BOSTON, Mass. — On July 2, 2013, the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC) announced it will release a series of videos designed to get those aspiring to be the next mayor of Boston talking about the lives and realities of Black and Latina/o LGBT people.
The video series will feature one-on-one, in-depth conversations between HBGC’s Executive Director Corey Yarbrough and each candidate. The interviews will explore their candidacy, previous voting record, and intentions for advancing LGBT communities and Black and Latina/o communities as mayor.
“Latina/o and Black LGBTQ people have a lot at stake when it comes to who will be the next mayor of Boston. This video series is HBGC’s way of increasing the visibility of all the candidates in the race while bringing some of the issues that impact our communities to the forefront of the conversation,” said Yarbrough.
All candidates have been invited to participate. To date, eight of the twelve candidates have committed: Councilor Felix Arroyo, John Barros, Councilor John R. Connolly, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Charlolette G. Richie, Bill Walczak, State Representative Martin J. Walsh, and Councilor Charles C. Yancey. [pullquote]All candidates have been invited to participate. To date, eight of the twelve candidates have committed: Councilor Felix Arroyo, John Barros, Councilor John R. Connolly, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Charlolette G. Richie, Bill Walczak, State Representative Martin J. Walsh, and Councilor Charles C. Yancey.[/pullquote]
Committed candidates will be interviewed throughout the month of July. In August, HBGC will release two or three interviews a week highlighting the candidates’ positions on a number of topics, including immigration, education, crime, jobs, health, race relations, homelessness and LGBT inclusion and equality. Each topic will be discussed keeping Black and Latina/o LGBT communities in mind. Videos will be available on HBGC’s website and shared on HBGC’s social media sites (Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter) to encourage community dialogues. The Rainbow Times, as co-sponsor of the project, will also make videos available through their social media network and report on the interviews in upcoming print editions.
Although HBGC will not be formally endorsing a candidate for mayor of Boston, Yarbrough hopes the video series will help HBGC’s supporters better familiarize themselves with the candidates and who they would like to vote for.
“This is an opportunity to compare where candidates stand and make informed decisions, but it is also a unique opportunity to hear commitments that will be made to LGBT people and Black and Latina/o communities, commitments we will inevitably have to hold them accountable for,” he said. [pullquote]“This is an opportunity to compare where candidates stand and make informed decisions, but it is also a unique opportunity to hear commitments that will be made to LGBT people and Black and Latina/o communities, commitments we will inevitably have to hold them accountable for,” he said.[/pullquote]
Community members are encouraged to get involved by submitting questions they have for all or some of the candidates by emailing mayoralvideo@hbgc-boston.org or calling HBGC’s office at 617-487-HBGC (4242).
Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC) is one of few non-profit organizations in Boston dedicated to the unique and complex needs of the Black, Hispanic and Latin@ LGBTQ community. Founded in 2009, we work to inspire and empower Latin@, Hispanic and Black LGBTQ identified individuals to improve their livelihood through activism, education, community outreach, and counseling.
Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC) es una organización en Boston dedicada a servir y a unir a lacomunidad LGBQ/T Afro Americana y Latina. Trabajamos para inspirar y fortalecer individuos de lacomunidad, LGBQ/T Afro Americana y Latina, para mejorar sus vidas a través del activismo, educación, y consejería.
[From a News Release]
