Monthly archive of September 2006

Which Is It: Black Gay or Gay Black?

Shakespeare famously asked, "What's in a name?" The answer, of course, depends on the person being asked. If you're black and gay, or gay and black, or African American and same-gender-loving, how do you decide how to describe yourself? That's the crux of a new piece from writer Chad Goller-Sojourner. He says when he hears the question is he black gay or gay black, he also hears the question beneath the question.

Unlike some others who have discussed the issue, Chad doesn't approach the question from the perspective of whether his race is more important than his sexual orientation. Instead, he looks at it from the perspective of whether racism is worse than homophobia. In the process, he manages to deconstruct the linear boundaries we've created about our supposedly separate identities. His essay, published below, reminds me of the famous quote from Mel Boozer, who once said, "I know what it means to be called a nigger. I know what it means to be called a faggot. And I can sum up the difference in one word: none."

Posted in sexuality on September 1 2006, 12:05AM | Read More | Comments (33)

Willi Ninja, R.I.P.

Willi Ninja, a legendary figure in the ballroom community and a star of the groundbreaking 1990 film "Paris Is Burning," has passed away. He was 45 years old. "As a friend and someone who loved him very much for all he has given us, I am really sad to write that Willi passed away this morning," Emanuel Xavier wrote on his myspace blog today.

We learned in July that Willi was hospitalized and near death. Xavier reports that when he saw Willi last Monday, he had a very high fever. "He listened and held my hand as I read the poem 'Legendary' to him from the Latex Ball program since he couldn't be at the event," Xavier reported. "We spoke over the phone on Thursday and I promised to visit him after the camping trip I never took this weekend. At least I got to tell him how much I loved him before hanging up."

Posted in sexuality on September 2 2006, 7:36PM | Read More | Comments (19)

Hitler, Hussein and Donald Rumsfeld

New York Times columnist Frank Rich hits the nail on the head with his critique of Donald Rumsfeld:

"Here's how brazen Rumsfeld was when he invoked Hitler's appeasers to score his cheap points: Since Hitler was photographed warmly shaking Neville Chamberlain's hand at Munich in 1938, the only image that comes close to matching it in epochal obsequiousness is the December 1983 photograph of Rumsfeld himself in Baghdad, warmly shaking the hand of Saddam Hussein in full fascist regalia. Is the defense secretary so self-deluded that he thought no one would remember a picture so easily Googled on the Web? Or worse, is he just too shameless to care?"

Posted in politics on September 4 2006, 12:53PM | Read More | Comments (9)

I Blog, You Blog, He/She/It Blogs...

I'm Kenneth Winfrey. As if I couldn't be more honored than I already am to serve as the new moderator for the message board, starting this week, I'll be regularly providing some snapshot views of topics that I find interesting on the board. Things we say represent some of our greatest hopes and fears, and they have been discussed on the message board a lot the past week.

"If We Must Die, Let It Not Be Loneliness That Kills Us" seems to have struck a nerve. Even though this isn't about inter-racial dating per se, the question of waiting for the right man in the right package is certainly a compelling one. If you can't be with the one you love, honey, etc. etc...or do you? What inspires you to be patient while waiting for THE ONE?

Posted in viewpoints on September 5 2006, 11:38AM | Read More | Comments (8)

Is Justin Timberlake Forgiven?

I remember a few years ago when Justin Timberlake's name was mud in the black community. It was shortly after the Super Bowl fiasco of 2004 and the "tittygate" (also called "nipplegate") scandal caused by Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during the halftime show she performed with Timberlake. Janet got skewered by the media, the FCC and the right-wingers for indecent exposure, but Justin -- the white man who exposed the black woman's breast -- walked away without much of a whimper of protest.

As Janet held her ground, Justin quickly apologized, a move that looked like he was selling his partner down the river because many observers assumed the whole act had been scripted by both of them. Since that time, Janet has been virtually banned from MTV (according to Clay Cane), while Justin's career continues to rise. Justin even opened the show at last week's MTV Video Music Awards and put on a performance with Timbaland, a black recording artist. Now I'm not one to hold a grudge, but I'm still trying to figure out what's going on here. Has Justin Timberlake been forgiven?

