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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
This past Saturday night in Atlanta over fifty black gay men gathered to participate in a special screening and discussion of The DL Chronicles. This was an event that started out as a rather small gathering in my mind that evolved into an evening that far surpassed my expectations.
There is only one other time in my life that I remember being surrounded by so many gay men of color who were out, proud, and making a difference in their communities and the world and that was during the first Clik Honors.
This was one of those times when you could feel that you were in the midst of greatness. Despite what people may say, brothas can come together for functions outside of the club.
I'd like to thank J. Brotherlove, James Earl Hardy, Eric Ware, Tim'm West, Anthony Antoine, and Anrae Holmes for participating on the panel. You guys were truly the icing on the cake for me.
I'd be remiss not to publicly thank my "huzman" (thanks for giving me a new word James) Trey and my friends Bennie, Travis, Derek, and Tobias for all of their help in making this event a success.
Check out this wonderful review of the evening on Truthfully Speaking as well as the pics and video footage. Now you know I never leave home without my camera...lol!
The Discussion: Part 1
The Discussion: Part 2
6 Comments:
I saw the videos and it was good to see a group of black gay men talking about something "serious". I started a black gay men's group in 1987, 20 years ago. My group lasted about 4 years. Your videos brought back memories of my group.
I found with my group that no matter what "serious" topics we discussed, the men were REALLY there to socialize with each other and maybe meet that "special" someone.
I'm wondering, what was the purpose of "the dl chronicles event". I mean other than getting a group of black gay men to come together outside of the "bar/club scene"? Which, of course, is an honorable goal in and of itself.
I'm wondering have things changed much with black gay men in 20 years? I realize that many black gay men are "blogging" now and some are writing books. But there were black gay men creating art in the 1980s and 1990s as well. Essex Hemphill, Marlon Riggs, Assoto Sainte, Joseph Beam, etc., come to mind.
I also want to know are there any significant differences between black gay men of your generation (20s and 30s) and mine. Is there any real "community" among younger black gay men beyond sex and parties? Does gay community and/or movement still mean "white gay" community/movement, as it did in my time?
February 20, 2008 9:17 AM
Anonymous,
Is there anything inherently wrong in people mixing socialization with serious discussion? Don't people do that everywhere (work, school, vacation, etc.)?
I think there is value to bringing BGM together outside the clubs and bars and getting them to actually *talk* instead of clinging in cliques or standing in corners judging each other's wardrobe. Talking is the first step towards more meaningful interactions, which is a necessary step in community building.
What hasn't changed in 20 years is our desire to address our individual feelings of isolation. If we don't continue to offer alternative spaces, then bars, clubs and sex parties will indeed be the only way we relate and then truly nothing will have changed.
February 20, 2008 4:36 PM
Looks like this was definitely successful!
February 21, 2008 9:07 AM
Bernie, this is anonymous 2-20-07 5:47 pm responding to your comment...
There is nothing inherently wrong with mixing socialization with serious discussion, especially when there were/are so few other avenues for black gay men to get together.
I went to the 1987 Gay/Lesbian March on Washington and came back home wanting to do something with my energy. So I started a black gay men's group. I wanted to see where black gay men were at and to raise their consciousness (as we used to say back then) about issues that affect them as black gay men. My goal was to help them become activists and change the world or at least the community. I was naive, to say the least.
Bernie wrote "Talking is the first step towards more meaningful interactions, which is a necessary step in community building". This seems logical and over the course of about four years about 70 or so men sat and talked in my living room. The "community building" thing, however, never happened. Most of the men were terrified of being openly gay. Being a "gay rights activist" was out of the question for most black gay men in my conservative southwestern Ohio city. I made some good friends, though. Some I have to this day.
I'm wondering if younger black gay men are more willing to be openly gay than most of us (I'm 55 years old) were back in the day. Are the younger men creating a gay community/movement that they can call their own. If it can't happen in Atlanta (the so-called black gay mecca) where can it happen?
February 23, 2008 7:10 AM
I have to say, I'm really proud of you all as black, gay men who despite what the critics say, showed you can get together and make things happen!
I'm also a bit jealous. I want a forum like that here in Atlanta for lesbians so we can discuss....the L Word? That's another thing I'm jealous about: you guys have, Noah's Arc and DL etc, featuring gay black men and everything that relates to you. We only have the L Word which has exactly two and a half black characters that's it! (and one of those JUST joined the show).
Anyway, Darian on the heels of the success of this event, I think you should make the next gathering for all of us! Let's all get together (G,L,B and T ) and have a round table.It could be like Pride but with enlightening conversation! :)
Blessings and congrats,
-E.
February 25, 2008 4:11 PM
Darian!
I have never gotten a chance to express our warmest gratitude and thanks for hosting the DL Chronicles event in Atlanta. You guys brought up some very interesting points that did not go unheard. Thank you again for supporting the show is such a huge way! I can't tell you how flattered we are that events like these are happening all across the nation in response to the show. Sorry we didn't get to film a video for you guys, we got so busy that week, but tell everyone who attended that we watched and enjoyed the togetherness of the evening and was so please that our show had been the catalyst for that.
Stay tuned! 5 brand new episodes of The DL Chronicles this Fall on here! TV (www.heretv.com)
Also, check out our new relationship Vodcast show at www.outsideofrelationships.com
Take care and please stay in touch!
Deondray Gossett
March 17, 2008 7:52 AM
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