THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR LGBT PEOPLE OF COLOR
PRIDE ESSENTIAL NOVELS FOR BLACK GAY MEN
THE TALENTED TEN WHO'VE MADE US PROUD
David Bridgeforth Quarterly ADVERTISING | EVENTS | PROMOTIONS
W
elcome to our first official Black LGBT Pride Issue. To us Pride is of course all the parties, park events, and beach bum days in all the sexiest cities in these, as James Baldwin would say, "yet to be United States." But also we do understand that we as a community represent more than that. We understand what Pride is really about; it is a celebration of all our colors. And in the same moment it is a memorial of those who came before, those waywardless backs we stand on.
It is because of this belief here at DBQ Magazine, that I wanted to celebrate a unique selection of people that I've been keeping my eye on. This summer this glorious group not only has been making headlines for what they do, but have injected a sense of pride in our community by who they have chosen to be. What is even more interesting than who they are and what they do, is their response when we asked them the nouns in this world that have given them the Pride to be who they are. Pg 12
My favorite thing to do is to read a great book on my stomach on a hot sunny beach in the heart of Summer. So it was important to me that this Pride Issue have something for us to read that would help us to better enjoy this summer. I introduce to you the essential novels for gay men of color. Pg 8
HERE WE GO!
Also, on page 2, you will find a complete official schedule for NYC Black Pride Aug 13-17th, so that you can be in the know about all the amazing events that have been planned. Included is a list of this years Heritage Award winners, one being yours truly.
Last but not least as always we end with What I've Come To Know, which is always the intention behind every issue of DBQ. Have a safe, enlightening and happy Pride. Enjoy!
THE CONTRIBUTORS
David A. Bridgeforth Jr. Editor-In-Chief / Publisher
Gabriel Maldonado is a City Commissioner to the City of Riverside Human Relations Commissioner, and serves as the Executive Director/ CEO of TruEvolution, Inc. located in Riverside, CA. Gabriel is a national spokesperson advocating for LGBTQ rights.
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Stanley Bennett Clay is an award winning filmmaker, novelist, director and playwright. His documentary "You Are Not Alone" is currently screening throughout the country. He recently directed the stage adaptation of "BBoy Blues." His latest novel "Hollywood Flames" (Book 2 of his 5book "Dominican Heat" series) is currently on the market.
Nathan James is an author, screenwriter, radio personality, and journalist. He is Executive Editor of the LGBT multimedia resource GBM News, and writes exclusively on LGBT issues and affairs.
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Aug/Sep 2014
Executive Administrator
Copy Editor
Jacqui Tanner
Baldwin Rivers
Contributing Editor
Art Director
Stanley Bennett Clay
Dave Bridgeforth Sr.
Consulting Cover Editor
Cover Photography
Reggie Wells
Dave Bridgeforth Sr.
DBQ Magazine is a nationally distributed bimonthly lifestyle publication. Published and printed in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information on advertisement contact Rivendell Media at 908.232.2021, for editorial inquires or any other business please visit us at www.DBQMAG.com Or 908.656.6218.
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DBQ Magazine Aug/Sept 2014 • VOL 4 / ISS 4 • DBQMAG.COM
Pg. 12
CONTENTS 6. Front Row/ Chayse
7. Politics/ More Than Just A "Hobby": High Court Ruling Bodes Ill For LGBT Community
8. Books/ Essential Novels For Black Gay Men
12. Cover Story/ The Talented Ten Who've Made Us Proud
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23. Fashion/ Fall Trends
25. What I've Come To Know I Come As One, But I Stand As Ten Thousand.
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Picture Perfect? A memoir by Kordale Lewis Reviewed By Stanley Bennett Clay
Aug/Sep 2014
Pg. 10
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Everywhere
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ABOVE THE RAINBOW BEHIND THE SCENES
'MOST BEAUTIFULLEST'
The June/July 2014 Issue of DBQ Magazine Featured The 10 'Most Beautifullest' Men Alive. It was the biggest social media issue every with more repost, regrams and tweets than any other isssue to date. Mr. Bridgeforth wearing the 'Mystic Eris' Conical hat that is one of the two pieces apart of Tae Designz', 'DARK FANTASY' Duo Collection. Designer and activist Marquis Engle featured nude in this issue. Follow all on Instagram @PopularCulture @Bridgeforth @taedesignz
We Say Farewell to Legendary Drag Performer On May 24th, 2014 we lost our beloved “Gay Community Rosa Parks”, Storme DeLarverie. Born sometime in 1920 to mixed parentage in New Orleans, she celebrated her birthday on December 24th. Storme has been the topic of numerous documentaries and is best known for being the only male impersonator in the '50s & '60s in the legendary Jewel Box Revue, a traveling troupe of gender illusionists formed in 1939, that cabaret clubs across the America and Canada during a time when being openly gay or even dressing in drag, was a criminal offense.