Posted in music on September 5 2006, 3:23PM | Read More | Comments (63)

Gays and Lesbians in Ghana Under Attack

I've been reading a lot lately about the dire situation for gays and lesbians in the African country of Ghana. It's hard to know what to believe from the mainstream media reports, so I decided to ask someone who was close to the source. There may be no one in America who knows more about the situation for black gays and lesbians in Africa than Cary Alan Johnson. Cary has spent many years living and working on these issues in Africa and he now works for the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in New York.

I met with Cary a few months ago and asked him to write something one day for this site, and this week he agreed to do so. Cary was the one who first taught me about the role of same-gender-loving men and women in Africa. He's written extensively about the topic and studied it closely. He was a primary source for my first book, One More River to Cross, in the discussion about homosexuality in precolonial Africa. Today Cary breaks down the situation in Ghana in his timely commentary below the jump.

Posted in sexuality on September 6 2006, 6:00AM | Read More | Comments (14)

A Conversation With Michael Brown

When you hear the name Michael Brown, you might think of the guy who President Bush thought was doing "a heck of a job" last year during Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, he's not the only Michael Brown in Washington. There's another famous Michael Brown there too. He's a longtime resident of the District of Columbia who's been active in politics for decades. And now he's running for mayor of the city he loves.

This Michael Brown is a high-powered Washington lawyer who was the former Finance Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, a surrogate speaker for the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign in 2004, the Gore-Lieberman campaign in 2000 and the Clinton-Gore campaigns in 1992 and 1996. He's also helped to found America’s Fund, a political action committee that supports candidates of color. So with the election next Tuesday, I thought I'd talk to Michael and find out more about his campaign for mayor.

Posted in politics on September 6 2006, 5:57PM | Read More | Comments (5)

Best Episode Yet

Although I have given up the task of writing weekly commentary on the episodes of Noah's Arc, I have to say that last night's episode of Noah's Arc was the best yet. The plot line between Alex (Rodney Chester) and Guy (Benjamin Patterson) has developed to the point where we can't tell if Alex is crazy or Guy is crazy, or both. Well, actually we know that Guy is crazy, but we just don't know for sure about Alex.

Meanwhile, Noah's triangle of lovers continues to spin him around on a carousel of confusion from Wade (Jensen Atwood) to Baby Gat (Jason Steed) to Quincy (Keith Hamilton Cobb). And although Ricky's character didn't advance much in last night's episode, Chance's story did move forward. His relationship with his partner suffered after the couple took in Eddie's boss's lesbian wife (Victoria Rowell). That's never a good move.

Posted in pop culture on September 7 2006, 1:29AM | Read More | Comments (53)

Behind the Runway With b. michael

It's fashion week in New York. This is the time when the industry leaders from around the world gather in the Big Apple to create and determine the fashion trends for next year. Although it's technically still summer of 2006, this is considered Spring 2007 fashion week because the collections being shown are for the next big season. And one of the most watched fashion designers in the industry is b. michael.

As one of the leading black designers in the industry, b. will also be putting his new collection on the line this Sunday for his own fashion week show. So what's it like being a successful fashion designer in a tightly-controlled industry? I spoke to b. this week to ask him about it.

Posted in pop culture on September 8 2006, 11:17AM | Read More | Comments (5)

The Osama Bin Laden I Knew

New York -- It was five years ago today at this time when I received a phone call from a friend who told me that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. As a new New Yorker, I was intrigued by the news but I had no appreciation for the gravity of the events that were unfolding. Within the next 30 minutes, my view of the world had changed dramatically. By the end of the day, the nation's air traffic had come to a halt for the first time ever. By the end of the week, almost all Americans had become familiar with the name Osama Bin Laden. By the end of the year, we had fought and "won" the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

But we had not fought or found Osama Bin Laden. He was the prime suspect behind the World Trade Center attack. Today, five years later, he remains at large. Most Americans still know very little about Osama Bin Laden. That's why today I am publishing an exclusive essay by Kola Boof called "The Bin Laden That I Knew." Longtime readers of this site will recognize Kola's name from several years ago. But in the past few weeks, she's been in the national news again thanks to a series of articles that have labeled her as Osama Bin Laden's "sex slave." Today, on this site, Kola Boof sets the record straight. Her story is below.

