JULY 9, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

'Black Church' declares war

Continued from previous page

who have been reluctant to speak out against heterosexist abuse against gays and lesbians because of fear of losing contact with our black communities must bolster ourselves and begin to organize now to stop this blatant steamroller attack upon our right to live.

Our general compliance and attempts to "blend in" and thereby go unnoticed in the black communities and especially in the socalled Black Church has left us particularly vulnerable to this attack. Simply put we are not organized; we are in the closet. Although many black lesbians, bisexuals, and gay men in Greater Cleveland thought of "coming out" as unnecessary for black people, right-wing fascists have convinced heterosexist leaders of the "Black Church" to "come out" against us.

These ministers speak casually about deprogramming gay men, lesbians, et al: according to the June 10, Call and Post news article, "The church's mission is to bring about restoration. There is much evidence to suggest that a homosexual lifestyle can be changed or given up. Thus, the church must seek to restore such individuals back into harmony with God's will,” (emphasis theirs). Nazi Germany used such

Since 1984

strategists to control its population and when these tactics didn't work, their "true leader," Hitler, ordered the annihilation of over six million Jews; millions of gay men, lesbians, and Gypsies were killed by the Nazis as well. The extermination of those who are different by those who claim superiority is the calling card of fascism.

These are perilous and pivotal times. Black lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, etc. and our heterosexual allies must organize because the abuse of one is the abuse of all. We have an opportunity to stop this now, here in Cleveland. We must say, Never again— never again.

If the religious right wins the people lose. If you want to help, we need you, now. If you are an African-American lesbian, gay man, bisexual; if you are an African-American heterosexual ally of lesbians and gays; or if you know an African-American who is an ally and would like to address this issue and organize to combat this attack,

Call 591-1346 or write Silent No More, P.O. Box 93064, Cleveland, OH 44101.

Leslye Maria Huff is a principal organizer of Blakmajik Rainbow, an activist and cultural group for women of color in Cleveland.

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