Living Out Loud with Darian

Finally, an award show for us and by us. On Saturday evening at the beautiful Fox Theater in midtown Atlanta hundreds of Black gay and lesbian people gathered to honor our own for achievements in politics, community activism, literature, film, and music.

For years the contributions of same gender loving people in these areas have gone unrecognized until now. The vision of editor-in-chief Dwight Powell of Clik Magazine assembled some of the most powerful and influential people at the forefront in the fight for visibility and equality for Black LGBT people.

To say that I was in the midst of greatness would be an understatement. Keith Boykin, E. Lynn Harris, Patrick Ian-Polk, Duane Cramer, Billy Porter, Kevin Aviance, and numerous others were all in the same room, many said that this could not be done, but they were proven wrong.

It was impossible not to feel the love and pride that circulated throughout the room. Many honorees agreed that the feeling of being honored by members of their own community meant more to them than words could ever express. We are the ones we've been waiting on.

It was a night I will never forget. I walked away inspired and empowered to continue the work that I've started in the footsteps of all of the trailblazers who have come before me, many of whom I was priveleged to stand beside on this night.

This is only the beginning...the best is yet to come.

Many thanks to my friend and entertainment writer LT for the additional photos.

Labels: Entertainment