Men of All Colors Together (Boston) facts for kids

The Boston chapter of Black and White Men Together (BWMT-Boston) was founded on June 10, 1980. This group later became known as Men of All Colors Together (MACT-Boston). It was part of a larger group called The National Association of Black and White Men Together (NABWMT). This made it one of the first groups on the East Coast to bring together people of different races who were also gay.

The main goals of the Boston chapter were to fight against racism, especially within the community of people who are LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender). They also worked to end unfair treatment of gay people in society. Boston was one of the first cities to start a chapter after NABWMT began in May 1980. Other early cities included New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

Why the Name Changed

In December 1987, the group decided to change its name. They went from Black and White Men Together to Men of All Colors Together. The original name was chosen to get attention, but it no longer fully showed what they wanted to do.

They felt that "Black and White Men Together" did not include men of other races. It also didn't challenge all types of unfairness, only racism between black and white people. The new name, MACT, better showed their main goal. This goal was to encourage people of all races to connect. It also meant fighting all forms of unfairness and prejudice against gay people. Other chapters in New York and Connecticut had already adopted the MACT name. Some other chapters chose "People of All Colors Together" or PACT.

What MACT Boston Wanted to Achieve

The Boston chapter of MACT worked hard to make things fair for everyone. They focused on helping people of different races in the LGBT community. They also supported the LGBT community as a whole. In 1989, they shared their goals in their newsletters. These goals included:

• Creating a place for gay men of all races to meet and become friends. This also helped support their relationships.
• Helping members think about their own feelings about race. They provided a safe place to talk about these feelings together.
• Working actively for better understanding between races in Boston and New England. This was especially important within the gay community.

MACT Boston also created an "AIDing Task Force." This group worked to teach people about the AIDS epidemic and help those affected. Tom Ferrick, a MACT Boston member, led this task force. They put medical information in their newsletters. They also invited doctors to speak at open meetings. Their outreach helped inform the LGBT community about HIV/AIDS. They also worked to stop the unfair idea that the disease was only linked to the LGBT community. They were very active in teaching programs, especially within the African American community.

Fun and Community Events

MACT members held many social events. These events allowed members to gather outside of formal meetings. They included educational, cultural, and political activities. For example, they had annual holiday parties for Halloween and Christmas. They also did community outreach. This included handing out flyers to inform the public about the LGBT way of life.

To build a strong community, MACT often organized outings. These trips gave members time to bond. Activities often involved enjoying Boston's culture. They would go to restaurants, movies, and museums together.

MACT focused on bringing racial harmony to the wider LGBT community. Their local chapters held social gatherings. They also took part in educational, cultural, and political activities. The main goals of NABWMT were to fight racism within the LGBT community. They also aimed to fight unfair treatment of gay people in general society.

Yearly Conventions

NABWMT held a convention every year. All chapters were invited to attend. They would discuss the year's events. They also took part in workshops to help chapters work better. The eighth annual NABWMT convention was held in Boston in July 1988. It took place at the Park Plaza Hotel. The Boston chapter created a special symbol for the convention: two pandas holding hands.

Twenty-three NABWMT chapters from across the country attended the convention. The MACT Boston chapter successfully asked the City of Boston to declare the week of the convention, July 4–9, 1988, as NABWMT Week in the City of Boston.