Living Out Loud with Darian

The National Black Justice Coalition brings you NBJC TV on YouTube. This episode highlights the 2006 Black Church Summitt in Georgia with keynote speakers Rev. Al Sharpton and Bishop Yvette Flunder. I had the privilege of hearing Bishop Flunder preach for the first time about a month ago and she was a blessing to my spirit. You can check out her ministry at radicallyinclusive.com . Watching this video made me realize how much I miss my church family( I've gotta stop working on Sundays) and how blessed I am to be apart of such a dynamic and inclusive ministry.

Labels: Activism, Religion

I opened my inbox this morning and the first e-mail of the day I read was a piece from The Advocate on The Jena 6 by writer James Kirchick. I'm not a morning person but I was feeling extra good because I woke up with the love of my life next to me, but my mood quickly turned sour as I read the racist bullshit that continues to come out of the mouths of white gay America regarding the Jena 6 and HRC's support of the cause. Everything I wrote in my piece regarding these two groups and the mainstream gay community's reaction to the Jena 6 was only re-enforced by this article.

Read it for yourself here and get ready to hurl.

Labels: Activism

Let me forewarn you, this might hurt . As thousands of protesters descended upon the small town of Jena, Louisiana in support of the Jena 6, many of whom were African-American ministers, students, activists, or just ordinary people who felt compelled to stand up against the racial injustice that has plagued Jena and our country . There was a surprising ally present marching with the multitude, displaying their signature yellow and blue logo, and even taking to the microphone to verbally express their support of what many people believe is just a "black issue".

Joe Solmonese, president of The Human Rights Campaign said they were there "because this injustice cannot stand". "We are here because we know about bigotry. We know about hate. We know the pain in high school of standing apart. Of being taunted. Of standing up, only too often, to be shut down. I am here -- we are here -- because you have stood with us. Because all of us know that one injustice against any of us is an injustice against all of us.

I've been very critical of HRC in the past because as a black gay man the issues that directly affect my community are often ignored by this powerful white gay organization. Proving that separatism and racism also exists in the gay community as I will illustrate a bit further shortly. But on September 20, 2007 HRC chose to stand with the African-American community and The Jena 6 despite the backlash they were sure to receive from their ardent supporters for aligning themselves with a non LGBT issue, or should I say just a non-white issue.

No matter where you stand on this issue, whether it's in support of the district attorney's decision to charge the Jena 6 with attempted murder or the public outcry to have the boys released you would have to be in complete denial or simply a racist not to acknowledge the unfair and racially biased treatment of the Jena 6. I applaud HRC for not limiting the scope of it's organization to mainstream white gay causes, by acknowleding that they should represent black gays and lesbians not only who are victims of homophobia and workplace discrimination but racism as well. However, some within the HRC ranks are not pleased with Solmoneses' presence at the rally and they are not biting their tongue.

Blogger and Washington Blade editor Chris Crain had this to say, "I understand the politics of why HRC became involved in the campaign to "Free the Jena 6." African-American and other civil rights leaders have been very supportive on the issues we say are important to us, and now HRC is being supportive on the issues they say are important to them. It's scratch-your-back and no doubt for some based on a genuinely felt bond among civil rights groups.

Still, why pick this case? It doesn't involve discrimination of the type suffered historically by gay Americans. I would agree completely that there is racial discrimination in this country, and that the criminal justice system suffers from prosecutorial abuse, biased jury verdicts and lopsided sentences based on race.

But if these injustices are as common as Joe and I both believe they are, then why pick the "Jena 6"? Why pick a case of six bullies who beat, kicked and stomped a defenseless teen unconscious in a schoolyard -- as the one for the GLBT movement to take a stand?

The thoughts of Chris Crain exemplifies the white privilege many gays in the mainstream community still benefit from despite knowing all too well the dark side of discrimination and inequality based on their sexual orientation. Chris was right when he said the Jena 6 kicked and stomped the white student. I don't condone violence of any kind, but I've only been out of school for 10 years and during my time students who fought were written up, given detention, or even suspended but they were never locked up and charged with attempted murder, especially when the victim was well enough to attend a party the very same night.

Chris' dismissal of the racial overtones of this case and his description of The Jena 6 as "macho bullies" and "them" or "they" clearly displays his lack of compasssion and understanding for any injustice that doesn't resemble the Matthew Shepard story. Sad, but unfortunately for blacks and black gays and lesbians this is our America, we are still fighting for a place at the table.

While Joe Solmonese and HRC have a lot of catching up to do in terms of including black LGBT folks and truly showing a commitment to diversity within the HRC ranks, yesterday was definitely a step in the right direction.

But I do have to ask where were all of the Bishops from the hundreds of mega-churches all over the country? TD Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Bishop Paul Morton, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Creflo (Give Me A) Dollar? (*sounds of crickets*)

Labels: Activism, Racism

Poet and LGBT activist Staceyann Chinn along with Rashaad Robinson of GLAAD and over a dozen activists showed up at the annual Reggae CariFest in New York City over the weekemd to protest the anti-gay lyrics of Buju Banton and Bounty Killer among others. Several news networks covered the protest as can be seen in the youtube clip above.

Gay rights activists have taken on anti-gay reggae artists and their lyrics before and have been successful at cancelling numerous appearances causing the artists serious amounts of cash. If these hateful artists don't understand english they definitely understand the loss of money, hit em where it hurts.

