Queer Antiracist Ally Group Finds Community To Grow Together

I took the fall 2022 Black History for a New Day Course.  When that course was done, I was asked if I would be interested in being one of a handful of folks to pilot an alumni group. I was told I could make any type of group that I wanted. I decided to take a risk. I asked if I could pilot an alumni group that would be an affinity group for LGBTQ+ folks.  Would I be able to pilot a Queer Anti-Racist Ally group? If so, would the demographics of folks who take or have taken Justified Anger’s Black History for a New Day course include those of the Queer community and would those folks be interested in joining an Alumni Group? 

I was surprised and excited when I was given the ok and support to start the Queer Anti-Racist Ally group. In my own life, I often felt quite alone and sometimes guilty for feeling burnt out due to numerous news articles bringing to light what seemed and currently seems like daily legislation against the LGBTQ+ community, especially Transgender folks.  According to the ACLU so far in 2024, there are 515 anti-LGBTQ bills in the US. The guilt comes from the simple acknowledgment that even with all the  sentiment that LGBTQ folks should not exist, I recognize my white privilege. I recognize the color of my skin provides a luxury I didn’t ask for. Were there other people like me? Folks who felt the strain and fear of knowing there is legislation being made that takes away their humanity and have the bandwidth to recognize their white privilege. If I asked here, post Black History course, would anybody have the bandwidth to join me?

As it turns out, yes. I have been contacted by Queer folks who have taken the Black History for a New Day course. Overall our group is small. We meet every 3rd Saturday at 10am over zoom. Our meetings are relaxed and we take the time to check in with each other. We have deep discussions about current events, we have read “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” by Michael Harriot., and we are preparing for the up coming election by reading “Love and Rage” by Lama Rod Owens. Last year we volunteered to help with the Back 2 Skool Bash (which was amazing by the way). We have had discussions about what each of our anti-racism journeys look like. The heart of my journey is decentering my whiteness, my commitment to seeking the humanity in others, remaining in integrity with myself and others,  the continuation of educating myself on Black American History, and, overall, creating an everyday life style that incorporates anti-racism and mindfulness. 

I am thankful for this alumni group.  We are always real with each other, we are accountable to one another, and because we are an affinity group  there is no worry that someone in the group may not fully understand our underlying fears or discrimination we have faced. It’s truly a safe space where we bring all of ourselves and continue working on our anti-racism journey. I do hope that if you were hesitant to join an alumni group you’ll reach out to the other folks running them to ask questions. If you are Queer/LGBTQ+  the Queer Anti-Racist Allies group is a safe space for you to be yourself and follow through with your commitment of being anti-racist.

Email NehemiahQueerAllies@googlegroups.com for more information.

This article was written and contributed by Jess Zitkus. Pronouns are She/They.