Ms. DeLarverie became an icon of the LGBT community as one of first, if not the very first person to courageously
fight back against the police as they raided the Stonewall Inn on June 27, 1969, better known as the Stonewall Riots. She preferred the term "rebellion" , but this ignited the modern gay rights movement.
She was known for 'patrolling' the lesbian night scene with her legal firearm for 'the ugly' and injustices. She was an unrelenting activist and quietly helped those living with HIV/AIDS. Storme is revered by the community she fought so hard to protect. Thank you Ms. DeLarverie, because of your fight against "ugliness", our world is a much more beautiful place. We will honor you and pay it forward from here.
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FRONT ROW Words/ Baldwin Rivers
Why music? Music saved my life. It was the one thing that took me way from all my adversities. it allowed me to be myself when i was to afraid to do it on my own.
CHAYSE
Who or what is your muse? I think my life is my muse. I use all of my experiences being a women to draw inspiration for what I write. My music is a direct representation of who I am.
The dazzling 24 year old Singer/Songwriter from Huston, Texas shares her Front Row confessions as she prepares to perform her music this year at NYC Black Pride. @Chayseher
I'm most passionate when it comes to? The people I love. I'm a sucker for love sad to say lol. Outside of that I would say music again.
What's playing on your iPod? Lately iv'e been listening to a lot of Calvin Harris, old school kelis and Drake. I listen to a little of everything but those are the most recent.
What artist are you the biggest Stan for? Im a HUUUUUUUGE Pink stan she's one of my favorite artist.
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POLITICS More Than Just A "Hobby": High Court Ruling Bodes Ill For LGBT Community Editor/ Nathan James
I
n the continuing trend of eroding human and civil rights our forebears fought so hard to obtain, the Supreme Court recently took another giant leap backwards with its decision in the controversial Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores case. The question at issue was whether the Affordable Care Act's ("Obamacare", or ACA) requirements for employer-provided health coverage, violated the First Amendment. The plaintiff argued that ACA mandated coverage of women's contraceptives, in keeping with a 1973 high court ruling, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion and a woman's right to use birth-control devices or medications. The Hobby Lobby retail chain countered that providing that coverage would conflict with the owner's "sincerely held religious beliefs", protected from government interference by the First Amendment. In a split decision, the Court agreed with the retailer, and ruled the contraceptive-coverage requirement unconstitutional.
The impact of this case, however, extends far beyond healthcare, or women's reproductive rights. Indeed it has disturbing implications for all of us in the LGBT community, as it follows a recent wave of attempts (one successful) at passing legislation permitting outright discrimination against gays, lesbians, and transgender people based on similar "sincerely held religious beliefs". The Hobby Lobby case, where the high court's jurists have made workers' rights subordinate to the religion of their boss, closely follows the thinking of the Mississippi Legislature and the state's governor, which together enacted the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act", which took effect July 1. Under this law, a
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throwback to the Jim Crow era, people and businesses may legally refuse goods and services to LGBT people--or anyone else--as long as they say it was against their religion. The parallels between the Mississippi law, and the Hobby Lobby case, and their effect on our community, are too ominous to ignore.
Even as religious-exemption laws like Mississippi's failed in states like Arizona, where Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a similar measure, the Hobby Lobby ruling will encourage other states with pending bills-such as Kansas or Georgia--to push them through. This will make an even wider area of our country putatively hostile to us--or anyone else a person or business dislikes--promoting the expression of bigotry within the cloak of "religious freedom". When the religion of one is imposed upon others by legal fiat, it opens up a Pandora's box of inequalities and state-sponsored hatred that is more fitting of World War II Germany, than 21st-century America. Just as the Hobby lobby ruling turns back the hands of the clock for American workers, it and "Turn Away The Gays" laws spell regression for us all.
If Hobby Lobby can cite religion as a defense of justification for discrimination, why can't Macy's or McDonald's use the same principle to refuse gays and lesbians products or services? Why can't United Airlines deny boarding to a lesbian couple? Why can't a Sheraton Hotel prohibit openly gay NBA player Jason Collins from lodging with the rest of his team, when they're on the road? The enormity of what the states and courts are establishing here, cannot be understated. No LGBT individual in America can dare call himself or herself a truly full citizen, while these ordinances or decisions still stand. Yet, we still pay taxes, we still bleed in defense of our country, we still pledge allegiance to the same flag, all while deliberately being forced to accept second-class status, with the full assent and knowledge of those to whom we gave our consent to govern us.
