<meta name='google-adsense-platform-account' content='ca-host-pub-1556223355139109'/> <meta name='google-adsense-platform-domain' content='blogspot.com'/> <!-- data-ad-client=pub-0739814670596411 --> <!-- --><style type="text/css">@import url(https://www.blogger.com/static/v1/v-css/navbar/3334278262-classic.css); div.b-mobile {display:none;} </style> </head><body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d28749891\x26blogName\x3dLiving+Out+Loud+with+Darian\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dLIGHT\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://loldarian.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_US\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://loldarian.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d-470738325284401151', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script>
| Thursday, February 26, 2009

Beau kills ex-girlfriend, then shoots her lesbian lover in Brooklyn street





A man angry over what cops called a bisexual love triangle gunned down his ex-girlfriend and then shot her new lover on a Brooklyn street Wednesday.


Jeanette Martinez, 23, was getting ready to move out of the Boulevard Houses when her ex ran up and shot her twice in the head as she stood on the sidewalk near her car, friends and police sources said.


Martinez had filed an assault complaint against the gunman, who was not identified, just hours before the 1 p.m. incident, sources said.


"It was an execution, pure and simple. The woman didn't stand a chance," a police source said.


The gunman then chased Martinez's girlfriend of seven months, Keila Ocasio, 19, across five lanes of traffic on Linden Blvd. into an oncoming SUV.


As Ocasio lay on the ground, the gunman stood over her and pumped four shots into the young woman and then fled, police sources said.


Martinez died at the scene. Ocasio, who turns 20 tomorrow, was in critical condition Wednesday night at Brookdale University Hospital after undergoing surgery, police said.





Thanks Kenyon


The Cast of Noah's Arc at The NAACP Image Awards








Images from the NAACP Image Award nominated Noah's Arc cast have emerged. Members of the cast presented an award in the best world music category. The boys didn't go home with the award for best independent feature film but the nomination alone was huge.





Jammie Foxx releases the video for his third single "Blame It". This song is undoubtedly the club-banger of the moment. And Jammie gets props for recognizing his gay fans and making music with us in mind. Get into the video below and look out for cameo appearances from Samuel L. Jackson, Ron Howard, Morris Chestnut, Forest Whitaker, and a host of others.







Where Are The Black Gay Men?





Two weeks ago individuals and organizations across the nation marked National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Judging by many of the articles, press releases and events commemorating the day, however, you might never guess that the highest percentage of new HIV infections in 2006 was among black gay men.


Why, even on a day dedicated to black AIDS awareness, do black gay men remain a footnote?


“It’s symptomatic of the problem we face of ridding our community of HIV in order to break the back of the epidemic,” said Ernest Hopkins, policy director of the Black Gay Advocacy Coalition. “The most heavily impacted population by percentages is black gay men. If you want to talk about this epidemic you have to start there, and then move very quickly to black women, or you’re not doing your job.”


NAACP & Julian Bond Call for Overturn of Prop 8





The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) storms into the 21st century and calls for the overturn of California's Proposition 8. National Board Chair Julian Bond—who has an excellent record on LGBT rights and marriage equality—and newish CEO Benjamin Jealous announce the veteran civil rights organizations supports measures before the state legislature that challenge the amendment which denied marriage rights to same-sex couples.


Are You Wearing The White Knot?


Writer/Blogger Greg Hernandez of Out In Hollywood Feels The Pain of The Recession


Bishop Scolds School after appearance by gay rights activist Keith Boykin


The Big Gay Sketch Show Now Casting





Black gay comedian Nkosi Brown is in the running to join the cast of LOGO's The Big Gay Sketch Show and needs your vote. Check out his profile here and vote!


RENT: The Musical Is On!





After weeks of back and forth between a California high school drama teacher, principal, and outraged students a temporarily canceled high school production of RENT is back on. And it only took national media attention and a Facebook page.


RuPaul is back with a hot new single





RuPaul is proving their is life after "Supermodel" with her hot new reality show Drag Race and the track heard during every runway show. Cover Girl (Put That Bass In Your Walk) is the first single off of RuPaul's new album. Get into it!