Here is an excerpt of the lyrics from Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye:

Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead
Boom bye bye
Inna batty bwoy head
Rude bwoy no promote no nasty man
Dem haffi dead

(Two man) Hitch up on an rub up on
An lay down inna bed
Hug up on another
Anna feel up leg
Send fi di matic an
Di Uzi instead
Shoot dem no come if we shot dem--
Don't want Jackie
Give dem Paul instead
Dem don't want di sweetness
Between di leg
Gal bend down backway
An accept di peg
An if it really hot
You know she still naw gon fled
A some man
Still don't want di
Panty raid
Pure batty business dem love

Labels: Activism

It's no secret that I'm a christian man who grew up going to church and still attends to this day, and I also happen to be gay. I'm realizing that christianity and the church doesn't necessarily always coincide as it should. As a matter of fact most christians are too busy "playing" church rather than being beacons of light in a chaotic world. Such is the case of Rev. Gary Simons of High Point Church in Arlington, Texas. Rev. Simons and his staff canceled the funeral of Cecil Howard Sinclair 24 hours before the service was to take place because they found out about his sexuality. Sinclair was a gay man whose brother was employed as a janitor at the church. Sinclair died last week at age 46 from an infection after surgery to prepare him for a heart transplant.

Rev. Simons said no one knew Sinclair, who was not a church member, was gay until the day before the Thursday service, when staff members putting together his video tribute saw pictures of men "engaging in clear affection, kissing and embracing. These accusations Mr. Sinclair's sister openly stated are false. Simons said the church believes homosexuality is a sin, and it would have appeared to endorse that lifestyle if the service had been held there.

This has to be the biggest bs that I've ever heard! So let's get this straight(no pun intended), we can play your piano, direct your choir, contribute financially, and in the deceased case even mop your floors, but when it's time to be laid to rest you object? Again I have to ask, what would Jesus do? It's ungodly behavior like this by church folk that turns the exact people they're trying to bring into the church away. Rev. Simons should be ashamed of himself. I'm so sick of people using religion as an excuse for their cruel and bigoted actions.

This man deserved a proper burial, if he was good enough to work in the church he should have been good enough to be buried there as well. It's obvious that gay bashing isn't just limited to the living. The good people over at High Point Church have figured out a way to do it even in death.

Labels: Activism, Religion

It took GLAAD two weeks to demand an apology from conservative talk show host Bill O'Reiley and on-air guest Rod Wheeler following their outrageous claims that lesbian gangs were taking over D.C. schools. They've issued a call to action asking members of the LGBT community and their supporters to contact Fox News and demand an apology for statements GLADD believes were not rooted in any statistical facts. I'm just wondering what took the folks over at GLAAD so long to respond to O'Reiley's claims. I was watching The Factor the night this story aired and I was outraged. I actually wrote about it here . GLADD has supplied the contact info of Rod Wheeler and the big wigs over at Fox News. I urge you to watch the video for yourself and determine whether or not you feel our community has been misrepresented and take action.

CALL TO ACTION !

On the June 21 edition of Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor, Fox News Crime Analyst Rod Wheeler detailed what he called a “national network” of so-called “lesbian gangs” that prey on young girls. Using exaggerated, sensational language, Wheeler claimed there are more than 150 such gangs in the Washington, D.C., area alone.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) contacted the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department to research the statistics Wheeler cited and found that the information he reported is highly suspect. Sgt. Brett Parson, a member and the former commander of the D.C. Metro Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, says the numbers are grossly exaggerated.

Parson is quoted along with GLAAD in a Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Report article titled, “The Oh-Really Factor,” which debunks the June 21 report, pointing out its numerous flaws and highlighting its sensationalistic tone.

"We have 150 to 175 total gangs in the D.C. area, and out of those only nine where the predominance of members are female," Parson said. "You simply can't make the jump that they are lesbians. I think it is fair to talk about violence and female gangs. But to sensationalize or marginalize a community by making a statement like that seems irresponsible."

Gaithersburg, Md., Detective Patrick Word is President of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Gang Investigators Network, an intelligence-sharing organization of 400 criminal justice professionals in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and Virginia. He told the Intelligence Report, "there is no evidence whatsoever of a lesbian gang epidemic in this region...our membership reports only one lesbian gang."

GLAAD is calling on The O'Reilly Factor, which touts itself as the "No Spin Zone," and Fox News Crime Analyst Rod Wheeler to provide background information and evidence to support the wild claims made in the "Lesbian Gang Epidemic" segment. GLAAD is also strongly urging The O'Reilly Factor host Bill O'Reilly and Wheeler to correct the information in a follow-up report and to issue a formal apology to the lesbian community.

"The O'Reilly Factor segment essentially reported a national epidemic of lesbian gangs preying on young girls without offering one solid statistic or credible source," said Rashad Robinson, GLAAD's Senior Director of Media Programs. "This type of inaccurate tabloid journalism perpetuates dangerous stereotypes about lesbians and feeds a climate of homophobia, anti-gay discrimination and violence. That's the real national epidemic, but not one you're likely to see reported with such zeal by Bill O'Reilly."

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Please contact John Moody, SVP news editorial at Fox News Channel, Amy Sohnen, executive producer, The O'Reilly Factor and Rod Wheeler, Fox News Channel crime analyst and ask them to provide facts and statistics to substantiate the bold assertions in "Lesbian Gang Epidemic" and to live up to the show's "No Spin Zone" motto. Demand an on-air apology for the sensationalistic report.

Contact:
Rod Wheeler
Capitol Investigations (He touts his company as "a full service criminal and civil investigations firm.")
(301) 390-8272
rod@rodwheeler.com
info@arod007.com

Contacts:
Mr. John Moody
Senior Vice President, News Editorial
Fox News Channel
212-301-8560
moody@foxnews.com

Amy Sohnen
Executive Producer, The O'Reilly Factor
Fox News Channel
(212) 301-3000
oreilly@foxnews.com

Labels: Activism

Timothy Daniels and Tadhi Coulter are a gay couple living in Los Angeles. Timothy has been living with HIV for over 20 years and his long time partner Tadhi is HIV negative. I had the pleasure of meeting these two extraodinary individuals during my time in L.A. where we all frequented In The Meantime Men's Group .