This is the climate of backlash with which we now must contend. All our recent and historic advances--decriminalization of homosexuality, the repeal of Don't Ask/Don't Tell, last year's Supreme Court decisions supporting marriage equality--are overshadowed by developments like the Hobby Lobby case. Make no mistake, other corporations, seeing this decision, can, and will use its language to impose their own "religious will" on their workers and customers. It is inevitable. Our only recourse, as it has always been, is vigorous, decisive. clear action. That means voting, even running for office. It means paying attention to what is going on in our political and judicial arenas, because it's in these two forums that things affecting our lives happen. It means being an informed, interested citizen, mindful of today and tomorrow. It's not just a "hobby" anymore.
Aug/Sep 2014
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BOOKS Editor/ Stanley B. Clay
ESSENTIAL NOVELS FOR BLACK GAY MEN
Reading is my passion. Fiction is my favorite. And since, like most people, I like to be entertained by what I can relate to, as a black gay man, I read a lot of black gay fiction. I’ve been influenced by much of what I’ve read. What is in my library says much about me. I’ve read the classics and I’ve read trash. Love them both and everything in between. But there are certain books I think are essential reading for me and other black gay men. Books that have altered our social position, and broke new ground. Books that have expanded the discussion on who we are, how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. That being said, here are five of my choices of essential novels for black gay men of color (listed alphabetically):
B-BOY BLUES by James Earl Hardy In 1994, a time when most black gay novelist were rhapsodizing about their interracial relationships, pinning pleas for acceptance by the white gay community, and declaring that black men loving black men was a revolutionary act, “B-Boy Blues” unapologetically exploded on the homogenized homo landscape, and started a revolution of its own. It gave birth to an entirely new genre— Gay Urban Lit—as it rabble-roused like an Africentric bull in a pristine gay Negro China shop and pissed off the status quo. It was arguably the first novel to examine the intricate love lives of homo thugs and was the literary equivalent of HipHop. The affair between b-boy Raheim Rivers and proud Africentrically gay magazine editor Mitchell Crawford was seriously sexy and rocky and for the first time gave homosexual thugs permission to come out of the closet without any threat to their masculinity.
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CHULITO by Charles Rice-Gonzalez Chulito, the title character in Mr. Rice-Gonzalez’s hyper romantic novel, is a gorgeous and sexy 16-year-old Puerto Rican hood-rat. Living breezily in the South Bronx as a runner for the local drug dealer, he can’t quite figure out his feelings for Carlos, his former best friend who returns to the hood on summer break from his Long Island College. Chulito even joins his homies in blasting Carlos for being a ‘faggot.’ But soon Chulito’s worst fears and deepest feelings are realized. He is in love with Carlos. The author’s talent for realistically capturing a gay teen’s romantic dilemma makes this one of the best coming out/coming-of-age novels ever written. That it is set in the macho world and attitude of Puerto Rican New York gives added flavor and texture to this extremely flavorful tale. Keep a hanky close by because this 2012 literary gem will have you shedding tears of joy and sadness throughout. Highly recommended for anyone with even an inkling of romanticism, and guaranteed to soften the hardest heart. This is gay Romeo & Juliet without the tragic end.
GIOVANNI’S ROOM by James Baldwin When James Baldwin wrote this, his second novel, in 1955 his agent told him to burn it because it would alienate his black readers. No publisher in America would touch it. Aug/Sep 2014
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BOOKS BOOKS Editor/ Stanley B. Clay Editor/ Stanley B. Clay
It had to be published abroad. When “Giovanni’s Room” was It had to be When “Giovanni’s wasit published in published 1956, the abroad. American public reluctantlyRoom” declared published in 1956, the American public reluctantly declared a classic. And like any classic, this tale of an American leavingit a Andgoing like any this meeting tale of anand American hisclassic. girlfriend, to classic, Paris and falling leaving in love his girlfriend, going to Paris and meeting and fallingafter in love with a young Parisian man who has left his girlfriend she with a young Parisian who has left his girlfriend she delivered a dead baby,man still resonates today. Althoughafter Baldwin delivered deadfor baby, resonates Although Baldwin is hailed amore hisstill essays than today. his fiction, “Giovanni’s is hailedis more for his piece essays fiction, Room” a wonderful of than tragichis poetry that“Giovanni’s most gay Room” isof aallwonderful pieceoften. of tragic thatonce mostevery gay readers stripes revisit I readpoetry it about readers of all stripes revisit often. I read it about once every other year. other year.