Cover Girl (Put the Bass in Your Walk)

2 comments













Photos: Dennis Dean & Ryan Lee


David Atlanta Magazine has been a staple in the Atlanta gay community for over 10 years. The magazine has been the number one resource for residents and tourists itching to participate in the city's thriving nightlife. David is what Next and HX Magazines are for gay New Yorker's; ground zero for everything you need to know to have a fabulous time after dark.


Having long been identified as a magazine that catered exclusively to white gay Atlanta, David is re-launching with a brand new look, exciting new features, a higher page count, and an obvious lean towards inclusion.


A beautiful crowd of people from Atlanta's LGBT community turned out last night at Bazaar in Midtown to celebrate the re-launch of the magazine. On hand were loldarian.com favorites David Magazine Editor and Southern Voice senior reporter Ryan Lee(pictured above), Michael Jeffrey, David Contributor and creator of Essentially Major as well as Miko Evans, CEO of Meak Productions, the first talent agency catering exclusively to the the LGBT community.


Loldarian.com would like to send out a big congrats to the staff at David Magazine as well as a thank you for the V.I.P. treatment.


If you're not a resident of Atlanta you can see all that David Magazine has to offer through their online version at davidatlanta.com.

0 comments










I know what you're thinking,"please not another amateur video of dancers recreating Beyonce's Single Ladies choreography"! Yes, it's another video but this time these dancers aren't amateurs, they're professionals from the Broadway touring company of The Color Purple and they're doing it for a great cause.


Members of the male ensemble of The Color Purple joined other notable Broadway performers and television stars on stage Monday night at The Gershwin Theater in New York City for Defying Inequality, a celebrity benefit concert for equal rights for the LGBT community.


For this particular night the male ensemble adopted the name "Purple Haze", no doubt a spin-off from their highly successful show. Afterelton.com has exclusive pics from the show that included appearances from Billy Porter,Nathan Lane, the cast of Ugly Betty, Sesame Street, and the new Broadway revival HAIR.


Proceeds from the benefit will go to aid the work of the Empire Stage Pride Agenda, Equality California, Family Equality Council, Garden State Equality, and Vermont Freedom to Marry.


Get into the beautiful Darius Crenshaw, Grasan Kingsberry, and Brian Brooks from The Color Purple in their Single Ladies video below. I will upload video from Monday night's show as soon as it's available.


2 comments | Tuesday, February 24, 2009




If you haven't been watching RuPaul's hit reality show Drag Race on LOGO then you've been missing out. It's a must see on Monday night's in my house. Last night contestant Ongina revealed a shocker that put the "real" in reality.


You can watch full episodes of Drag Race here. Get into the moment that brought RuPaul and the judges to tears in the clip below.



1 comments













With the below freezing temperatures this winter has brought many parts of the country I think a little heat is necessary. And bringing the heat to loldarian.com from Miami Beach is rising model Travis.


He stands at 6'1 and 172 pounds of muscle. A perfect late start of the day.

1 comments | Monday, February 23, 2009




In the 81 year history of The Academy Awards only 12 African-American actors have taken home the coveted trophy. Last month Taraji P. Henson(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Viola Davis(Doubt) became only the 41st and 42nd black actors to be nominated in the history of the awards show.


Hattie McDaniel opened the door with her Oscar win for best supporting actress for her performance as Mammy in Gone With The Wind(1939), and twenty four years later Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win a best actor trophy for his performance in Lillies of The Field(1963).


Over the next forty-five years black actors would garner over forty nominations but only ten people would experience the thrill of being placed among Hollywood's elite. Among those actors were Denzel Washington(Glory,Training Day), Whoopi Goldberg(Ghost), Cuba Gooding Jr.(Jerry Maguire), Jennifer Hudson(Dreamgirls),Jammie Foxx(Ray), and who could forget Halle Berry's monumental win in the best actress category for her performance in Monster's Ball. Berry's win will go down in history for being the first black woman to win an Oscar for best actress.


The sad reality of black actors being overlooked during much of the Academy's history is a testament to the existence of racism even in progressive Hollywood circles.


