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Aubrey Boyd

Founder of Native Son Emil Wilbekin Talks Championing Key Issues Ahead of the 2024 Election with Annual Black Gay Leadership Forum

News & Opinion

Native Son’s Black Gay Leadership Forum: Meeting the Moment, a non-partisan forum, convened a powerful assembly of Black gay and queer leaders, community activists, journalists, and policymakers to address critical issues impacting the Black LGBTQ+ community as the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches.


Held at The Showroom in Washington, D.C., on October 18, and sponsored by Gilead Sciences and Wells Fargo, the event provided an influential space to explore themes of media representation, localized HIV advocacy, and political engagement.



The forum began with empowering opening remarks from Native Son founder Emil Wilbekin and Dr. David Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition, who underscored the necessity of visibility and advocacy for Black queer individuals amid a changing political landscape.


Attendees engaged in a series of thought-provoking panels and sessions aimed at amplifying Black queer voices, empowering them to address the upcoming election's implications and the ongoing fight for equality.




Exclusive Interview with Emil Wilbekin, Founder of Native Son


Native Son has become a dynamic space for Black gay and queer men to unite, celebrate, and champion change. Emil Wilbekin shared his vision for the organization’s long-term impact:


Q: Native Son has created a powerful space for Black gay and queer men to gather, celebrate, and advocate for change. What long-term impact do you hope Native Son will have on the visibility and empowerment of Black queer voices, particularly as we approach such a pivotal election?


“Native Son is a movement, community, and platform created for the future. We are amplifying the voice and visibility of Black gay and queer men who, in the past, were hidden figures or relegated to the background, closeted, or unknown. We are ensuring that Black gay and queer men have a voice, can advocate for themselves, and have agency in the world socially, politically, and culturally. You see Keith Boykin, Rashad Robinson, Don Lemon, Clay Cane, Gerren Keith Gaynor, Eugene Daniels, and Eugene Scott all on TV speaking truth to power about the elections and representing us in media about the U.S. Presidential Election.”




Q: As Native Son continues to grow and champion issues facing the Black LGBTQ+ community, what are the most important changes or milestones you hope to achieve through this movement, both in terms of policy and public perception?


“This movement will continue to thrive and grow so that the next generation of Native Sons will have a space, platform, and megaphone to create the change, advocacy, and solutions to continue building a stronger community. To continue to solve for the HIV epidemic that plagues our community. And to experience true equality and equity in this world.”



Native Son’s Black Gay Leadership Forum Panel Discussions: Voices, Power, and Policy


The first panel, Our Voice: Covering the 2024 Election, examined media representation through the lens of Black gay journalists. Moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winner Robin Givhan, the panel featured prominent media figures such as Richard Fowler, Eugene Scott, and Gerren Keith Gaynor. They discussed the delicate balance of maintaining journalistic objectivity while addressing critical issues affecting the Black LGBTQ+ community.



A highlight of the evening was the Our Power: HIV - Getting Local and Vocal panel, hosted by Gilead Sciences. It underscored the necessity of community-centered HIV prevention efforts and policy advocacy, focusing on how local engagement can drive significant change.


This panel included insights from elected officials like Tennessee State Representative Torrey Harris, Texas State Representative Venton Jones, and D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker, each sharing strategies for combating HIV stigma and supporting prevention at the local level.


In an exclusive interview with Gaye Magazine, Darwin Thompson, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting forums like Native Son's. When asked why Gilead finds it essential to sponsor HIV prevention discussions in such spaces, Thompson explained:


"At Gilead, we believe it will take a ‘more than medicine’ approach to end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere. Therefore, we stand alongside communities most impacted by the epidemic by sponsoring these events to ensure that individuals who can benefit from HIV prevention efforts have access to accurate information to make informed decisions."



Thompson also expressed Gilead's hopes for the lasting effects of these discussions:


"It’s my hope that through our continued support of events produced by Native Son and others, we can empower new advocates to use their platforms to support communities most impacted, ultimately working toward ending HIV stigma and the criminalization of HIV."


The evening concluded with Our Issues: The Road Ahead, a session led by civil rights leaders Alphonso David and Rashad Robinson. They encouraged attendees to think deeply about their roles in shaping the future of advocacy, civil rights, and representation within the Black queer community.



New York Event at The Center: The Stakes of the 2024 Election


The momentum continued in New York City, where Native Son partnered with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) and Gilead Sciences on October 25 to host Black, Queer, & Here: A Community Forum on the 2024 Election.


This event offered an inclusive platform for Black LGBTQ+ community members and allies to discuss issues at stake in the upcoming election, including national policy and local New York State debates, LGBTQ+ rights, and HIV advocacy. Livestreamed on multiple platforms, the forum allowed wider engagement with these crucial conversations.


Co-hosted by content creator Herby Revolus and B. Hawk Snipes, the New York event featured two major panel discussions: The Big Picture: Interrogating the 2024 National Debate for the LGBTQ+ Community and The State of the Stakes for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.


Notable participants included Alphonso David, Imara Jones, and Kei Williams, who emphasized the urgency of protecting rights, countering rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, and fostering a resilient Black queer community.


Make sure you vote! November 5th, 2024, is the last day to make your voice heard and protect our democracy. Have you made your voting plan? If you need any support, visit Gaye Magazine’s partner, the Center for Black Equity’s Voting Hub, for resources and guidance. Voting Hub | Center for Black Equity






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