In The News: Black lesbians display their Sapphic history

Bay Area Reporter

Published 12/17/2009

by Heather Cassell

More than 60 black lesbians and their friends were drawn to the “Spotlight on African American Lesbians” exhibit and panel discussion at the GLBT Historical Society earlier this month, where they reminisced and remarked upon their contributions to queer life.

The exhibit, the first on the West Coast, features the debut of “Keepin’ On: Images of African American Lesbians,” which was originally curated in 1991 by Morgan Gwenwald, Paula Grant, and Georgia Brooks from the Brooklyn Lesbian Herstory Archives.

While African American lesbians have been included in previous historical society exhibits, this was the first time the organization hosted an exhibit explicitly focused on African American queer women, said co-organizers Cathy Cade and Lisbet Tellefsen. (read entire article)

In The News

Elizabeth Simbiwa Sogbo-Tortu

Sierra Leone woman barred from becoming chief.

Members of a Sierra Leone traditional group have besieged a woman’s house and stopped her from going home after she launched a legal bid to become a chief.

Elizabeth Simbiwa Sogbo-Tortu was barred from an election to the chiefdom because she was a woman. (BBC article)

Difficult Dialogues: Angela Davis Keynote Address (Video)

ANGELA DAVIS KEYNOTE ADDRESS, ATLANTA GA, SEPT 12, 2009

NWSA Description

The Address is in two parts:

1) Angela Davis on NWSA

Angela Davis talks about the National Women’s Studies Association, reflects on its history, and congratulates Beverly Guy-Sheftall for the work she is doing.

2) Angela Davis on Difficult Dialogues

Within the context of the theme of the conference, Davis talks about the positioning women’s studies
within academia and its relationship to other academic fields, her past, and her aspirations for the future.

View Video

Guest Travelogue: Virgin Islands, Women’s B-ball and Eco-camping

Reported by Charlene Gumbs

___________________________________________________________________

Sistahs,

I just came back from a wonderful time in one of my favourite places, the Virgin Islands. I left the quiet of St John to attended an exciting, noisy, and crowded event – The 10th Annual Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament at the University Of The Virgin Islands, where I watched the women of University of Southern Cali spank Mississipi State, and, the lady Longhorns come back to beat Rutgers in round three of the tournament. What a game! My Father, who is 70 and had never watched a womens basketball game (live or on tv) was impressed, and, fussed when his team missed a shot or lost the ball. Priceless! Rutgers won the tournament, MVP Brittany Ray.

If you want to get away from the “rat race” for a bit and you don’t need to stay in a five star hotel, consider 5 star “camping” in Eco-tents at the Estate Concordia Eco Preserve on the island of St. John. They are solar powered, sleeps up to 5, and have kitchenetts complete with kitchenware, gas stove and small fridge (no electrical outlets or cell phone signal ya’ll). I enjoyed the quiet, spending time with my sister, hiking the trails, observing the various criters that I came across, the sound of the ocean and the crickets singing at night.  I highly recommend putting this on your “Places To Go” list. For the sistahs who don’t want to “rough it”, there are studios available.

Peace and Blessings

Charlene

Zuna Institute Congratulates Nation’s First Openly Black Lesbian Legislator

Simone Bell, Georgia State House Representative

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Francine Ramsey
(916) 207-1037
Framsey@Zunainstitute.org

Zuna Institute Congratulates Nation’s First Openly Black Lesbian Legislator

Sacramento, CA (December 3, 2009) – Zuna Institute congratulates Simone Bell for being the first openly Black Lesbian elected official in the United States. Simone Bell won her run-off race for District 58 in the State of Georgia.  Atlanta voters turned out in record numbers to support ‘Bell’ to win a seat in the Georgia General Assembly. She becomes the second openly LGBT member of the Georgia State House, joining Rep. Karla Drenner.  Both are from the Atlanta area.

As a supporter and colleague of Simone Bell, “I am thrilled that we have a Black Lesbian representative and leader in the state of Georgia that will command equality and justice and is an example of leadership for challenging the status quo in her community” said, Francine Ramsey, Zuna Institute’s Executive Director.

For more than 20 years, Simone has worked as an activist and advocate in Atlanta and across the south. She’s tackled a broad range of issues including workplace equality, access to affordable health care, fighting HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination, safe schools for all children, youth empowerment and women’s issues.

We all wish her great success!

Zuna Institute is a national advocacy organization for Black Lesbians that addresses such issues as health, economic development, education, and public policy.  Zuna Institute brings about visibility and empowerment to the Black Lesbian community, and strives to eliminate barriers that are deeply rooted in public policies that encourage homophobia, economic and educational injustices, and other forms of social discrimination.

BAY AREA AFRICAN AMERICAN LESBIAN PUBLICATIONS

GLBT Historical Society is proud to present

BAY AREA AFRICAN AMERICAN LESBIAN PUBLICATIONS” featuring interviews, covers, and display copies of The Black Lesbian Newsletter/Onyx (1982-1984) and Aché: A Journal For Lesbians of African Descent (1989-1993.)

There will also be a panel conversation with Bay Area Black lesbian archivists and organizers featuring:

Lenn Keller: archivist, filmmaker & photographer

Terry King: organizer of African-American 40 Plus

Mary Midgett: author, co-founder of NIA & BAYBLAG

Peggy Moore: founder of Sistahs Steppin’ in Pride

Moderated by Lisbet Tellefsen: archivist, publisher of Aché: A Journal for Lesbians of African Descent

FREE

When: Saturday, December 5th from 2-5pm

Where: GLBT Historical Society, 657 Mission St. #300, S.F. (down the block from MOAD)

For more information visit: http://www.glbthistory.org/