INVISIBLE LIFE by E. Lynn Harris INVISIBLE LIFE by E. Lynn Harris E. Lynn Harris’ debut novel is not essential for the quality of E. Harris’ novel is not essential thethat quality of theLynn writing. It isdebut essential because it is the for book made the writing. It is essential because it is the book that made Atlas shrug. The world and attitude of Black America in Atlas shrug. world and attitude of Black America in particular wasThe forever changed by this ground-breaking piece particular was forever changed by this ground-breaking piece of fiction. For better or worse, buried heads were pulled out of fiction. ForThe better or visibility worse, buried heads were out of the sand. ironic of the invisibles waspulled on every of the sand. The ironic visibility of the invisibles was on every one’s radar. Black gay men living double lives—like the one’s Blackand gaysuccessful men living double lives—like the novel’sradar. handsome protagonist Raymond and novel’s handsome and successful protagonist Raymond and the sexy and athletic antagonist Basil—were no longer the sexy and athletic antagonist protected in their closets from theBasil—were suspicions no of longer wives, protected in their closets from the suspicions of wives, girlfriends and female dates. This 1993 New York Times Bestgirlfriends female dates. 1993 New Yorktalking Times about BestSeller hadand everyone in the This black community Seller had everyone in the talking spoke about homosexuality when too fewblack in thecommunity black community homosexuality too few“down-low” in the blackwas community about it before.when The phrase suddenlyspoke used aboutunderstood it before. The phrase “down-low” was suddenly and by everyone with a functioning brain. used And and understood everyone with inadvertently a functioningtriggered brain. And although “InvisiblebyLife” may have an although “Invisible Life” itmay inadvertently triggered an emotional witch hunt, did have the black community a great emotionalDialogue witch hunt, it did its the heteroblack community a great service. between and homosexual service. betweenand itsproductive, hetero- and homosexual membersDialogue became frequent fostering positive members became frequent and productive, fostering positive change. Straight mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cochange. Straight mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, coworkers and friends of homosexuals began to understand workers and friends of homosexuals began to understand what homosexuals were truly going through; their silent what homosexuals truly going through;And theiras silent suffering, their need were to hide from the ridicule. they suffering, their need to hide from the ridicule. And as they began to understand, they began to change, they began to began to understand, began change, theyand began to read more and more they about theirtogay friends family read more and more about their gay friends and family members. Invisible life mainstreamed black gay fiction. And members. Invisible life mainstreamed black gay fiction. And DBQ Magazine Page 9
now, twenty-one years after its publication, attitudes have now, after itsofpublication, attitudes have come twenty-one a long way. years The majority Americans now believe in come a long way. The majority of Americans now believe in gay marriage. It would not be hyperbolic to say “Invisible Life” gay It would not be hyperbolic to say “Invisible Life” has marriage. a lot to do with that change, particularly in the black has a lot to do with that change, particularly in the black community community
WHAT IF IT FEELS GOOD? by D.J. McLaurin WHAT IF IT FEELS GOOD? by D.J. McLaurin In this story of love, betrayal and revenge, bonds are tested, In this storyare of love, betrayaldark andsecrets revenge, bondsand are an tested, friendships challenged, surface epic friendships are challenged, dark secrets surface and an romance blossoms amidst a media circus. Handsome epic and romance blossoms amidst a mediaMichael circus. isHandsome savvy African American teenager living on and the savvy American teenager Michael living on the streets African of Detroit. When he gets into a nearisfatal altercation streets Detroit. boyfriend, When he gets into a is near fatala altercation with hisofmother’s his mother given choice by with his mother’s boyfriend, his mother is given by the courts. Either send Michael to New York to alivechoice with his the courts. Either send Michael to New York to live with his father, a black billionaire who doesn’t even know Michael is father, black billionaire who doesn’t know Michael is his son,a or watch him incarcerated intoeven the system. He goes his son, or watch him incarcerated into the system. He goes to New York, and after a shaky adjustment, fits well into his to New family, York, and aftersetting a shaky fits well his father’s social andadjustment, acquaintances. Butinto when father’s family, social setting and acquaintances. But when 17-year-old Michael meets 37-year-old Chachi, a superstar 17-year-old Michael meets 37-year-old Chachi, a superstar singer and Michael’s father’s best friend, a love-affair that singer and Michael’s father’s best friend, a love-affair that rocks several worlds ensues. This book, my 2007 favorite, is rocks several worlds This book, 2007allfavorite, is ground-breaking in soensues. many ways. It hasmy taken the guilty ground-breaking in so many ways. Itand hasspins takenitsallstory the guilty pleasures of potboiler pulp fiction with pleasures of potboiler and pulp incredible fiction andheart. spins Aits breathless, story with uncanny intelligence uncanny intelligence and incredible heart. breathless, laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking, page-turner, thisA epic is the laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking, this this epic is first the “Gone with the Wind” of black page-turner, gay fiction. Also, is the “Gone withmale the Wind” of black gayby fiction. Also, this is women the first black gay love story written a black straight black gayread male love by a The blackactions, straightnuances, women that I’ve with anystory real written satisfaction. that I’ve read any real satisfaction. The actions, nuances, thoughts andwith love-making of Ms. McLaurin’s mostly black thoughts of Ms. McLaurin’s mostly black male and and blacklove-making gay male characters are eerily authentic. She male and black gay male characters are eerily authentic. She is also a very bold writer. Her story treads lightly on the is also a very boldyet, writer. Her story treads onsans the pedophilia line, and she miraculously makeslightly it work pedophilia line, and yet, she miraculously makes it work sans any tawdriness. This is essential reading for any black gay any essential reading for it’s any like black man tawdriness. who knowsThis or iswants to know what to gay be man who knows or wants to know what it’s like to be unconditionally loved, especially by family. And it also serves unconditionally especially And gay it also serves as a guide and loved, a cautionary taleby forfamily. any black man in a as a guide and a cautionary tale for any black gay man May-December relationship. But all lessons aside, “What inIf ait May-December But all lessons aside, “What If it Feels Good?” is relationship. one helluva read. Feels Good?” is one helluva read. Aug/Sep 2014 DBQMAG.COM | @DBQMAG
BOOKS Picture Perfect? A memoir by Kordale Lewis
mother’s boyfriend for months (his father went to jail when Kordale was two, and was serving a life-sentence for murder). After his mother and her abusive boyfriend broke up, a new boyfriend moved in. In no time at all, Kordale’s mother became a crack head and drug dealer who, once her new boyfriend moved out, began bringing men home and prostituting herself to support her habit.