Let's take a look at those special Oscar moments where a win for a black actor was not only a personal achievement but an achievement for the entire African-American community. Click on the actors name to view their acceptance speech or a clip of the performance that earned them their Oscar.


Hattie McDaniel





-"Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, fellow members of the motion picture industry and honored guests: This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards, for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble; and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you."


Sidney Poitier





Whoopi Goldberg





Denzel Washington





Cuba Gooding Jr.





Halle Berry





"This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women who stand beside me- Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless faceless woman of color who now has the chance tonight because this door has been opened".


Jammie Foxx





Morgan Freeman





Forest Whitaker





Jennifer Hudson







"But most of all, if Harvey(Milk) had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours."


-Excerpt from Dustin Lance Black's Oscar acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay for MILK

4 comments




"Over the past few years Pedro became a member of all of our families, now no one in America can say they've never known someone living with AIDS. The challenge to each of us is to do something about it and to continue Pedro's fight. Pedro all of us are very proud of you. -Former President Bill Clinton


The year was 1994 and MTV's The Real World was about to introduce us to a man that would become the face of one of the most devastating diseases mankind has ever had to endure, his name was Pedro Zamora. One of seven roommates chosen to have their lives videotaped over a six month period in San Francisco, this Cuban-American and openly gay HIV-positive man used the power of television to educate and inspire.


On a weekly basis Pedro Zamora allowed the American public to see first-hand what life was like as an openly gay man and a man living with AIDS. Zamora shattered widely held stereotypes about the lives of gay men and those infected with the virus.


He loved openly and fiercely,setting the stage for a commitment ceremony on national television with his then partner Sean Sasser before legalized same-sex marriage was ever in arms reach.





"I'm a person living with AIDS and I'll be living with AIDS until I take my last breath", a quote Zamora often spoke and words he lived by. Zamora held true to those words until his last breath was released on November 11, 1994 at the age of 22, one day after the final episode of The Real World San Francisco aired and a year before life-saving anti-retroviral drugs changed AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic manageable condition.


Fifteen years later Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black, Emmy Award winner Paris Barclay, and director Nick Oceano are bringing Pedro Zamora's life to the big screen in a film adaptation titled "PEDRO".





(l to r Paris Barclay, Dustin Lance Black, Nick Oceano)


Pedro stars newcomer Alex Loynaz in the title role, and focuses on his Cuban family, his relationship with partner Sean, and his close friendship with Real World housemates Judd and Pam.


Zamora's partner Sean will be played by DaJuan Jonhson, roommates Pam and Judd will be played by Jenn Liu and Hale Appleman. Pedro is currently screening in Berlin, U.S. dates are forthcoming.


Relive Pedro's commitment ceremony with Sean below as well as a moving memorial tribute during the last days of his life.





Pedro Zamora Memorial Tribute

10 comments | Thursday, February 19, 2009




One of my favorites singers Rahsaan Patterson recently sat down with Daily Voice columnist Mark Corece for an exclusive interview prior to a performance at Chicago's Park West Theater. Of course his music was discussed but the conversation inevitably touched on the controversial comments Patterson made in a 2007 interview with BET in which the singer came out and described his homosexuality as "a spirit that attached itself to him".


Here's a few excerpts via The Daily Voice:


In 2007, you did an interview with BET and you talked about your sexuality. You discussed your childhood and "spirits that attached to you." Is sexual abuse a fair interpretation of this?


Oh, yeah definitely. That is what I intended to express without making it an excuse for...


Do you feel like it is an excuse for homosexuality?


I think it is a reason for a lot of people's lifestyles that they choose. At some point you choose for that to be what you're into and what your lifestyle is--for some. To a degree, I think we have a choice for a lot of things. I think people who are straight, who are homophobic, choose to be homophobic. It is what it is and things happen in life and particularly when you are a child you don't have control over it. That is one of the things I was trying to express.


Do you think talking being open with your sexuality has negatively, or positively, impacted your career?


