Cross-Movement and Interpersonal Black and Queer Solidarity: Resources
Resources from Heather Scott and Masumi Hayashi-Smith
Below are some introductory historical examples that teachers can use to educate themselves and/or bring into the classroom around solidarity in recent US history. This list serves to highlight only some examples of solidarity; solidarity among different identity groups is diverse and endless.
We hope that this list can inspire teachers to share important history, and compile and share future research with their students.
Examples of Cross-Movement Solidarity
Combahee River Collective - A Black Feminist Lesbian organization that was active between 1974 and 1980. Their text, “A Black Feminist Statement”, can be seen as the foundation of modern-day intersectional work.
Black Lives Matter - Founded to address White supremacy and anti-Black violence, Black Lives Matter has emphasized the importance of Queer solidarity and Queer leadership: “As a network, we have always recognized the need to center the leadership of women and queer and trans people. To maximize our movement muscle, and to be intentional about not replicating harmful practices that excluded so many in past movements for liberation, we made a commitment to placing those at the margins closer to the center.”
The Origins of Pride - Pride originated as a commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising, which served as a catalyst for the LGBTQIA+ movement for civil rights in the United States and around the world. The leading activists at Stonewall were Black and Brown, including Black Trans activist Marsha P. Johnson.
LGBTQIA+ communities emphasizing the importance of elevating Black voices, and standing for racial justice - Ex. Reclaim Pride Coalition and the Dyke March are explicitly anti-racist
The Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) focused their 2023 day of action to “Decolonization and Reparations for all Indigenous and Black Peoples”, which is part of the Nine-Point Platform for Liberation by the National Trans Youth Council (TRUTH)
White Queer and Trans activists, such as Leslie Feinberg, Dean Spade, and Sarah Schulman, have written extensively on the importance of fighting against racism.
Organizations
Examples of Historical Figures at the Intersections of Black and Queer* Identities
Ma Rainey, blues artist: 1866 - 1939
Zora Neale Hurston, writer, anthropologist: 1891 - 1960
Bessie Smith, blues artist: 1894 - 1937
Mabel Hampton, activist and dancer during the Harlem Renaissance: 1902 - 1987
Gladys Bentley, blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance: 1907 – 1960
Bayard Rustin, political activist, prominent leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights: 1912 - 1987
Billy Strayhorn, jazz musician and composer, civil rights activist with Dr. King: 1915-1967
Stormé DeLarverie, activist known for her role in the Stonewall Uprising: 1920 - 2014
James Baldwin, writer and civil rights activist known for his novels and essays: 1924 - 1987
Audre Lorde, writer, activist: 1934 - 1992
Alvin Ailey, dancer, choreographer: 1931 - 1989
Angela Davis, writer, philosopher, scholar, and activist with the Black Panthers: 1944 - present
Alice Walker, writer: 1944 - present
Marsha P. Johnson, activist known for her role in the Stonewall Uprising and her work to support trans women in New York: 1945 - 1992
Octavia Butler, sci-fi writer: 1947 - 2006
Bill T. Jones, dancer, choreographer: 1952 - present
Toshi Reagon, singer, operettist: 1964 - present
Kehinde Wiley, painter: 1977 - present
adrienne maree brown, activist, poet, and writer: 1978 - present
Sonya Renee Taylor, activist, poet, and writer: 1984 - present
Some Favorite Books and Media
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita - A children’s book about a Trans child whose family is expecting a new baby
My Rainbow by DeShanna Neal, Trinity Neal, and Art Twink - A children’s book about a Black Trans and autistic child whose family rallies to support her gender expression
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison and Teshika Silver - A children’s book that tells the story of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera
They Call Me Mix/Me llaman Maestre by Lourdes Rivas - Children's book about what it means to be a Trans person of color
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino - A children’s book by White non-binary author Alex Gino about a White student in Oakland who is introduced to the complexities of the Deaf community within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement
Felix Ever After and King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender - Two deeply moving young adult fiction novels by Kacen Callender, a non-binary Saint Thomian author. Felix Ever After is about a trans arts student in New York, and King and the Dragonflies tells the story of a boy in Louisiana navigating grief and friendship. Both books explore themes of Queer and Black identities.
Qween Jean and Ericka Huggins on Solidarity and the Movement for Black Trans Lives, Them Magazine - An interview between Ericka Huggins of the Black Panthers and Qween Jean about the importance of cross-movement solidarity
Love + Fury: Toshi Reagon - Toshi Reagon examines the roots of the disco music movement and the ongoing violent suppression of Black and Queer joy
Octavia Butler: The Brutalities of the Past Are All Around This by Gabrielle Bellot - A meditation on Octavia Butler’s writing
Additional Queer-Affirming Resources in Honor of Pride Month
All books by Alex Gino: for YA and Middle School readers!
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, Kai Yun Ching, Wai-Yant Li
The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families, by Rachel E. Simon and Noah Grigni
They She He Me, by Maya Christina Gonzalez and Matthew SG
What Makes a Baby?, by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth
I am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel
Call Me Tree, by Maya Christina Gonzalez
First Conversations, books and resources for EC, families, and teachers
The Gender Wheel: A Story about Bodies and Gender for Everybody by Maya Christina Gonzalez
*In this event, we choose to use the re-claimed term “Queer” as an umbrella term to represent a wide variety of people across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities.
To download a PDF of this resource document, click here.
