By: Brandon Gonzaléz, 17, NYC
LGBTQIA+ history is black history. Women's history is black history.
As controversial as that statement may seem, the truth is that race, sexuality, and even sex aren’t mutually exclusive. When we think of black history month, who comes first to mind? W E B DuBois. Marcus Garvey. Malcolm X. Fredrick Douglas. Martin Luther King Jr. These are just a few of the most influential men in our past who have shaped our present and continue to empower our future. It was when I was in 6th grade that I took it upon myself to attempt to read the autobiography of Malcolm X because this enormous piece of literature spoke to me. When President Barack Obama took office in 2009, it also spoke to me. These strong black men were leaders and people whom I aspired to be. Except unlike these leaders, I do not identify as cis or hetero. And unlike these leaders, I was taught by plenty of black women raw attributes of leadership. Such beautiful talents and minds included my track coach who demonstrated to me endurance, a woman who continually shows up for all youth. I never regarded her as a leader merely because of how patriarchy shapes our view on leadership. The role of women in the fight for black liberation isn't only in the classroom. It’s in the White House with Shirley Chisholm and even Michelle Obama. The impact of black women in politics was seen in the special election that got rid of Roy Moore in Alabama. It’s also deeply embedded in American culture with dozens upon dozens of inventions from hair kits to treatments for leprosy. As for LGBTQIA+ folk, we see icons like Marsha P Johnson, who rallied Trans women and queer* folks of color against our transphobic & homophobic society. We even have some of the aforementioned women existing as queer-identified, resisting in the intensest ways against the numerous institutions meant to do harm.
The importance of recognizing and appreciating black women, femmes, and LGBTQIA+ folk is because of the beauty of unity and community. The recent attack on Jussie Smollett and the exponential high rates of homicide for black trans women are attacks on black people and queer people everywhere. Violence against women, whether it be sexual assault and harassment, deprivation of education and basic needs, or any form of emotional, physical and mental trauma harms black women. Misogynoir, the way race, and sex intersect to perpetuate violence against black women is an attack on black people and women. All Black Lives Matter, All black lives are valid, and all black lives are loved.