They are co-founders of the organizationStanding -NTruth and have made it their mission to educate, empower, and mobilize the Black community around HIV/AIDS. One of the organizations tools for educating the masses about the facts about HIV/AIDS and the stigma attatched to the disease is a documentary that goes by the same name(Standing -N-Truth).

Recently Timothy and Tadhi shared their story of being in a committed relationship, the rejection of certain family members, and dealing with Timothy's positive status on National Public Radio.

I've often said that it's imperative that we go out and tell our own stories or we risk having someone else tell them for us.This is exactly what Timothy has done. It takes an amazing amount of courage to stand up in front of a room filled with strangers and announce that you're gay and also HIV- positive.

I saw his documentary for the first time last September at a screening during Atlanta's Black Gay Pride Celebration and was deeply moved by how raw and uninhibited the stories were of the people involved in the film. HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence it once was, but the invention of life saving drugs should not cause us to become complacent. The fight to eradicate this terrible disease is far from over. Timothy and Tadhi along with their organization is a beautiful example of what can be accomplished when you choose love over fear and life over death.

Check out the documentary Standing- N-Truth below:

Standing -N- Truth:

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Labels: Activism, HIV/AIDS

A vote is expected on Thursday on the proposed hate crimes bill that would provide federal assistance to state and local authorities dealing with bias crimes against LGBT people and others. As expected, the radical right has flooded phone lines and e-mail boxes of legislators in Washington. Please take a moment to call or e-mail your local representative to let them know how important it is that this bill gets passed.

Don't know your representative? Call the U.S. Capital Switchboard at (202)224-3121 to be connected. You can also find additional information here .

Let's honor the memory of all of our brothers and sisters we've lost to senseless violence and keep those who are still with us safe. Let's do our part and make sure our voices are heard.

Update: I spoke with the office of Georgia representative Henry Johnson and it was confirmed that he's supporting the bill. Have you contacted your representative yet? Time is running out.

Labels: Activism, Politics

The Facts:

Yesterday in Orlando, Florida prominent Black ministers joined forces with Alan Chambers , president of Exodus International in a press conference to denounce the proposed Federal Hate Crimes Act of 2007, written by openly gay politicians Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin.

Bishop Larry Jackson, Pastor and musician Marvin Winans and others gathered to display their opposition to a bill that would lend support to state and local authorities to investigate and prosecute crimes based on race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. During the press conference the Black ministers took the opportunity to once again reject the notion that the movement for gay equality is similar to the civil rights movement.

"We stand today with many in the African-American community who also recognize that one's sexuality can be changed, but one's skin color cannot." We call upon Congress to promote legislation that affirms authentic equality and protects our religious freedoms, said Alan Chambers, "former homosexual" and leader of Exodus International.

The Human Rights Campaign has launched a massive effort to see that this billed is passed. It would be a landmark victory in the struggle for LGBT equality in America. A vote is expected to take place as early as Monday. The HRC has sent out an e-mail blast uncovering the lies and fear tactics these two groups are using to kill this very important piece of legislation.


THEIR LIE: "This bill would punish thoughts and criminalize free speech."

THE TRUTH: This bill will punish vicious criminals who attack members of our communities simply because of who they are. The bill does not criminalize thoughts or speech; it only covers crimes involving bodily injury or attempted bodily injury.

THEIR LIE: "This bill gives homosexuals special treatment."

THE TRUTH: The current hate crimes law excludes violence against a person because of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. There is nothing “special” about wanting to live free of violence in our society.

My Thoughts:

When I first received the e-mail today informing me that Black ministers had taken it upon themselves to join in with the KKK I was outraged! And I use the term KKK loosely when referring to Exodus International, because the truth is Alan Chambers and his followers have an agenda and that agenda does not include anything that really matters to the majority of the Black community.

The very same people that Bishop Jackson and Pastor Winans are standing with are the same group of people who beat and murdered their people less than sixty years ago. And why? The color of their skin. When are these Black preachers going to learn that anti-gay bigots like Alan Chambers and Dr. James Dobson only call on them when they need a black face to spread their hateful message disguised as "tough Christian love" into the Black community? They have come to further divide our community and they're using religion to get the job done.

Since when did it become a bad thing to want to live in a society free of violence? Or to be able to walk down the street and not fear that your life is in danger because you're gay or perceived to be? Will somebody please tell these media hungry and misguided ministers that by supporting this legislation they won't be perceived as pro gay or going against God's will? I'm starting to wonder if these people actually have a heart. The last time I checked, God's desire was that all of his children experience love and not unfair discrimination or wrongful death.

The actions of these ministers and the right wing in this country is beyond scary. They have become the Bull Connor of the LGBT rights movement. The more they denounce the similarities between the two movements, the more apparent they become, at least to me. White LGBT folk continue to be the face of what it looks like to be gay in this country and Black gays and lesbians are being left out of the discussion. If we don't come out and tell our stories these people will tell them for us.

Where were these ministers when Michael Sandy died? Why didn't they rush to console Rashawn Brazell's mother after her son's body parts were found in bags all over New York City? Where were they when Sakia Gunn was murdered? Or when Kevin Aviance was beaten and left for dead? Didn't they meet at least one requirement by the NAACP and the Religious Hypocrites of America? They were all Black, but nobody came because they were also gay.

There is a need for this bill in our country and if they're too blinded by the spotlight and overflowing collection plates on Sunday to see that then we have an even bigger problem. In a perfect we would all be treated as equals. Now imagine that.

