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Lesbian centenarian Ruth Ellis was born in the 19th century, and lived into the 21st. Despite having no queer role-models, Ruth came out as a lesbian in her teens, and in the 1930s, she began a relationship with Babe Franklin.
Ruth and Babe were together for 30 years, with their home in Detroit forming a centre for queer Black life, and a refuge for queer Black people in the years before the Civil Rights movement and Stonewall.
In 1999, when she turned 100, Ruth was celebrated as the USA’s oldest living out lesbian.
[Image: Ruth as an elderly woman, wearing a t-shirt which reads ‘DYKE MARCH’]
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patchworktextiles
“Anyways happy Black History Month!
Remember to materially support Black people, not just say you do! Not just famous Black people, but Black people in your everyday life or Black people you cannot fetishize, tokenize or use in some way. Elevate their voices. Listen to Black people. Center Black trans people. Center unambiguous Black people. Center the most marginalized Black people. Materially support Black people all over the world.
Not just February, but every day of every month, every year!”
— edit from reddit
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blondebrainpower
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Happy Black Joy Month, Tumblr!
It’s February on @blackexcellence, and we’re embarking on the fourth year of BlackExcellence365, where we celebrate Black history 24/7, 365 days of the year. BlackExcellence365 is a community celebration of you, your world, Black achievement of every stripe—from the arts to sports to social justice. Join us in our celebration of Black Joy.
Black Excellence is Revolutionary.
Black Resilience is Revolutionary.
Black Joy is Revolutionary.
Black Joy is Black Excellence.
If you are a Black creative, look out for opportunities to showcase your expressions of Black joy—from art, dance, fashion, writing, music, photography, film, to everything in-between.
Each month, we’ll be coming to you with themes like Black Girl Magic, Black Power, and Black Boy Joy. We’ll be sharing interviews, spotlights, and a collaborative playlist featuring the very best Black talent.
Follow our Today In Black Excellence series to learn about the icons and history-makers our Creatrs love—with artist depictions and fun facts about game-changing athletes, writers, and activists, past and present, who have all changed the world.
However you express joy—join in, follow, and share using the tags #BlackExcellence365, #BlackJoy, and #BlackJoyIsBlackExcellence. The Black experience is too often characterized by struggle, pain and trauma: let’s challenge that by exploring joy, amplifying these voices and stories, and changing the narrative.
Welcome to #BlackExcellence365 ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽!
Celebrate black history month by honoring black stories
Listen to this podcast roundup ⬇️
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Happy Black History Month from 365 Days of Lesbians!
1. “GAY PEOPLE! ALL PEOPLE! IT’S A BEAUTIFUL REVOLUTION,” March on Albany for Gay Liberation, Albany, New York, March 14, 1971. Photo by Diana Davies, c/o @nypl.
2. Archene Turner and Lynn Walker in Atlanta, GA in 1987. © “Making A Way: Lesbians Out Front” by JEB @jebmedia
3. Sinister Wisdom #51. 1993. “Consuela & Jera, Pinkney, Michigan -1993” by Terri Jewell
4. Pride, New York City, 1977 © Meryl Meisler @merylmeisler
5. “Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day, San Francisco, June 28, 1987. Photo © Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover.”
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Today in Black Excellence: Amanda Gorman—activist and poet laureate
“There is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.”
—Amanda Gorman
Where have you heard this name before?
You may have watched the 22-year-old poet reading her moving poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ during the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. On that chilly day in January, the Los Angeles native joined an esteemed list of poets that includes Robert Frost and her idol, Maya Angelou. Just in case you missed her during the inauguration, she also recited her poem 'Chorus of Captains' before the 2021 Super Bowl Game.
What was Amanda doing before she graced us with her presence at the inauguration?
Amanda was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate in 2014 and published a book of poetry, The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough, in 2015. In 2016, Gorman founded the nonprofit organization One Pen One Page, a youth writing and leadership program. In 2017, she became the first author to be featured on XQ Institute's Book of the Month and became the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress.She has read her poetry on MTV and been featured in The Root Magazine and Glamour.