Posted in politics on September 11 2006, 9:00AM | Read More | Comments (27)

U.S. Iraq Casualties Surpass WTC Deaths

"Our immediate strategy is to eliminate terrorist threats abroad," said President Bush, "so we do not have to face them here at home." For the past two years, that's been the mantra of the Bush Administration in justifying the war in Iraq. "We face an enemy determined to bring death and suffering into our homes," the president said last night in his televised address. It's been such effective spin that ordinary citizens have started to repeat the talking points. "If we don’t fight them there, we are going to be fighting them over here," a voter in Colorado was quoted in the New York Times today.

But there's one big problem. Our enemies are fighting us at home, and our enemies are winning. If you buy into the notion that the war in Iraq is being waged by the same terrorists that we are trying to keep on defense so they can't kill Americans, then you have to conclude that the enemy is winning. In fact, as of today, they've killed more Americans in Iraq (2671) than were killed in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center (2602).

Posted in politics on September 12 2006, 11:16AM | Read More | Comments (15)

Introducing Kalup Linzy

I get a lot of mail and emails every week. People send me videos, books, CDs, DVDs, college essays, handwritten manuscripts, links to their web sites and just about anything else you can imagine. I wish I had time to look through all of these things, but usually I don't. If it doesn't grab my attention in the first few minutes, I have to move on. So imagine my surprise when I came across a YouTube posting sent to me by a guy named Kalup Linzy.

I had never heard of Kalup before last week, and my initial thought after clicking on the link in the email was skeptical. But after watching Kalup Linzy perform the song "Asshole" (shown below) and watching him play several characters in a hilarious soap opera spoof called "All My Churren," I had no choice but to pay attention. Still, I was left with a lingering question. Why was I feeling a little guilty?

Posted in pop culture on September 12 2006, 12:54PM | Read More | Comments (4)

The Death of Tyrone Garner

Tyrone Garner, the African American plaintiff in the historic Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court case, has died. Garner, along with his partner John Warner, challenged the constitutionality of a Texas statute that outlawed homosexual sodomy. The case was finally settled by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003 in a landmark decision that struck down all state laws prohibiting homosexual intercourse.

Before that decision, conservatives cited the criminalization of gay sex as an excuse to justify discrimination against gays and lesbians. After that decision, the religious right lost a major argument in the battle to deny civil rights to gays and lesbians.

Posted in sexuality on September 12 2006, 6:26PM | Read More | Comments (16)

The Enigma of Same-Gender Love

If there is any place where the enigmatic nature of who "we be" might be observed, it is online. Over on the message board, Internet Dating and Hookups has joined the top three topics (in number of views) along with Bisexual Folks , authored by my friend and intellectual sparring partner Cody, and the abiding thread about Donnie McClurkin where Mr. McClurkin's alleged conversion became the focus of all things Black, gay, excuse me, EX-gay, and religious.

These topics are not that far fetched, nor enigmatic, from my perspective. The Internet offers all the anonymity and convenience a person could want. Some might say that bisexuality represent similar advantages. After all, no one really has to know that you are same-gender loving if you’re not gay-identified. And let’s face it, the worst thing about “it” is hearing what they say about “it” at many Black churches…which leads us to self-proclaimed “reformed gay” gospel singer Donnie McClurkin.

I try to imagine, but I admit, I can barely begin: What would those discussion threads have looked like if not for the reality of homophobia among us?

Posted on September 13 2006, 9:34AM | Read More | Comments (5)

Whitney Houston Stages A Comeback

Less than 24 hours after making her first major public appearance in months, Grammy Award-winning singer Whitney Houston revealed that she has filed for divorce against her husband Bobby Brown. Houston, 43, made the announcement through her publicist. The news, which was first reported by the Associated Press, came just hours after Houston appeared with her cousin Dionne Warwick (shown here) and music guru Clive Davis at last night's Ella Awards.

