Black Lesbians United-BLU

In November 2008, a tenacious group of black lesbian activists recognized that there was a void in the community of Southern California. Women were searching for a place to come together. A place to share their feelings. A place where they could be their true authenic selves. With shared experience in organizing fifteen very successful black lesbian retreats (Sistahfest, from 1991 through 2005), these activists knew what needed to be done. It was time to come together, to bring a collective voice the local black lesbian community, and to bring back the black lesbian retreat experience to Southern California. Later christened as “Black Lesbians United”, the first annual BLU retreat was scheduled for September, 2009.

What has happened since then has surprised us all. The first two BLU retreats have drawn hundreds of women to the hills of Malibu. Women from across the nation, and across the globe, have travelled to Southern California to participate in this village of women. While one participant stated “The BLU Retreat is an oasis for women of African Descent who love other women,” another simply stated, “This is home.” The third retreat is scheduled this year in October, and if early interest is any indicator, the hills of Malibu will be vibrating with the energy of throngs of proud black same-gender-loving women!

In addition, BLU’s online presence has grown exponentially. Working extensively via social media platforms, BLU has a legion of followers on a variety of platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Blu’s Facebook fanpage has over 22,000 fans, and is one of the more active lgbt pages online, and has a huge national and international following. The fanpage (www.facebook.com/blunited) has become a networking hub; a showcase for novelists, filmmakers, and poets; a gathering space for organizers and activists; and a space that people visit to keep up with the news and events that affect us.

BLU’s latest initiative is “BLU Says No to ‘Corrective’ Rape”. Currently in South Africa lesbians are being subjected to severe violence by men who are attempting to “cure” the women of their sexual orientation. This year, Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24 year old lesbian activist and mother, was brutally raped and murdered in this type of hate crime. BLU will be raising funds through this campaign to support Luleki Sizwe, a South African organization that fights lgbt oppression, and runs a safehouse that supports lesbian and transgendered women who have been forced from their homes due to their sexual orientation. More information can be found at www.blusaysno.com .