People of Global Majority/BIPOC
We know that the challenges of being at the intersections of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, faith, race/ethnicity, and relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can have a significant impact on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and aromantic Latter-day Saints or Mormons, whether they are currently active in or members of the Church.
In its June 3, 2020, article Celebrate Pride by committing to equality, justice, and liberation, Affirmation’s Executive Committee commended the Human Rights Campaign’s open letter condemning racial violence and joined with other LGBTQ+ organizations in saying #BlackLivesMatter and committed themselves to the action those words required. Affirmation is providing these resources as an opportunity to learn more about systematic oppression, the experiences of people of the global majority, and what to do to address racism.
In the spirit of recognizing our interconnectedness and intersectionality, we feel it is important for us to share the stories of LGBTQIA+ current and former Latter-day Saints who are members of the People of Global Majority(PGM)/ Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community.
Resources
Affirmation Community Conversations Group Facebook group for the entire LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community in Affirmation to land, heal, share, and be authentic! Share your story, encourage others, and share events and news helpful to the community.
LGBT Mormon People of Color and Allies A Facebook group of self-identified people of color and allies gathered to explore multiple identities and the intersections of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LDS faith.
LGBT Mormon POC Healing Space A Facebook group of self-identified people of color gathered to explore multiple identities and the intersections of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LDS faith.
Grupo Internacional en Español Un grupo de Facebook para los miembros de habla hispana de la comunidad de la Afirmación a nivel internacional.
Mundo Grupo Português Um grupo no Facebook para membros de língua portuguesa da comunidade internacional de Afirmação.
BYU Women of Color Club The purpose of this club is to provide support and mentorship to BYU women of color.
Black Student Union For the purposes of intellectually, socially, and culturally enriching the BYU community, the Black Student Union promotes academic achievement and intellectual pursuit, cultivates dynamic leadership, and strives to eliminate social barriers for all. Ultimately, the Black Student Union recognizes the humanity of others and encourages that they do the same.
BYU Black Alumni Society The mission of the BYU Black Alumni Society is to support the education, professional, and social development of BYU alumni and students of the African diaspora.
Last Laborer: Thoughts and Reflections of a Black Mormon Keith N. Hamilton’s Last Laborer: Thoughts and Reflections of a Black Mormon explores his personal history in the context of being a black convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon after the revelation on the priesthood was announced.
Christlike Attributes, Implicit Bias, and Loving Your BIPOC Neighbor as Yourself Proximity to people of color does not negate your racism. Sadly, it does not remove your implicit biases. Using proximity as your defense only shows how racially illiterate you are. Education, soul searching and practice are the only ways to uproot feelings of white superiority and racism.
The Convenient Mourner It’s often hard for saints of color to connect with the gospel where our voices often are “token” and are seen as representing an entire community even if our experiences in the gospel are vastly different depending on our geographical location and other economic factors.
‘Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons’: Mormons Confront Black History Nobody Knows demonstrates just how far black Mormons have come since the priesthood ban was lifted 33 years ago. Though it’s not mentioned in the film, Africa is currently a prime breeding ground for new members of the church.
The Differences Between Allies, Accomplices & Co-Conspirators May Surprise You You will make mistakes all along the way––but that should not stop you. Remember that the people you aspire to empower and help liberate, don’t get the choice to opt out.
How to Be an Ally to the Black LGBTQIA+ Community What does it mean to be an ally? More than being a friend and supporter, it means using one’s privilege to stand up for marginalized people’s rights. Those who identify as White, heterosexual, and cisgender can be allies, as can people within the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ communities who wish to support each others’ unique needs.
10 Ways to be an Ally to Black LGBT People Black LGBT people have been severely affected by the global pandemic, as well as the trauma of systemic racism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia experienced by the entire community. Now more than ever, we need allies to step up and take action.
Being An Ally to Queer People of Color There are so many facets to the LGBTQ community. In order to be able to truly support the LGBTQ community in its entirety, it is our responsibility to ensure we are able to see the breadth of diversity that exists within this label in regards to race and ethnicity, in regards to class, in regards to ableness, religion, etc.
Pride Month is over, but the work isn’t. 5 ways you can be an ally to the Black LGBTQ+ community I'm not sure what the world will look like in a few months, let alone tomorrow. But trust that I'm doing everything in my power and encouraging those in my life — and you — to step up for the Black LGBTQ+ community. We haven't achieved equality unless everyone gets a seat at the table.
