Equality Forward At the Intersection: Race, Sexuality and Gender : Page 6
dIversIty Is A reAlIty, but InclusIon Is the reAl chAllenGe Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of color tell a complex story about being simultaneously present and excluded in the communities where we live – feeling both treated like everyone else and condemned. diversity is a reality, but inclusion — valu- ing and leveraging differences — is the real challenge to build genuine partnerships with LgBt people of color. We want to foster a greater sense of connection and shared op- portunity to work on the issues that affect us all. in organizations working to end racial discrimination as well in LgBt groups, the participation of LgBt people of color should be invited early and at every level of decision-making. we All hAve more In common thAn we reAlIze too often, human rights advocates stress our differences, but the clearest finding from the research is that we have more in common than we realize. We seek the same free- doms and opportunities and share concerns about affordable healthcare, jobs and the economy. LgBt movement organizations have to stand up for more than just LgBt con- cerns and recognize that issues such as access to healthcare and the economy affect LgBt people of color just as much (and in some cases more) as everyone. in joining oth- ers to achieve these common goals, LgBt groups can build effective partnerships. relIGIous AttItudes Are AmAjor source oF prejudIce Religious attitudes are a major source of sexual prejudice. For LgBt people of color, many of whom are regular churchgoers, the conflict is acute. more than half of LgBt people of color interviewed feel treated like sinners by their ethnic and racial communi- ties, and faith communities are among the places LgBt people of color feel least ac- cepted. the need to reach out to faith and religious leaders is underscored by the rise of HiV/aids in black and Latino/a communities even as anti-LgBt sermons continue to be delivered in houses of worship. Human rights advocates should have dialogues with faith leaders who condemn LgBt people and find common purposes to gather around. LgBt people of color should be welcomed into inclusive and affirming communities of faith. rAce stIll mAtters LgBt people of color view the world first from the point of view of race and gender. most feel there is as much racism and sexism among LgBt people as there is among as non- LgBt people, and racially motivated violence and discrimination are more prevalent than violence or prejudice based on sexual orientation. Race matters, and partnerships among groups of LgBt people must respect that. Human rights groups have to ask for and lis- ten to the concerns of LgBt people of color in large forums and in one-on-one conversa- tions. LgBt groups should recognize that for some, the desire to achieve racial equality is more important than the desire for marriage equality. We should support efforts to com- bat racial profiling, ensure fair immigration laws, fight HiV/aids, stop discrimination in housing and end disparities in healthcare. 6 At the IntersectIon: RaCE, sExuaL oRiEntation and gEndER www.hrc.org/equalityforward Key FIndInGs
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