Editor/ Stanley B. Clay
There were few bright spots in Kordale’s adolescent and teen years. Trying to care for his younger siblings in light of his father’s incarceration and his mother’s emotional absence and destructive presence, and suffering a pre-teen beating from his mother so vicious that he was hospitalized, he eventually succumbs to drug abuse. Even his platonic bonding with a kindred spirit in high school—a white, effeminate rebel—ends in tragedy. Never doubting his homosexuality, he nonetheless becomes a teen father who sacrifices his dream of higher education to do the right thing when the baby momma abandons ship.
When Kordale Lewis and Kaleb Jones, two black men in a loving relationship rearing three young children in Atlanta, casually posted a selfie on Facebook of them combing their daughter’s hair and preparing the toddlers for school, the twenty-something-year-old gay daddies had no idea the photo would go viral and become both a positive and negative media sensation. Thousands of helpful and hurtful comments were left by folks from all parts of the world. News and human interest stories on this modern family appeared in magazines and online periodicals. Talk shows sought them out.
Because of the stinging homophobic vitriol, the men, for a moment, thought about taking down the photo. But the encouraging responses from so many friends, families and members of the LGBT community, particularly the black LGBT community, changed their minds. They realized so many had found hope, joy, inspiration and validation in their now iconic picture, a picture that speaks more than a thousand words, and has touched thousands and thousands of hearts. And yet the full story behind the perfect picture, the darker story of a young black gay man’s horrific life struggle against near insurmountable odds, had not been told…until now. Kordale Lewis’ gut-wrenching memoir is not so much about his idyllic world with his life partner and children. It is the preamble; a harrowing, heart-breaking and important recollection of a Dickensian life, a relentless thunderstorm of an existence that was a long and tortuous deluge that scarred, scabbed over and rudely educated before graduating its author to the rainbow side of life. With a clear-headed dispassion Kordale describes how, at the age of five, he was routinely sexually abused by his DBQMAG.COM | @DBQMAG
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At times, things are so bleak that he seriously considers and attempts the ultimate exit from life. With absolutely nothing in his life that seems worthwhile except his children, he eventually determines to survive, for the sake of his children. But as a young gay father rearing three children on his own, his romantic life is nil as his family situation scares off one potential suiter after another. That is, until he meets his Prince Charming, Kaleb Jones. And like Cinderella Kaleb’s life is as storybook perfect as Kordale’s past wass bleak. Kaleb even has his own house which was given to him by his well-to-do family. The romance of these two black young men is a cautiously happy ending to Kordale’s life of despair, and it says much about Kaleb that he falls as much in love with Kordale’s three children as he does with Kordale. The two gay daddies pool their resources and buy a new, bigger house to accommodate their family. And yet even this family portrait is not the perfect picture, as Kordale candidly confesses to still suffering from the demons of his past. Still, the story seems to say that love can conquer, if not all, a great deal. And it is a book worth reading by anyone who feels hopeless and cannot imagine a light at the end of the tunnel. Kordale kept forging ahead, even when he nearly gave up. But he eventually found the light, a light that shines brightly in the hearts, minds and souls of his love-mate and his children. I really liked this book a lot, in spite of its many editorial challenges. But in consideration of the great story being told and its indomitable theme of survival, a few typos are totally forgivable. Picture Perfect?, like life, is not perfect. It’s beyond perfect. It’s honest, educational and inspirational. Aug/Sep 2014
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CULTURE COMMUNITY
AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION Words/ Gabriel Maldonado
In the global fight against AIDS, there are few organizations who have taken such a fierce and community-focused lens committed to combating the epidemic of HIV/AIDS around world as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Spearheaded by its Co-Founder/CEO, Michael Weinstein, The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a Los Angeles-based global organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 200,000 patients in 28 countries, and are the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the U.S. Since 1987, AHF has cared for thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. As they create and implement unparalleled programs in new communities in the U.S. and abroad, they expand delivery of healthcare and influence over policy with the sole aim of saving more lives. AHF was born out of an era of need, activism, and a second awakening of civil rights and social justice. The 1980s proved to be one of the most terrifying and chaotic public health eras in the United States with the HIV/AIDS outbreak and epidemic causing mass deaths, increased cases of pneumonia and other illnesses brought-on by a compromised immune system.