Labels: Activism

I was recently asked by a reader what I thought about Donnie McClurkin and his reported "conversion" to heterosexuality.I originally wrote this post in July 2006 and thought it would be appropriate to post it again. After all it was Donnie's life story that was sent to me by mom that ushered me into my purpose. My mom was a little dissapointed because the letter had the opposite effect on me. Instead of becoming a new Donnie McClurkin/Ted Haggard heterosexual, I became an even stronger God fearing SGL man of color. I sent this letter to Donnie via e-mail, he never responded.




Dear Donnie,

You don’t know me but I’m well aware of who you are. Although we have never met, years ago your music became apart of my life. But not a single lyric or melody has had the impact that your life story has had . Let me forewarn you that this is not a letter of admiration or praise for your ministry. While I cannot dismiss the calling God has for your life or your anointed musical ability, as a gay African-American man I must dismiss the lies and misinformation you have fed the public regarding the origin of sexual orientation and the ability to revert to heterosexuality if desired.

As a former victim of child molestation I’m sure during your early development sexuality was a very confusing matter for you. I’m truly sorry that you had to endure so much pain at such a young age and that the pain has continued in your adult life.

Your story was given to me by mother and to many other gay brothers by relatives as a prescription to cure their homosexuality. See Donnie this is where I have the problem. I don’t have a sickness and I don’t need something as natural to me as my skin color to be prayed out, sent to an X gay ministry, or married into a unauthentic heterosexual relationship.

You claim that you have been delivered and now lead a “normal” heterosexual life, what I see is a man who may have changed his behavior but not his orientation. Let me tell you Donnie there is a difference.

I know it would be extremely difficult for you to live life as an out gay man in your industry, the majority of your peers are still closeted, and we all know that in the black church if you remain a quiet homosexual then others are free to believe you’re not in spite of knowing the truth.

I’ve heard you say in interviews that you were miserable when you were living the “gay lifestyle”(whatever that means). I really hope that as a single man in his 40’s with no signs of getting married in the near future, you have found happiness in conforming to the unauthentic expectations on your life that you’ve decided to accept.

I know it’s not easy being true to yourself and aligning that with the word, there is obvious conflict in scriptures according to many interpretations. I can only speak for myself when I say I don’t think I would have ever sought out God so early in life and developed a relationship with him if I hadn’t been blessed with a same gender attraction. The homophobia I experienced growing up kept me on my knees praying.

So Donnie I know it’s much easier playing the role and not making anyone uncomfortable by allowing them to see the real you, but for how long?

Your message is one-sided and has provided false hope for people looking to change their son or daughter when the author of the story is clearly still struggling himself. My life changed completely the day I decided to accept my DNA as God created it. Will you accept yours?

Darian

Labels: Activism, People

The Black Aids Institute invites you to activate your spirit, motivate your soul and rejuvenate your body under the warm skies of crimson colored Arizona. Join over 50 successful dedicated Black Gay Men for an invitation-only retreat in the lap of the luxurious famed Hotel Valley Ho Resort and Spa, April 26 through April 27, 2007, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Institute is proud to host this safe comfortable environment for sharing life experiences, mentoring and discussing topical issues as we forge new leadership in the greater global Black community.

The Black Gay Men’s Retreat 2007 will continue to strengthen and build a network of professional and creative talent. This Black gay “renaissance” weekend will not only create a stronger “brotherhood,” but will inspire mobilization of our personal, political and collective financial power. With structured and informal dialogue, our aim is to strategize; self explore and develop plans that will change the course of HIV/AIDS and other matters that affect us greatly.

We shall ask each other the hard questions. As our HIV/AIDS infections have increased to epidemic proportions among Black men, how do we incite a new Democratic-led Congress to increase funding. What will be our posture among Presidental hopefuls as platforms are being created? Will we leverage our collective power and voices to be a part of that process? In the midst of these weighty issues, the Black Gay Men’s Retreat 2007 is also crafted to build lifelong friendships and of course, relax from our busy demanding lives.

The retreat is by invitation only. For registration info please click here .

Labels: Activism

The past few weeks for John Amaechi have been a rollercoaster ride that is definitely not for the faint of heart. His decision to disclose his sexuality has been met with mixed reactions from the public, the GLBT community, and of course the NBA, specifically Tim Hardaway.

I recently had the pleasure to meet John at a book signing for Man In The Middle, and although I'd been impressed with his numerous television appearances, I walked away from the event very proud to know that he is out in the world speaking about issues that are important to me in such a positive and articulate manner.

Let's be honest, his 6'9 frame, dashing good looks, athletic prowess, and masculinity defies most common stereotypes that are believed to be true about gay men. Throughout the night John repeatedly down played his role in sparking the conversation around sexuality in America and the NBA, suggesting that we as non-celebrities are much braver in our everyday lives.

Amid negative criticism and even death threats by some, John Amaechi is affecting change in our world and causing people to re-examine their thoughts around sexuality and the treatment of GLBT people.

In the days leading up to John's appearance I filmed a video blog for abovethelife.com on the effects of homophobia and my response to the Tim Hardaway scandal. At the end of the video there is footage from John's appearance here in Atlanta. It was filmed outside on a windy day, so try to ignore the wind as it will quickly pass. I look forward to reading your comments.

Enjoy!

The Effects of Homophobia

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Labels: Activism

I've always admired and respected the activism of Jasmyne Cannick, however I have not always agreed with her. But this time my sister is dead on with her response to the New York Blade's editorial questioning GLAAD's decision to condemn Shirley Q. Liquor.

The following is written by Jasmyne Cannick and can be read on jasmynecannick.com :


Just when I thought it was safe to close up shop for the weekend and getready for the Oscars, the New York Blade, a gay newspaper, publishes an editorial entitled "GLAAD's New Act," questioning GLAAD's recent statements regarding Shirley Q. Liquor. And at the risk of never being published by the Blade again, I have something to say to them.