"It was a great honour for me to illustrate Amanda Gorman. She has demonstrated to many young girls, boys, women and men that they can achieve absolutely anything that they put your mind to. Her perseverance, individuality and optimism make her a breath of fresh air as well as an inspiration to many, and I wanted this piece to reflect that."
—@nyanzad
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Today we recognize Storme DeLarverie, a butch lesbian, performer, singer, and LGBTQ rights activist. “It was a rebellion, it was an uprising, it was a civil rights disobedience— it wasn’t no damn riot.” - Storme DeLarverie
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Today in Black Excellence: Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock—Pastor and first Black senator in Georgia’s history.
“We need praying feet that will stand up to bigotry and racism and xenophobia in this divided moment in our country.”
—Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock
A few fun facts about Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock:
- As Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church since 2005, Rev. Warnock preaches at the pulpit once occupied by Martin Luther King Jr.
- He is the youngest pastor ever to serve in a leadership role at the historic church.
- He delivered the benediction at President Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Prayer Service.
- He graduated from Morehouse College cum laude in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He has a Master of Divinity degree with honors and distinctions, a Master of Philosophy degree, and a Ph.D. in systemic theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
- He is the author of the book The Divided Mind of the Black Church: Theology, Piety, & Public Witness.
- He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.
- He is serving as the first Black senator in Georgia and only the eleventh Black senator in U.S. History.
Keep an eye out for all the work Senator Warnock, as he continues to make history!
Original portrait by Tumblr Creatr @bebriscoe
“Dr. Raphael Wornock embodies the intersectionality of religion and progressive politics in present-day America. The art piece signifies his transition from the pulpit to a political figure.”
— @bebriscoe
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Celebrating her win 🥳
📸: gettyimages
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(via Blacktag / Black Art Is Black Money on Vimeo)
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Happy birthday, Huey Newton! Huey P. Newton was a legendary Black Panther revolutionary who had a lot to say. That’s why it’s important to never forget these words he left us about policing and the so-called “justice system:”
🚨 On Police And Occupation
“The police in our community occupy our area, our community, as a foreign troop occupies territory. And the police are there not to promote our welfare or for our security or our safety, but they’re there to contain us, to brutalize us and murder us.”
🚨 On Systemic Injustice
“As long as the oppressor makes the laws, the people are not bound to respect them. We are bound to transform society and erect a system where our people will receive justice.”
✊🏿 On Freedom From Unjust Law
“Laws should be made to serve the people. People should not be made to serve the laws. When laws no longer serve the people, it is the people’s right and the people’s duty to free themselves from the yoke of such laws.”
✊🏿 On The Black Panther Party For Self-Defense
“Many community people could not believe at first that we had only their interest at heart. Nobody had ever given them any support or assistance when the police harassed them, but here we were, proud Black men, armed with guns and a knowledge of the law.”
🚓 On Police And The Ruling Class
“The ‘police’ are everywhere and they all wear the same uniform and use the same tools, and have the same purpose: the protection of the ruling circle here in North America.”
––
📌 PushBlack is a Black-led nonprofit dedicated to raising up Black voices. We are a small team but we have an outsized impact:
We reach tens of millions of people with our BLACK HISTORY STORIES every year.
We fight for CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM to protect our community.
We run VOTING CAMPAIGNS that reach over 10 million African-Americans across the country.
And as a non-profit, we can’t do it without you! Click here to subscribe to a small monthly donation to help support our work.
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Today we recognize John Lewis. A civil rights hero, politician and an inspiration to many. Lewis dedicated his life to the movement as he continued to fight for racial justice. His work will continue to educate, inspire, and organize us to fight for change. “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” - John Lewis
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Black Lives STILL Matter.
✨Your Friendly Friday Reminder ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✨