Black History Month x Stonewall
This year Stonewall will be celebrating Black History Month by sharing the experiences and perspectives of QTIPOC (queer, trans or intersex people of colour).
This October we are celebrating Black History Month and taking the time to remember Black LGBT History
The pivotal role of Black LGBT people in Western LGBT history is documented but often forgotten. From Marsha P. Johnson and Stormé DeLarverie who were major figures in the Stonewall uprisings of 1969, to modern day LGBT leaders like Munroe Bergdorf and Lady Phyll, Black people have always paved the way for LGBT liberation. But Black LGBT people have also always existed outside of the Western context. Africa's rich history of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities is rarely taught or discussed in schools.
Even in 2019, Black LGBT people experience extreme levels of discrimination. 51% of BAME LGBT people reported having experienced racism in the LGBT+ community. This number rises to 61% for Black LGBT people.
It is important that anyone who wants to be an ally to Black LGBT people
- Listens to the voices of a community that have been historically erased
- Supports those communities by recognising the privilege that they have and weaponising it to ensure that all members of the LGBT community are included
- Showcases the community, be it in the workplace, in social spaces or just in your personal lives.
Here are some resources that discuss the experiences of Black LGBT people as well as other LGBT people of colour.
Stonewall | BAME Voices
A series of videos directed by Cherish Oteka, and in partnership with Stonewall, to showcase the lived experiences of LGBT people of colour.
Hear from our network
Is homosexuality, rather than homophobia a “western import” as claimed by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni?
A list of organisations and social groups for queer trans intersex people of colour
The network tackle some of the common myths and misconceptions and clarify the questions constantly asked of queer trans intersex people of colour
Here are just a few of our heroes and the personal inspiration that they've given us
We spoke with Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE about diversity and inclusion reports, how they work and how they benefit all areas of a business.
The network hosted their second annual QTIPOC event on 20 December. More highlights from the event to be released soon..
The network collaborated with the Trans Staff Network to organise our first roundtable discussion of seven trans people of colour
The experiences of QTIPOC in Britain
51% of BAME LGBT people reported having experienced racism in the LGBT+ community. This number rises to 61% for black LGBT people.
1 in 5 BAME LGBT people have experienced unequal treatment from healthcare staff because they are LGBT, compared to 1 in 8 for LGBT people.
12% of BAME LGBT employees had lost a job because of being LGBT compared to 3% of LGBT staff
1 in 10 BAME LGBT staff have been physically attacked because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the workplace, compared to 3% of white LGBT staff.