Jewel Thais‑Williams, affectionately known as “Mama Jewel,” passed away on July 7, 2025, at age 86, as confirmed by her sister, Carol Williams. Born in Indiana on May 9, 1939, and raised in San Diego before settling in Los Angeles, she would go on to become a pioneering voice for Black queer liberation, especially as a Black [...] The post Honoring the Life of Jewel Thais-Williams: A Legend in the Black Sapphic Community first appeared on GLAAD.| GLAAD
By Richard Fowler, Contributing Writer At a time of severe societal change, creators, filmmakers, actors, producers, and film lovers gathered in Miami Beach to fight forward through storylines that both showcase and shape a culture long seated at the cornerstone of American identity—global Blackness. Now in its 29th year, the American Black Film Festival once [...] The post Reflection: ABFF 2025 x GLAAD – A Homecoming for Storylines That Matter first appeared on GLAAD.| GLAAD