Black gay community and church leaders unite to end violence

In New York City this year, four Black gay men have been murdered and one critically injured (and that is what we know of as the media repeatedly ignores these crimes). This is a serious problem, an epidemic, that can no longer be ignored. The Black gay community and church leaders are coming together this Sunday in Harlem to bring attention to and work together to end this hate.

One of the men who was murdered is Jamal James. I know him from Syracuse University, where we both went to school. Although we were not close friends, we were both black and gay and involved in lots of campus activities. Jamal was the head of the student government, so knew everyone on campus and we all liked him. He was an amazing leader and no one doubted that he would bring his charm and skills to the wider world. It was devastating to hear of his murder. I had heard of the other murders and thought I understood the problem of hate crimes, but nothing brings these problems into perspective until it happens to someone you know. This needs to end before more people are senselessly hurt or dead.

Details:
REVIVAL! is the first event in a campaign targeted to end violence against gays in the black community. The event will take place at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, between 120th and 122nd Streets in Harlem, Sunday, July 31, 4-7 p.m.


Links:
OIA Newswire: "BLACK GAYS, CHURCH LEADERS TO UNITE TO END VIOLENCE"
New York State Black Gay Network
Remembering Jamal James
What Happened to Rashawn Brazell?