I don't really know, but what I do know is that I've never been in the closet or hiding anything. For me, it has always been maintaining the privacy of what I do with the people I do it with, whoever it is. Just because you don't know what I'm doing doesn't mean that I'm trying to keep something from you. The people that know me like my family, my friends and the people I am intimate with, they know, and that's what matters to me. I really don't care about the next person two blocks from here that wants to know and because they don't, they think that I'm keeping a secret--no. We all possess sexuality and we all possess the ability to be sexual with whoever we choose to be and that is not all of who we are. It doesn't necessarily define someone's character. I think sometimes people get hung up on that and it takes away from someone's true purpose. You know what I'm saying? A spirit is bigger than all of that.


Uhmm... ok. I don't know about you guys but hearing Rahsaan Patterson describe his sexuality as "a spirit that attached itself to him" and the use of the word choice is very problematic for me. I understand that our experiences are not the same. I've never been the victim of abuse and my heart goes out to him for having to deal with such an unfortunate ordeal. But I believe it's sends a potentially dangerous message. It's the kind of message that ex-gay ministries prey upon and gives false hope to parents who are struggling to accept their gay children.


Patterson is not the first black celebrity to declare the element of choice regarding his sexual orientation. WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes made a similar statement when she came out in 2005.


I grew up watching Patterson as a child performer on Disney's Kid's Incorporated and I identified with him even then, ironically we had more in common than just a talent for performing. The man has a voice from heaven.


So what do you think about Rahsaan Patterson's views on his homosexuality? Is it a case of internalized homophobia?


2 comments | Wednesday, February 18, 2009




Actor Shemar Moore covers the new issue of Men's Fitness Magazine and the beautiful actor dishes about his workout routine and the physical demands of his character Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds. It looks like the "very straight" Moore has decided to cover up and show a little less skin than he did in this unsolicited photo shoot(NSFW) from 2007.








TV One Access has chosen ten of Hollywood's Sexiest Black Bachelors to be showcased in an upcoming special hosted by Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Tatiyana Ali. Rounding out my top five favorites are Terrell Owens, Kanye West, Jammie Foxx, Hill Harper, and D'Wayne(The Rock) Johnson. Is it just me or have most of these bachelors been plagued by gay rumors at some point? Does that just come along with being a single man in Hollywood or are the rumors warranted?








Have you been missing Karamo Brown lately? Well the sexy Real World alum is returning to the scene with a hot new calendar by L.A. based photographer Jerris Madsion and Men of Eros just in time for spring. The production team who made Jensen Atwood look even more delicious in his all white calendar last year are on board to recreate the magic with Brown. Something tells me this is going to be hmmm hmmm good!





I guess if you've got it you should flaunt it. Or if you're a former teen pop star and you've been unable to achieve the same success as an adult and you're desperate for one last moment in the spotlight you get naked. Well former B2K member and "the boy who cried wolf" Raz B has posted his goodies on Adult Space(I never even knew this site existed) for all the world to see. And I must say if I were single I wouldn't kick him out of bed! Get into the pics courtesy of Son Of Baldwin here.(NSFW!)




From afterelton.com


In honor of Black History Month, Rob Smith hosts a special edition of The Mocha Lounge! Only instead of rehashing regular black history (which you can find anywhere else) Rob and guests Dwight Allen O'Neal (writer/creator of Christopher Street) and blogger Adam Benjamin Irby talk about the past year in black gay pop culture and what to look for in 2009.


Highlights include the success of Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom - the highest grossing gay independent feature of 2008 - and it's NAACP Image Award nominations as well as the fierceness of RuPaul's Drag Race and the diva herself. The guys also discuss the coming out of comedian Wanda Sykes, Rob's prediction that a black male celebrity will come out in 2009, a few little known facts in gay black history, plus much much more.



9 comments | Tuesday, February 17, 2009




A note on this post from Darian: When I approached my friend Michael Brewer to respond to Gerren Gaynor's article he did not hesitate, but warned me that his post would be a thesis. He didn't lie. There was very little editing done on my part just because I felt Michael nailed it in a way only he can. Do yourself a favor and commit to reading the entire post.