The problem as the Blade sees it, is that the mission of GLAAD is to see to the images of the LGBT community in the media. After applauding GLAAD president Neil Giuliano for taking a stand against racism, in the very next paragraph they questioned though whether or not the Shirley Q. Liquor incident has risen to the level of visibility that warranted them to issue a statement in the first place.

So which is it? Either you're happy they took a stand or you're not is the way that I see it. Regarding the strength or visibility as they referred to it of the campaign against Shirley Q. Liquor.

During the height of the Liquor campaign I went on the Michael Signorile Show on Sirius OutQ, this after doing a dozen or so national Black radio shows mind you, including the Bev Smith Show and the Al Sharpton Show. And among my many pet peeves with this particular interview, including the fact that Michael said the "N" word on air and I had to tell him that as a white man that wasn't advisable under any context, Michael said to me that because GLAAD issued a statement criticizing Liquor that it really launched the campaign. I had to politely correct him and explain that the gay community, namely the more progressive white gay community, was just getting on board but that the Black media had been driving this campaign from day one with reports daily on American Urban Radio Network, XM station The Power 169, Radio One stations, BET.com, BlackAmericaWeb.com, and of course the Electronic Urban Report, Eurweb.com.

My point was that long before GLAAD decided to get involved and do the right thing, Blacks all over the country had been mobilized and were speaking up and out about the Liquor show. As a matter of fact, I give credit to the success of the show cancellations to the Black media and Black people for calling, faxing, and emailing the club's. That's how the shows were shut down, not because of GLAAD's press release.

My point regarding the Blade editorial questioning the visibility of the Liquor controversy is that it may not have been on their gaydar but it was front and center in Black America, a place many white gays don't often go. And had they taken the time to Google Shirley Q. Liquor's name under News, they might have been able to see the various Black newspapers and Internet
sites that reported on it before asking a question that in my opinion reeks of white superiority.

Regarding the mission of GLAAD.

The mission of GLAAD says that they are "dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation." Last time I checked, gay did not mean white. And while it's hard to tell sometimes with what we see in the media, this is a point that must be driven home.

Do you know why GLAAD created a People of Color Media Program focusing, for the most part, on Spanish language media and as they put it, Communities of African Descent (i.e. Blacks)?

Here's a hint.

It wasn't because they wanted to. No. It was because of the ferocious criticism they had been receiving (and continue to receive) from Latino and Black gays. Not so much from the Latino's anymore I suspect given the incredible amount of resources they have put into their Spanish language program, including the creation of separate media award categories to make sure that they are represented. It's the "Communities of African Descent" Program that's very questionable these days.

But back to the question of why their People of Color Program was created. GLAAD wanted to reach out and try to squelch a lot of the criticism it was facing from people like you and me. They thought by doing this they could easily point to the resources from their over $10 million budget and say "hey, we're doing something for you people."

But it isn't that easy.

A Communities of African Descent People of Color Program that in my opinion for the most part is dormant and invisible on all fronts, doesn't mean that GLAAD can't be asked to take up issues considered to be important to the people that they claim to represent, Black gays (i.e. Paris Hilton, Shirley Q. Liquor). The same-gender loving community was absolutely warranted in their request for GLAAD to issue a statement.

Fact, Charles Knipp is a self described white gay man.

Fact, Knipp's character Shirley Q. Liquor is a Black woman.

Fact, white gay men and women for the most part make up the majority of
Knipp's audiences all over the country.

Fact, this issue was being played out on the media, maybe not media GLAAD
was aware of, but it was being talked about.

So let's put it all together and see what we get.

White + gay + male + promoting negative stereotypes of Black women + media =
GLAAD.

The idea that somehow GLAAD strayed from it's mission by criticizing Knipp's Shirley Q. Liquor character is preposterous. Like I said earlier, they should have been jumped on this bandwagon and spared us all a lot of late night blogging sessions. And it's not only GLAAD, HRC, and the Task Force should have issued statements as well.

The editorial then goes on to say, "Knipp's performances across the country, including New York City, have been met with outrage and protests, often resulting in shows being canceled. This is understandable since the Shirley Q. Liquor character is built on controversial images many consider racist and offensive. But it is possible for an artist or performer to use such
loaded images and stereotypes to uncover truths."

Let me help the Blade out here.

No, it is not possible for Charles Knipp, a white man, to help heal years of mistreatment and racism at the hands of his people by putting on a wig, speaking Ebonics, and in blackface.

Can't get much clearer and concise than that, but I'll try.

There is nothing remotely uplifting about Knipp's act and I wish people
would stop defending his character with the tired argument that he's trying
to heal the nation.

The only thing Knipp is trying to heal is the hole in his pocket from all of the money he makes off of degrading Black people.

To the Blade: What is uplifting and truthful about a woman with 19 kids, who doesn't know who the father of her children is, and names them after sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea?

Too hard for you, try this one. What is uplifting about mocking a holiday that many Blacks celebrate and consider sacred?

What the Blade fails to realize is that all of the so-called gay organizations that claim to represent and work for all in the gay community are officially on notice. They are on notice that they don't set the agenda for us as Black gay folks, we set the agenda. We had 20 years of them setting the agenda and what did we get?

Last year, we got a Black gay man still not buried after nearly a month of lying around the morgue even though his very life is the reason why some of these organizations are in existence today. We got a 29-year-old Black man dead on his birthday after being brutally attacked in what was obviously a hate crime, and even though his name was Michael, the last name wasn't Shepard and he wasn't from Laramie so his death went unnoticed by the so-called gay community. That's what we got.
But not in 2007 and not on my watch.

Shirley Q. Liquor is just the beginning. All of this putting our images on your website and marketing materials so that you look diverse, knowing good and damn well that you're not, is over. If you want to truly represent all of us, and since you refuse to give the Black gay organizations the chance to do it by out bidding them every time, then you will be held accountable.

