One of Twenty

Last week, Southern Voice began a two-part series profiling 20 young gay leaders taking the city into the next generation, as part of the newspaper’s leap into its 20th year. This week, we introduce the rest of the best, ranging from a transgender rights attorney to an eclectic performer whose unique style is a hit within the local gay entertainment field. Among this 20 is my friend, Craig Stewart, whose play A Day In the Life made a triumphant return to Atlanta. Oh yeah, I myself was featured as one of twenty....

Meet the next generation of gay Atlanta:

City’s new leaders make their marks in unique ways

Another Church Experience...

I have been so caught up in life that I haven't done what I need to for my spiritual growth. Me and my friend Julian, haven't been to church the past couple of weeks due to either travel, out of town guests, or just pure laziness.

However The New York Times has an article today entitled, For Some Black Pastors, Accepting Gay Members Means Losing Others, which makes mention of two of the churches I have visited here in Atlanta. Check it out!!

Are You Proud?

Well of course a movie about a swim team from Philadelphia is not what got me to go to Phipps Plaza at 11am on a Sunday morning… but instead it was the thought of seeing Kevin L. Phillips, Nate Parker, Terrance Howard, Brandon Phobbs and of course Evan Ross (exhales) wet and in speedos.

Now, in Pride, set in Philadelphia in 1974, Terrance Howard takes on the role of the inspirational tough-love athletic coaches, that commands and inspires in a soft-spoken, demure way. Howard plays Jim Ellis, a former competitive swimmer who is now unemployed, he accepts the job of packing up a dilapidated community center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. This immediately causes some friction between him and a bitter, protective janitor named Elston, Bernie Mac, who has worked there since it was opened. As the city takes down the basketball hoops, Ellis invites a group of teens who have nowhere else to go inside to swim until the center is officially closed. Seeing talent in the teens, he takes the street ballers to swim competitors in an hour and a half. The movie is very predictable with no climax, as most “Based on a True Stories” are, but the images of Phillips in a speedo and the acting, for the most, is what saved this movie from being a bore. And in the end it does leave you questioning your own pride in your community and yourself.

Great movie no, good movie yes. You already know the outcome of the swim team just enjoy the dialogue and the sites along the way.

Doing the Same thing and Expecting Different Results...

Something really disturbed me on my drive into work this morning. Michael Eric Dyson was on The Frank Ski show on V103 talking about his new book, Debating Race. In this talk they began discussing whether or not black people would vote for Senator Barrack Obama in 2008 for President. This one caller called and basically said that we should not support Obama because white Americans will come out in droves to prevent a black man from becoming President and black people unfortunately will not get out to vote. She went on to state that the money that is going to his campaign would be better served focusing on issues in our community. While Michael and Frank unsuccessfully attempted to correct this misinformed thinking... I quickly plugged in my ipod and reminded myself this is only one reason why I rarely listen to the radio.

All morning this has been on my mind. How in the hell could any remotely intelligent person seriously think like this? I thought back to the small portion of Michael’s response that I did listen to which included a reference to the Bus Boycott struggle led by MLK and Rosa Parks. What would have happened if they thought back then that no matter what they did nothing would ever change?

It is the mentality of ignorant (yeah I can call her ignorant because its my blog not the Post, AJC, or SoVo) people like that, who refuse to stand up in what they believe in and take what they want and deserve that will keep a minority out of the office, will keep gay marriage banned, and will keep Dannielynn away from Larry Birkhead.

Now I am not ranting on whether or not she should support Obama, just because he is black, but I am ranting on her illogical and twisted thinking, that seems to be prevalent in our black and in our gay communities. I myself haven’t even began researching Obama’s, McCain’s, Clinton’s or anyone else’s viewpoints and stance on the issues. But I refuse to discount Obama’s chances, just because he is black. And even if his chances were slim to none and I believed in him as a candidate I would still vote for him. I mean I did vote for Kerry last go around.

And with that said… take your kids, nephews, and young cousins with you so they can be a part of the process. And encourage others who can... to do. VOTE OR DIE!!!

I Need a New Book to Read...

I try to read at at least one maybe two books a month. But my last trip to Outwrite and Borders produced nothing I was extremely interested in reading. The past two books, Not in My Family by Gil Robertson and The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty by Lawrence Otis Graham, have been a little heavy, but interesting at the same time.

So until I can get DLB's Books are Sexy campaign to the ATL or my girl Oprah's club... I will be soliciting your ideas for the next literary masterpiece for me to devour.

My bookcase has everything from Colin Powell's bio to all of E. Lynn's novels to E. Franklin Frazier's look at the bourgeoisie to Andre Leon Talley's ALT.

