As Women’s History Month quickly approaches, lets reflect back on GLAAD’s Creative Cuisine Brunch: Amplifying Black Queer Women in New Orleans at the historic Treme Market Branch. On February 6, 2025, GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media team, in partnership with Women With a Vision and hosted by Dawn Richard, hosted this powerful gathering bringing together Black queer and trans women in advocacy, art, and health equity to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (February 7th). It was a morning filled with insightful conversations, cultural celebration, and a renewed commitment to uplifting marginalized voices.
The event highlighted the intersections of activism, health, and art, centering the work of Black queer women who are on the frontlines of change. In the wake of a proposed $700M in cuts to HIV funding, conversations about health equity, HIV awareness, and reproductive justice were more urgent than ever. Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately affected by HIV, and these potential funding reductions threaten the progress made toward ending the epidemic by 2030. Attendees were encouraged to take action using #SaveHIVFunding and sign the petition at bit.ly/savehivfunding2025.
At the heart of the brunch was an inspiring panel discussion moderated by Tymia Ballard, GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media Junior Associate. With a background in Political Science, Human Rights, African American Studies, and Media, Tymia guided the discussion ensuring the conversation reflected both historical context and contemporary struggles.
The panel featured:
- Deon Haywood – Executive Director of Women With a Vision, an organization that has been at the forefront of health justice, reproductive rights, and advocacy for Black women and LGBTQ+ communities in the South.
- Simone Immanuel – A multidisciplinary artist and writer, whose work explores identity, queerness, and activism through storytelling and creative expression.
- Kieta Mutepfa – Senior Community Liaison at Gilead Sciences, with decades of experience in HIV advocacy and community-based health work.
The discussion tackled the challenges Black queer women face in healthcare access, the criminalization of survival economies, and the underrepresentation of Black women in leadership roles. The panel also explored how art and storytelling serve as powerful tools in advocacy, shifting cultural narratives and ensuring marginalized voices are heard. Panelists emphasized the need for community-driven solutions, policy advocacy, and increased resources to support Black queer women’s leadership in all sectors.
Beyond the conversation, the space itself was a celebration of Black queer artistry and resilience. A special thank you to Layla Clark, whose artwork adorned the venue, creating an immersive atmosphere that honored Black queer creatives. Her work provided a striking visual representation of the themes discussed, reinforcing the power of storytelling through multiple mediums.
To kick off the event, attendees were treated to an exclusive screening of Prime Video’s “Clean Slate” trailer, a groundbreaking series starring Laverne Cox and George Wallace that follows a Black trans woman reconnecting with her father in the Deep South. The screening underscored the importance of inclusive storytelling and media representation in shifting public perceptions and policies. As media plays a crucial role in changing narratives, this moment reaffirmed GLAAD’s mission to elevate authentic and diverse LGBTQ+ stories.
As we move into Women’s History Month, the event served as both a call to action and a celebration of the contributions of Black queer and trans women to activism, public health, and the arts. Their stories, leadership, and resilience must be centered—not just in moments of recognition, but in ongoing efforts to create systemic change.
The importance of community-building was another key takeaway from the event. The brunch fostered meaningful connections among advocates, artists, and community leaders, creating a network of support and solidarity that will extend far beyond this single event. By uniting voices across disciplines and experiences, the gathering reaffirmed the power of collective action in driving change.
Follow GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media Team and our partners to continue amplifying Black queer voices and fighting for health equity.