"Phrases like “same-sex-attraction” and “struggling with...” are homophobic dog whistles from anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies that are so extreme they believe that even identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual––even without acting on your attractions––is sinful, and being transgender is altogether off the table." -Alex M. Griffin
Category: VOCCU
Are Racial & Gender Equality a Possibility?
The veracity and efficacy of the Gospel are not measured by how many people did not receive it, but by the transformation in those who do believe and receive it. In the same way, we must look for the veracity and efficacy of gender and racial equality not by measuring those who neither accept nor practice it, but instead in those who believe, accept and practice it. -Rev. Oghene'tega Swann
Allied Partnerships: Men of Color, Be Your Sisters’ Keepers
"One of the ways that people of color communities have yet to do right by women of color, is having men of color stand with women of color in the gender equality conversation." -Rev. Oghene'tega Swann
R-E-S-P-E-C-T In Nigerian Families
"Everyone wants to be respected. Everyone needs to be respected. Respect should not be gender based. Respect is reciprocal. When respect is accorded to both men and women, regardless of gender, we will have better homes and communities and also raise respectful kids." -Edith Durojaiye
Mutuality Sunday: Were De Black Brodas At?
"... although not all Black churches typically ordain women as ‘pastors,’ they nevertheless respected me as ‘a pastor,’ addressed me as such, and gave me the full accord with their male ministers, and outside of my denomination male ministers, they have been the most accepting of me, my call, and my leadership." -Rev. Oghene'tega Swann
When Our Skin Is Our Sin
"As the black community grapples with the effects of incarceration on generations of black men, we now have to grapple with the incarceration of black women and the fact that colorism and the disdain for blackness is a contributing factor to who enters prison and how long they stay there." -Onlielove Alston
Fight Like Sisters!
"If true love means fighting fair and honestly, while maintaining value and regard for one another, then neither me, nor people of color need to reduce ourselves and our voices in order to get along with Caucasians. Neither do we need to compromise our worth or hide our pain at our boundaries being breached in order to belong in the community of God." -Rev. Oghene'tega Swann
The Non-Monolithic Experiences of POC: The Diversity Within The Minority
"What we need is an accurate understanding of the distinct challenges that racism can pose for various ethnic groups, and the goal of eliminating racial disparities with an open mind to where and how they may occur." -Haley Gabrielle
Calling All P/WOC Allies: It’s Time To Connect!
"In the United States, black and brown people are not and will never be "equal" until America deals openly with it's ugly past and most importantly, until white America accepts their part in this history: the truths that are left out of our school books, in internet searches, etc.." -Zanetta Holley
Mutuality is Being “Seen”
"Mutuality is about being 'seen' and 'affirmed' as inherently worthy and equally equipped and imbued by God with knowledge, integrity, honor, skills, worthiness, etc., and being 'brought into' the space where one exists and functions with others in that paradigm of equality." -Rev. Oghene'tega Swann