Latest news with #BlackLGBTQ+
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
From HIV to Hormone Therapy, Medicaid Cuts Threaten Atlanta's LGBTQ+ Community
As lawmakers push for sweeping cuts to Medicaid, fear weighs heavily on Tori Cooper. Cooper, a trans woman who serves as the director of strategic outreach and training for the Human Rights Campaign, told Capital B Atlanta that for her and other Black trans residents, these cuts will have a detrimental impact on their lives. 'The Black LGBTQ community will be greatly impacted, and Black trans folks even more so,' said Cooper. 'For years, we've acknowledged how systematic racism impacts the lives of Black LGBTQ people. Inequity and racist ideology and policies have traditionally led to worse health outcomes for poor, less educated, underemployed people and those of us who live in the South.' Last month, congressional House Republicans passed a bill that would cut billions over the next 10 years from Medicaid, the federal-state health care insurance program that helps pay for health care for low-income people. The bill also would prohibit gender transition care from being covered by the program. 'I worry that preventable health conditions like HIV will ravage my community,' Cooper said. 'I worry that Black trans people will lose some of the social and political traction that our transestors fought for. I worry that my Black trans family will have to go back into the proverbial closet for safety. Closets are made for clothes, not people.' Cooper worries that in a place like Georgia, where HIV rates are high and access to health care is already difficult due to the Georgia General Assembly's refusal to expand Medicaid, the Black LGBTQ+ community will be one of the vulnerable and bear the brunt of these looming cuts. In 2023, about 1 in every 4 Black Georgians was covered by Medicaid, compared to about 1 in every 10 white Georgians, according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center. Nationally, Black LGBTQ residents are twice as likely to be enrolled in Medicaid compared to the general population, Victoria Kirby York, director of public policy and programs for the National Black Justice Coalition, told Capital B Atlanta. York said she's fearful that critical areas of health care for Black LGBTQ+ residents such as gender-affirming care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment will all be impacted by the Medicaid cuts. 'Thirty-two percent of [LGBTQ people] versus 15% of the general population use Medicaid in order to access health care, and that number is even higher for transgender members of our community, where 45% of the community are relying on Medicaid,' York said. Although Georgia is one of the 10 states that did not expand Medicaid, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents uninsured, the proposed budget cuts will still be felt. The state could potentially lose billions in federal Medicaid funding, and hundreds of thousands of Georgians could lose Medicaid coverage over the next 10 years, according to reporting from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Matthew Rose, senior public policy advocate with the Human Rights Campaign, told Capital B Atlanta these cuts will put a strain on the state's budget, resulting in a push by state lawmakers to make 'draconian' decisions on how to further cut costs. This could mean cutting back on some of the optional health services and medicines provided underneath Medicaid in Georgia, such as HIV preventative medications or mental health services, or lawmakers could tighten eligibility requirements so fewer residents are covered by the insurance program. When it comes to HIV, Maxx Boykin, the campaign manager for Save HIV Funding, told Capital B Atlanta he worries Medicaid cuts could exacerbate the already high HIV transmission rates in the state, as many people living with HIV rely on Medicaid for medication and wraparound services like home health care and therapy. Read More: CDC Cuts HIV Communications, Leaving Vulnerable Black Georgians in the Dark According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Medicaid is the largest source of insurance coverage for people with HIV in the United States, covering an estimated 40% of the nonelderly adults with HIV, compared to just 15% of the nonelderly adult population overall. According to the CDC, Georgia had the second-highest HIV diagnosis rate and the second-highest rate of HIV related deaths in 2023 in the U.S. Additionally, Georgia had the highest rate of new HIV infections in 2022. In addition, despite constituting about 32% of Georgia's population, Black people accounted for approximately 71% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021. 'When thinking about HIV, that means less people will have access to the medications that they need, and we will see an even larger spread of HIV in our communities, and a big part of that will be because the majority of people living with HIV actually need Medicaid,' said Boykin. Maisha Standifer, the director of population health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, said the elderly and those with disabilities shouldn't be forgotten when thinking about Medicaid and the LGBTQ community. According to the Human Rights Campaign, in the U.S., LGBTQ+ adults, and transgender adults in particular, were significantly more likely than non-LGBTQ+ adults to self-report having at least one disability. Standifer said that for Georgia's Medicaid program, people ages 65 and older and people with disabilities account for more than half of the state's $16 billion Medicaid spending. 