The Shirley Q. Liquor controversy is a perfect example of accountability. It may not have resonated with the white gay donors of GLAAD, but it resonated with the Black gay constituents of GLAAD which successfully lobbied GLAAD to issue a statement.

Get over it and on to the next, because chances are there will be something else.

P.S. And don't worry, we're holding the Black civil rights groups
accountable too.

Right on Jasmyne ! Right On !

Labels: Activism

I've been a member of the African-American networking and entertainment site blackplanet.com for about 6 months now and I've probably logged on less than 10 times.I'd heard about the extreme level of homophobia displayed by members in online forums, but none of the stories

I'd heard could have possibly prepared me for experiencing first hand the harsh and hateful language used by my straight brothers and sisters.

Tim Hardaway's recent outburst had everyone from the NBA comissioner to the average Joe commenting on whether or not his statements were appropriate.

There's not enough space on this page to list all of the derogatory, undeducated, stereotypical, and misguided comments made about the gay community on this site. But their were 3 points about the gay community that the majority seemed to all agree on:

1)Being gay is a choice. So therefore we're asking to be insulted, treated like second class citizens, and bashed or even killed.

I can't speak for anyone else but I never chose to be gay, but I did choose not to live a lie. I'm still waiting for someone straight to tell me the day, time, and what the weather was like the day they chose to be straight. I'm not holding my breath.

2)Gays shouldn't compare the civil rights movement to the gay rights movement.

Now this is a touchy subject. There's undeniably similarities as well as differences, but many straight folks fail to realize Black gays sat in at lunch counters in protest, marched from Selma to Montgomery, and lost their lives fighting for freedom too.

3)Gays can't control their sexual desires. What if they hit on me?

This stereotypical bullshit is the oldest and most laughable form of "gay panic". FYI: we have standards and we don't hop on the first thing we see. Don't flatter yourself.

I found myself getting so upset after reading these comments I had to respond, but instead of posting a public comment I decided to write a few brothers personally who's perception of our community was way off in left field. I've posted one conversation below just as it transpired. This blackplanet member seems to suffer from a common problem on this site, poor grammar and serious spelling errors.

My Note:
I just read many of the comments that you left regarding the Tim Hardaway controversy and something in my spirit directed me to respond to you personally.

In 2007 you would think that Tim Hardaway, a Black man, would be sensitive to the oppression experienced by another minority in this country since he has first hand knowledge of what it feels like to be discriminated against.

Your comments come from a place of ignorance that's rooted in stereotypes and hyper-masculinity.

You are entitled to feel however you choose about homosexuality, but you should never condone hatred towards any of God's people. I assume you're a christian, when people participate in hate speech they usually follow it up with a scripture.

I challenge you to have a conversation with a Black gay man and learn about his struggles and triumphs. Don't allow fear and stereotypes to shape your view of a group of people that you have yet to dialogue with.

Darian
loldarian.blogspot.com

The Response:
I really dont care for your struggles and triumphs, a challenge is a waiste of time and pointless, I can care less for a gay man and his lifestyle, you may call it as hate and ignorance, if thats what you see hey Im all for that,and if you could read and pay attention, I never condoned hatred, I stated in another forum I agree with what hardaway said but I dont agree with hatred, so read my forum again. As far as the scriptures goes, you know what God said about homosexuality, but yet you want to go against what he said so you can suit your little gay lifestyle come on man, who are you fooling.

I know you guys are wondering why in the hell I'm attempting to change the minds of people who are apart of this particular online community? You're not alone because I've asked myself that question a million times. The only explanation I can give is that hopefully by me presenting my life as an out Black SGL man and not someone on the down low or a person meeting their stereotypical expectations of gay life, I will plant a seed that will at least cause them to question their homophobia.

One can only wish.

Read how nasty it gets at blackplanet.com

Labels: Activism

Over the past 24 hours message boards and news outlets have been on fire with comments in reaction to Tim Hardaway's homophobic statements about gay people. He has since issued two different apologies that range from being completely insincere to being so articulate and thoughtful that it's obvious it was written by someone else.

Let's examine the apology that was obviously crafted by a team of people who are working overtime to salvage what's left of his career at this point.

"As an African-American, I know all too well the negative thoughts and feelings hatred and bigotry cause," "I regret and apologize for the statements that I made that have certainly caused the same kinds of feelings and reactions. "I especially apologize to my fans, friends and family in Miami and Chicago. I am committed to examining my feelings and will recognize, appreciate and respect the differences among people in our society," he said. "I regret any embarrassment I have caused the league on the eve of one of their greatest annual events."

Translation: I still hate you gay people and I'm sorry that I expressed my feelings publicly, but my agent and publicist have instructed me to apologize or run the risk of losing all of the material posessions that I've acquired that make me feel like a man.

Tim's actions are disturbing on so many different levels. I've heard many different people say they respect him for being honest enought to share his homophobic feelings in public, at least we know where he stands. I think we're all aware that many players in the NBA share the same views, but the difference is they haven't chosen to display their intense hatred for a group of people in front of the entire world.

The part of this drama that I think is so unfortuante is that he's discriminating against his own people. Has he not noticed that the NBA is overwhelmingly dominated by African-American males? Black people in this country are all too familiar with the effects of bigotry and oppression, yet homophobic statements, often times supported by religion consistently emerge from our community, it makes absolutely no sense.

One of Hardaway's main concerns is having to share a locker room with a gay teammate. I'm beginning to wonder along with Dallas Maverick's Mark Cuban if "maybe he just broke up with his boyfriend and is really angry", not to mention confused about his own sexuality. It baffles me that some straight men believe that all gay men will automatically be attracted to them and desire a sexual relationship. News flash, we're picky and we're aware of your "shortcomings" Tim!

