[Photograph by Mamadi Doumbouya 2021]

(December 9, 2024) - Born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni, Jr., on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tenn., Nikki Giovanni’s mastery of language, narration of a movement and sheer brilliance will forever carve her place in history. Battling her third bout of cancer, Giovanni passed on December 9, 2024. Giovanni leaves a lifetime of art and words that unapologetically describe the struggle, intersectionality, longing, race and revolution. She was above all else and before it was en vogue, authentic, raw and unapologetically Black. Nikki famously said in an interview with Rachel Martin that she didn’t care about her legacy but there were moments that made her proud,

On the last Thursday of the month, many Americans take part in the time-honored tradition of reflecting on the arrival of the pilgrims. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more determined to ensure that we don’t forget the darker side of this history. While I certainly appreciate the day off work and the delicious food prepared, I recognize that this day often glorifies a tragedy that should never have occurred—especially when it’s celebrated with a dry turkey that clearly was not brined!

Blaque/OUT Editor, Tamara Leigh sat down for an exclusive interview with Activist and Advocate, Hope Giselle to talk about her bold Washington, DC Bathroom Installation in response to Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) recent bathroom and facility ban affecting Trans and nonbinary people on Capitol Hill.

The policy, which Johnson announced in November to block Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) from using women's restrooms, saw demonstrations on the days of and following Gender-Affirming Care being argued before the Nation’s highest court. The protests included Hope Giselle’s now viral “Meeting in the Ladies Room” dance video and 13 protesters being arrested the following day for “violating the Washington, D.C., code against crowding, obstructing or incommoding,” while sitting-in and chanting in a Capitol Hill restroom and hallway. Arrests included Chelsea Manning and Raquel Willis.

Hope organized a small group of TGNC community members who danced through a Capitol bathroom that these policies have blocked them out of. Met with both cheers and criticism from inside and outside of Queer spaces.

Hope says her goal was, “to go into these same restrooms that we were told our kind, our community, would not be welcomed into and simply create a space where people understood and recognized and realized that it ain’t that serious...Trans folks are not in the restroom to harm people. If anything, we are in there to have a dance party. That is likely the most outrageous thing a Trans person is going to be doing in a restroom”

To those that criticize her for seeming to “make light” of such a serious issue, Hope says, “people are used to us yelling and screaming and getting arrested and being pepper sprayed and they’re used to seeing the parts of our activations that come with the trauma. They are not used to seeing us activate in ways that also center our joy.”

Watch the full interview on Blaque/OUT Mag TV on YouTube.

(December 5, 2024) - Today, equality org, Gender Liberation Movement (GLM) led dozens of social justice activists and allies in a “Bathroom Sit-In” at a congressional bathroom. The bathroom was positioned very closely to Speaker Mike Johnson’s office who is implementing Rep. Nancy Mace's policy banning Trans people from using restrooms in government buildings. Protestors with banners that read, “FLUSH BATHROOM BIGOTRY” and chanted from inside the Women’s restroom and down the halls were arrested by Capital police. Chelsea Manning, GLM co-founder Raquel Willis, abortion liberation activist Renee Bracey Sherman, and other social justice leaders were among the individuals that were removed and detained by police.

The fear is that the proposal to expand bill H. RES. 1579 would ban bathroom access for Trans people in all federal buildings and could extend to educational institutions, museums, and other public landmarks. Opponents of the bill insist this move will not only compromise the safety of Trans women but put everyone including cis-gender women at risk.

Watch the full interview with Javannah Davis on Blaque/OUT Mag TV on Youtube

Photos by Alexa B Wilkinson

(December 5, 2024) - News broke this week that Syracuse Justice, Felicia Pitts Davis refused to marry a lesbian couple in a civil ceremony in the Central New York city in mid-November. Shawntay Davis, 33, and Niccora Davis, 29 watched an opposite sex couple before them be married by Judge Pitts-Davis without issue but when it was their turn to step forward, the judge walked out with what one of the brides called, “a disgusted look” not to return. A second judge came out and took over leaving the couple confused and disheartened. They tried to enjoy their special day but thoughts of what happened and it’s implications lingered. The couple says they aren’t looking to punish the Judge but do hope this doesn’t happen to another couple. The Post-Standard cited two unnamed sources who said Pitts Davis told Doherty (the judge who stepped in) that she didn't want to marry the two women due to her "religious beliefs."

Pitts Davis was referred to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct while Gov. Kathy Hochul,

(December 4, 2024) - Chase Strangio, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, made history today as the 1st Transgender lawyer to argue In front of Supreme Court. Strangio is representing 3 Trans teens and a doctor challenging the constitutionality of the state of Tennessee’s ban on medical intervention for Trans affirming care. As the country anxiously awaits the Supreme Court decision, the looming take-over of Trump's cabinet brings the likelihood that the AG he approves will ban medical transition on a Federal level to very closely resemble the Tennessee ban thats being argued. Over 100 people waited