Last night's appearance may be recognized as the beginning of a possible comeback for the legendary superstar. At the event last night, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Society of Singers presented the 15th Annual Ella Award to Johnny Mathis. Many of us remember and love the old Whitney Houston who could sing circles around most contemporary performers, but Houston seemed to have fallen off course in recent years, culminating in her infamous "crack is whack" interview with Diane Sawyer and her appearance on the popular Bravo television series "Being Bobby Brown."

Posted in music on September 13 2006, 4:09PM | Read More | Comments (102)

One-On-One With Neil Lowe

Neil Lowe may seem like an unlikely public figure in the black LGBT community. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Brown University, and he's the chief operating officer of Mitchell Madison Group, a multi-million dollar corporate consulting firm. But Neil Lowe is not your stereotypical stodgy Wall Street businessman. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he's also the new chairman of the B. Michael Corporation that runs the b. michael fashion house. He's on the board of directors of the Black AIDS Institute and the Evidence Dance Company. And for the past few years, he's been quietly building a new media empire.

When you hear the term "media mogul," you may think of Rupert Murdoch, Ted Turner or Oprah Winfrey. If you go back in history, you may remember William Randolph Hearst and the newspaper empire he built. But in the black LGBT community, there's a new media mogul on the horizon. He's involved in everything from Noah's Arc to Ballroom RockStar magazine. And he has the experience and resources to make things happen. I sat down with Neil Lowe recently to talk to him about his life, his career, and his work in the community.

Posted on September 14 2006, 1:45AM | Read More | Comments (13)

Survivor's First To Go

The much anticipated premiere episode of "Survivor: Cook Islands" aired last night on CBS, and I can't say I'm surprised that the first person to go was one of the two black guys (Sekou, shown on the right). So is this another amazing race or is it amazing racism? Many have already questioned the wisdom of creating an entire television competition based on segregating the races. To be honest, I'm still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

As a reality show veteran (Showtime's "American Candidate"), I'm well aware of the impact of race on these shows. On the same episode where I was voted off of "American Candidate," a Showtime call-in viewer survey indicated that only half of the viewers felt that America was ready for a black president. And that was on the "liberal" network that brought you "Soul Food" and "Queer As Folk." The producer of my show, R.J. Cutler, later went on to produce the controversial "Black.White" show on FX. But who's to blame when race rears its head on reality TV? Is TV creating the racial separation or is it simply putting up a mirror to show us who we really are?

Posted in pop culture on September 15 2006, 11:59AM | Read More | Comments (41)

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Harlem, NY -- President Clinton met with liberal bloggers last week in Harlem. As several other bloggers (Pam, Terrance, Culture Kitchen) have already noted on the Internet, no one in the group was black or Latino. After a storm of controversy, the organizers acknowledged the absence of blacks and Latinos but said they had tried to invite two black bloggers who couldn't make it.

When I first heard about the controversy, I assumed it was a matter of bad planning. When I worked in the White House, we would have moved hell and high water to get people of color into a meeting like that. If two black bloggers weren't available, we would have asked two more. The point is that you don't stop looking just because the first two people can't make it.

Posted on September 18 2006, 10:59AM | Read More | Comments (14)

Oprah's Back

The queen of daytime television is back. And in her first week of episodes, Oprah Winfrey is reminding us why she is still the reigning monarch. Love her or hate her, you can't deny her. Oprah Winfrey is back.

Oprah began her season premiere yesterday with a new reality style feature called "Oprah and Gayle's Great Adventure" in which she and her best friend Gayle King spent 11 days driving across the country from Santa Barbara, California to New York. In Monday's installment, we saw the two women hop in a very ordinary Chevrolet Impala and drive from California to Las Vegas, and in the process we learned that Oprah likes to drive in silence, Gayle likes to listen to the radio, Oprah is very cranky when she doesn't get her way, and Gayle is very stubborn in insisting that she get what she wants too.

Posted in pop culture on September 19 2006, 9:55AM | Read More | Comments (25)

Dr. Malebranche Goes To Washington

When the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS met yesterday in Washington, there was something different about that meeting. It was a special subcommittee that met that day, and for the first time, Dr. David Malebranche was at the table. Malebranche is a new appointee to the president’s council.