I agree with the opinions of many activists that he should feel the seriousness of his statements in his pocket. The National Black Justice Coalition quickly released a statement condemning his actions." It is obvious that from the workplace to the basketball courts, gay people continue to be brunt of aggression and attacks from others intolerant of who we are.

We hope that Mr. Hardaway will come to understand the gravity of his words, words that if put into action incite physical violence. We at NBJC reach out to Tim and invite him to become part of the solution and not the catalyst which causes the problem. NBJC is officially inviting Tim Hardaway to attend our 2nd Annual Black Church Summit in Philadelphia where Black churches from across the country will gather to discuss how to combat homophobia within the Black community." -Alexander Robinson

Labels: Activism

This past week I began to see the world, the white gay community, and the black gay community for what it really is and to be honest with you I'm mad as hell !

On January 24th the news that many of us had been waiting for was finally announced, LOGO'S hit show Noah's Arc was not being renewed but a film was being planned instead to be released in 2008. This wil not be another post venting about the cancellation of the show, there has been enough of that on several other sites. Like many other people I am a fan of the show and I'm saddened by LOGO'S decision to pull the only representation of my community from their network.

Truth be told, Noah's Arc will never be seen at your local multiplex, it'll be lucky to go straight to DVD. No matter how you felt about the creative aspect of the show, for the first time there were Black gay men of color on television in lead roles for the entire world to see. It will probably be years before we ever see this happen again.

But the more I thought about the whole ordeal the more I realized that we as a community have a much bigger problem than the cancellation of the show. Not only did LOGO axe the show, they told us that our lives and our stories didn't matter in the process and it didn't deserve to air in the same line-up as old reruns of Queer As Folk and we just accepted it.

So what happens now? Let me guess...Black gays and lesbians revert back to their invisible status and can only be found on television when a script calls for a flamboyant hairstylist or a Terry McMillan type who has been deceived by her husband on the down low. Ding...Ding...Ding...Ding...Ding! Right answer.

Not in a million years would this have ever happened to Queer As Folk or Will & Grace. The white gay community supported those shows and would've raised hell if they're privileged white gay lives were not apart of mainstream America. Visibility creates an opporunity to educate and to gain tolerance and acceptance. Why haven't we as a community learned this yet?

Oh I know why, as long as Keith Boykin is out and proud he'll speak for all of us, right? I can't count the number of times I've heard this, as if one person can speak for the multitude.

We're ignored, trampled on, emotionally and physically abused because we don't allow people to know who we are. We've bought into the bullshit lie that our DNA is a tragic mistake and what we do should be kept in the dark. That's why we're not represented on television in a positive light, becuase we've been too ashamed to object to the stereotypical images Hollywood has fed us for so many years, sadly because many of us share the same opinion of ourselves.

We have to learn to support each other, we are the ones we've been waiting for.We have to stop the ridiculous discrimination within our own community, there will always be queens, trade, thug brothers and DL wannabes and every one of these people have a story to tell. The white gay community is going to take care of their own and make sure that they have a place at the table, how are we ever going to make it to the table to affect change if we can't come out of the damn closet?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said," Our lives end the day we become silent about things that matter". Right now in this country our Black gay lives don't matter and we have allowed our family, the church, the media and a large segment of society to tell our stories for us becuase we're too afraid to tell them ourselves.

The closet is full and we're suffocating inside. Today we lost Noah's Arc, tomorrow it could be our lives.

Labels: Activism

Leonard Pitts Jr., a columnist for the Miami Herald recently received a letter from a reader who asked why he came to the defense of gay and lesbian people in his writing. Leonard's response is well written and almost shocking for me to read as a gay man.

Leonard is a straight allie who understands that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I personally sent him an e-mail thanking him for his courage to tell the truth. I've pasted the article below for you to read as well as a link to the article.


LEONARD PITTS JR.: Why defense of gays matters
BY LEONARD PITTS JR.

This is for a reader who demands to know why I write about gay issues. His conclusion is that I must secretly be gay myself.

Actually, he doesn't express himself quite that civilly. To the contrary, his e-mails -- which, until recently, were arriving at the rate of about one a week -- evince a juvenility that would embarrass a reasonably intelligent fifth-grader. The most recent one, for example, carried a salutation reading, "Hi Mrs. Pitts."

We're talking about the kind of thing for which delete buttons were invented. So you may wonder why I bring it to your attention, especially since acknowledging a person like this only encourages him. It's simple, actually: He raises an interesting question that deserves an answer.

If from that you conclude (or fear) you're about to read a stirring defense of my manly male masculinity, no. The guy is free to believe what he wishes; I really don't care. And here, let me digress to confess that, though I refer to him using masculine pronouns, I actually don't know if he's a he because his notes have been anonymous. Still, I assume it's a guy because the level of sexual insecurity the e-mails suggest strikes me as -- boy, am I going to get in trouble for this -- rather guy-specific.

Anyway, to get back to the point, I'm not here to argue sexuality. I just find myself intrigued by the idea that if you're not gay, you shouldn't care about gay rights.

The most concise answer I can give is cribbed from what a white kid said 40 or so years ago, as white college students were risking their lives to travel South and register black people to vote. Somebody asked why. He said he acted from an understanding that his freedom was bound up with the freedom of every other man.

I know it sounds cornier than Kellogg's, but that's pretty much how I feel.

I know also that some folks are touchy about anything seeming to equate the black civil rights movement with the gay one. And no, gay people were not kidnapped from Gay Land and sold into slavery, nor lynched by the thousands. On the other hand, they do know something about housing discrimination, they do know job discrimination, they do know murder for the sin of existence, they do know the denial of civil rights and they do know what it is like to be used as scapegoat and bogeyman by demagogues and political opportunists.

