This is just a space where I will share some of my thoughts and post some announcements. If you stumble upon here and find something interesting and enlightening please feel free to comment...
Mighty Real: An Anthology of African American Same Gender Loving Writing By Edited by R. Bryant Smith and Darius Omar Williams
A collection of African-American Same Gender Loving Literature featuring both new and established writers. Grounded in a poignant and truthful sensibility, imbued with the realities of sex and love, Smith and Williams present a culmination of poems, short stories, radical essays, sermons, plays and interviews honoring notable figures within the SGLBT community.
I was planning to go see, "For Colored Girls" this weekend until I read the opinions of a few people I really respect for their thoughts on things artistic. I should say I am not a Tyler Perry fan. I don't think I ever will be. I think the best thing he ever did was produce, "Precious" so it would get a bigger audience. I was hoping that would be the situation with, "For Colored Girls" but I learned he directed I was still going to see it because of my love for the original work. I've decided I'm still going to see it just for the opportunity to hear Ntozake Shange's words performed by some of my favorite actresses like Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Kerri Washington, Thandie Newton, and others. What I've decided to do though is order the dvd of a production that starred Alfre Woodard, Lynn Whitfield, Carol Malliard (of Sweet Honey in the Rock), Shange, and the theme song sung by Patti Labelle and watch it after I see the film.
What has struck me the most is the vitriolic response not so much to the film but to Tyler Perry. As I said I am not a fan of his work but whatever my personal feelings toward that I try and stay away from personal attacks on him. I have my own reasons for why I don't like his work but some of the things that I have read from others really border on being mean spirited. If you don't like someone's work that's one thing but to attack their character and not know them (and seeing them on interviews is not knowing them, that's only a glimpse of them) is not good reporting to me. I have made my peace with going to see this work and am looking forward to whatever happens having a good experience.
I began hearing about a new musical, "Scottsboro Boys" by Kander & Ebb earlier this year because I had become "friends" with Colman Domingo on facebook. I saw him first on the, "Big Gay Comedy Sketch Show" on the logo network. The show itself has some really great moments and some not so great but a guilty pleasure of mine is him reading craigslist posting as Maya Angelou....
When he looks to the heavens after reading the postings which I suspect are real text I just lose it. I then saw him on PBS with the broadway production of, "Passing Strange." An incredible show that I think everyone should get on dvd. Currently Scottsboro Boys has moved to Broadway and I really hope it does well enough to tour. I haven't admitted this publicly to many people but I have started playing piano again and I would love to learn this song.
It sounds so touching and beautiful. I even suggested it to a great friend of mine Haqumai Sharpe as something he should add to his repertoire. The show is based on the notorious case of the Scottsboro Boys who were accused of raping two white women on a train passing through Scottsboro, Alabama. Told in the minstrel form it should be an interesting take on a night in musical theater. Leave it to Kander & Ebb to come up with a way to share another "dark" story. Susan Stroman directs and choreographs and from what I've seen and heard adds some incredibly subtle moments to the production.
Drumroll Please......
My Book, "Touch...Poems & Other Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality" is finally coming out. I've created a page on facebook if you'd like to be among the first to know when and where to get it. Thanks to all who have supported me on this journey. As most of us creative types know Art Isn't Easy. You can plan but then life shows up and takes away your plans and ideas of what you want to happen but I can tell you honestly everything about this project is in divine order. My friend Anthony Batiste used his considerable talents to design the covers and the models and photographers who let me use their work have been especially supportive. Take a look!! I am blown away but what we created!!!
I'm also pleased to announce a piece I wrote called, "Let The Healing Begin" will be included in anthology due out soon called, "Mighty Real" edited by Darius Omar Williams & Royce Bryant Smith. I originally wrote the piece as a speech given at the National Convocation of the Unity Fellowship Movement. I really enjoyed it and didn't know what to do with it and ended up submitted it to this anthology. I am very honored to be a part of the collection and looking forward to its debut.
