Monthly archive of August 2003

Backlash

Nobody ever said it was going to be easy to win civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. But in June, the Supreme Court struck down antigay sodomy laws and the Canadian government legalized gay marriage. Then this week, public support for gay rights declined, legislators began considering a ban on gay marriage, and both the pope and the president came out against same-sex marriage. Welcome to the backlash.

Posted in politics on August 1 2003, 10:19AM | Read More | Comments (18)

The Big Down Low Lie

Two years after the media first discovered the down low, the New York Times Magazine yesterday splashed the once secret lifestyle onto its front cover. Today the Washington Post followed suit. Last week I flew to Atlanta for a presentation about the down low at a CDC conference. And next February, a new book on the down low will hit the stores. The down low is the story that never seems to end.

Posted in sexuality on August 4 2003, 2:39AM | Read More | Comments (54)

Poetic Justice

After two postponements, I finally served my jury duty yesterday. I served on a one-day misdemeanor criminal trial. What began as a confusing and hilarious day in the court house ended with a long wet walk home.

Posted in pop culture on August 5 2003, 10:03AM | Read More | Comments (2)

Holy War

While the Catholic Church moves backward on sexuality issues, the Episcopalians moved dramatically forward yesterday. With two divergent views of religion, it's no wonder the Episcopalians left the Catholic Church. But should the rest of us take sides in this holy war?

Posted in spirituality on August 6 2003, 9:17AM | Read More | Comments (11)

Man of La Mancha

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved the song "The Impossible Dream." Last night I finally saw it performed live in the Broadway hit Man of La Mancha. With just a few weeks left before the show closes, it's well worth getting a ticket to see this production

Posted in theater on August 7 2003, 9:36AM | Read More

Black Pride 2003

After months of anticipation and uncertainty, Black Pride 2003 and Pride In The City 2003 went off without a hitch last weekend in New York. I attended several of the week's events. Here are some images from the festivities.

Posted in sexuality on August 8 2003, 10:43AM | Read More

Life After Lawrence

On September 17, 1998, Roger Nance called police in Houston, Texas to report an armed gunman was "going crazy" in his apartment building. Harris County sheriff's deputies rushed to 794 Normandy Street to respond. They entered an eighth-floor apartment through its unlocked door. There was no gunman there, but the police did find a middle-aged white man and a younger black man engaged in consensual sexual activity.

Posted in sexuality on August 11 2003, 8:20AM | Read More | Comments (3)

Arnold The Contrarian

He's been called "Mr. Universe," the "barbarian," and the "terminator." These days, they call him the "governator." Arnold Schwarzenegger may just have what it takes to win California's highest elected office. But can he govern?

Posted in politics on August 12 2003, 10:45AM | Read More | Comments (1)

Blog This

In the past two years, just about everybody from Howard Dean to RuPaul has started a blog. Now in the past few weeks, almost every publication from the Washington Blade to the New York Times to Vibe online has been writing about them. Move over Saddam, Kobe and Arnold. The Internet has become the hot new media story of the week.

Posted in pop culture on August 13 2003, 10:18AM | Read More | Comments (2)

A True Story

I am sitting on the number 2 train early Tuesday evening, on my way from Harlem to Times Square. The train is almost empty, but I notice a young black man at the other end of the subway car with baggy jeans, XXXL Mecca shirt and corn rows. He is shaking his legs wildly back and forth. I close my eyes to rest.

Posted in sexuality on August 14 2003, 11:36AM | Read More | Comments (18)

Where Were You When?

At 4:10 yesterday afternoon, I was just about to board a subway train for a 4:30 appointment. One minute later, New York City lost power. Fortunately I was not stuck in a hot subway train for hours. I spent the rest of the afternoon checking on friends and taking pictures of the chaos.

Posted in pop culture on August 15 2003, 10:19AM | Read More | Comments (12)

Pictures from the Blackout

Armed with a digital camera, I walked the streets of Harlem during the city's first blackout in 25 years. It was a long, hot day but Harlem residents took it all in stride. Here now are the images from the blackout.

Posted in politics on August 15 2003, 10:03PM | Read More

Will The Last Remaining Liberal
Please Turn Out The Lights?

Here's a question for you. How many liberals does it take to screw in a light bulb? My first answer is none because there aren't any left. My second answer is at the end of this article.

Posted in politics on August 18 2003, 12:10PM | Read More | Comments (7)

The Forum Dies

While thousands of Americans journey to the nation's capital this weekend to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington, the country's only national black gay and lesbian organization will be quietly turning out the lights. After 15 years in business, the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum is finally closing down.

Posted in politics on August 19 2003, 10:10AM | Read More | Comments (11)

Burning Down The White House

Yesterday's deadly terrorist attacks at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and on a crowded bus in Jerusalem reveal just how vulnerable we still are to attack. The two bombs, which killed almost 100 people, not only destroyed concrete and steel. They also ripped apart the argument that Bush is strong on national security.

Posted in politics on August 20 2003, 10:00AM | Read More | Comments (6)

Thou Shalt Not Be An Idiot

Demonstrators camped outside the Alabama state courthouse last night to protest a federal court ruling ordering the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the building. They complain that the government is taking God out of the country, but like so many religious zealots these days, they just don't get it.

Posted in spirituality on August 21 2003, 10:23AM | Read More | Comments (19)

Forty Years Later

Forty years ago this week, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told the world, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" On Saturday, people from around the country will come together for the 40th anniversary march on Washington. But today we pay tribute to the black gay man who put it all together -- Bayard Rustin.

Posted in politics on August 22 2003, 9:46AM | Read More

Scottie Pippen's Past

I get a lot of rumors in my email inbox, and I try to check them out. Some are true, some are false, and some just need a little more evidence. The latest rumor is about Scottie Pippen and a lover from the past.

Posted in sports on August 25 2003, 11:24AM | Read More | Comments (24)

Life and Death in Newark

It seems this is not a good time to be a black lesbian in Newark, New Jersey. In the past 4 months, three black lesbians from that city have been murdered. First, 15-year-old Sakia Gunn was stabbed to death on May 11. Then the bodies of 31-year-old Shani Baraka and 30-year-old Rayshon Holmes were discovered on August 12.

Posted in sexuality on August 26 2003, 1:37AM | Read More | Comments (8)

Black Eye for The Queer Guy

The long gone black guy from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" speaks out today on Africana.com. James Hannaham, who is now an MFA candidate at the University of Texas in Austin, explains how he got picked and dumped for TV's hottest new show. Hannaham says the show is not about stereotypes, but I'm not so sure.

Posted in pop culture on August 27 2003, 8:50AM | Read More | Comments (10)

August 28, 2003

It's hard to believe another year has passed in my life. I do not feel old, but I am aware that I am growing older. This is not at all where I expected to be in my life, but I am thankful to be here. The journey has been an amazing experience.

Posted in pop culture on August 28 2003, 2:06AM | Read More | Comments (36)

Happy Holidays

Happy holidays. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend. I will be back on Tuesday. Here's a kiss from Britney Spears and Madonna from Thursday night's Video Music Awards to keep you inspired.

Posted on August 29 2003, 8:17AM | Read More