I, Too, Sing Morehouse


By: Michael J. Brewer


In the spirit of full disclosure, let me state clearly the realities and intentions of the following composition. I am a self-identified openly gay Man of Morehouse, so while I’ve tried to remain as objective as possible please forgive any discernable bias. For the purposes of this composition, I have chosen to use the word “queer” liberally and inclusively to encompass the breadth of queer identities. I understand that some chose not to prescribe to this term and others utilized throughout the piece, and I honor the liberty of those to identify themselves – my usage of “queer” of any other nominalization is not intended to offend anyone’s sensibility.


Moreover, while this piece is precipitated by an article entitled “Is Gay the Way?” published first in The Maroon Tiger (2/11/09), Morehouse College’s student newspaper, it is certainly in no way intended to (nor should it be construed to be) an attack on the author of the article or the integrity of the article itself. While it is incumbent upon me to lovingly challenge my Morehouse brothers’ arguments and respectfully critique his assertions when deemed necessary, it is equally important that I champion him and his expression of opinion.


This is not a comprehensive and declarative statement on the history and current conditions of homophobia, heterosexism, patriarchy, or heteronormativty at Morehouse College – alas, I am not equipped to produce such a treatise. This is my take on these issues, reflected through the lens of my experience. Not saying that my observations and theories don’t have implications on the greater community – rather that they are non-empirical and may not capture the experiences of others. Lastly, this piece is not an assault on the character of or a diminishment of all of the hard-won progress made by my beloved institution, Morehouse College, to which I am infinitely indebted for making me the man I am today – a Morehouse Man.


The pervasive history of homophobia, heterosexism, patriarchy, and discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity at Morehouse College has weaved its way through the lining of our historical tapestry and, at the very least, has positioned itself as a very significant piece of any dialogue about Morehouse and her sensibilities.


The treatment of issues related to sexual and gender politics at Morehouse College has, at best, championed the institution’s radical ethos of 142 years of cultural and societal progress. At worst, it has stymied this growth, perverting the promise of Morehouse to both her sons and community. The newest interpretation of the conversation surrounding these issues has taken a retroactive tone, evoking a spirit of parochialism and slight ignorance that we of Morehouse College had, presumably, moved past. As disappointing as such a steps backward are, we of Morehouse College are charged to continue moving forward, retracing our progress and building a new tradition for Dear Old Morehouse, one that promotes inclusion instead of acceptance, celebration instead of tolerance. It is in this spirit that I submit this loving challenge and addition to the current cacophony of opinion orbiting this extremely charged discourse.


When it comes to issues regarding homosexuality at Morehouse College, I believe the first task of the majority (read: heterosexual population and/or those who promulgate heterosexism and heteronormativity) is to acknowledge the privilege that informs their argument and, thusly, creates the context for the conversation being held. Indeed, it is this environment of heterosexual privilege that we of Morehouse College operate in and through (for some of us, around), and influences our thoughts and belief systems – justly, it need be named. Some may find this task unnecessary and laborious, not seeing the pertinence it plays in this dialogue. However, I submit that it is always incumbent upon majority communities to first “check their privilege” before engaging in conversation about marginalized peoples.


It is this privilege that perceives “threats” to the established status quo and fallaciously conflates the influence of the marginalized community on the aforementioned. For example, while Morehouse does have homosexual students, I would gather that there are no many more gay/bisexual/queer men at Morehouse than there are at any other institution – majority or HBCU. With more students, it’s statistically probable that colleges and universities larger than Morehouse (of which there are plenty, with Morehouse’s student population not even tipping 3,000 men) would have much more sizeable queer communities.


The unique demographic composition of my beloved institution, perhaps, exaggerates the reality of this campus “phenomenon.” However, with only an estimated 10% of the world’s population being gay, I personally find it highly unlikely that such a grand number would find their way to Morehouse. I am confident that there are more heterosexual men at Morehouse College – as there have been, and probably always will be. And, at the risk of sounding a bit cheeky, where and when in the history of this planet have homosexuals and other queer identities even come close to out-numbering heterosexuals?


