The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to advancing the rights of Black LGBTQ Americans, has condemned one of the nation’s largest Black fraternal organizations for proposing to ban transgender members.
Representatives of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the oldest African-American college fraternity, passed a bill at its constitutional convention this month that would ban transgender members and limit membership to “males who are defined as, identify as, and remain male at birth.”Exclusive report from GLAAD.
But on Tuesday, NBJC CEO and executive director David Johns added that the proposal is discriminatory and violates fundamental human rights.
“These proposals are clearly at odds with our historic commitment to equality, justice, and advancement for all Black people,” Johns said. “By seeking to exclude transgender people, these fraternities turn their backs on the very principles of fraternity and inclusivity on which they were founded, and are a betrayal of the legacy of activism and leadership these organizations have maintained for more than a century.”
Alpha Phi Alpha is not the first Black fraternity to pass such a proposal: In 2017, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity decided to self-identify as a “male-only organization” and limit membership to men only.
According to GLAAD, Alpha Phi Alpha’s proposal was approved along a generational divide, with the older, more traditional national leadership on one side and the general body, university and alumni leadership on the more progressive side.
Johns, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, is calling on Greek organizations to recognize the proposal as rooted in white supremacy.
“Policies and exclusionary practices like these perpetuate harmful stereotypes, further marginalize individuals who already face significant barriers and discrimination in society, and send a dangerous message that it is acceptable to ostracize and discriminate against individuals based on their gender identity,” Johns said. “These policies and practices are tools of white supremacy and the white racists who choose to follow their orders. Our transgender brothers and sisters deserve the same respect, dignity, and opportunities as non-transgender members of our community.”
Johns added that he looks forward to all the other Divine Nine members “uplifting and empowering our beautiful and diverse community.”
“It is imperative that our organizations lead by example, embrace diversity and unite in the fight against discrimination and hate in all forms,” Johns said.
Alpha Phi Alpha did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
