Adodi

Adodi
Founded1986
FounderClifford Rawlins
TypeNonprofit organization
Legal statusActive
FocusSupport and community for same-gender-loving men of African descent
Area served
United States

Adodi is one of the oldest Black gay organizations in the United States.[1] It was founded in Philadelphia in 1986 by Clifford Rawlins to bring together same-gender-loving men of African descent.[1] Since its founding, Adodi has become one of the oldest movements of same-gender-loving men of African descent in history.[2] It organized retreats for Black gay men partially to grieve during the early AIDS epidemic and partially to heal together.[1] By 2003, the group had chapters in dozens of cities and suburbs.[3] The organization currently has chapters in Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Dallas, and Washington, DC, many of which have regular programming and annual retreats.[2]

Adodi is often referred to as the plural of "ado", a Yoruba word to describe "a man who 'loves' another man";[1] however, Yoruba has no form of pluralizing words by adding suffixes.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Black Gay History and the Fight Against AIDS". 2017-12-28. Archived from the original on 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  2. ^ a b Michael, Jason A. (2016-04-14). "Adodi Spring Retreat a 'Safe Space' for Black, Gay Men". Pride Source. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  3. ^ "Sex, Lies and DMX - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2003-11-01. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  4. ^ "Plural strategies in Yorùbá | Ajíbóyè | Studies in African Linguistics". Archived from the original on 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2021-05-27.