The LGTBIQ Community has come a long way in the past 50 years! They now share the rights and freedoms as any other minority (at least in western culture), and have liberties that are the same of any individual living in the free world. Not only does the community share the same rights and freedoms as all Minorities, but they also have the right to space, and the right to run organizations to further empower those who need it. It is important to realize that while there are many differences between LGTBIQ community, and other Minorities ( all Minorities are different from each other), there are many aspects that they share, that are the same. These similarities mainly run through the Organizations, and Agencies specifically created for "Queer" people, and much like their "counterparts" these Organizations face problems of oppression. These oppressive factors include Race, Religion, gender, ect. These are usually unspoken within "Queer" Organizations, and its usually because these Agencies have taken so much time to build themselves up, where they are not being oppressive, and not excluding others (in theory), that its a little embarrassing to admit to themselves, that maybe they need to work a little harder, and ask the right questions. In fact this would be true of ANY organization, that there needs to be more reflection both on the part of the Agencies, and the individuals who work within it....We're only human right?

 

While there are many factors of oppression, that can be talked about for hours on end, the main one focused here (in this very Blog) is Racism, more specially Black "Queer" Youth! Its important to first realize that the LGTBIQ community is unique, because it is made up of every Minority on this planet! Neat huh? This "special" Minority encompasses every religious background, every race, every ethnicity, and every Gender! So much like their Heterosexual counterparts, there are problems of Racism that the "Queer" community face, as well as dealing with being identified as LGTBIQ by society.

Here are some issues that Black LGTBIQ individuals face...

• The LGTBIQ is predominantly White/Anglo-Saxon, and these individuals usually hold more power.
• There is a stigma attached to Black individuals, that they act in certain ways that is undesirable.
• There are not enough outreach workers/facilitators who are Black so that others can identify with.
• It is a challenge to obtain space, and funds when you are a Minority working within a Large organization
• There is not enough education, on what it is to be Black, and "Queer", that is made predominate in the "Queer" community (again predominantly White)             

These assumptions and stereotypes are something that people hold on a day to day basis and Queer organizations are not exempt from this at all! There needs to be more focus on these issues, and these unspoken oppressions must be brought to the attention of everyone working within an Organization. Many Black Facilitators feel that they have to work twice as hard, not only do they have to fight for their rights to be Queer, but to fight for their rights to be Black and Queer. 

Another oppressing factor in Organizations is how they view, and treat Youth. Again Youth have a stigma attached to them.. 

• That they behave in undesirable ways 
• That they are rude, and disorderly. 
• Do not respect authority, 
• Do not respect the space that is given to them, that they are "messy"
• Aren't mature enough

Again these types of assumptions and stereotypes NEED to be broken down and discussed within an Organization/Agency. They need to brought to light and not be unspoken, because it doesn't allow for future growth and empowerment in Youth today! Black "Queer" have to fight twice as hard. Not only do they face the stigma of being Youth, but they also face stigmas being place on them for being Black

The more prejudices, assumptions, and even stereotypes remain unspoken and not dealt with, the more others feel like they don't belong within their community, the more they will not be given the chance to grow and find out more about the world around them, and the more they wont feel empowered about who they are and where they come from. There needs to be more education! There needs to be more Facilitators/Outreach Workers/Social Workers/Social Service Workers that others can identify with! There needs to be more allies and supporters, so that education can continue within other communities! Finlay (and this is just in this "Bloggers" opinion) "Queer" based organizations need to realize that they are only HUMAN, that they have the same prejudices that their Straight counterparts do, and that the fight is not only to break down stereotypes and assumptions made on being "Queer", but also to break down those stereotypes, and assumptions on being Black, and being Youth (as well as all other ethnicities, Genders ect.). Education needs to continue, and should encompass all things, and not one specific group/communities, so that everyone is empowered!