AHF first began in June 1987 as the AIDS Hospice Foundation tending to dying patients on the streets of Los Angeles, started by a small group of activists committing themselves to “fighting for the living and care for the dying.” In December 1988, Chris Brownlie Hospice Legislation sponsored by AIDS Hospice Foundation enables the creation of the first licensed HIV/AIDS facility for the terminally ill in California. The hospice is named after Chris Brownlie, a gay political activist, person living with AIDS and cofounder of AHF. In July 1990, the “AIDS Hospice Foundation” becomes “AIDS Healthcare Foundation” in response to the growing need for ongoing medical care for people with AIDS. The network grows to include 18 centers across California, Florida and Washington, D.C. In July 2000,
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AHF executives attend the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa and join with local activists to test and treat South African residents. In 2001, AHF Global is launched.
Over the years, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation has evolved into a highly sophisticated nonprofit organization that has tapped into the power of social enterprise through its Out of the Closet thrift stores and growing pharmacy locations. Taking a call-to-action in the 1980s into a 350 million dollar organization engaged in global advocacy and community mobilizing, AHF has become the largest culturally-sensitive provider of HIV/AIDS health services in the world.
AHF operates a robust and talented team of dedicated staff and advocates spread-out across the globe. With a tradition that places consumer needs and justice at the forefront of its mission and priorities, AHF has acculturated its staff to see their work as not just service providing but as social engagement. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is a relentless advocate for people affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. Numerous transformative policies and global campaigns driven by AHF, and their partners in 26 countries over the past two decades, has revolutionized the delivery of cost-effective care and treatment for clients in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America regardless of their ability to pay. By boldly challenging the status quo through mobilization, communityfocused advocacy and provocative awareness campaigns, AHF leads by example, compelling governments, politicians and other NGOs to act in the interest of HIV-positive people and marginalized groups at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS around the world.
Aug/Sep 2014
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PRIDE THE
TALENTED
TEN WHO'VE MADE US
PROUD You may have heard of some of the individuals in this selection. Some are legends, some are newcomers, but they all have been painting the country their own shade and color. I guess that is what they all have in common, they all stand singular as their own color of the rainbow. I present The Talented Ten Who've Made Us Proud this summer with their contributions to our community. Now experience the things that have built a strong bloodline of pride within them.
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In 1999, Steven Fullwood established the Black Gay & Lesbian Archives at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. The news of this was great but intriguing. I desired to know more about our history.
Lee Soulja, 48 Harlem, NY Visual Performance Artist / Dancer Event Promoter Executive Director, NYC Black Pride, Inc. Twtr: @leesoulja1
In August 2006, while speaking to Black Gay youth at an event at the LGBT Center, A young man confessed to me that he was often depressed because he couldn't ďŹ nd any reason why he should be proud to be Black and Gay. He went on to say that he didn't understand why there were "Black Prides" happening across the country. One month later, on September 2, 2006, my very close friend Willi Ninja died. His death brought to reality for me, that a lot of LGBT people of color aren't aware of the people within our community creating history or doing groundbreaking things for which we could be proud. I discovered that a majority of people were patronizing Black Prides for a different reason than what I had assumed. I thought that Black Prides were important for us to showcase our part in the rich culture, history and quality of life in America, but yet never accredited.
In August 2008, People of Color in Crisis (POCC) cancels PRIDE IN THE CITY (NY's Black Pride) celebration and then later shutters its doors. It bothered me that this long standing tradition was in jeopardy of continuing. It bothered me that the community stood by feeling sad about this fact but unmotivated to do anything about it. Finally, It was also disturbing to me that "PRIDES" were not about celebrating our cultural heritage but instead becoming huge circuit parties. As an event promoter in NYC, and a performer that has worked at Prides across the country, that I was partly responsible for this phenomenon. I began to organize a committee to revitalize and revamp NYC Black Pride.
In August 2010, A new NYC Black Pride agenda was executed featuring a festival of events to include a Heritage Awards Ceremony, a Seniors Event, an Expo, A Film Festival and the Latex Ball. We are no longer focused on a bunch of parties. We now once again strive to celebrate, unite and educate the community on why we ARE a deserving proud community.