While I won’t belabor the differences between sex, gender, and sexuality here, it is important that, individually, we learn to clearly distinguish how we conceptualize these phenomena. Suffice to say, for the purposes of this treatise, one’s sexual orientation is not the same as (nor is it precipitated by) one’s gender performance. Tangential concepts? Certainly. The same thing? Definitely not. Carrying a pocketbook, purse, bag, or any other “feminine” affectation is not a diagnosis of one’s sexual orientation. (Aside: even if these affectations were an identifying link to one’s orientation, I wonder why people take so much offense to effeminacy as if it is something bad – is there something wrong with being a woman?) Furthermore, one’s gender performance and/or identity is not necessarily tied to his sexual orientation. One can be both heterosexual and effeminate (or exhibit characters typically attributed to females), and there are certainly contemporary examples that illustrate this reality.


Likewise, while I would offer that sexual expression and orientation do exist on a continuum, they do not exist on a slope – there is no hierarchy of homosexuality (i.e. for someone to be “more gay” or “less gay” than someone else). While one may have more attraction to men than to women, I take challenge to the notion that that same individual’s attraction, in the same realm of attraction, is in any way inferior to or less than my own. To purport or insinuate that what Morehouse’s queer male student really wants is to be is a woman is extremely problematic; a declaration of a brash miscomprehension of the realities of both the homosexual experience and transgender experience.


However, this speaks to another, more imperative point. In investigating the transgender experience within the paradigm of sustaining a steadfast and valiant institutional legacy, it is equally incumbent on we of Morehouse College to recognize the unique juxtaposition that shrouds the transgender student’s experience: not being able to attend a school like Spelman College (which requires that applicants be born biologically female to gain admittance), but not being welcomed at a school like Morehouse. Any student who upholds the values and promulgates the ideals of Morehouse College lauds and glorifies our institution, transgender or otherwise. And, on a personal note, I believe that there’s a place at Morehouse for the radical and non-conforming – indeed, our illustrious legacy is built on the works and deeds of those who challenged conformity and normativity. In the abridged words of Dr. King, there is always room for one more – both in the beloved community, and at Morehouse College.


The implication, in conversations about homosexuality, that the opinion and feeling of the heterosexual is in any way disregarded or patronized is both humorous and insufferable. While certainly everyone, regardless of orientation, deserves to feel comfortable in their daily walk, the majority should realize the multiple ways in which the patriarchal, homophobic, and heteronormative culture it sponsors forces homosexuals and other queer identities to adopt their norms and mores, making the daily walk of the homosexual grievously painful. Put simply, there is a lot of energy expended by homosexuals to accommodate the comfortability of the heterosexual majority – more energy than is reciprocated by heterosexuals on behalf of homosexuals’ comfort, I would add.


As queer people in a heterosexist/normative society, we are obliged to censor and police our own behavior as not to offend or be accused of disrupting the public decorum; we are surrounded by expressions of life and love that are not authentic to our experience and are, at times, forced to conform to these expressions; we are constantly reminded that our expressions of love and life are not valued or welcome in the public sphere. Perhaps if as much work were attempted by some in the heterosexual community to accommodate the comfortability of queer people, our communities could meet and speak truth to the light in each other’s sensibilities.


Interrogating this privilege further, I would offer that any denigration against Morehouse’s (comparably) small queer community is an exercise in hate and oppression. There are some, both inside and outside of the Morehouse College community, who take offense to the percieved “flamboyant” character of Morehouse’s queer community, viewing it as an aggrandizement of these students’ sexual proclivities and claiming that such a public display of effeminacy tarnishes the Morehouse College image. It has been my experience, both at Morehouse and beyond, that those individuals accused of “flaunting” their sexuality (Aside: I’m curious as to how one actually accomplishes this without disrupting public decency statutes) are in fact exercising the same liberties of expression that their heterosexual peers are privileged, too, because of patriarchy and heteronormativity. Moreover, I’d offer that it is, in fact, spectators and passers-by who call to attention the behavior and affectations of these individuals, much more so than the individuals themselves.


