Johnny Jenkins has spent decades at the forefront of LGBTQ+ advocacy, from navigating the early HIV/AIDS crisis as a young Black gay man in Detroit to helping build vital community resources like Affirmations and LGBT Detroit’s Hotter Than July and organizations such as Men of Color. Now based in Arizona and pursuing a Ph.D. in gender studies at Arizona State University, Jenkins recently spoke with Pride Source about his advocacy journey, the current political climate and why building community remains as crucial as ever.

How did you build support for LGBTQ+ rights at Affirmations and LGBT Detroit?

I’ve worked with great people committed to the work. When I led Hotter Than July, my board and committed individuals supported me in engaging homophobia among Black religious leaders. This led to the successful Homophobia in Detroit town hall at the Wright Museum, raising our profile among Black leaders in Detroit. At Affirmations, we re-established the center as a beacon to the community to make the center a hub of activity and a focal point for LGBTQ+ equality and well-being. Being present, approachable and open to other perspectives, and meeting people where they are and making them feel welcome and part of the work, is essential.

What was it like fighting the HIV/AIDS crisis in the early years?

In 1992, after graduating from college, I had no knowledge of HIV and AIDS. My coming out was an exhilarating yet terrifying experience of sexual and personal freedom, overshadowed by a dark reality. Despite the constant threat of death, I never considered going back into the closet. I found my tribe — Black same-gender-loving men. At the time, Men of Color’s (MOC) Motivational Tuesdays was crucial to receiving lifesaving information and a network of same-gender-loving men. I became involved in the launch of KICK! magazine, Men of Color and Hotter Than July to strengthen Detroit’s Black queer community. We formed a circle to practice self-care and build upon the foundation laid by those before us.

How have Black queer spaces in Michigan evolved since you started your advocacy work?

When I became actively involved in Detroit’s Black queer community, I discovered a depth of welcoming spaces for Black queer individuals. Support and social groups like Men of Color and SPICE were also accessible to anyone. The brilliance of Hotter Than July is that it provided a platform for collective works and responsibility, creating a beacon of presence, affirmation and solidarity. Now that I’m no longer in Michigan, it’s challenging to assess public perception of Black queer spaces. However, cultural institutions like Hotter Than July, the annual Kwanzaa celebration, LGBT Detroit, Full Truth Fellowship of Christ Church and the Ruth Ellis Center persist, offering a uniquely Black and queer Detroit experience. So, while the internet and social media have transformed how we socialize, a solid foundation remains, and the need to continue cultivating such spaces.

What was your reaction to the Trump administration cutting PEPFAR funding?

My initial reaction was sheer disbelief and dismay. Just when many frontline workers believed they were on the brink of defeating this deadly disease, their efforts are sabotaged. It saddens me to think that 75 million Americans felt this was the direction our country needed to take. This immoral action serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated hatred that permeates our society. We should never let our guard down, even after achieving victories.

Note: Recent reporting indicates the administration may restore global PEPFAR funding, but this has not been made official at the time of this writing.

What tactics do you recommend for fighting back against rising homophobia?

Circle the wagons and push back. Our transgender brothers and sisters are the more vulnerable in this moment. Unfortunately, they’ve always been on the margins in the equality movement. There’s no muting their voices for the sake of a broader marriage campaign. We’re at a critical point where transphobia could be pushed aside because gay marriage is now in the crosshairs as well. My prescription would be for LGBTQ+ cultural institutions increased or strengthen opportunities to be in dialogue about self-care and support.

How did you cope with setbacks during your advocacy work?

You have to refine your ability to adapt, improvise and overcome in every situation. In all Black social movements, there has been a consistent moment of retrenchment after rights were achieved. It’s reasonable to expect the same with the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights and equality. We have to avoid complacency and start being proactive about mitigating the inevitable. Quite honestly, progressive activists and policymakers are horrible to this end. We tend to take a “Pollyanna-ish” perspective after rights are won, thinking the debate and fight are over. The hits kept coming during the effort to achieve equality and gay marriage in Michigan.

Where are you now?

Since moving to Arizona, my advocacy has grown to include animal welfare, centering racial equity in both human and animal well-being. This fall, I begin my Ph.D. in gender studies at Arizona State University, where I’ll focus on dismantling anti-Blackness through Black queer theory. Detroit will always ground and guide my identity and scholarship.