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THE
TALENTED
TEN
Anthony Wayne, 30 Harlem, New York Director/Producer/ Broadway Star FabulousSylvester.com @mrawayne
WHO'VE MADE US
PROUD
LGBT Pride within me: As I look back at how far we have come as a LGBTQ Community, I think of the Stonewall Riots and how it parallels the Civil Rights Movement. I think of poet James Baldwin & Visionary/Activist Bayard Rustin who did all they could to make sure equal rights were afforded us all. I am proud to stand on the shoulders of those who have fought and lost their lives for people like myself and my partner, Kendrell Bowman, to do what we have done. We have created a Brand New Broadway Show to celebrate the life of 1970's Disco Queen SYLVESTER from the ground up and for people to see our journey from nothing to something spectacular conďŹ rms to me that anything is possible. We have come against a LOT of obstacles being two AfricanAmerican Gay men in this ďŹ eld, but knowing the perseverance and strength of what SYLVESTER and others like him went through let me know that I can do anything. My mother, Elaine Green, always said to me "You don't have to tell everyone who you are and what you can do, because they'll see it". That keeps me driven. When people come and see what we've created, I want them to be inspired by our story and in the process encourage others to live their best life now and beyond to make their own history.
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I believe that people such as Patrik Ian Polk and Frank Ocean have truly inspired my black LGBT Pride. Patrik created the gay sex and the city—a show so monumental in the Gay Community that many of us could relate too. Frank Ocean is one of the most talented writers | artists out right now and his choice to come out was something so monumental and respected to the highest level especially being mainstream. He's a genius. These two are people I love and respect and that push my pride. Jeremy Copeland, 23 Los Angeles CA Choreographer | Model | Journalist
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Damien Crawford, 29 Piscataway, NJ Singer/Songwriter @DAMIENCRAWFORD
The support and connection with successful LGBT bloggers and media outlets. The Skorpion show, DBQ Magazine, Aconnectiontv, 3lwtv, YBN entertainment, LGBT Underground and countless other outlets have really shown their support for my music and I have developed some great bonds with the individuals involved.
Movies & series by Patrik Ian Polk Rewarding and memorable experiences with my LGBT friends of color.
Performing at different pride events across the nation and observing the brother and sister hood among the groups of people who attend.
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Pierre Ingram, 26 New York City Performer @Pierre4Prezident
Like many artists I first started performing as a toddler. Completely consumed in music, videos and movies, I quickly understood that being black and gay was comical. We were exploited as obnoxious queens, ratchet and some what uneducated. Most importantly there were no gay men of color whose gifts were being taken seriously growing up. Over the years times did certainly change and I gained a great spirit of pride and love for myself watching artist like Grace Jones & Janet Jackson & Madonna who embraced not just their own sexualities but also gave gay black men and woman a platform for our talents to be taken seriously!
With every video and movie there was a gay man or woman being celebrated, and adorned in flashy costumes and cool dance moves. I am extremely grateful for the seeds they planted in me as a little boy it has contributed phenomenally to my fierceness.
I still live everytime I see Beyonce's "Freekum Dress video with Jonte! The first time she publicly shared her enormous platform not just with two men but two gay black men! Toderick Hall who inspires me so much is not only extremely talented in multiple areas but he has interracial pull! So in sum, a openly gay black man's talents are celebrated by white people, black, Asian etc. This is such a beautiful thing to me.
However I would say the #1 person in all my 26 years of living that has given me the greatest spirit of pride is President Obama! The leader of the free world stands confident on national television and fights for us so much! Constantly passing laws and supporting our gay men and woman! He makes me feel perfect and worth it.
My goal as an artist, as a performer, as a gay black entertainer is to be one of few openly gay black entertainers! To be a positive model for young gays and most importantly to reform the way the world views black gays!
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Tona Brown, 34 SpringďŹ eld, VA Musician/Teacher Photos: Sallie Williams of Sallie Williams Media Gown: Robert E. Knight
Learning about the lives of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera and Storme Delarverie and their role in the Stonewall Rebellion. Learning about Bayard Rustin's role in the March on Washington. Reading the works of James Baldwin. Following the transgender movement today and reading the Transgriot blog by Monica Roberts because I get a chance to read about all of the phenomenal things that transgender women of color are doing today to uplift others and to represent our community in a positive way.
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THE
Growing up my family built a strong foundation of being yourself and loving the skin your in, so that has helped me remain true to myself.
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I've learned in life that the key to successful self pride is treating people in the same way you would like a person to treat you.
