The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black LGBTQ Americans, has condemned one of the nation’s most prominent Black fraternities for its proposed ban on transgender members.
Delegates from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African-American collegiate fraternity, voted during a constitutional convention this month to approve a proposed bylaw to ban transgender members. The proposal would limit membership to “any male defined as a human being naturally born male, who remains and continually identifies as male,” according to exclusive report from GLAAD.
But on Tuesday, David Johns, CEO and executive director of the NBJC, called the proposal discriminatory, adding that it violates basic human rights.
“These proposals completely contradict the historic commitment to equality, justice and advancement for all Black people,” Johns said. “By seeking to exclude transgender people, these fraternities are turning their backs on the very principles of fraternity and inclusion on which they were founded and are a betrayal of the legacy of activism and leadership that these organizations have championed for more than a century.”
Alpha Phi Alpha would not be the first black fraternity to approve such a proposal. In 2017, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. decided to identify itself as “an all-male organization” and limits its membership accordingly.
According to GLAAD, Alpha Phi Alpha’s proposal was approved across a generational divide: the older, more traditional national leadership on one side, while the general body, collegiate leadership, and alumni are on the more progressive side.
Johns, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., calls on the Greek organization to recognize the proposal as based on white supremacy.
“Such exclusionary policies and practices perpetuate harmful stereotypes and 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 racial actors who choose to do their bidding. Our transgender siblings deserve the same respect, dignity and opportunities as non-trans members of our community.”
Johns added that he hopes all the other Divine Nine members will “uplift and empower our wonderfully diverse community.”
“It is imperative that our organizations lead by example, embracing diversity and standing together in the fight against any form of discrimination and hate,” said Johns.
Alpha Phi Alpha did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
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