An open letter
to the Board of Directors of
The National Federation of the Blind
Dear Members of the Board:
We, the undersigned, are LGBTQ+ blind individuals and their allies, both members and non-members. We are writing to express our concern and disappointment over the National Federation of the Blind's (NFB) ongoing actions, which marginalize our community and violate Sections III and IV of the NFB Code of Conduct. This concern stems primarily from the decision to hold the Federation's conventions in states that have exhibited overt hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals through discriminatory legislation. Several transgender and other LGBTQ+ members of our community have explicitly stated that they do not feel safe and will not be attending the 2024 Convention if held in Florida. Additionally, many allies have committed to not attending in solidarity with their LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Today, approximately 9% of the adult population identifies as LGBTQ+, and eight in ten Americans stand behind non-discrimination laws that shield LGBTQ+ individuals in various domains of public life, including schools, workplaces, and public accommodations. Despite this societal progress and inclusivity, the NFB has decided to host the upcoming 2024 convention in Florida, a state renowned for its overtly hostile stance towards LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly targeting the trans community. This selection is in spite of being aware of active travel advisories issued by both the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign impacting African Americans, people of color, immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.
Florida has enacted a series of policies which the NAACP describes as being "openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals." The state has also been characterized as unwelcoming to contributions from these diverse communities.
The Human Rights Campaign has also condemned Florida's recent legislation, notably regarding laws that restrict access to bathrooms for transgender individuals, enables the state to separate transgender children from parents or their guardians, and prohibits essential medical care for transgender people. Florida state law discourages cities from passing non-discrimination ordinances. Such laws infringe on human dignity and pose significant risks to the health and safety of all residents and visitors.
Several organizations and companies have recognized the implications of hosting events in Florida, given its regressive legislation, and have taken decisive action. Con of Thrones, the 2024 AnitaB.org Grace Hopper Celebration, the 2027 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo, the National Society of Black Engineers' 2024 convention, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning conference have all either canceled or moved their events out of Florida. Even Disney, a significant presence in the state, has made a stand by pulling funding. These collective actions demonstrate a growing awareness and concern for the environment that such legislation creates for attendees and the impacts to marginalized communities.
The current state of NFB policy on Conventions further adds to these concerns. While the NFB streams its general session, board meeting, and some committee meetings, there is no mechanism for virtual participation, speech, or voting. The policy that scholarship winners "must participate in person in the entire NFB National Convention" compounds these issues. Additionally, NFB employees are typically required to attend the convention in person, and there is resistance to a no-questions-asked opt-out policy. NFB training centers do not currently publish student or employee attendance policies, and some center employees have reported that in-person attendance is mandatory unless using paid vacation time.
In light of these threats to marginalized people, we, the undersigned, call upon the National Federation of the Blind to:
- Implement a policy against holding annual conventions in states with legislation that negatively impacts LGBTQ+ and minority communities, beginning with an immediate withdrawal of the 2024 convention from Florida. The location of our convention should not only be a place for connection and learning but also a space where all members feel safe and respected. Choosing to host a convention in a state like Florida, known for its discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ individuals, sends a message that the organization is willing to overlook these injustices. We urge the NFB to prioritize the safety and dignity of its members over logistical convenience.
- Adopt a policy that allows NFB staff, students, and scholarship winners to opt out of in-person attendance without needing to provide justification and direct that its training centers do the same. This would uphold the principle of individual privacy and provide security for those who may be unsafe attending in person in states with hostile legislation, without having to disclose their gender identity or sexual orientation. By adopting this policy, the NFB would affirm its commitment to individual privacy and personal choice.
- Establish a policy that ensures a comprehensive virtual experience for all conventions. The global pandemic has proven that virtual access is not just feasible, but can also broaden participation. By making this an ongoing policy, the NFB would be promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity. At a minimum, this policy should allow members attending virtually to vote, run for national and divisional office, serve as a delegate or delegate alternate, submit resolutions, and participate in discussions both in committee and on the convention floor. This will not only promote inclusivity and equal opportunity but also meet the needs of those unable or unwilling to attend in person due to lack of safety or accessibility of the venue.
The actions we propose are affirmations of basic human rights, reflecting the societal progress made towards inclusivity. The NFB, as an organization that advocates for the rights and well-being of the blind, has the responsibility to ensure all of its members, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, can participate fully and safely.
