First Black Lesbian Conference facts for kids

The "Becoming Visible: The First Black Lesbian Conference" was a special event held in San Francisco, California. It took place at The Women's Building from October 17 to 19, 1980. Many people believe this was the first conference ever just for Black lesbian women.

Why the Conference Happened

Before this conference, some big events changed things for Black people and lesbian women in the United States. These included the Stonewall riots and the Civil Rights Movement. These events helped people understand the unfair challenges faced by Black lesbian women. The 1969 Stonewall Rebellion especially helped Black lesbian women become more visible. It also showed their struggles with unfair treatment while they were joining the feminist movement.

The "First Black Lesbian Conference" was inspired by an earlier meeting. This was the First National Third World Lesbian and Gay Conference in 1979 in Washington, DC. While there had been other conferences for both lesbians and gays, this 1980 conference was the first in the U.S. to focus only on supporting Black lesbian women. In the years before the conference, it was common for other groups to not include Black lesbian women. This happened because people often didn't understand different backgrounds and experiences.

What Happened at the Conference

The "First Black Lesbian Conference" lasted two days. It was open to all Black lesbian women and took place at The Women's Building in San Francisco. More than 200 women from all over the United States attended.

Goals of the Conference

The main goals of the conference were:

• To create a national network for Black women. This meant helping them connect with each other.
• To celebrate each woman's unique self.
• To reach Black lesbian women who felt alone in different areas.
• To provide education and share knowledge.

The women came together to give each other support, encouragement, and strength. They wanted to bring attention to the important issues and difficulties they faced.

Becoming Visible

The main idea of the event was "becoming visible." For many years, Black lesbian women had faced unfair treatment based on their gender (sexism), their race (racism), and who they loved (homophobia). The conference was a chance for Black lesbian women to talk about these worries and struggles. It also helped them create a national network and support system across the United States.

Important Speakers

Some very important leaders in the Black Lesbian Liberation Movement were the main speakers at the "First Black Lesbian Conference." These speakers included Andrea Ruth Canaan, Pat Norman, and Angela Davis. Each main speaker talked about important topics. They discussed the strengths and challenges Black lesbian women faced.

Andrea Canaan's Message

Andrea Canaan, an important Black lesbian feminist, spoke about being seen or not seen. She explained what it meant to "become visible." Canaan showed how being more visible in society could be helpful or risky for Black lesbian women.

Pat Norman's Insights

Pat Norman was an important activist for the LGBT community. She was also a main speaker at the conference and added to Canaan's speech. Norman worked for health services for gay people in San Francisco. She also helped start the Lesbians Mothers' Union and was on the board of the National Gay Task Force.

Norman shared her own experiences and understanding of "internalized racism." This is when people start to believe negative things about their own race. She explained how this was harmful to Black lesbian women becoming visible and getting support from others. During this time, internalized racism was a common unfair challenge for Black lesbian women. It not only affected Black people becoming more visible, but it also influenced how Black lesbian women expected each other to act. It even shaped what people thought Black culture was.

Workshops and Activities

The two-day "First Black Lesbian Conference" offered eight workshops for those who attended. These workshops included:

• Business and Money Management
• Lesbians and the Law
• Feminism
• African American Women Role Models in the Arts, led by Sabrina Sojourner
• Wellness Counseling
• Health Issues and African Americans
• African Americans and Imperialism, led by Pat Parker
• Interracial relationships

Entertainment

The conference also had fun entertainment. This included poetry readings, dance, and music. These events were open to everyone in the gay community in the San Francisco Bay Area. M. Lambert-Van Buuren performed choreographed dances called "Morning Dance" and "Primal Roots" for the attendees. The conference also featured music by Gwen Avery, Casselberry-Dupree, and Avotcja.

Conference Organizers

Eight people worked together to organize the "First Black Lesbian Conference":

• Rani Eversley
• Kenya Johnson
• Rose Mitchell
• Marie Renfro
• Janna Rickerson
• Elizabeth Summers
• Patricia Tilley