BLM Turns Inward to Ask About LGBTQ Bias Historically, LGBTQ+ members of the Black community have experienced ostracization, bullying, isolation and violence, according to studies. LGBTQ youth of color and transgender teenagers report the highest levels of rejection and isolation, in a poll of 12,000 respondents ages 13 to 17. The 2017 study drew from all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
15 things LGBTQ people of colour want you to know The experiences of LGBTQ people of colour can often be misunderstood, and based on assumptions and prejudices. They can seem fully erased from LGBTQ stories.
Gay ex-Mormon campaigns to lead the Navajo Nation in ‘Moroni for President’ “Moroni for President” is about a gay man, raised as a Latter-day Saint, who ran for president of the Navajo Nation. And it’s a lot more about the Navajo part of the story than either the gay or faith aspects.
My Story as an LDS Latina From LDS Living Magazine. No matter where you go in the United States or in Spanish speaking countries, you can see that Latin American Latter-day Saints have shown undaunted pioneer faith and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Affirmation Community Conversations Group Facebook group for the entire LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community in Affirmation to land, heal, share, and be authentic! Share your story, encourage others, and share events and news helpful to the community.
LGBT Mormon People of Color and Allies A Facebook group of self-identified people of color and allies gathered to explore multiple identities and the intersections of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LDS faith.
LGBTQIA+ Safe Space – POC ONLY This group welcomes all POC LGBTQIA+ (A=Asexual, Not Allies) who are 21+ years old. We are here to provide an inclusive space of POC centered around respect, community building, consent, and support of each other.
Black, Out & Proud This Facebook group was created to be a virtual space for open dialogue and communication among individuals that identify as Black, Out, and Proud in Central Ohio.
The LGBTQIA+ People of Color Exchange The LGBTQIA+ People Of Color (LGBT POC) Exchange is for LGBTQIA+ people of color to network and promote health and well being in our community by exchanging and sharing information that will combat oppression and marginalization.
LGBT Mormon POC Healing Space A Facebook group of self-identified people of color gathered to explore multiple identities and the intersections of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LDS faith.
Grupo Internacional en Español Un grupo de Facebook para los miembros de habla hispana de la comunidad de la Afirmación a nivel internacional.
Mundo Grupo Português Um grupo no Facebook para membros de língua portuguesa da comunidade internacional de Afirmação.
The Audre Lorde Project Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focusing on the New York City area.
Familia es Familia First-of-its-kind, comprehensive public education campaign aimed at creating strong allies with Hispanic communities across the country.
National Latin@ Network Provides critical and innovative services and support in our Minnesota Twin Cities communities, ranging from family advocacy and shelter services to leadership development and community engagement opportunities for Latin@ youth, women and men, to informing the work of the National Latin@ Network to shape public policy, research, and best practices in the field.
Association of Latino Men for Action (ALMA) Fights for the rights of the Latino Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning community by advocating for fairness and equality, and affirming Latino LGBTQ culture.
TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) Advocates for the specific needs of the Trans Latin@ community that resides in the U.S.A. and to plan strategies that improve our quality of life.
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida Programming, community building, leading, and assisting our LGBTQ community.
Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) Advocates for equity, safety, and wellness for the Latinx Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + community.
Black Queer and Intersectional Collective BQIC is a grassroots collective working towards a world where Black LGBTQIA+ people can live safe, healthy, and flourishing lives.
Black Transmen Our mission is to ensure that all transgender men and TLGB individuals are acknowledged and provided equal access and protection under the law thereby enabling them to contribute towards a productive society.
The National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition The only social justice organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience.
National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.
Center for Black Equity To promote a multinational LGBTQ+ network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination.
Black LDS Legacy This page is to share the history and present day experiences of Black member of the LDS Church (Mormons). Ours is a Black LDS Legacy spanning from 1830 to 1852 to 1978 to eternity.
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a healing justice organization that actively works to transform mental health for queer and trans people of color in North America.
Black Student Union at Utah Valley University An official group for students that identify as Black, to hold discussions about pressing topics related to race, promote the advancement of black people, and foster a community that validates the lives of Black students on campus.
Black Cultural Center (BCC) at University of Utah Using a Pan-African lens, the Black Cultural Center seeks to holistically enrich, support, and advocate for faculty, staff, and students through Black centered research, culturally affirming educational initiatives, and service.