But David Malebranche is not a political hack. He’s a doctor, public health expert and a researcher who knows more about the medical and social impact of HIV/AIDS on the black community than just about anyone else. And he’s also one of the leading thinkers and writers on the unique issues of HIV/AIDS among black men who have sex with men. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s fine too. With all that in mind, I spoke to David on Monday to ask him about President Bush, HIV/AIDS, black leadership and black same-gender-loving men. The interview is below the jump.

Posted in sexuality on September 20 2006, 12:05AM | Read More | Comments (14)

The Education of Doug Spearman

Doug Spearman is not your stereotypical actor. In a Hollywood culture where everyone is busy watching what they're saying, Doug is not afraid to take a controversial position and let you know what he really thinks.

Many of you know him as Chance, the bookish college professor married to a recently fired businessman on the LOGO television series "Noah's Arc." In real life, however, he's probably a lot smarter than the college professor he plays on TV. And the good thing is that he's not nearly as uptight. When I spoke to Doug a few weeks ago, I learned a lot about the man behind the character. In a fascinating and revealing interview, he talks about his life, his education, his role on Noah's Arc, and that pesky issue about the sexual orientation of the actors. And for the first time ever, he tells the world about his experience as an eyewitness to the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

Posted in pop culture on September 20 2006, 12:00PM | Read More | Comments (27)

Headlocked With Marcus Patrick

When you think of a trained fighter, you might imagine an aggressive jock type with more brawn than brains. But when the fighter is Marcus Patrick, a former British martial arts champion, you may need to rethink your stereotype. The guy who used to throw up 375 pounds on the bench press can also throw down some serious conversation.

Marcus Patrick, the actor, first caught our attention last spring on the set of the upcoming film "Dirty Laundry." A gorgeous guy with a gorgeous body, it's tempting to see him solely as eye candy. But there's much more beneath the surface of what he calls his "flesh vessel."

In the past few months, Marcus has been busy playing the role of Jamal Cudahy on "All My Children," as Father Denny on "Passions" and in roles on TV shows like "Beyond the Break." And in the coming months, Marcus is about to break out with a leading role in the upcoming film "Descent" (with Rosario Dawson) and a revealing role in the new movie "Love... & Other 4 Letter Words."

With so much going on in his career, I spoke to Marcus earlier this week for this special interview. We had a wide-ranging discussion about sex, drugs, religion, politics and Hollywood.

Posted in pop culture on September 21 2006, 12:05AM | Read More | Comments (35)

Boykin Debates O'Reilly on Fox News

If you were watching Fox News last night (instead of watching the premiere of "America's Next Top Model"), you might have seen Bill O'Reilly talking about former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. I was a studio guest on "The O'Reilly Factor" for that show, and we argued about McGreevey's decision to come out. (See the video here.) O'Reilly thinks those things should be private. I argued that coming out is a difficult personal choice.

I can't say it was the most enlightening moment on television, but it was entertaining, which I suppose was the point. Fox News commentator Tammy Bruce, a Bush-loving lesbian, teamed up with O'Reilly via satellite from Los Angeles. I agreed with them that McGreevey had made a big mistake as governor, but I felt it was time to move on. O'Reilly and Bruce were not as forgiving. Things really got bad when I pointed out that two of the leading Republican presidential candidates -- Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani -- have both been involved in sex scandals of their own, but somehow people forgive them.

Posted in politics on September 21 2006, 11:36AM | Read More | Comments (39)

Debunking The Down Low...Again

"Nearly 10 percent of New York men who say they're straight are having sex with other men, city health officials found in a first-ever study of the 'down-low' phenomenon here." That's the way the New York Daily News reported the results of a new study this week. The study was cited as further evidence that black women are in great danger of HIV infection because of men on the down low.

After reviewing this so-called "down low study," however, it's pretty clear the media got it all wrong. Again. The media suggest that this study somehow proves the threat of the down low. Actually, it proves nothing of the sort.

Posted in sexuality on September 22 2006, 3:05AM | Read More | Comments (14)

Buju Banton Banned Again (In LA)

It's happened again. For the second time in two weeks, Buju Banton has been blocked from performing at a scheduled concert in the U.S. Banton, a "murder music" performer, whose concert was scrubbed last week in Indiana, was scheduled to appear at another concert in Los Angeles on October 3. But club managers pulled the plug on Banton yesterday once they learned that some of his music is viciously homophobic.

