fellowship Church
The Center On Halsted
Youth Pride Center
Alderman Michelle Harris
Alderman Sandy Jackson
Alderman Leslie Hairstain
Congressman Danny K. Davis
Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Haymarket-Mcdermott Center
TPAN
BEHIV
Carepiont
Howard Brown's Transgender Program
School of Opulence
Men & Women In Prison Ministries
Black Health Alert  

The first march was held in January of this year in call for justice and respect The majority of events and actions that came after that was a community response of City Officials and our community as a whole have proven to be watershed for the visibility and resources to the all aspects of the African-American Same Gender Loving Black Lesbians, Gays, and Transperson.  

The theme of this march is Freedom Equality Justice Peace. The route will be the same we used earlier this year down 79th from Wabash to Jeffries on December 31st starting at 2:00 p.m.

This event will put on notice that our interest and instance for Respect and Justice wasn't a passing fancy, but a dedicated commitment with expectations. We also demand justice in finding the killer or killers in the case of Larry Bland, Black Gay Man gun downed in front of his home just three weeks ago. As well as the killer or killers of Donald Young. Silence is not helpful.

-30- 

Day 1: Health/Arts /Cultural Expo + Live Performances

Day 2: The 2nd Annual Black LGBT National Leadership Conference

Day 3: The 3rd Annual Black Church Summit

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTEL ROOMS!!