Community Organizing

  • National & D.C. Coalition of Black Gays
  • Civil Rights and Home Rule
  • ENIK Coffeehouse
  • Third World Conference
  • Annette “Chi” Hughes & Sapphire Sapphos
April 1978 first meeting of the D.C. Coalition of Black Gays

In April 1978, frustrated by the lack of representation and the narrow focus on homophobia by mainstream, primarily white, gay activists, Black gay activists held the first meeting of the D.C. Coalition of Black Gays. 

“We simply cannot afford the apathy that currently exists among Black gay women and men”
A. Billy S. Jones, May 1978, The Blade

Ad from The Blade celebrating Pride Week, June 1978 focused on the DC Coalition of Black Gays and their work during the June 1978 mayoral election. It highlights how members of the Black LGBTQ+ community organized to make their voices heard in city politics, especially in their outreach to candidates like Marion Barry and their push for recognition in local decision-making.

1979 Third World Conference at Howard University during the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights

“Being a visible gay woman of color at that point in time, in the early ‘80s, was a political statement.” – Annette “Chi” Hughes

Annette “Chi” Hughes came to D.C. to attend Howard University, after being born in Alabama and growing up in Queens, N.Y. During her time at Howard, she connected with other gay students and helped found the Lambda Student Alliance, the first club for gay students at a Black university in the country.   Co-founded Sapphire Sapphos a social and political organization fostering support among lesbian women of color, in 1979.

Learn more about Annette “Chi” Hughes from the Rainbow History Project Digital Collections.

Sapphire Sapphos was founded as a political, social, and cultural group for lesbians of color. Their activities included dances, picnics, regular support group meetings, family-friendly gatherings, and participation in Take Back the Night marches and the annual Pride parade. The organization encouraged women’s voices to be heard at a time when the principal LGBTQIA+  organizations were dominated by men.