Adam Manacker, general manager of the Highland nightclub and restaurant, told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday that e-mail complaints and phone calls in recent days had prompted him to research Banton's past and cancel the show. The campaign was launched by Jasmyne Cannick, a Los Angeles-based blogger and activist, who had previously been involved in the New York-based campaign to stop Beenie Man and T.O.K. from performing at a LIFEbeat concert. As with the LIFEbeat incident, victory came in just a matter of days.

Posted in sexuality on September 22 2006, 11:20AM | Read More | Comments (57)

Miss Cleo Puts Her Cards On Table

Youree Dell Harris, better known as Miss Cleo, has told the world what few people predicted -- she's a lesbian. The once popular television figure known for the catch-phrases "The cards never lie!" and "Call me now, babies," made a career by playing the role of a Jamaican infomercial psychic who would give special tarot card readings to callers.

After some controversy in 2001 and 2002, a Florida newspaper reported that Miss Cleo's birth certificate identifies her as Youree Harris, and that she was born in the United States. More recently, the news of Miss Cleo's sexuality was first published in the October 2006 issue of The Advocate magazine, where Miss Cleo may be launching her comeback. Later this year, she is set to join the cast of the reality series The Surreal Life, which is scheduled to air in late 2006 or early 2007.

Posted in sexuality on September 25 2006, 11:16AM | Read More | Comments (10)

What Does It Mean To Be Bitchified?

Hey, it's Kenneth Winfrey with another update on what's happening in the message board. I love blogging, and it's been a little cold and wet here in New Mexico, so I've had plenty of time to blog and work. It seems, though, that there is also a spirit of thoughtfulness and reflection upon me these days. So some of the topics on the message board have been really compelling for me.

Can you handle satire, veracity, and a creative call to recognize the continued oppression of our "beta" gay brothers? I can and Defense, Doniel put us to the test. His posts named "The Black Gay News" presented parody on the revelation that many of us might be victims of what he called "Bitchification." It had me in stitches and all up in the Confessional. Some folks thought he was just trippin' though. I thought his approach was interesting, to say the least. Check it out. Have you been "Bitchified"? We want to know.

Posted on September 25 2006, 2:29PM | Read More | Comments (11)

Janet Returns

Today is the launch date for Janet Jackson's new 20 Y.O. CD and Miss Jackson is dutifully making the rounds in the national media. After covering several recent magazines, the 40-year-old singer appeared on the all-important Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday to talk about her music, her man, her weight loss, and that memorable controversy from the Super Bowl.

A few weeks ago we asked if Black America had forgiven Justin Timberlake for the way he dumped Janet after the Super Bowl controversy. It turns out Janet hasn't forgotten about that incident, although she's not dwelling on it either. When asked about Timberlake, Jackson told Winfrey: "We haven't spoken but I consider him a friend, and I'm very loyal, and friendship is very important to me. He has reached out to speak with me. Like I said, friendship is very important to me - and certain things you just don't do to friends. In my own time, I'll give him a call." In other words, he called but she didn't answer.

Posted in music on September 26 2006, 12:12PM | Read More | Comments (56)

Buju Banton Booted Out Of Seattle

For the third time in three weeks, a concert by a controversial homophobic recording artist has been canceled because of protests. A Seattle concert featuring homophobic dancehall artist Buju Banton was called off today, just 24 hours before Banton was set to take the stage. The event had been protested by Seattle residents and leaders of the black gay and lesbian community who objected to Banton's homophobic music.

It was not the first time Banton was banned. Two weeks ago, Banton's concert in Indiana was called off after protests there. And last week Banton's scheduled concert in Los Angeles was canceled as well.

Posted in sexuality on September 26 2006, 3:01PM | Read More | Comments (27)

Did Terrell Owens Try to Kill Himself?

Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens may have tried to take his own life this week, according to police reports. Owens, who is perhaps the most recognizable and colorful figure in professional football, had to undergo surgery last week in his first season playing for Dallas, only months after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles.

