Sylvester James, who performed as “Sylvester,” is an extraordinary figure in LGBTQ history. He became the first, and perhaps only, gay “disco diva.”

In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, he was an unapologetically queer presence in an era not very warm to LGBTQ voices, an artist who embraced the gender spectrum decades before ‘gender queer’ became part of the national conversation.

At the age of 41 #Sylvester died of AIDS-related complication but his voice, videos, and songs continue to inspire us all to dream, sing, and dance as free as we can. For instance, he attained particular recognition in San Francisco, where he was awarded the key to the city. In 2005, he was posthumously inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, while his life has been recorded in a biography and made the subject of both a documentary and a musical.

In December 2016, #Billboard magazine ranked him as the 59th most successful dance artist of all-time.

Janelle Monaé Robinson is an African-American singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. Monaé was recently nominated for two Grammy awards: “Dirty Computer” for Album of the Year and “Pynk” for Best Music Video. Although Monaé did not win in either category, she dedicated the nominations to her “Trans Brothers and Sister.” She also spoke of how difficult it can be as a creative person who “color[s] outside the lines,” to also be out as a queer black woman.

In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Monaé told the publication that she identities as pansexual. Unlike bisexuality, pansexual usually means being attracted to anyone regardless of their gender.

#WeStan

“I want to live the rest of my life, however long or short, with as much sweetness as I can decently manage, loving all the people I love, and doing as much as I can of the work I still have to do. I am going to write fire until it comes out of my ears, my eyes, my noseholes–everywhere. Until it’s every breath I breathe. I’m going to go out like a fucking meteor!”

Audre Lorde (1934-1992) was an Afro-Caribbean writer, activist, and self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior and poet.

She empowered her readers with her moving poetry often tackling the injustices of racism, sexism and homophobia. She’s known for her poetry and memoirs such as, From a Land Where Other People Live, The Black Unicorn and A Burst of Light. 

Today we shout #HappyBirthdayAudreLorde

Last night on #SNL, Don Cheadle sported this #ProtectTransKids t-shirt. We stan!

Andrea Jenkins made history in November 2017 by becoming the first openly transgender black woman elected to public office in the U.S., according to LGBTQ advocacy groups and researchers. Jenkins, a Democrat, was one of two openly trans people to win a seat on the Minneapolis City Council last year. Jenkins is also a published poet and an oral historian at the University of Minnesota. Jenkins won about 73 percent of the vote in Minneapolis’s Eighth Ward, where she is known for addressing youth violence and improving the south-central ward’s neighborhoods.

‪Happy National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day‬

I am Black

I am HIV+

I am Young

& I am Living.

Gregory Meredith

He/Him/His

Washington, DC

#NoNameCallingWeek brings awareness to the unkind names that many people within the LGBTQ+ community may face during their time in school. It also brings focus to the power of names and the different meanings that words can have for people. I came to terms with my sexuality in high school. During that time, it was very common for people to use the word “gay” as an insult or a joke. Calling something “gay” was somehow seen as funny. At the time, I knew this was something that was harmful for the LGBT+ community. However, I don’t think I fully grasped how much power a word can truly hold. The word “gay” should not be associated with shame or be seen as a joke. Now that I am 20 years old and have fully accepted my sexuality and gender identity, I am proud. I am proud to be a queer trans man and I know and understand the power that words, names, and labels can hold.

Cody Drew Clayton

He/Him

Malden, Massachusetts

we are proud to support the #BlackTransPrayerBook’s social media campaign #TransphobiaIsASin

you too can support this effort. make/draw/write your own signs, take a picture & share them with the hashtag #TransphobiaIsASin in support of the revolutionary work of #BlackTransPrayerBook project.

On the 30th Anniversary of World AIDS Day we amplified the voices of young people living with HIV. Activist Marnina Miller discussed her experiences as a Black woman committed to ending HIV stigma and discrimination in her community.

as we close out #AIDSAwareness week and on this 30th annual observance of world aids day, we are reminded of the powerful and visionary words of queer & aids activist, val russo:

“Someday, the AIDS crisis will be over. Remember that. And when that day comes - when that day has come and gone, there’ll be people alive on this earth - gay people and straight people, men and women, black and white, who will hear the story that once there was a terrible disease in this country and all over the world, and that a brave group of people stood up and fought and, in some cases, gave their lives, so that other people might live and be free.”

VAL RUSSO

1946 - 1990