Zuna Instititue A National Advocacy Organization for Black Lesbians that was created to address the needs of black lesbians in the areas of Health, Public Policy, Economic Development, and Education.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute Protects and defends the human rights of BLACK transgender people. We do this by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership, and promoting our collective power.
American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) Advocates for American Indian and Alaskan Native students through recruitment and retention projects that lead to graduation.
First Nations Two Spirit Collective The First Nations Collective is comprised of indigenous peoples who identify as two-spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gender-non-conforming, queer and allies.
We R Native We are a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. We strive to promote holistic health and positive growth in our local communities and nation at large.
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Woman & Transgender Community APIQWTC provides opportunities for Asian & Pacific Islander queer women and transgender people to socialize, network, build community, engage in inter-generational organizing, and increase community visibility.
National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) A federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations.
Trans Women of Color Collective To uplift the narratives, lived experiences and leadership of trans and gender non-conforming people of color, our families and comrades as we build towards collective liberation for all oppressed people.
Brown Boi Project The Brown Boi Project works to transform the way that communities of color talk about gender. We build the leadership, economic self sufficiency, and health of LGBTQ people of color--pipelining them into the social justice movement.
Black and Queer in the LDS Church: A Conversation with LeiLoni Lee LeiLoni Lee grew up as a Black person in a small, largely White Utah town. She loved her experience in the LDS Church until the day a “trusted adult” told her that her dark skin was the sign of a curse. Then, at age 12, she began to realize that she was Queer. Blaire Ostler talks with LeiLoni about how Mormons can be better allies to both the Black and Queer communities.
Human Stories: Tekulvē Jackson-Vann and Melissa Malcolm King Listen in as Jill has a conversation with two of her friends, Tekulvē and Melissa about their experience as Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Verna Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we've seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Verna Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups.
Just belonging: finding the courage to interrupt bias A moment of racial tension presents a choice. Will we be silent about implicit and unconscious bias, or will we interrupt bias for ourselves and others? Justice, belonging, and community are at stake.
Mentorship & Workplace Equity Takes Work Award-winning diversity, inclusion and mentorship expert Janice Omadeke shares her personal mentorship journey along with four helpful takeaways, as she discusses how women and allies can start closing the job equity gap through mentorship.
5 Podcasts at the Intersection of Pride Month and the Black Lives Matter Movement There is much to learn this Pride, and a legion of queer voices in podcasting can help you gain insight, find representation and feel comfort during this time.
Be the Bridge Podcast Our vision is that people and organizations are aware and responding to the racial brokenness and systemic injustice in our world. People are no longer conditioned by a racialized society but grounded in truth. All are equipped to flourish.
Kaleidoscopes of identity: Christine Ngo Each individual is unique with regard to identity, which is dependent upon the context as identities can change with regard to their importance and salience. Cultural and personal identities can be more salient in some life contexts than others.
Intro to Intersectionality Created in the style of Khan Academy videos, this is an introduction to "intersectionality," a key concept in Sociology and sociological analyses.
Riding Our Double Rainbows to Heaven: Experiences of LGBT Mormons of Color in the Modern World From Sunstone. Exploration of the stories and issues encountered by LGBT Mormon POC in their daily lives.
Intersectionality in the LGBT Movement From TIERs Nigeria. This episode will examine intersectionality in the LGBT movement and how even within minority groups, there exists a hierarchy of privilege.
Nobody Knows: Untold Story of Black Mormons This documentary discusses the little known legacy of the Black Mormon converts. It confronts the issues which surfaced during the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement drew attention to the Mormon Church.
Awake to Woke to Work From Equity in the Center. Ground yourself in the process of building a Race Equity Culture. Explore the levers that drive change and the stages that mark transformation using the Race Equity Cycle.
Be the Bridge By Latasha Morrison. This power-packed guide helps readers deepen their understanding of historical factors and present realities, equipping them to participate in the ongoing dialogue and to serve as catalysts for righteousness, justice, healing, transformation, and reconciliation.
Between the World and Me By Ta-Nehisi Coates. A powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis.
Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America By Ibram X. Kendi. In this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-Black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history.
The Color of Compromise By Jemar Tisby. An acclaimed, timely narrative of how people of faith have worked against racial justice and a call for urgent action by all Christians today in response.