A police report released Wednesday morning said Owens told a friend "that he was depressed." The friend noticed that Owens's prescription pain medication was empty and then watched the football star put two more pills in his mouth. The friend reportedly attempted to pry the pills out with her fingers. Later when Owens was asked by rescue workers if he was attempting to harm himself, he said "Yes."

Posted in sports on September 27 2006, 12:22PM | Read More | Comments (18)

Platinum Bond

Ever seen Julian Bond in a t-shirt? Neither have we. Bond, the chairman of the NAACP, is usually impeccably dressed. A graduate of the school of civil rights leaders who seemed to always wear slacks and suit coats, Julian Bond is almost never seen posing for a photo in a t-shirt. So to pose in a t-shirt with a message about AIDS is an even bigger deal. Well, it would be for many other national black leaders. But not for Julian Bond. Photographer Duane Cramer recently got Bond to put on a "Got AIDS?" t-shirt from the Black AIDS Institute to dramatize the AIDS epidemic as a civil rights issue. The photo appears in the October 10 issue of The Advocate.

More than a cover model, Bond did not mince his words in the interview. "Homophobia is one of the major obstacles to black Americans coming to grips with this disease in the ways that we should," he said. "It is awfully disturbing. It's a refutation of what the movement for civil rights stood for. It's disgraceful." He also said the situation would be "immeasurably eased" if more black gay people came out of the closet and played a visible role in organizations like the NAACP.

Posted in sexuality on September 28 2006, 3:11AM | Read More | Comments (12)

Buju Banton Busted By The Bay

For the fifth time in three weeks, Buju Banton is out of work. City officials in Oakland, California announced today that the homophobic recording artist was banned from performing in that city this weekend after a canceled San Francisco concert had been relocated to its sister city across the bay. Councilmember Pat Kernighan announced the agreement to cancel the concert, which was reached following discussions with managers of the Historic Sweet's Ballroom and another council member Nancy Nadel.

"Oakland residents will not tolerate individuals who promote violence against any member of our community," said Jennie Gerard, Chief of Staff to Kernighan, in an email message sent out earlier today. Banton's concerts have previously been canceled in Indiana, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, back on the east coast, New York's Channel 9 News will be running a story about homophobic reggae and dancehall artists tonight at 10 pm on My 9 News.

Posted in sexuality on September 28 2006, 3:34PM | Read More | Comments (24)

Race An Issue in Flotilla DeBarge Arrest

A popular New York drag queen was arrested on Monday after an incident at a nightclub in Greenwich Village. Flotilla DeBarge spent much of the past week in jail, after being arrested on September 25 for allegedly assaulting two people with a high-heeled shoe at the night club APT. But witnesses reported that DeBarge, whose real name is Kevin Joseph, was not the cause of the incident. “The first thing I saw was this guy, this straight guy putting his hand on Flo’s face and pushing it,” a witness told the Gay City News. “Then next thing I saw was they were fighting.”

I spoke to one eye witness who also saw racial lines drawn in the treatment of DeBarge. The witness who was at the night club the night of the incident reported that a white man started the altercation with DeBarge, who is black. DeBarge fought back, the witness said, but when police arrived, they took the word of the white person instead of believing DeBarge's account. Other eye witnesses reportedly corroborated DeBarge's story as well.

Posted in sexuality on September 29 2006, 11:40AM | Read More | Comments (9)

Buju Banton to Gays: "Fuck Them"

Reggae star Buju Banton has two words for the gay people who have protested his concerts across the U.S.: "Fuck them." Yes, this is the guy who we're supposed to engage in dialogue. This is the guy who says he's changed. This is the guy who claims that he doesn't hate gays, he just doesn't "tolerate" them. And this is the guy who claimed he hasn't performed his controversial anti-gay "Boom Bye Bye" song in years, although he was caught on tape performing the song just a few months ago.

"I have never bashed any gays before, and if I bashed gays, I bashed them 16 years ago," Banton told Billboard.com. "There's no tolerance from [the gay community]. I'm not a gay-basher. I'm not a homophobe." Banton's comments come just hours after more than 100 demonstrators lined the street in front of the Community Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon last night to protest his performance.

Posted in sexuality on September 29 2006, 6:39PM | Read More | Comments (43)