Somewhere Over the Rainbow
The State of Gay Pride for People of Color in the Age of Trumpism/21st Century
In 1980, I graduated from a mixed-race high school in Forest Hills, New York. This mainly white/Jewish school had approximately 2,500 students, 300 of whom were African American. A small number of those 300 clandestinely identified as homosexual during a time when homosexuality was still considered a mental illness and the Black Church banished us to Hell.
We had four clubs (Keller, Two Potato, The Hangar, and The Nickel Bar) in New York and a six-block radius where we could date and be safe in the village. There were no cell phones, internet, organizations to lobby for our rights and safety, or health initiatives to save and protect our lives, lifestyles, and individual journeys.
Then… BOOM! Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS) exploded globally like a nuclear weapon. As we learned to be proud of our heritage and accept the different hues of people of color (Black, Latino, Asian), AIDS forced us to hide and disappear into our fears once again. To be gay or lesbian was taboo and in some cases a death sentence. A tremendous number of talents, educators, and contributions to universal culture and humanity were lost and we will never know how bias and disregard contributed to those losses.
As we celebrate Gay Pride Month and Gay Pride in June 2023, I encourage everyone—not only this new generation—to celebrate their individual LGBTQ journey and all that it encompasses. Remember the unsung heroes and sheroes who paved the way for people of color to have a presence in the rainbow.
Universal unity is key and cultural inclusion is a must! So, as we navigate ourselves through this period of open disregard to a constitution in question, a democracy under fire, and the unleashing of subliminal and overt bias and racism, let us not forget where we were, where we are, what we’ve accomplished, and that GAY PRIDE 2023 represents “One for all and all for WON!”
A Guide to Black Women’s Health
Frontotemporal Dementia
How to Have a Healthier Thanksgiving
Running Toward Recovery:
RWJ Barnabas Health and Saint James Health Celebrate National Health Center Week, Open new Health Center at Newark’s East Side High School
M23 Rebels Push Further East
East Orange Hosts Fathers Make a Difference Conference
The Story of My First Love
Congo Says it Will Join Peace Talks
Black Boycotts 2025
Nikole Hannah-Jones Hosts Black Read-In When Schools Wouldn’t
Perfect SAT Score
DEI Benefits many Groups, not just Black and Brown Communities
Take a Minute. Make a Plan.
5 Books to Start 2025 off Right
Debt Nearly Buried Them
How to Educate Your Kids About Creating Long-Lasting Healthy Money Habits
Stay Safe from Scams
HCCI Past, Present, and Future
