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Become A MemberWhat is a BMX chapter?
Founded in 1989, The Black Men’s Xchange is a pro-Black organization which exists to heal and empower same gender loving Black men and the Black community at large. We support a national network of independent BMX meetings called chapters. Chapters do many activities such as Friday, Saturday or Sunday Night forums (also called Xchanges), community Xchanges, community Kwanzaas and other Black focused celebrations, and other social, political and cultural events throughout the year.
What is Same Gender Loving?
Same gender loving (SGL) is a Black culturally affirming homosexual identity. SGL is an alternative to Eurocentric homosexual identities e.g. gay and lesbian which do not culturally affirm or engage the rich history and cultures of people of African descent. Specifically, the term SGL affirms Black homosexual and bisexual men and women through its African American conceptual origins, African inspired iconography, philosophy, symbols, principles, and values. The term SGL usually has broad, important and positive personal, social, and political purposes and consequences. More…
Can anyone come to a BMX Chapter event?
As the name suggests, The Black Men’s Xchange Chapters are a safe space for Black men. Periodically however, in keeping with that part of the national mission of bridging gaps and building dialogue and community with the larger Black community, Chapters conduct Xchanges with SGL sisters, Hetero brothers and sisters and Trans family.
What can I expect at a BMX Chapter Friday/Saturday/Sunday Night Forum?
At a BMX Friday, Saturday or Sunday Night Forum you can expect to have great dialogue about the latest news headlines, hear some good music and eat some good food. A weekend night forum is an “affirmation station” wherein brothers of different stripes, from different walks of life, and different parts of the Diaspora chart resolutions to issues that impact their lives as Black men, and as Black men who love men.
What is an Affirmation Station?
BMX Chapters are spaces wherein participants commit to affirming Black men across sexuality, class, culture and philosophy. Specifically BMX Chapters resist hegemony and believes that the affirmation of Black men comes through our use of African iconography, philosophy, symbols, principles, and values.
What is hegemony?
Hegemony is the domination in all aspects of life: financial, arts, education, language, political etc., of one culture over another. It is usually coupled with the belief that the dominating culture is the ‘normal’ culture and all others are foreign, non-normal, primitive, and perhaps even, wrong.
What political ideology or philosophy does BMX Chapters?
BMX is anti-discrimination, and anti-injustice. Through critical thinking and cultural affirmation, we can achieve self-determination for same gender loving and all African descended peoples.
Do BMX Chapters require a membership or dues to attend?
No, we chapters are community run and supported organization. They are Black men working within and out of the Black community. Come and see.
Can I start a Chapter?
Absolutely. With a few exceptions however. There might already be a chapter in your area. First check our Chapter List page for more information on which chapter might be near you. Otherwise, we encourage you to fill out an application. Successful applicants will be trained in managing chapter meetings and their very own chapter website. For more information on starting chapters, please visit our Start A Chapter page.