The Shubutanis A Young Ice Dancing Pair The Lakers New Championship Rings The Lakers New Championship Jackets (Gotta See If They Got 'Em In Big Boy Size)
I consider myself a, "Church Boy" and by default a, "Preacher's Kid" (my mother married my step-father a Pastor when I was around 12yrs old). Some of my earliest memories are of church and family, family and church. From my grand-father who was Chairman of the Deacon Board so long they gave him the title of, "Deacon Emeritus", my mother who became President of both the Baptist Minister's Wives & Widows Union & the Interdenominational Minister's Wives & Widows Fellowship, to my being a choir director all stemmed from being in church.
Being Same-Gender Loving in the black church can be difficult to manuever. Talk about Don't Ask-Don't Tell it became increasingly difficult when I thought I might be ready to come out but then the AIDS crisis struck. People were very liberal in their condemnation. Folks were being baptized with the label, "abomination", and the disease was being seen as punishment for the "gay lifestyle".
After a long journey and a determination to break free I stopped attending church for a long while. I thought if I were gay I had to give it up. Sunday morning became my religion but I never lost faith. For some reason I knew there was something I hadn't been taught, something was missing. I knew the love of God as much as I knew there was air, oxygen flowing through my lungs but I'd always been taught like many people that there was only one way to God, sinners were going to hell, and a multitude of other hogwash that was used to control & oppress people.
I began reading on my own but still missed the fellowship that a church can offer. After volunteering for a program called, "Shanti" I began to hear about Unity Fellowship Church. I'd heard of Carl Bean but wasn't very familiar with him or his work. Imagine my surprise that when I finally decided to visit the church which at the time was located on Jefferson two blocks west of La Brea that is was 10 minutes from where I lived. All I had to do was turn a corner and what I'd been searching for was there (there's a metaphor for life in there somewhere).
Bishop Bean wasn't there the first Sunday I attended but because I wasn't sure where the church was I got there early and the first person I met was a man named, "Deacon Charles" he was very nice and sat and talked with me while we waited for services to begin. Charles was bald, very effeminate, had eyebrows drawn on, and pearl earrings. Although he was nice I was thinking, "what have I gotten myself into?". His kindness and sincerity though were just what I needed when it came to connecting. Once service began I heard testimonies of other people, the sanctuary began to fill, and then choir marched in singing, "Walk In The Light". The processional was lead by Vera Owens who I'd recognized from Pentecostal Community Choir and the Southern California Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. The song really ministered to me. When the lights went down for affirmation and the worship leader began to tell us we were made in God's image, that we were not a mistake, that God loved us all I wanted to cry but I am not one for crying in public too much so I held it in. I received a pamphlet as a visitor that day that outlined the church's mission and ministry. It listed how God was present in all religions and faith traditions. I knew then this is what I had been looking for.
A few weeks later I finally met Bishop Bean. He is a force of nature. One of those people that when he enters a room the level of energy automatically rises. Whether it's his laugh, his voice being raised in song, or his preaching he lifts you. Even in quiet moments of consultation he has the ability to make you feel as if your situation is the most important to him. He's a man of action and of great faith. I do not think there is any coincidence that he and my mother share the same birth date of May 26th.
A few years before I left Southern California and moved up to the bay area a fellow Unity Fellowship Member, Frankie Lennon was running a writing workshop called, "The Talking Drum". She asked me to help facilitate the group. At first I was intimidated. Frankie is an incredible writer and teacher. I am not sure if I can call her a contemporary of Nikki Goivanni she actually went to and got in trouble with her in grade school. She encouraged me to become a part and I am so happy I did. She has since become a great friend and confidante. A true unexpected treasure in my life. While we were running the workshop Bishop Bean who always encouraged my writing, performing, and other artistic endeavors began to tell me he had been approached to write a book. I told him I thought it was a wonderful idea. The way he can weave a story is magical. With his wide range of knowledge and incredible history I knew it would be great reading.
That book is finally here, "I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher's Journey Through Gospel Music, Disco Stardom, and a Ministry in Christ" came out as loud and bold as Archbishop is. I don't think he can ever be accused of being a shrinking violet and in that respect he doesn't shrink from revealing much of history that has inlcuded alot of pain but certainly it also tells of how he has triumphed. His stories of childhood abuse, attempted suicide, cross dressing, prostitution, drug use, foster care, family dysfunctions can seem overwhelming but with this book you get a great sense of the purpose of Archbishop Bean. He always had faith. He always knew there was something. One of his great gifts is to be able to speak to a large crowd but make it seem he is speaking to you. He doesn't have to "talk up" to educated people, or "talk down" who haven't had the chance for education. He just somehow magically is able to translate a message through the power & passion of his words. I consider him to be one of the finest theologians of our time.
