In Memoriam: Regina
Shavers
by Kenyon Farrow,
kenyonfarrow.com ,
February 2, 2008
I just learned that longtime Black
lesbian activist and Executive Director of Griot Circle, Regina Shavers, died of
cancer yesterday.
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Regina was another elder, like Bob
Kohler, who I met when I was doing work as an adult ally with FIERCE! around
2001. If you are familiar with FIERCE!’s video “Fenced Out” Regina talks a
lot about what it was like to be a black lesbian in NYC in the 1950/60’s.
My favorite quote from her in that film, when asked by members what women would
do if accosted by homophobes in the street she responded, “We kicked their
fuckin ass!”
I was supposed to interview Regina for a book I am co-editing called “A New
Queer Agenda” on issues of aging as a Black lesbian, but she has been really
sick and we weren’t able to connect in December as planned. I am deeply
sorry we weren’t able to complete this project, but there are many ways her work
and legacy live on.
As co-chair of District Council 37 she advocates for workers’ rights, and serves
on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Lesbian and Gay Rights Advisory Board. She played an active role in the
Campaign for and Inclusive Family Policy, the citywide coalition that negotiated
with Mayor David N. Dinkins to obtain Domestic Partner benefits for New York
City employees.
Sorry I did not know of this in time to include that there was a Celebration of
Life Service on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at:
Liberation In Truth Unity Fellowship Church
608 Broad Street, @ Trinity & St. Philips Cathedral
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Please Google “Regina Shavers” or go to
http://kenyonfarrow.com/2008/01/30/in-memoriam-regina-shavers/
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