Just out., June 03, 2011, Page 46, Image 46

— statewidepride •—
Loud and Proud
WWW.JUSTOUT.COM
PFLAG chapter strengthens Black Pride with family ties
BY ERIN ROOK
W hen Khalil Edwards came out as gay to
his family in 1998 it was a “nonissue”— his
parents had been doing LGBTQ_activism for
years and his brother was prepared to defend
him. But the outside world was not as ready to
stand by his side.
“Outside influences were telling me I need­
ed to be the baddest, have the most women,
have the most money, and let the world know,”
Edwards says. “There is homophobia in every
community, but being black and gay not only
forces you to deal with double discrimination,
there is a cultural element to homophobia in
the black community that I believe is rooted in
racism.”
Edwards’ parents, Keith and Antoinette,
have been working to change the cultural ele­
ments at the root of homophobia in the Afri­
can-American community, and society at large,
since at least 1992, when the couple worked
with African-Americans Against Measure 9 to
defeat the anti-gay ballot measure.
In the years before her son came out, Antoi­
nette had already helped start the Gay-Straight
Alliance at Jefferson High School, where she
worked as a family resource center coordinator. had to experience, but that too many others
So when Edwards left the closet, he stepped have, and do, and will,” Edwards says. “My goal
is to remind everyone that we
out into a family already pas­
all want the same things and
sionately engaged in the
should all be given the same
struggle for LGBTQequality.
things. We all want to be
His parents also knocked
loved, accepted and respected
on doors in an effort to defeat
for who we are.”
Measure 36 in 2004 and, most
Despite being a young,
recently, in 2009 the couple
trailblazing
organization,
helped start the first black
PFLAG PBC is bringing
chapter of Parents, Families
*
*
•
'
.
M
b
and Friends of Lesbians and
much needed services to the
Gays
(PFLAG)
in
the “This year’s Portland
local community while setting
country.
an example for the only other
Black
Pride
really
came
black PFLAG chapter, in
Their son now serves as the
Chicago.
coordinator for the PFLAG about in a collaborative
Portland Black Chapter, keep­ effort. People in the
“PFLAG PBC is only in
ing the spirit of family activ­
its second year, but it has
community
wanted
ism alive and working to share
grown and evolved immensely,
the Edwards tradition of love to make sure that this
and fills a void in our region,”
and acceptance with the tradition continued."
Edwards says. “Portland has
broader community.
no other organization that ad­
-KHALIL EDWARDS
“My personal goal and my
dresses the needs and concerns
goal for Black PFLAG is to erase the horror o f LGBTQ^black people. PFLAG PBC does
stories of coming out that, thankfully, I never not just offer support for family and friends,
but for LGBTQ_black people as well, provid­
ing a place where they can bring all their iden­
tities and have them honored.”
The PBC also offers a weekly support group
where LGBTQ^people o f color can gather to
share stories, organize and advocate and is in
the process o f developing services for youth.
“It is incredibly important to provide cultur­
ally specific support for LG BTQ youth o f color
who do not see themselves reflected in main­
stream discussions," Edwards says. “Much of
the recent coverage of the teenage suicides fo­
cused on youth who were white and male. We
did not have national conversations about
youth o f color, gender nonconforming or fe­
male youth, working class youth.”
PFLAG PBC hopes to address that lack of
visibility by supporting Gay-Straight Alliances
in a way that empowers rather than patronizes.
The group is in the process o f creating a GSA/
Youth G rant Fund as well as a GSA Day O ut
to provide opportunities for relationship and
skills building.
“We are excited about the community visi­
bility we are experiencing for both PFLAG
V
Proud Partner
'Zigge*
'TZêéée?
Multnomah County is
proud to support LGBTQ
Pride Months.
Multnomah County
employment opportunities
are as diverse as the
communities we serve.
You Belong on Our Team!
Join us in the beautiful
Esther Short Park
Vancouver, Washington
July 9th, 2011 from 11 am - 5pm
We are a Family Friendly Event
Performers:
• Kiss Kill • Lipz Cabaret • Hot Chocolate
Next Entertainment • Belinda Carroll
Thank You Sponsors:
• Eclectic Publishing • Martha's Pantry
Taboo • Just Out
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COUNTY
Job hotline: 503-988-5035
TTY: 503-988-5170
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