There are scores of queer students at Morehouse who truly personify the Morehouse Mystique and represent Morehouse outstandingly with their intelligence, work ethic, leadership ability and more. But, because of their queer identity, these students are denigrated and abdicated. And forgive me, but I can’t help but wonder if these same people who take such offense purse their lips with as much disdain when they happenstance upon a young Man of Morehouse who doesn’t live up to the promise of Morehouse College or the expectation of the Morehouse Man in far more grievous ways: poor academic achievement, belligerent behavior (both on and off campus), not giving back to the community, etc. Principles such as scholastic excellence, integrity, and service are pillars of the Morehouse College tradition (much more so than a person’s dress), and yet I speculate none of these same persons repudiate the Morehouse Man who doesn’t live up to those established standards, or otherwise cast a shadow on the reputation of Morehouse College in other maleficent ways.


(Aside: in speaking about the effeminacy of the Men of Morehouse and viewing that through a progressive lens, one can see the cognitive dissonance of how traditional “gay” culture gets misappropriated and, depending one the wielder, used as a bridge or a weapon. For instance, there was a time when it was socially queer – and, subsequently, unacceptable – to wear certain clothes on campus that now are fashion forward for a becoming Man of Morehouse. This is an important observation to note here because while this does demonstrate progress on the part of the Morehouse College community to embrace its marginalized queer persons, in the same space it is important to recognize how the mainstream majority selectively and tacitly engages with the queer community only when doing so serves the majority’s collective interests.)


We of Morehouse College are men of every race, color, creed, religion, and yes, sexual orientation and gender identity. This does not detract from the luster of the Morehouse College legacy; rather, it is this cornucopia of diversity that makes Morehouse shine all the more brightly. Morehouse College is not and has never been a home to conformity and assimilation – Morehouse College is the home of stalwart creativity and innovation. Morehouse College does not seek to produce drones of archetypal men – Morehouse College is invested in the holistic development of every one of her students, instilling in each nothing short of excellence and expecting from each nothing short of uniqueness.


At Morehouse College, legacy and tradition are not veneers for parochialism, stoicism, or any thinly-veiled agenda to circumvent the flourishing of any of Morehouse’s disaggregated groups. The Morehouse Mystique, that ethereal essence that cannot be defined but defines a Morehouse Man, exudes through and from each of her sons – while it is a shared experience, no one has authority over it, and it is not subject to deprecation or adjudication. Yes, I am the queerer brother of Morehouse College, and a brother nonetheless – a genuine member of the Morehouse College family with all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereunto. And I sit at the table, with my brothers, in the “‘House” I helped build. If the “ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” then we of Morehouse College should be hard-pressed to find more of a “man” than the unashamedly and unabashedly Black queer Man of Morehouse.


We of Morehouse College seek only to bring strength and honor to our institution. Thusly, we should be invested in ever-challenging hypocrisy and privilege, and ever-growing our capacity for progress and true brotherhood. We of Morehouse College have made many strides over the last few years, and we will all continue to eat well, grow strong, and venerate the name of our institution – indeed, it’s kismet.


And to any of those who doubt, chide, belittle, or shame:


“They’ll see how beautiful I am, and be ashamed –“


I, too, sing Morehouse.


Michael Brewer is a senior at Morehouse College and an openly gay activist on campus. He has been featured in The L.A. Times and was included among Out Magazine's Out 100 in 2008.

14 comments | Monday, February 16, 2009




A new op-ed appearing in Morehouse College's The Maroon Tiger newspaper by student writer Gerren Gaynor is sure to fan the flames of homophobia once again on a campus that has had it's share of anti-gay attacks and bullying.


"Is Gay The Way?" is the title of the piece and Gaynor (shown in the picture above) poses a series of questions to the reader in an effort to determine which is more important-protecting the Morehouse image or embracing the "others", which is in this case the Morehouse "homosexual population".


"Over the years, despite social divergence on campus, the Morehouse community has done their share to both accept and adjust to the growing homosexual population. But don't you think this has gone too far? A boy with a pocketbook is far.


It's not so much that "straight" men of Morehouse are uncomfortable with the gay lifestyle, but more so because it is constantly and quite robustly thrown in their face. Does being a gay man include adopting the traits of a woman? Because if that's the case, there's a more fitting school, and it's called Spelman College", writes Gaynor.


