A rally to respond to the anti-gay bigotry of Councilwoman Vonciel Hill and the stigma of HIV in the black community will take place on Saturday outside the office of Abounding Prosperity, 2311 MLK Jr. Blvd., at 11 a.m.
Speakers will include Pastor Alex Byrd, senior pastor of Living Faith Convent Church and bishop-designate of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries Community; community activist and health educator Alpha Thomas; youth advocate Eric Henry; and Abounding Prosperity founder and executive director Kirk Myers.
Poet Brandon Jackson and vocalist Miss Connie will perform.
Organizer Harold Steward encouraged everyone from the LGBT community to participate, especially those from the large LGBT community in Hill’s newly redrawn District 3.
The full press release is below.
#RevLOVE Rally:
A rally of Our VOICES, About Our LIVES, Our Health and OUR LOVE!
“Black Men loving Black Men is the Revolutionary Act…” Joseph Beam
Black gay men, community activists, health educators, entertainers and allies all come together to show Dallas Council Women Vonciel Jones-Hill that black gay men are a part of the Dallas county community, we love and support each other and our community and we will not be silent or invisible.
We are also gathering to remind DCHHS Director Zach Thompson that the high prevalence of HIV in the black community lays with limited HIV resources, lack of comprehensive sexual health education, ongoing stigma and the structural inequalities of race, class, sexuality and we are demanding action.
And we come together as the Beloved Community to combat religious bigotry perpetuated by Bishop Eli Jacobs and other misinformed spiritual leaders. Bring signs that say I AM #RevLOVE.
Speakers include:
· Pastor Alex Byrd – Senior Pastor of Living Faith Convent Church and Bishop-Designate of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries Community
· Alpha Thomas- Community Activist and Health Education
· Eric Henry- Youth Advocate
· Kirk Myers- Founder and Executive Director of Abounding Prosperity
Performances by Poet Brandon Jackson and Vocalist Miss Connie
June 22nd
11:00 Am
2311 Martin Luther King Blvd (MLK & HWY 175)
