HRC Reaches Out at Midwest Black Family Reunion

In late August, members of the HRC Cincinnati Diversity Subcommittee, with an assist from Karen Aronoff and Jayna Johnson, staffed an information booth at the Midwest Black Family Reunion at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, in downtown Cincinnati. The Black Family Reunion is an annual cultural event celebrating the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African American family. Since its inaguration in 1989, this event has grown into one of Cincinnati's largest family-focused events, drawing over 100,000 patrons. Throughout the reunion event, HRC volunteers conducted quiet, yet meaningful outreach to the regional African American community. We were all pleased at the positive, encouraging responses received. From the young men who quietly picked up a copy of the guide to "Coming out for African Americans," to the older women who listened thoughtfully as we explained our mission, then nodded and took a copy of the "Straight Guide to LGBT Americans" – we encountered a sense of open-mindedness and respect. While a few registered polite indifference, there was not a real hint of hostility the entire weekend.

As important as this outreach was in reaching out to African-Americans with our message, it was equally valuable in how it educated me. The experience really helped dispel what I now realize was an exaggerated notion of African-American hostility toward GLBT individuals. I think this same notion has been fueled for many GLBT Americans by the rash of news stories which examined the demographic voting patterns on California’s Proposition 8 – and the hurt we felt to learn this. It is clear to me that whatever distrust we might believe exists between the African-American and GLBT communities cannot be allowed to ferment – and the best way to address it is is for us to get to know each other. This cultural event was a perfect opportunity. We do have friends there, and sometimes what is taken for hostility is simply misunderstanding.

The experience was summed up well by Bettye Brock, the event non-profit coordinator, who rolled by in her golf cart nearing the end of the festival and warmly offered "I’m glad you were here!" I think all who participated in the endeavor were glad we were there as well, and glad we helped in sending out some ripples of mutual respect and understanding. While this project was a first for us, we learned a great deal, and look forward to an even more enthusiastic participation at next year’s Black Family Reunion!