"I'm all for being who you are. If you like women, go on and date women. If you like men, be my guest and date men. But if you are born a man, you should be just that--a man. If I have to look twice to tell if I'm looking at a man or woman on an all-male campus, then something is tragically wrong."


In 2009 this type of gay-panic is beyond tragic. And it should be quite embarrassing for a college educated Morehouse man such as Gaynor not to know that although one might identify as gay it doesn't necessarily mean that they desire to undergo gender reassignment surgery.


Much work has been done at Morehouse in recent years to combat the pervasive homophobia on campus. From the student-led gay organization Safe Space, to the groundbreaking No Homo Initiative Week, and visits from gay Christian organization Soulforce, the dialogue needed to create an environment that is safe for all students has been happening over the past few years.


A step in the right direction on the heels of the vicious 2002 beating of Gregory Love by fellow Morehouse student Aaron Price. Love was struck violently in the shower with a baseball bat because Price believed the victim was "looking at him naked". So with all of the progress being made at Morehouse this homophobic attack in the Maroon Tiger by Gaynor is quite an unfortunate setback.


Openly gay Morehouse student and activist Michael Brewer will respond to Gaynor's piece here on loldarian.com shortly so be sure to check back.


When does gay tolerance go too far?"-The Daily Voice




"Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality."


-James A. Baldwin

4 comments




Sorry for not being able to get this story posted last week when it landed in my inbox. I'm sure by now you've either heard or read on countless other blogs about the arrest of mega-church pastor T.D. Jakes' son Jermaine Jakes for indecent exposure in a public park in Dallas in early January.


The Dallas police warrant affidavit shows that Jermaine Jakes entered a wooded area of the park and walked directly over to where Detective X was, and stood next to Detective X with his penis exposed through his unzipped pants. Suspect Jakes then began to masturbate his erect penis with his left hand for several seconds while making eye contact with Detective X.


If you're like me then you've probably been waiting to hear how Pastor Jakes was going to respond to this unfortunate and embarrassing incident. Would he use this opportunity to have an honest discussion about homosexuality and the church's constant vitriol towards gays now that everyone knows he has one in his family? Or would he pull a Ted Haggard and send his son to the nearest ex-gay ministry to pray the gay away?


Pastor Jakes read a statement to his congregation during the 8 a.m. service in which he said, "As parents, we occasionally feel that our children do not live up to our highest and best ideals. When they do not, we don't diminish our love for them as recompense for our disapproval... It is in moments like these that I am so grateful that we do not preach that we are the solution, but we look to Christ for resolution."


Pastor Jakes, who said he "had the week from hell" said he had every intention of preaching Sunday, after the news of the arrest affidavit was made public.


According to the Dallas Voice T.D.Jakes has said that he would never hire a sexually active gay person, has spoken out against same-sex marriage, and has called homosexuality a "brokenness."


I can't help but wonder if hearing your father say that your sexuality makes you unemployable and broken had anything to do with Jermaine Jakes' poor decision to look for a human connection after hours in a public park. This is beyond sad.

2 comments




Sy Smith doesn't exactly identify as LGB or T but she's definitely one of our best allies. When it comes to independent soul artists it doesn't get much better than Sy Smith. She's been working the independent music scene in Los Angeles for years and has backed up such musical heavyweights as Whitney Houston,Usher,and Macy Gray just to name a few.


For the past four seasons Smith has been seen as a back-up vocalist on American Idol. Fans of the Showtime series Soul Food also grooved to Smith's smooth vocals on the theme song which she sang along with legendary artist Al Green.


I had the pleasure of working with her on a short film called Black Rose in L.A. in 2003 and she is just as beautiful as the music she creates.


Her new album Conflict contains the catchy mid-tempo track "Spies" that also appears on the Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom Soundtrack.


Smith and the boys from Noah's Arc have filmed a cute video at ground zero for black gay nightlife in L.A., Jewel's Catch-0ne, affectionately called "The Catch".


Get into Sy Smith and the video below.






Photobucket









Photobucket