WHO'VE MADE US
PROUD
One great thing my family instilled in me was humility. And it makes me proud to be me. Mario Young, 40 Atlanta, Ga Party Promoter ATL Productions Club Rush on Sun/Tue @MYATLPRO
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Publications such as this one, DBQ Magazine help to build my pride and meeting the owners cements it. It is absolutely amazing to know that this magazine exists. It is a profound statement to the WORLD!
When I learned of the trans woman Marsha P. Johnson, I first heard that she was murdered and the powers to be listed it as suicide #coverup. When I delved deeper in the history of this I realized that this woman was strength personified. She was determined to live her truth no matter how they forcibly drugged her, beat her or attempted to break her spirit, she still insisted on being Marsha P. Johnson. She is the foundation in the building of my black LGBT Pride!
Seeing my trans sisters and brothers that are also a part of the house/ball scene succeed in life whether they have phd's, own hair companies/salons, graduate high school, graduate college, live their truth; makes me extremely extremely proud!
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When the House /Ball scene became nationwide I was overly joyful, but a bit reserved when the brutal fighting came to the fore front. However when the scene became world renowned Pride filled me as I would look at clips of my own house brothers and sisters around the world performing, demonstrating the positive, creative, talented sides of us. Overall it is from whence I came and it will always be a part of me, the house/ball scene (minus the fighting) is my Pride and Joy and I am so proud of so so many of those that continue to make our scene a solid part of all communities and the world. Thank you for helping to solidify my pride in my black Lgbt community
Tyra A. Ross, 39 Bronx, NY. Activist/ Advocate / Fashion Model/ Author/ Entertainer
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Aryka Randall, 28 New Orleans, LA Realtor/Media Personality @thefabfemme
Supportive family and friends. Watching people from the LGBT community achieve goals ad create businesses. Speaking with youth and knowing that it only takes one person to change the life of a gay teen. Networking with other young entrepreneurs within the community and sharing creative ideas.
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"OUTMusic/LARA" - has let me know that there is a thirst/ audience for LGBT music and has made me proud to be "out" in the music industry by letting me know that I am not alone on this journey. I came on the scene about 5 years ago to a handful of out gay artists/entertainers, and now there are hundreds. As a Black gay man, I am proud to be considered a part of that movement. "My mother" - when I came out, it was difficult for her, as expected of any parent of a gay child. But when she realized how happy and proud I was to finally be able to be "myself", she has supported me ever since. She comes to all of my shows and is so supportive of all of my endeavors. She loves her son for who he is... period. Having that support strengthens my pride immeasurably.
Marck Angel, 28 New York, NY Music Artist marckangel.com @marckangel
The "Harlem Renaissance" I believe this was a moment in history that helped to set up what we as Black LGBT's are doing today. The men and women of that time had the courage to emote their talents with lack of regards to the "mainstream" of that time much like what we are doing today. I look at their time as sort of a blueprint to what we are doing today and how what we are doing will affect the future generations. My life - I, along with my fellow black LGBT music artists, writers, actors, filmmakers, promoters, bloggers, socialites, activists etc. are living proof that you can live your dreams, still proudly be "yourself" and be positively impactful with it. Never before in history have we been so prevalent in politics, media and world events. I'm proud because it's "our time".
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What I've Come To Know DAVID BRIDGEFORTH
'I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand'
and as I write these words I feel Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston in my ďŹ nger tips. I hear James Baldwin in my head as I form sentences in my mind and when I get up each day to go out into the world and am able so boldly and gratefully to be my fabulous self. I am urged to remember that the paved path I so easily walk on is because of a Bayard Rustin. I stand on the shoulders of Storme DeLarverie and Audre Lorde and I hum Sylvester James in the shower.
roped off sections because of those ten thousand who cleared a trail for us out of the creases of American history to the front pages of popular culture.
I come and I write to you as one black gay man, but I stand as ten thousand. I stand on the backs of Icons and Legends and dare to be called a star. And I bow in the sorrow of those whose names I do not know and never will. Those who were beat, and raped, and infected with that disease that calls itself our own or infected with shame and hate for being in love with our colors.
What I've Come To Know more than ever is that which made Maya Angelou, Dr. King and James Baldwin so great, was they moved throughout this world doing their meaningful work and they mastered taking the ten thousand with them every step of the way. That is how one life can have so much power and make you so proud.
What we need more of is inspiration. We should be partied out by now. How many VIP sections and bottles does one need before one sees how inane it is for that to be all Pride is about? Our community isn't proud because our community isn't aspiring to greatness as we should. We aren't aspiring because we aren't inspired. And we aren't inspired because we don't know who we are and we will never know who we are until we know from where we came.
The error isn't in the celebration, it is in forgetting who brought us over. The essence of Pride is celebrating the guest of honor, those who've paid for us to party as a free people. Pride is a celebration of our strengths, of our bravery to navigate with our lives on the line, the margins of society. We pop bottles in
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