White Fragility By Robin DiAngelo. Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence.
Resilience in LGBTQ PoC LGBTQ People of Color (PoC) experience chronic oppression and their ability to survive these experiences is often attributed to their remarkable resilience.
Pride-out-of-the-Box: LGBTQ Movie and Book List From Out & Equal.
Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man By Emmanuel Acho. A conversation about race that many white people have never been able to have.
Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons: Finding the Lord’s Lessons in Everyday Life By Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes. The Sistas humorous and poignant outlook on life will strengthen your faith and remind you of the joy to be found in living a Christ-centered life.
Japanese Saints: Mormons in the Land of the Rising Sun Based on research in a small congregation in northern Japan and in-depth interviews with foreign missionaries, Japanese Saints is the first book to provide an in-depth, qualitative examination of what it is like to be a Japanese Mormon.
Last Laborer Thoughts Reflections of a Black Mormon By Keith N. Hamilton. Hamilton explains how and why he joined the LDS Church. He also shares uncommon and well-researched insights on issues related to the historical "Mormons and Blacks" controversy, through perspectives centered on the Church's watershed 1978 revelation on priesthood.
All God’s Children: Racial and Ethnic Voices in the LDS Church The rapid growth of The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among various racial and ethnic communities has produced many wonderful accomplishments along with some struggles. The personal essays in this book describe these outcomes where the Church has been, what the Church is now, and what it can become.
All Black Lives Matter: Mental Health of Black LGBTQ Youth Black LGBTQ youth’s identification with multiple marginalized identities might make them more susceptible to negative experiences and decreased mental health. Both LGBTQ youth and Black youth report higher rates of poor mental health due to chronic stress stemming from the marginalized social status they have in U.S. society.
Mending the Rainbow: Working with the Native LGBT/Two Spirit Community From Tribal Court Clearinghouse, a project of the Tribal Law and Policy Institute.
Working with Two-Spirit and Native LGBTQ Youth While the gender presentation, sexuality, social and ceremonial roles are diverse across Indian Country, a shared understanding of Two-Spirits is that it is a socially embedded, spiritually grounded identity; there are duties and responsibilities to community that accompany being a Two-Spirit person.
A Spotlight on Two Spirit (Native LGBT) Communities Over the course of the past year, Two Spirit (Native LGBT) communities have garnered a great deal of attention with respect to the status of their civil rights, health and personal safety, employment opportunities, and more. This is a synthesis of current research reflecting their realities.
Communities of African Descent Resource Kit The media are covering the lives, stories, and issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people more frequently, and often in a more fair, accurate, and balanced manner. Repeatedly, however, black LGBT voices, perspectives, and opinions are left out of the picture.
Asian Pacific Islander Resource Kit The media are covering the lives, stories, and issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people more frequently, and often in a more fair, accurate, and balanced manner. Repeatedly, however, Asian Pacific Islander Community LGBT voices, perspectives, and opinions are left out of the picture.
Unity in Diversity Presented by Fred Bowers. A discussion of the intersection of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and LDS faith worldwide. This presentation was made at the 2015 Affirmation International Conference.
Understanding and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health for Black LGBTQ People Black LGBTQ people can experience unique and magnified forms of discrimination because they belong to more than one marginalized community. Discrimination, bias, and related challenges can occur on the structural, interpersonal, and individual level, all of which have potential consequences for a person’s health and wellbeing.
The Missing Colors of the Rainbow: Black Queer Resistance This paper traces the historical context of queer activism and black activism from the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s in the U.S. in order to show the deep rift between blackness and queerness that comes into full force in a supposedly colorblind nation that more than once claimed that “gay is the new black.”
The State of Mental Health in LGBTQ Communities of Color LGBTQ people of color experience alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges. It disrupts their daily lives and can be life-threatening, especially for children and youth. Too often, false narratives attempt to blame LGBTQ people and people of color alike for their own mental health challenges.
Measuring Multiple Minority Stress: The LGBT People of Color Microaggressions Scale Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who are also racial/ethnic minorities (LGBT-POC) are a multiply marginalized population subject to microaggressions associated with both racism and heterosexism.
Black and LGBTQ: Approaching Intersectional Conversations As the national conversation around racial justice and equality for Black people grows in volume and scope, many Black LGBTQ young people are facing difficult conversations with people who are uninformed about race, queer identities, or the intersection of both.