I've spoken to him about ways to promote the book. I told him I thought he should get a few musicians, background singers, and go into deeper detail about some of the stories in the book. If he sang and did that there is no way people wouldn't be moved to buy it. Just a couple of weeks ago I visited Unity on my birthday and got a chance to speak and pray with him. He always remains in the pulpit after service for anyone who'd like to have prayer or consultation with him. He told me some of the details of performing, "I Was Born This Way" at the height of disco era at a club in West Hollywood where his friends were asked for 3 forms of ID to get in. Even though the story is also told in the book hearing it from his mouth with his embellishments had me laughing out loud!! He also told me about his group, Carl Bean & Universal Love. There's a picture of them on the back cover and in the book. He had me laughing how they had to snap the picture quick because the guys in the group were trying to look, "butch". The only straight member of the group chose to be shirtless.
Archbishop is a wealth of knowledge and history. Hearing him talk about his calling to help people of color in the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis helps me to always re-focus on what I've been called to do.
I could go on and on about Archbishop Bean. I always enjoy our exchanges. He continues to inspire, teach, and mentor me to this day. I asked him to sign my copy of the book and his inscription reads, To Jair, My brother is in Christ and in the Creative Arts. Love Archbiship Carl Bean. I'm honored he includes me in his fellowship and I am honored to have him as part of mine...
'Good Gumbo' Radio (Join in) Host: lilyliketheflower - lily@lilyliketheflower.com
Episode: EPISODE24 - 'Good Gumbo' Radio: Raising Teens in 2010 Good Gumbo' Radio covers an eclectic blend of relevant topics. Hosted by author/poet lily (like the flower)
'Good Gumbo' Radio combines straightforward talk and witty flavor to create hearty conversation! Join us every Saturday at 10a PT/ 1p ET. Contact lily@lilyliketheflower.com for details on FREE advertising opportunities. Call ID: 80315
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Date: Sat, October 9, 2010 Time: 01:00 PM EDT
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As soon as I heard, "Dreamgirls" the current tour was coming to San Francisco I knew I wanted to be in the audience. There are certain shows that I have HAVE to see. Dreamgirls is one of those. This production did not disappoint. In fact it enhanced my love and appreciation for this work. I've known about Dreamgirls since the original production and have always been in love with it. Through the '87 tour which featured one of my favorite performers, Lillias White, all the talk of the movie, a concert version, and then finally the movie. There is nothing like live theater that proves that when art & entertainment collide there is magic. The cast was incredible, the production was amazing, and the audience receptive and appreciative. I told a friend if I were a smart man I would've bought a second set of tickets so I could see it again before it left town.
If you have the chance to see it do yourself a favor and do just that.... http://dreamgirlsonstage.com/tour.html
Stirring the Waters, Fanning the Flames: Ericka Huggins in Conversation with Ronald K. Porter Saturday September 25, 2010 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society has a mission to collect and preserve the history of LGBTQ people and make it accessible through its archive, exhibits and public programming. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the GLBT Historical Society is holding a series of important conversations across generations. As the first event in the Silver Anniversary Speakers Series, co-presented by MoAD, we are proud to present activist, educator, former political prisoner and leader of the Black Panther Party, Ericka Huggins, in conversation with UC Berkeley doctoral student in Social and Cultural Studies in Education, Ronald K. Porter. In addition to his dissertation research, which traces the intellectual history of African-American educational thought, Porter is conducting work on how the Black Panther Party considered both the nature and elimination of lesbian and gay oppression. Ericka and Ronald will discuss perspectives on LGBTQ history, the Black Panther Party’s relationship with the Gay Liberation Movement, sustaining activism, and promoting social justice. This conversation is critical not only to illuminate how black organizations of the past focused on the issue of sexuality, but also how such actions help us understand the connections between race and sexuality in today’s political climate.
Free with MoAD Admission.
For more information on Ericka Huggins, Ronald K. Porter, and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society, please consult these sites:
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