CLGS

The African American Roundtable at CLGS (AART) seeks the full inclusion of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in communities of faith and the mobilization of black communities of faith in support of social justice for LGBT people by fostering dialogue about the intersections between faith and sexuality among black church and faith leaders (including scholars of religion), among black church congeregations, among black LGBT persons and between each of these constituencies.

The AART facilitates training in the history, science, theology, and sociology of sexuality for black church and faith leaders, for black church congregations, and for black LGBT people and thereby seeks to deconstruct and dismantle negative social norms about sexuality and gender identity. This works opens the door to full inclusion of black LGBT people in black secular and religious communities, and provides a backdrop for enlisting the Black Church in the fight for social justice for black LGBT people.

CLGS is grateful to the pioneering leadership of Dr. Johari Jabir, who began the AART's work soon after the Center was founded in 2000. Beginning in December of 2008, CLGS was pleased to welcome the Rev. Irene Monroe as Coordinator of the roundtable's work.

Our thanks:

The African American Roundtable Project was made possible in part by generous grants from the San Francisco Foundation and the Walter and Evelyn Haas, Jr Fund.