As 2016 nears its end, the Black Lives Matter movement marches on, now in its fourth year. Since its organic inception in 2013, which began with an open letter written by three Black women (two of whom are queer), there have been hundreds more extrajudicial murders of Black people at the hands of law enforcement, more political actions by activists braving the streets, more local organization, more iconic images, and an important paradigm shift toward increased visibility and media accountability fueled by the power of social media and grassroots organizing.
However, there is still a very long way to go toward concrete change and liberation. We believe it is imperative that individuals and organizations use their social and political privilege and capital to provide sustained visibility and momentum for this movement. No doubt that it is those in the trenches – Black youth and young adults, overwhelmingly queer, trans, and working class – who should be leading this movement: both in charge of its direction and continuing to be its face and voice. But our silence speaks volumes: about what we value, what we prioritize, and our commitment to true allyship.
As such, the Bisexual Resource Center formally announces its support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People of color are a statistical majority in the bi+ community, particularly Black and Brown people. Most transgender people identify on the bi+ spectrum. The intersection of bi+ issues with police brutality, mass incarceration, and criminal injustice in the U.S. is undeniable. That means members of our community are dealing with these issues in a very real way on a daily basis. Furthermore, as an organization that dedicates itself to providing support to the whole bi+ community, to do anything other than publicly affirm the humanity, dignity, and value of those members of our community at the outermost margins would be a travesty; an egregious upholding of the very white supremacy that stains this country and makes the lives of bi+ people of color unbearable.
We, board members and volunteers, pledge to provide a platform for visibility to issues that are germane to Black Lives Matter’s mission and goals, and use the resources we have to further its efforts as best as we can. We will continue to believe, in the words of poet Emma Lazarus, that “Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”
BRC Board Members