Monthly archive of July 2003
Coming Out On The Runway
Although Ebony Haith was eliminated a few weeks ago from Tyra Banks's reality show "America’s Next Top Model," her openness about her sexuality may have inspired other fashion models, artists, entertainers and dreamers to be more open about theirs. Being black and lesbian did not discourage Haith from pursuing her dream, and it should not discourage others either.
Posted in sexuality on July 1 2003, 10:50AM | Read More | Comments (1)
An Interview With E. Lynn Harris
I first met E. Lynn Harris almost ten years ago. At that time, he was a young new writer with a dream. Now, at 47, he's written several bestselling novels and he's ready to release his first work of nonfiction, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. In his tell-it-all memoir, Lynn talks about childhood abuse, attempted suicide and drinking. But he also writes about the search for love and truth in his own life. I selected his memoir as the book of the month for this site, and I spoke to Lynn yesterday by telephone at his new home in Atlanta.
Posted in books on July 2 2003, 12:56AM | Read More
Get Busy. Get Equal.
I cried when I read the Supreme Court's decision in the Texas sodomy case. Not because the highest court in the country finally recognized that gay relationships are valid. I cried because gays and lesbians may finally believe it themselves.
Posted in politics on July 3 2003, 12:09AM | Read More | Comments (6)
Happy Fourth Of July
"WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
Posted on July 4 2003, 12:35AM | Permalink
How Howard Dean Can Win
For the past 20 years, I've managed to predict every Democratic presidential nominee. I'm not certain Howard Dean is the right man for the job, but those who think he can't win are wrong. They would do well to spend more time building their own candidates than tearing down Dean.
Posted in politics on July 7 2003, 8:16AM | Read More | Comments (6)
Two Tributes To Barry White
I was first introduced to Barry White's sultry voice years ago as a young boy. Barry White's music rested on the mantle above the bar in our house next to Teddy Pendergrass. He was a member of the elite pantheon of great artists my father worshipped, respected or emulated.
Posted in music on July 8 2003, 9:48AM | Read More | Comments (3)
We Interrupt This Website
Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to update the website today. We are installing new hardware and software on our network. Meanwhile, this is a perfect time to support our summer fundraising drive. Remember, every little bit helps. If you've been enjoying this site the past few months, please help support it now. You can give $1, $10 or $100, or any amount you want to donate. Thanks for your support.
Posted on July 9 2003, 12:23PM | Read More
Life Without A Computer
For the past few days, I've been without a computer. I'm installing a new computer and new software, but in the meantime, I'm wondering how I ever got along before computers.
Posted on July 10 2003, 11:15AM | Read More | Comments (3)
What Would You Do For Fame?
Posted in pop culture on July 11 2003, 11:17AM | Read More | Comments (4)
History On Hold
In a surprise decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court did not rule today on whether to allow gay marriage. The court was expected to issue a ruling this morning. If the court ultimately rules in favor of the gay couples in the case, Massachusetts will become the first state in America to permit full-fledged gay marriage. While the gay community leaps forward on this issue, we are still struggling with the basic issue of hate crime and antigay violence.
Posted in sexuality on July 14 2003, 1:32PM | Read More | Comments (6)
Somebody Else's Problem
From Africa to America, world leaders are still pretending that AIDS is somebody else's problem. Last week, George Bush traveled to Africa and saw first hand the devastation the disease has caused that continent. Meanwhile, in north Africa, Libyan president Moammar Gadhafi declared that straight people have nothing to fear from AIDS. Twenty years into the epidemic, can we still be so blind?
Posted in politics on July 15 2003, 10:23AM | Read More | Comments (2)
The Incredible Shrinking President
A few months ago, almost everyone in Washington seemed to think George W. Bush was invincible. He had won two tax cuts, won the war against Afghanistan and seemed to win the war in Iraq. But now his administration is unraveling. With the federal deficit at a new high, no weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq and mounting casualties in Baghdad, even American soldiers are questioning the country's leadership.
Posted in politics on July 16 2003, 10:21AM | Read More | Comments (1)
Sprung
The best kept secret in New York may be that black gay men are meeting up outside of the thugged-out late night clubs. Sure, the all-night parties still draw hundreds and hundreds of people each week, but thanks to new social venues, that's not the only option anymore. And conversation is actually back in vogue.
Posted in pop culture on July 17 2003, 10:55AM | Read More
Pat Robertson and The Supremes
Is there any better case for the separation of church and state than the idiocy of conservative televangelist Pat Robertson using his TV pulpit this week to pray for the retirement of three Supreme Court justices? The intellectual bankruptcy and dishonesty of the so-called religious right has never been more clearly on display.
Posted in politics on July 18 2003, 10:07AM | Read More | Comments (13)
Did He Or Didn't He?
The news that authorities were pressing charges against LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant seemed to spawn hours of media speculation, thousands of forwarded emails and a countless number of conversations over the weekend. But our fascination with this story says more about us than it does about the two people involved.
Posted in sports on July 21 2003, 10:44AM | Read More | Comments (12)
A Shot In The Dark
Five weeks after the disappearance of Baylor University basketball player Patrick Dennehy, police last night arrested his former teammate Carlton Dotson on charges of murder. The media have speculated on every angle from murder to kidnapping in this case, but one angle has not been addressed: Were these two men lovers?
Posted in sports on July 22 2003, 9:48AM | Read More
Pirates of the Music Industry
Posted in music on July 23 2003, 10:36AM | Read More | Comments (8)
It's Happened Again
It's happened again. For the second time in a month, a murder of a high-profile black man is being connected to issues of homosexuality. Not long ago, questions started surfacing about the suspected death of Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy. Today, questions of homosexuality are already being raised about yesterday's murder of New York City Councilman James Davis.
Posted in politics on July 24 2003, 10:27AM | Read More | Comments (17)
The Plot Thickens
The New York City Hall murder story took a bizarre twist yesterday when all the major news agencies followed the New York Times and outed Othniel Askew. In the process, they dug up everything from his ex lover's identity to his domestic violence arrest.
Posted in politics on July 25 2003, 10:11AM | Read More | Comments (25)
Who Is He And What Is He To You?
In the past year, Patrick Dennehy, Carlton Dotson, Othneil Askew, James Davis, John Lee Malvo, John Allen Muhammad and Jayson Blair have become household names. Add in celebrities Kobe Bryant and R. Kelly, and it seems like the only time black men make the news these days is when we're accused of violence or deception.
Posted in pop culture on July 28 2003, 10:30AM | Read More
Two Black Prides: Trick Or Treat?
This weekend, thousands of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people will venture out in New York City for black gay pride festivities. But this year, following a split between organizers, the public will get to choose between two separate groups putting on events. After years of working together, did something go wrong? And for those who plan to attend the events, will this be a trick or a treat for the community?
Posted in sexuality on July 29 2003, 12:10AM | Read More | Comments (17)
Black Gay Research Summit
Researchers, activists and scholars from across the country arrive in New York today for what's being billed as "a historic three-day summit by and about Black gay men."
Posted in sexuality on July 30 2003, 7:25AM | Read More
AIDS and the Black Community
Now that the AIDS epidemic has become mostly black and brown, the mainstream media have mostly moved on from the extensive coverage they provided in the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. Fortunately, the editors at POZ magazine understand that AIDS is still killing black people everyday.