The time for dialogue without action has passed. We are calling for tangible, immediate changes that would ensure a future where the NFB fully supports and advocates for its LGBTQ+ members. No organization that claims to fight for the rights of blind people can afford to overlook the interwoven tenets of human rights for all.
We invite community members, allies, and organizations to stand with us in this important endeavor. If you support this effort, Click here to add your signature. Additionally, we invite you to share this letter to your networks.
Original Signatures
Monica Wegner, Esq., San Francisco Chapter Secretary
D. Dyer, Jacksonville Florida
Amena Thomas
Haley Sumner
Margo Downey, NFB of New York
Aaron Timm
Preston Peters
Justine Wack
Estelle R
Amy Mason
Keri Svendsen, MS, Massachusetts
Kacie Cappello
Jenna Adair, LMSW
New Signatures
Simon Jaeger
Jessica Hodges
Shane Popplestone
Ty Rodick, Ally
Hai Nguyễn Ly, NFBMA
Matthew White
Marco Salsiccia
Thomas J Olsen
George A. Stern Jr.
Tristan Bussiere
Bobbi A. L. Pompey
Jay Pellis
Christine Trippi
Shawn L Welker
Hannah Mae Aldeza
Scott Marshall (member NFB Lawyers Division and Blind LGBT Pride International)
Ian
Maura J. Loberg
Tiffany Taylor
Caroline B
Margie Donovan
Penny Reeder
Evelyn Maldonado
Kaiti Shelton, MS, MT-BC
Madeline Murray
Amber M Steet
Tristan Snyder
Drew Mochak
John Lipsey
Jessica Kell, LCSW-C
Christopher Arias
Raymond Bishop
Haben Girma
Haylie Gallacher
Chris Peterson
Kevan Pulis
Kyra Sweeney
Amanda Martin
Ricky enger
Emma McCready
Kiran Kaja
Ben Blakely
Caitlin Hernandez, M.A.
Becca Weber, Keyatone Chapter
A. Smith
Eden Kassa
Robert Kingett, Blind author
Kathryn M. Barenbrugge
Erin A. Politzer
Eric Harris BSW
Jackson Schwoebel
Chloe Barker
Daveed Mandell
Amanda Martins
Shawn Klein
Serena Olsen
Candice Attrill
Yadiel J. Sotomayor, MA, NOMCT, NCRTB, NCUEB
Stephen E Cunningham
Angelito, Fernandez NYC
Breanna M Carpentier
Laura Vincent
Henry “Duke” Burbridge (USA)
Miranda Anderson
Olivia Cichowlas
Laura Reeve
Henry Le Phan
Cherry
Kelsi Hansen
Christopher I. Klein
Gage Aleong
Jane Hurley
Ellie W
Sheri Wells-Jensen
JW
Kaden C.
Destiny DiMattei: asexual and gender queer member of the national Federation of the blind in Baltimore
Kat Bottner
Hillary Monahan
carlisle haymond
Cameron
Angelique DuCharme
Tully
Alice W Bowron
Joseli Walter
Aziminia Melika
Asia Quinones-Evans
Lillie B. Pennington, LSW, MSW
Lila Ralston, MPH
Harley Eades IIi
O W a blind gay woman
Staci Reiter
Alexandra Tomlinson - WI
Melanie Sinclair
Walter Wittich
Elias Lopez
Audrey T. Farnum
Victoria Herrera Lmt
Kyle Smith
Isabel Rosario
Drew Herzig
Léonie Watson
Sherry Gomes, author of HAVEN, California
Chelsea Pinson
Melissa Roe
Olivia Norman, blind individual, not affiliated with the NFB, but who supports human rights for all people
Geoff Shang
Hannah Keefer
Devin Prater
Jenna Spencer Hill
Kei Best
Naama Samantha Shang
Katrina M
Matthew Johnson
Miriam Cooper
Nick Abrahamson, a multiracial trans man who almost never feels safe at NFB events due to its’ need to pick places like Florida to hold national conventions.
Jennifer Duffell-Hoffman NFB member
Sarah Thomas
Madeline Bright
Isabel Bradbury
Caroline Karbowski
Jason Wells-Jensen
April Johnson
Rev. Dr. Diane Christopherson
Buddy Brannan
Michelle Young
Arianna Wassmann
Kaitlyn Kerr
Asher Blakely
David Bouchard
Kristin Geary, NFB of Washington State
El Roland
Lauryn Craine
Michael D. Forzano
Katrina A. Albert
Susan Cotter
Simon J.