'We have community partners who are 30-plus years living with HIV and aging. So with aging naturally comes other chronic conditions. We're talking about diabetes, cancer, heart disease,' said Standifer. The cuts to Medicaid are part of the Trump administration's efforts to curb federal spending to offset the cost of extending the president's 2017 tax cuts for high-income earners. Of further concern to Rose with the Human Rights Campaign is the impact on the LGBTQ community when the Medicaid cuts are layered on top of the proposed SNAP cuts in the bill, creating even more harm to LGBTQ people's health. 'We've seen the result of what hunger can do, which is why we feed people, why we created these programs in the first place, and the SNAP cuts would be devastating. … Then you tack them on to the fact that you're not eating as much, which weakens your immune system, and so it makes it easier for you to get sick, so it's a compounding issue,' said Rose. While the Medicaid cuts are still under review in the Senate, advocates are encouraging anyone in opposition to the cuts to reach out to their representatives and share their concerns about the proposed legislation. 'We need to hold our elected officials accountable, both on the federal side, the state side, and our local side, to make sure they're actually doing what's right for folks,' said Boykin. The post From HIV to Hormone Therapy, Medicaid Cuts Threaten Atlanta's LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
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Black America Web
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
BET's Black + Iconic Soirée Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ Excellence [Photos]
Source:/ BET BET's Black + Iconic Soirée made a powerful Washington, D.C. debut during its third annual celebration, honoring the rich legacy and bright future of Black LGBTQ+ excellence. Read more about the event and check out a gallery of photos inside. Held under the 2025 theme 'Excellence Ascending,' the event spotlighted changemakers across activism, entertainment, and community who are leading with authenticity, purpose, and pride. Hosted by Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée was a star-studded evening of storytelling, soulful performances, and impactful recognition. Ashlee Davis, J.D., who received the Executive Realness Award for her groundbreaking civil rights leadership across government and corporate spaces. Hope Giselle, awarded Emerging Leader for her tireless work uplifting Black trans visibility and inclusion. Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, honored as Active Advocate for decades of reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Ashlee Marie Preston, acclaimed activist and strategist, who took home the Creative Visionary Award for using media to drive intergenerational change. Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning performer and cultural force, accepted the Culture Trailblazer Award, delivering a stirring speech on identity and legacy. The evening also spotlighted grassroots impact. The Center for Black Equity and TAKE Resource Center each received $5,000 BET Thrive Fund grants for their continued work in advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness and equity. Us Helping Us, a local D.C.-based health equity nonprofit, was granted a $5,000 donation from new partner Truth Initiative, marking a commitment to culturally relevant tobacco cessation programs. Broadway star Avery Wilson, fresh from The Wiz revival, delivered a show-stopping medley performance, while BET+ stars including Eva Marcille, Carter The Body, Bryan Terrell Clark, and Arrington Foster offered heartfelt tributes to the evening's honorees. 'This couldn't be just another event,' said Tiyale Hayes, BET's EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics. 'It had to be an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced.' With support from longtime partner Gilead Sciences and new ally Truth Initiative, the Soirée marked a cornerstone of BET's 45th anniversary, reinforcing its mission to celebrate Black culture and elevate LGBTQ+ voices. Stay tuned for the televised premiere date (to be announced at a later date) and relive the night via #BlackAndIconic across BET's official social platforms. BET's Black + Iconic Soirée Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ Excellence [Photos] was originally published on Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black, queer, and built to last, Black Prides defies deletion
Courtesy Philadelphia Black Pride Celebrating Black love and pride. At a time when DEI investments are rapidly vanishing across industries and LGBTQ+ rights face mounting attacks, spaces created for and by marginalized communities are not only necessary; they're essential. That's precisely why Black Prides were created: to carve out space where our joy is prioritized, our identities are affirmed, and our communities can gather in resistance, resilience, and love. Courtesy Philadelphia Black Pride Celebrating Philadelphia Black Pride. Born out of exclusion and non-inclusion in late 20th-century mainstream Pride movements, Black Prides emerged as vital spaces where LGBTQ+ people of color could show up fully, loudly, and joyfully. These celebrations weren't just parties but spaces for radical community building and vital resource-sharing hubs, where powerful conversations shaped and strengthened our community. Philadelphia's Black Pride, one of the first in the nation, stands as a pillar in the legacy of Black LGBTQIA+ resistance and celebration. Held every April, our gathering coincides with the historic Penn Relays, creating a vibrant convergence drawing upon generations of Black queer folks from across the country. This tradition traces back to the 1960s when community trailblazer Tyrone Smith hosted gatherings offering refuge and connection for Black LGBTQ+ people during a time of widespread repression. The seeds of Black Pride emerged in an era when police regularly raided gay bars, entrapped queer men, and brutalized drag performers and transgender women, especially those of color. There were no safe spaces, no legal protections, and little to no public sympathy. Smith's gatherings were revolutionary acts of radical care in a social climate riddled with fear and repression. Courtesy Philadelphia Black Pride Celebrating Philadelphia Black Pride. Small grassroots gatherings in living rooms and basements blossomed into Philadelphia Black Pride weekend, a powerful and transformative celebration of identity, culture, and healing. What was once a safe refuge in the face of adversity has grown into a cultural movement where Black LGBTQIA+ folks are truly centered, affirmed, and celebrated in the fullness of who they are. More than a party, it's a legacy that continues to thrive due to the unwavering dedication of our committed members and the invaluable support of our community partners. Today, standing on the shoulders of giants who came before us, Philadelphia Black Pride continues to be a trailblazer regarding what impact looks like in the community. Despite operating on a fraction of the budget enjoyed by Pride Month organizers in June, our commitment to our community has never wavered. Last year, in honor of our 25th Anniversary, we launched the Michael Hinson Scholarship Fund, named after a trailblazing advocate for the Black LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia and a founding member behind the formal establishment of Philly Black Gay Pride in 1999. The fund invests in the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, ensuring they have the necessary resources to unlock their fullest potential. Through year-round programming and strategic partnerships, we're committed to building our infrastructure to drive systemic change, advance equity, and create lasting opportunities within the community. Courtesy Philadelphia Black Pride Celebrating Philadelphia Black Pride. However, this work cannot be done in isolation. Under today's polarizing political climate, Black queer and trans communities often face compounded marginalization, and are among some of the most vulnerable. The threats to our safety, rights, and freedoms continue to mount, and the need for community support has never been greater. As our communities continue to navigate the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality, we must build a coalition of allies and advocates who will stand with us and actively contribute to our safety, joy, and empowerment. Our community needs more than visibility, we need infrastructure. Philly Black Pride is working toward becoming a fully self-sustaining organization that operates year-round, advocates for critical policy change, and creates affirming spaces where Black LGBTQ+ people can truly thrive. This vision demands meaningful support during Philly Black Pride weekend and every day of the year. Whether through financial contributions, in-kind donations, or the gift of time and talent, every act of generosity fuels our mission. We are building something bigger than an event—a movement grounded in care, equity, and possibility. The fight against systemic inequities, racism, transphobia, anti-Blackness, and homophobia requires a collective response. It calls for allies, advocates, and institutions willing to stand with us and be ready to invest in a future where those most marginalized are finally at the center. Courtesy Philadelphia Black Pride Celebrating Philadelphia Black Pride. The need for Black and Brown spaces is particularly urgent in Philadelphia. Recently, we witnessed the closure of the city'scity's only two Black- and Brown-owned bars in the Gayborhood– LevelUp and Cockatoo. Their absence represents more than a lost nightlife experience. It's the erasure of spaces that acted as refuges for LGBTQ+ people of color, where we could enjoy our culture, rally around the community, and patronize our own. Their absence is more than a loss. The shuttering of Black queer nightlife spaces isn'tisn't isolated to Philadelphia; it's part of a troubling national pattern. From Washington D.C. to New York to Los Angeles, beloved Black- and Brown LGBTQ-owned bars, clubs, and lounges are disappearing, erasing vital spaces where our communities have gathered to celebrate, organize, and simply be. Their closures reflect deeper systemic issues, gentrification, underinvestment, and the continued marginalization of Black LGBTQ+ life within both mainstream gay and Black spaces. As these spaces vanish, so do the stories, connections, and legacies they held. We must see this moment as a call to action to reimagine what safe spaces look like for Black LGBTQ+ communities across the nation. It's imperative that our larger communities, allies, and partners join us in changing this narrative. In these turbulent times, it isn't just about survival; it's about shaping a future where Black LGBTQ+ people are empowered year-round. For generations, Black queer and trans communities have been asked to do more with less, stretching limited resources to create vibrant, life-affirming spaces in the face of systemic neglect. But if history has taught us anything, it's that when we are counted out, we rise up. We build our own tables, carve out our own space, and create brilliance despite every barrier. Imagine the societal ills we could remedy if we were fully resourced. Black Prides are more than parties. They're movements with roots that sustain our history, challenge the status quo, and ignite a path toward a more inclusive future. Now, more than ever, support matters. Leaders in our community are ready to build coalitions that show up in unity to ensure that Black LGBTQ+ voices continue to shine bright despite the dark times. Courtesy Pictured Olu Solanke Olu Solanke (he/him) is a dynamic public relations and marketing professional with over eight years of experience driving impactful campaigns for top entertainment, lifestyle, and technology brands. With expertise in integrated marketing strategies, media relations, social media engagement, influencer partnerships, event planning, and account management, Olu has consistently delivered results that resonate. Deeply passionate about the intersection of strategic communications and Black culture, Olu is committed to amplifying diverse voices and creating space for underrepresented stories. When not crafting innovative strategies, you'll find him experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen or embarking on outdoor adventures across the globe. Arranged for by Nikki Aye, Digital Photo Editor Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@ Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of or our parent company, equalpride.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
David J. Johns Won't Stop Fighting for Queer Black Youth
David J. Johns speaks onstage during the NBJC Equity March in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2024. Credit - Brian Stukes—Getty Images Last November David J. Johns, CEO and executive director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), an organization that works to empower Black LGBTQ+ people, wondered if he should stop getting eye-catching manicures. 'There was a part of me that processed [how] not painting my nails could, in some ways, minimize the target that exists on my body,' he says. 'Then I thought about why I started painting them in the first place, which was having a student who wanted to do it and did not want to be bullied.' Johns, who is sporting funky-colored puzzles and polka dots the day we speak, spends the majority of his day advocating for equity. While equality means treating everyone the same, equity accounts for an individual's personal needs, he explains. He compares it to a box that might be given to folks trying to watch a game over a fence—a shorter person might need a taller item to be able to have the same view. To champion these values, NBJC annually releases its federal policy agenda, which it advocates for through initiatives such as 'Equity Week,' a series of events in D.C. leading up to Juneteenth. The organization also partners with local educators to offer cultural-competency development about Black LGBTQ+ communities and nonprofits such as the Boris L. Henson Foundation to provide free mental-health services for Black queer youth. Cognizant of the challenges coming under President Trump, who on day one signed an executive order declaring that the federal government recognizes just two "immutable" sexes, Johns, 42, looks to the actions of those who came before him. His home office is filled with books and art depicting U.S. civil rights leaders and authors—feminist and social critic bell hooks, former President Barack Obama, whom he worked under as the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, to name a few—and he highlights their work throughout our conversation. Of Bayard Rustin, the Black, gay activist behind the 1963 March on Washington, he says, 'When I think about the challenges that we face institutionally, organizationally, or as a country, I'm reminded that this man did things in spite of obstacles erected by people who purported to be his friend. If he could do that with the resources he had, then I can create magnificent and awesome things.' Johns' work as a former elementary-school teacher also keeps him going. He recalls being at his doctorate-degree graduation when he heard a voice calling out for Mr. Johns. 'I recognized the voice, but I did not recognize the person standing in front of me. And I'm introduced to Ernie, who reminds me that when I had the pleasure of teaching them in kindergarten, they were Ernestine. My baby was trans,' says Johns, who saw the interaction as yet another reminder of how harmful it can be when politicians try to restrict discussion of gender and sexuality in the classroom. 'If I had capitulated to ignoring, possibly shaming transness or queerness in some way, Ernie might not be here.' Contact us at letters@