They know enough of what I know that I can't ignore it. See, I have yet to learn how to segregate my moral concerns. It seems to me if I abhor intolerance, discrimination and hatred when they affect people who look like me, I must also abhor them when they affect people who do not. For that matter, I must abhor them even when they benefit me. Otherwise, what I claim as moral authority is really just self-interest in disguise.

Among the things we seem to have lost in the years since that white kid made his stand is the ability, the imagination, the willingness to put ourselves into the skin of those who are not like us. I find it telling that Vice President Dick Cheney hews to the hard conservative line on virtually every social issue, except gay marriage. It is, of course, no coincidence that Cheney has a daughter who is a lesbian. Which tells me his position is based not on principle but, rather, on loving his daughter.

It is a fine thing to love your daughter. I would argue, however, that it is also a fine thing and in some ways, a finer thing, to love your neighbor's daughter, no matter her sexual orientation, religion, race, creed or economic status -- and to want her freedom as eagerly as you want your own.

I believe in moral coherence. And Rule No. 1 is, you cannot assert your own humanity, then turn right around and deny someone else's.

If that makes me gay, fine.

As my anonymous correspondent ably demonstrates, there are worse things to be.

LEONARD PITTS JR. is a columnist for the Miami Herald, 1 Herald Plaza, Miami, Fla. 33132. Write to him at lpitts@miamiherald.com.

Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.

Why defense of gays matters

Labels: Activism

After more than 15 years of leading the fight for eqaulity for black gay and lesbian people, Keith Boykin announced last week that he is retiring from the work that has impacted the lives of thousands of people.

I was given the news during a telephone conversation with Keith a few weeks ago and my first reaction was that of disbelief. I immediately began to think of many selfish reasons why I didn't want Keith to disappear from the front lines. Who would we look to for leadership? What about the young people who may be struggling to walk in truth who haven't yet been exposed to Keith and his work? I wanted him to continue until he was burnt out, and then I wanted him to work some more.

The truth is, now is the time for Keith to move into the next phase of his life, to add even more great accomplishments to his already impressive resume .

I jokingly admit to my friends that I want to be Keith Boykin when I grow up and there's always some truth behind every joke.

Keith exemplifies what it means to be a fearless leader. There are those who fight online, and in line, but there's not too many people who have the courage to fight on the front line. Keith has been that person for many years, from his work in The White House, to The National Black Justice Coalition and the more recent LifeBeat Campaign, he has unintentionally been the voice for a community of people that has been opressed into silence.

So will Keith disappear? What's next? Keith had the following to say about his future,

"I remain fully committed to the values and principles that first drove me to this work a decade and a half ago. But at 41 years old, I believe there are more effective ways for me to make a difference at this point in my life. I still plan to speak on the lecture circuit, to write, to be politically active, and to work with the media. I'm still doing the show on BET, I'm developing another new TV show, and I'm currently working on two new books, one of which will be my first novel."

The question remains, who will pick up the mantle? Their are hundreds of people out in the field doing important work in order to make life better for black gays and lesbians in this country, just take a look at the nominees for the Clik Awards. Still, you have to wonder who will this person be?

There's no doubt that he or she will have some big shoes to fill.

Keith allow me to say publicly that if you never write another book, lead a campaign, or speak at another event, you have touched my life and the lives of so many people who may have been lost or on a never ending journey to self acceptance. You may not have chosen to be an activist, but it's in your blood, you had no choice in the matter, you were just born to do it.

Rest up. So now the baton has been passed...

Labels: Activism

We all have the need to feel special and it's this need that can bring out the best in us and yet the worst in us.- J.J.

Today has been one of those days when eveything that could go wrong did go wrong. It never fails, every month like clockwork I have my "Velvet Rope" moment when I examine my life and I realize how nothing has gone according to plan and I begin to sink into a depression.

I am not supposed to be where I am in life right now, "this" was not apart of my plan. What's "this"? Whoever I am and whatever space I'm in right now, I'm not supposed to be here.

Sometimes I wonder what happened to the dancer from Alabama who moved to New York City with all of those dreams. I slept, ate, and breathed dancing. Now I could really care less if I make it to class or if I ever attend another audition.

I guess I'm changing and it's so damn uncomfortable.

He took so much away from me, all I ever wanted to do was love him. I looked around and I had every material thing that a man could want but I didn't have anyone to share it with, and then one night in February he came into my life and changed it forever.

I look back on all of the stupid mistakes I made and I wish I could take it back, I wish I would have known that his love was going to hurt. I wish I would have loved myself enough then to just say no, but I didn't. I let him lie and say that he loved me in one breath and then listened to voicemails of him loving another.

I didn't deserve it. I literally gave him the clothes off my back. Damn ! I was so stupid. My friends tried to warn me in their own way but I wouldn't have listened. I was going to marry this man, the hunt was over, he was supposed to be the one.


God sometimes I just want to cry and release everything that's built up inside , all of the pain, rejection, and frustration I've experienced over the years, but I can't...my body won't let me.

I don't know why I'm writing about this, this topic was not my intention when I sat down to write tonight. This damn thing just crept up on me and I guess I've just gotta get it out.

Sometimes I get so scared because I don't know what the future holds. I don't know what success is for me anymore.
Before I measured it by being cast in a Broadway show or dancing in a music video, now I'm entering into unknown territory.

I'm a writer, an activist, a manager, a boyfriend. I'm Darian. And if I don't know anything else, I know in order for me to survive I've got to write, I've got to dance, I've got to be vocal about the state of black gays and lesbians in America, I've got to worship God, and I have to do it all without apology.

I don't even know if any of this makes sense, my thoughts and feelings are train wreck waiting to happen right now.

Maybe one of these days I'll allow myself to cry...just not tonight.

Labels: Activism