SIGN THE PETITION:

On November 19, 2011, Florida A&M University student Robert Champion Jr. was found unresponsive aboard a band bus after the school's biggest game of the year. Police ruled the death a homicide from hazing; furthermore, the parents of Mr. Champion, a 26-year-old drum major in the university’s famed marching band, have recently revealed that Mr. Champion was gay. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s largest Black LGBT civil rights organization, is urging the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and Civil Rights Division, in addition to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, to launch an immediate investigation into Mr. Champion’s death as a potential anti-gay hate crime. You can help by signing our petition.

The loss of Mr. Champion is an unfortunate reminder of the need for proactive measures that foster inclusive environments for all students, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity, and that address the severe issue of hazing at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country—Florida A&M being one of the nation’s oldest and largest HBCUs.

YOU BETTER "WERK"
A House Divided Cannot Stand

LGBTQ PRIDE WEEK -- November 2-6, 2009
"Intersectionality of oppression as it pertains to Black queer and transgender people"

Campus Pride applauds the LGBT and ally students and the campus leadership of Spelman College.

Spelman College, a historically Black college for women based in Atlanta, Georgia is often known as the sister campus of Morehouse College. In reaction to the Morehouse College New Appropriate Attire Policy and the inherent homophobia underlying the policy, Spelman College has dedicated their first annual LGBT Pride Week to the issue. The theme of the entire week is "A House Divided Cannot Stand".

During the week of Nov 2-6, the college through Afrekete - the LGBTQ and allies organization housed at Spelman College in the Women's Research and Resource Center hopes to "raise awareness on campus, debunk a lot of the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding LGBTQIQ individual, and challenge fellow Spelmanites and Morehouse brothers to stand with us in the fight for equality." One of the featured events that bring the week to a close is The Appropriate Dress Attire WERK Fashion Show sponsored by Afrekete and Safe Space.

Campus Pride supports Spelman College in its educational efforts to keep the dialogue alive.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

11/2/09 - Monday
MOVIE NIGHT -
Featuring the documentary "U-PEOPLE". This documentary, taking place in New York, is a depiction of the diversity, community and struggle that you will find in the lesbian community. There will be popcorn served and discussion held after the movie.

11/4/09 - Wednesday