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Media Releases

National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Morehouse College Landmark Inclusive Policy
April 17, 2019 10:27 AM

WASHINGTON, DC – Every student has a right to an educational experience where they feel safe, engaged, and supported. However, the fact remains, that for too many students, especially Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same gender loving students (LGBTQ/SGL) find college campuses and K-12 schools to be hostile and unsafe spaces, which makes it challenging to learn and develop the skills, experiences, and credentials needed to succeed in the global 21st century labor market. Black transgender and gender nonconforming people face unique and sometimes disproportionate challenges, including hate crimes that make it harder for them to succeed in school and in life.

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National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Equality Act Hearing
April 10, 2019 11:19 AM

WASHINGTON -- Later yesterday, the House Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing on the Equality Act, which would extend existing civil rights protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement in response to the hearing:

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National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Jussie Smollett Charges Being Dropped
March 26, 2019 01:02 PM

WASHINGTON, DC-- This morning, news broke that the charges against Jussie Smollett for allegedly orchestrating a hate crime have been dropped. In response to the news David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
 
“While many have taken it upon themselves to stand as judge and jury by rushing to dismiss brother Jussie Smollett’s allegations of a hate crime, it is important to remember that Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same-gender-loving people people experience acts of hatred and bias more than other groups of people. While there are still details about the case that we may never know, it is an important reminder that we should never rush to judgement, especially people in power.

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National Black Justice Coalition Statement on the Introduction of the Equality Act
March 13, 2019 12:25 AM

WASHINGTON, DC-- Today, the Equality Act was introduced by Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.  The Equality Act would extend existing civil rights protections to include on the bases of sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex. After months of advocacy in support of the Act, David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
 
"The National Black Justice Coalition applauds the introduction of the Equality Act. For far too long, too many Black Americans have lacked access to basic legal protections won by the Civil Rights Movement because of who we love, or how we show up in the world. In the absence of clear and consistent federal protections, Black LGBTQ and Same-Gender-Loving (SGL) people remain among this country’s most marginalized. 

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NBJC Statement In Support of the PrEP Assistance Program Act
March 8, 2019 12:29 PM

WASHINGTON -- After Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced the PrEP Assistance Program Act, David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition released the following statement:

“The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is proud to support the PrEP Assistance Program Act introduced by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) today, because it supports the critical mission of creating a world where Black people, including Black people living with HIV/AIDS can live healthy, full lives. The PrEP Assistance Program Act will increase funding for programs and resources to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases while also providing resources for counseling and outreach to high-risk populations.

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National Black Justice Coalition Comments on Jussie Smollett Arrest
February 21, 2019 03:43 PM

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, news broke that Empire Actor Jussie Smollett has been arrested for allegedly filing a false hate crime report. In response to this news, David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
 
“It is important for cases to be tried in courts — legal courts, not courts of public opinion. While we know the allegations don’t look good for our brother Jussie, we will not be judge and jury...."

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National Black Justice Coalition Demands Justice for Jussie Smollett
January 29, 2019 04:15 PM

WASHINGTON, DC-- This morning, news broke that early Tuesday morning, Jussie Smollett, a cast member of ‘Empire,’ was brutally attacked in an apparent hate crime. In response to the news David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:
"We are deeply saddened, disheartened and devastated that an attack steeped in racist and homophobic hatred could happen to anyone. But we are not surprised. This attack is a sad reminder that none of us — not even our famous entertainers — are safe from the ugly vestiges of white supremacy, anti-Blackness and homophobia.

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Supreme Court Permits Trump Administration to Enforce Transgender Military Ban
January 22, 2019 05:03 PM

WASHINGTON -- Today, the US Supreme Court granted the Trump Administration’s request to begin implementing its discriminatory and pernicious ban of military service by transgender people, calling into question the honorable service of thousands of troops and putting our military readiness on the line. An estimated 15,000 transgender people currently serve in the military and the Supreme Court’s actions today places all of their careers in jeopardy.

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LGBTQ and Allied Organizations Urge Thorough, Independent Investigation and Critical Reforms Following Second Suspicious Death of a Black Man at the West Hollywood Home of Ed Buck
January 10, 2019 03:38 PM

Today, 51 LGBTQ and allied organizations (listed below) released the following statement to demand a thorough investigation by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office of the second death of a Black man at the West Hollywood home of Ed Buck, a prominent political donor, within two years.

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National Black Justice Coalition Demands Long Overdue Justice for Victims of Ed Buck
January 10, 2019 12:09 PM

WASHINGTON, DC-- This week, another young Black man died in the home of Ed Buck, a wealthy Democratic donor who was previously investigated after another Black man, Gemmel Moore, died from a drug overdose at Buck’s home in 2017. Both deaths led to protests over the handling of the investigation and Buck, who was never charged. In response to the news of a second victim, David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), released the following statement:

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