Bailey Phillips
Moni T. Law, Berkeley CA
Tymbher Lomax
Alyssa Henson
Elizabeth McGarr
Kim Dirks
Kylee - An ally
Eliscia C. Thomas-Nelson
Kristen L
Farrah Green
Kaleb Byers
Allison Ledder
Amy Ramsey
Miso Kwak
Haley Ryan
M McClenaghan
Lizzy
Maria Diebolt
Chris Swank
Evan Petersen
Emily Leeson
Alice Moore
Laura J. Cummings
Connor Scott-Gardner
Julie Cardenas, California
Ross Minor
Kim Traverse
Abby Traverse
Alan Jackson
Aislinn Woody
MacKenzie DeLoren, BS/MS OTR/L
Mary Kirkpatrick, California. My family and I stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.
Chelsea McDonnel
Landyn Record
Brigitte DeLoren
Bob
Cheyenne Guest
Anna Schirripa, a former Floridian and current lesbian who works in blind rehab
Melissa Hope
Morgan
Carla M Walkersmith
Naomi Burnley
Cameron W
Izzy Morrison
Kieron F
Rory King-Jones
Timothy Keenan, NFB of Colorado, Wild West Chapter
Kieron F
Julia
Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer
Allie Futty
Aurelio Di Paola
Michelle Clayford
J.A.S.
Paul Hopkins (Non Member of NFB, Ally OF The LGBTQAI+ Community)
Lucy Sirianni
Reverend Deborah Conklin, Peace Church ELCA
Eileen O’Connell
Nisa T-N
Keenan lorenzato
Sassy Outwater-Wright
Magpie Harris
Addison VILLANEDA (2020 scholarship recipient).
Stefan Lorenzato
Kathleen I Lorenzato
karen r silverberg
Robin Mandell
Agnes Jensen
Kimberley Negrete Friend and supporter
Krystal Huynh
Lyn Edward Gwizdak - San Diego Chapter
Sara Alexander
Derique Simon- Board Member NFB of SC
Arielle Silverman, Ph.D.
Julie Phillipson
Mike Gorse
Iris Brighid Meredith
Isaiah Strong
Amanda Hashimoto
Nai Damato
Saevon F
Clinton Alexander
Quin Gillespie
Ann Foxworth A staunch Ally
Laurie C. Williams
Christina L.
Outlook on Radio Western Co-hosts
Cynthia Bennett
Martin Valler
Martha Harris
Penny Parker
Pamela Shapiro
Walei Sabry
Rosa Tremaine
Gary Weller
Laura Millar MPH, M.A., MCHES
Lauren M Favorite, MSW, LICSW
Katalina Durden
Rebecca Gorlin
Cheryl Schutt
Kara Goldfinch
Mark Hanohano, ATACP
l.andre.zelvin@gmail.com
Gayle Crimephalopod
Jane Lansaw NOMC in the footprints of Elijah Commings
Catie Anne
X
Rev. Gerald L. Davis
Deanna Leitner
Emily Beitiks
Wendy Poth
Toby Faircloth
Jessica Sears
Alejandra Reyes
Andrew Thomas
Yadira Uranga
Sabra Ewing
Sarah Lawson
Jess Bierling
Jack Falejczyk
Jim Barbour
Kelly Saxon
Melissa Eisenmeier
Megan Cannon, LCSW
Jazmine garcia
Erin Lauridsen
Benjamin Cummins
Shannon M. Dyer
Caitlin Mongillo
Noon Huynh
E. Neff
Catherine Kudlick
Sarah Blumberg, a sighted federationist and survivor of gun violence
Melissa Mayhew
Mirah Model
A. Wallenstein
Jessica Chandler
Cameron Strife
David Gillmore
Joel Zimba
Bridget Sarris
Melissa Sprouse
Shayna Clark
LisaRose Barnes
Leena Solusar, former NFB member
Olivia Aviera
Rox'E Homstad
Deanna Langton
Michael Curran
Erin Buckley
Karenrose, MFT
Maureen, Berkeley, CA
Lorelei
Jacalyn Stallings
Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky
Storm Vu
Casey Martin MS-SLP 2022 Scholarship Recipient
D. Guo
Nicolette Noyes
Susannah Grace
H Acy NFB of MN
Ginnie Walden
Jennifer Bose
Teresa Dulko
Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky