In August of 2004, discussion poured out of the mouths
of members of the gay, lesbian and trans-gender
community at an Atlanta GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual
and trans-gender) Black Pride seminar focusing on
homophobia and the African American church. The pain
realized by the attendees made almost everyone’s heart
heavy as attendee after attendee described stories
about the oppression they had experienced either from
the African American community or its church groups. It
was apparent that something had to be done; therefore,
Stephon Collins addressed the room, requesting that all
attendees interested in discussing methods of freeing
our communities from this oppression, sign up to attend
a meeting.
of members of the gay, lesbian and trans-gender
community at an Atlanta GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual
and trans-gender) Black Pride seminar focusing on
homophobia and the African American church. The pain
realized by the attendees made almost everyone’s heart
heavy as attendee after attendee described stories
about the oppression they had experienced either from
the African American community or its church groups. It
was apparent that something had to be done; therefore,
Stephon Collins addressed the room, requesting that all
attendees interested in discussing methods of freeing
our communities from this oppression, sign up to attend
a meeting.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Front row: Cartier, Fatimah, Joseph, Rafael,
and Antron. Back row: Natasha, Stephon
Collins CEO, and Zina Age.
and Antron. Back row: Natasha, Stephon
Collins CEO, and Zina Age.
Two weeks later, the group met to brainstorm and create “freedom methods” and as a result the L.O.V.E.
Coalition was formed. Lifting Our Voices for Equality, Inc. (L.O.V.E.) is an organization that is committed to
healing the GLBT community, while establishing political, social, economic, and religious equality for people
of color and all humankind. The original founding members are: Stephon Collins (President/Founder),
ChieStine Lawrence (Vice President), Lisa Kitchen (Membership Coordinator), Crystal Lawrence (Secretary),
Vada Mitchell, Kwajo Osteen, Jessica Sims, Zina Age, Lavell Beaty, DeeDee Chamblee, and CeCe Winslow.
Since its inception, the L.O.V.E. Coalition has sparked discussion to change the hearts of all members of
our communities, while knowing that true change comes when the heart has been changed. L.O.V.E. has
sponsored community forums such as: a “Homophobia in the Black Church” panel discussion in October of
2004 and a Political and Community Awareness forum in January of 2005. In addition, L.O.V.E. volunteers
its time to aid other organizations in the community such as: Youth Pride and In The Life Atlanta. In
addition to educating our community, L.O.V.E. is in the developmental stages of creating a community safe
haven for GLBT youth in Atlanta. This home will house youth that have no homes and provide an
atmosphere for all GLBT youth to be educated and encouraged. L.O.V.E. is committed to being a positive
voice in the GLBT community for people of all color, as it believes that the key to changing our communities
is hard work and love.
Coalition was formed. Lifting Our Voices for Equality, Inc. (L.O.V.E.) is an organization that is committed to
healing the GLBT community, while establishing political, social, economic, and religious equality for people
of color and all humankind. The original founding members are: Stephon Collins (President/Founder),
ChieStine Lawrence (Vice President), Lisa Kitchen (Membership Coordinator), Crystal Lawrence (Secretary),
Vada Mitchell, Kwajo Osteen, Jessica Sims, Zina Age, Lavell Beaty, DeeDee Chamblee, and CeCe Winslow.
Since its inception, the L.O.V.E. Coalition has sparked discussion to change the hearts of all members of
our communities, while knowing that true change comes when the heart has been changed. L.O.V.E. has
sponsored community forums such as: a “Homophobia in the Black Church” panel discussion in October of
2004 and a Political and Community Awareness forum in January of 2005. In addition, L.O.V.E. volunteers
its time to aid other organizations in the community such as: Youth Pride and In The Life Atlanta. In
addition to educating our community, L.O.V.E. is in the developmental stages of creating a community safe
haven for GLBT youth in Atlanta. This home will house youth that have no homes and provide an
atmosphere for all GLBT youth to be educated and encouraged. L.O.V.E. is committed to being a positive
voice in the GLBT community for people of all color, as it believes that the key to changing our communities
is hard work and love.
HISTORY OF L.O.V.E. (LIFTING OUR VOICES FOR EQUALITY)
