AFRICAN-AMERICAN LESBIAN AND GAY ALLIANCE (AALGA)
P.O. Box 130818 =95 Houston, Texas 77219 =95 713-526-9062 =95 E-mail:
AALGA@compuserve.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:           March 16, 1997
Contact:        Public Relations Office
                       713-526-9062
 
        Local Black Leaders Reach Out to Black Lesbians and Gays
Brown, Jackson-Lee and Yarborough Confirmed at AALGA Honors Banquet
 
Houston- Over three years ago, two black gay men decided to form an
organization for lesbians and gay people of African descent here in Houst=
on.
 The organization held its first meeting in a southwest Houston apartment.
 Within four months, almost one-hundred people had joined, and the
African-American Lesbian and Gay Alliance (AALGA) was well on its way.
 
"Our goals were simple," said co-Founder Ken Harris, "We wanted to raise =
the
visibility of Black lesbians and gay men.  We are often overlooked it the
communities we have every right to claim, the gay community and the black
community.  AALGA strives to erase a couple of myths, first that there ar=
e no
black lesbian and gay people, and secondly, that heterosexual
African-Americans are not welcoming of lesbians and gays.  In our experie=
nce,
we have seen quite the contrary."
 
The AALGA Honors Awards will be presented at the Second Annual AALGA Awar=
ds
Banquet and Gala at the Holiday Inn Medical Center Hotel on Saturday, Mar=
ch
29, 1997, from 6:30 until 10:30 pm.  Categories include recognizing an
outstanding black lesbian and gay man, for community advocacy and
development, for health awareness, for the arts and for political leaders=
hip.
Last year, more than one-hundred twenty (120) people attended the awards
banquet. Tickets for this year's event are $55.
 
"This year we hope to continue the legacy that began last year." Said Mar=
tina
Cartwright, AALGA Co-Chair. "The banquet theme, Our Mission, Our Place,O=
ur
Purpose will be well represented by the award recipients and speakers."  =
The
keynote address will be delivered by  Dr. Lee P. Brown, professor of
sociology at Rice University.  Dr. Brown is a respected national leader, =
and
made history when he became the first African-American Police Chief of po=
lice
in two major cities, Houston and New York.  Brown is expected to be a
candidate in Houston's November mayoral elections.
 
Other prominent African-American leaders have confirmed their attendance,
among them Houston City Council member Michael Yarborough, U.S. Congressw=
oman
Sheila Jackson-Lee and Rudy and Juanita Rasmus, co-pastors of St. John's
United Methodist Church. =20
 
 "Our mission and most importantly our place transcends the boundaries pe=
ople
set for =91the gay community.'" Said Steve Walker, AALGA Co-Chair.  "It i=
s
great to be able to honor so many people for their commitments to our
community, and to have so many of our heterosexual allies celebrating wit=
h
us."
 
This year's honorees include:
        U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, winner of the Barbara Jordan Spi=
rit
Award.  The award honors Lee for her commitments to the lesbigay trans
community, in Houston and throughout the nation. Lee was the only member =
of
the Houston delegation to not vote in favor of the Defense of Marriage Ac=
t
(DOMA) last year.=20
 
        The James Baldwin Arts Award recognizing outstanding literary and artis=
tic
achievements by a  black lesbigaytrans person will be awarded to Linda
Villarosa, executive editor of Essence magazine.=20
 
        Attorney Marvin Prevost, a member of the Houston HIV Prevention Communi=
ty
Planning Group and Chair of the HOPE Project (HIV Outreach, Prevention an=
d
Education) will receive the Essex Hemphill HIV/AIDS Advocacy  award.
 
        The AALGA Health Awareness Award will be presented Dr. Joseph Gathe.   =
Dr.
Gathe is a world-renown HIV treatment specialist at Park Plaza Hospital.
 
        The UJIMA Award, which is given to a traditional African-American
organization that openly collaborates with, welcomes and affirms bisexual=
s,
gay men, lesbians and transgender people of African descent, will be
presented to the pastoral staff of St. John's United Methodist Church.
 
        The Houston Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Ga=
ys
(PFLAG) will receive the AALGA Advocacy Award and Incognito the Club will=
 be
recognized for its community development work with the AALGA Community
Empowerment Award.
 
        Outstanding achievement awards will be presented to AALGA members.  The
Audre Lorde Award for an outstanding black lesbian, and the Bayard Rustin
Award for an outstanding black gay man will be presented to Dr. Janis F.
Hutchinson and Barry Barnes, respectively.
        The Kenneth A. B. Harris Founders Award recognizing outstanding overall
efforts to organize, increase the visibility, empowerment and education o=
f
Houston's black bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgender community will be
presented to long-time activist and organizer Reverend Carolyn Mobley.
 
AALGA is an empowerment organization for bisexuals, lesbians, gay men and
transgender people of African descent.  For information about AALGA or th=
e
1997 banquet, please call (713) 526-9062, or email at AALGA@compuserve.co=
m.
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