National Association of Black and White Men Together


The National Association of Black and White Men Together, Inc.: A Gay Multiracial Organization for All People is a longstanding network of chapters across the United States focused on LGBT and racial equality, founded in May, 1980 in San Francisco as a consciousness-raising, multicultural organization and support group for gay men forming multiracial relationships. To attain these ends, its local chapters organised social gatherings and engaged in educational, cultural, and political activities. It is a registered IRS 501 nonprofit organization. NABWMT's goals consist of two major themes: combating racism within the LGBT community and combating homophobia in general society. NABWMT's vision is to be a key organizational and archival resource for those working on racial and social justice. An overall goal is to witness an America free of racism and homophobia.

History and Impact

NABWMT got its start in May 1980 when founder Michael Smith placed an advertisement in The Advocate for a potluck that attracted 20 people. Within a year of its founding, local chapters were established in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and Milwaukee. Chapters named "Black and White Men Together," "Men of All Colors Together," "GREAT Men of," and "People of All Colors Together" which include women, all operate under the NABWMT umbrella. Local chapters host social and educational events, and also support other aspects of their communities. For example, the Detroit chapter raised funds for and provided direct assistance to the Ruth Ellis Center in 2006.
As a result of AIDS education and support work carried out by chapters, the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention and Bay Area HIV Support and Education Services both sprung from NABWMT in the late 1980s. In 1980, Reggie Williams, an executive director of NABWMT and NTFAP, began to reach out to Black gay and bisexual men, as well as other gay men of color communities in San Francisco.

Educational Focus

Education about racism, homophobia and HIV/AIDS remain a primary focus of NABWMT and its local chapters. This is accomplished through workshops during the annual national convention and during periodic regional weekend get-togethers through the Midland and Western Regions. These topics are also regularly discussed in the published quarterly newsletter Q Visions, the NABWMT website, many podcasts, and local chapter "gabfests."
Indeed, the two Facebook pages may represent one of the few opportunities for people from around the world to view and engage in civil communications in real time about these provocative topics, some of which may be forbidden in their countries. Ten volunteer moderators/administrators approve requests for "membership" to the two groups, and lightly moderate and approve posts.

Conventions

The first national convention was held in San Francisco in 1981; more recently, the 34th convention was held in Milwaukee, July 2014, 35th in Newark, July, 2015, 36th in Memphis, July, 2016, and the 37th convention in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, August, 2017.. Upcoming conventions will be the 38th in Reno, NV, the 39th in Washington, DC/Crystal City, VA, and the 40th in New Orleans, LA.
Notably, the Western Region comprising Southern California, Phoenix, and Seattle have held successful regional get-togethers in the fall or spring, each of which attracting 50-60. The focus of these regional activities include educational activities and social activities.
The Boston chapter held the eighth annual NABWT convention in the City of Boston in July 1988 at the Park Plaza Hotel, during which members from 23 chapters attended.

Convention Years, Locations, and Memorable Highlights

  1. 1981, San Francisco, CA:
  2. 1982, Washington, DC:
  3. 1983, Columbus, OH:
  4. 1984, Atlanta, GA:
  5. 1985, Los Angeles, CA:
  6. 1986, New York, NY: Bayard Rustin addressed outdoor rally during NYC's Pridefest.
  7. 1987, Milwaukee, WI: Name change controversy: "Black & White Men Together" vs. "Men of All Colors Together"; Author Joseph Beam's provocative comments about interracial relationships and black men dating non-African-Americans.
  8. 1988, Boston, MA:
  9. 1989, Tallahassee, FL:
  10. 1990, San Francisco, CA:
  11. 1991, Detroit, MI:
  12. 1992, Dallas, TX:
  13. 1993, Chicago, IL:
  14. 1994, Washington, DC:
  15. 1995, Key West, FL:
  16. 1996, Cleveland, OH:
  17. 1997, Charlotte, NC:
  18. 1998, Ft. Lauderdale, FL:
  19. 1999, Philadelphia, PA:
  20. 2000, San Francisco, CA:
  21. 2001, New Orleans, LA:
  22. 2002, Miami Beach, FL:
  23. 2003, Kansas City, MO:
  24. 2004, Atlanta, GA:
  25. 2005, Pittsburgh, PA:
  26. 2006, Long Beach, CA:
  27. 2007, Cleveland, OH:
  28. 2008, St. Louis, MO:
  29. 2009, Philadelphia, PA:
  30. 2010, Ft. Lauderdale, FL:
  31. 2011, Las Vegas, NV:
  32. 2012, San Diego, CA: Keynote address by former US Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders.
  33. 2013, Columbus, OH:
  34. 2014, Milwaukee, WI: Professional photographer Thomas Hellstrom; Azha Art Gallery exhibit; LGBT colorguard and Miriam Ben Shalom
  35. 2015, Newark, NJ: Keynote addresses by Walter Naegle and historian Dr. Martin Duberman.
  36. 2016, Memphis, TN: Memphis riverboat cruise and tours of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel.
  37. 2017, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Trips to the Beach, Alligator Swamp Tour, World AIDS Museum
  38. 2018, Reno, NV:
  39. 2019, Washington, DC/Arlington, VA:
  40. 2020, New Orleans, LA:

Notable Convention Speakers