A Day in the Life

http://www.adayinthelifeplay.com/

I had the opportunity to see Craig's play last night. It was not only thought provoking but it was very funny and entertaining. If you are in the Atlanta area you should definitely check this out!

I Think I Hate My BET

For as long as I can remember I have always hated BET. I have hated their over abundance of negroidian video shows... their infomercials on the weekends... the endless reruns of the Jamie Fox Show & the Parkers... and most of all their lack of original programming. I mean seriously I can't even tell you anything about their regular lineup because there is not one show I watch on a regular on that network... hell until two days ago I didn't even know what the channel number was. I often wondered how the hell Robert Johnson became a billionaire off that nonsense.

Well he did and Viacom paid $3 billion for the network a few years ago. And finally they are putting something into their investment.

More Money, Less Booty For BET: Viacom to Bulk Up Network's Budget For New
Shows
By Frank Ahrens Washington Post Staff Friday, March 16, 2007; C01

Will this mark the beginning of a new era for BET? Will there really be a noticeable change?

Random Thoughts this Tuesday Morning...

1. ... 79 degrees already in Atlanta... I really do not miss the long winters of DC. I swear the winter season here in Atlanta lasted for all of a month.

2. ... why does it seem that everyone is leaving DC to move to Atlanta. In the past 2 months three additional people have let me know of their future plans. And to all of them make sure you have a secure job first cause the employment market is nothing like DC!!

3. ... after spending this past weekend in DC, I realize once again the only thing I miss are my few friends left there and my church.

4. ... why do people email me their comments on my blog instead of just posting them on here?

5. ... After that stunt Michael Knight pulled on the season finale of Project Runway… will he really Rip the Runway, tomorrow on BET?

6. ... Why is WBLS, the only African American owned and operated radio station in NYC, so damn negroidian? Get that streaming radio shit together!! Always jacking up my Wendy Williams Experience!

7. ... a year after that damn Lloyd song "You" hit the airwaves in Atlanta... this fool is finally releasing a cd. And how is this song just now making the charts?? I mean he was shouting this "long hair don't care" song last summer for the punks at Atlanta Live.

8. ... why am I not mad yet about March Madness... it ain't moving me like it usually does.

9. ... can someone explain to me the whole Pussycat Doll show? I mean none of them hos do anything except Nicole Schwarsreagagaefearegeraknferer, so what is the point?

10. ... with the rerelease of Bday... I guess my hopes for Beyonce to take a long, relaxing vacation away on some deserted island away from the media won't be happening. Damn what I wouldn't do for a week of no news stories about her. Just one.

Akon Unknowingly Pins Gay Marriage Anthem

I had just got back in town this morning and as I was leaving the airport this morning, I heard Akon's new single, Don't Matter, off his 2006 Konvict album. If you haven't heard the song... I am sure you will. Especially since I am predicting it to be the new theme song for the gay marriage movement... the lyrics are below as well as a link to the song.

http://www.akononline.com/

"Don't Matter"

Konvict Konvict
Oh
Ohoohwooe
Oooh
Ooohhwooe

Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you

Nobody wanna see us together
Nobody thought we'd last forever
I feel I'm hopin' and prayin'
Things between us don't get better
Men steady comin' after you
Women steady comin' after me
Seem like everybody wanna go for self
And don't wanna respect boundaries
Tellin' you all those lies
Just to get on your side
But I must admit there was a couple secrets
I held inside
But just know that I tried
To always apologize
And I'ma have you first always in my heart
To keep you satisfied

Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you

Got every right to wanna leave
Got every right to wanna go
Got every right to hit the road
And never talk to me no more
You don't even have to call
Even check for me at all
Because the way I been actin' lately
Has been off the wall
Especially toward you
Puttin' girls before you
And they watchin' everything I been doin'
Just to hurt you
Most of it just ain't you
Ain't true
And they won't show you
How much of a queen you are to me
And why I love you baby

Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you

Oh oh oh oh oh
Cause I got you
Cause I got you
Ooooh
Cause I got you babe
Cause I got you

Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you babe
Cause we gon' fight
Oh yes we gon' fight
Believe we gon' fight
We gon' fight
Fight for our right to love yeah
Nobody wanna see us together
But it don't matter no
Cause I got you

Yet Another MLK Month has come and gone...

Well yet another Black History month has drawnto a close with about as much fanfare as I heard about Women’s History Month. I had a brief conversation with my 8yo nephew this past weekend and asked him about what he was learning in school this month. (He attends the same elementary school I once attended and my once 5th grade teacher is now the principal and is a strong, beautiful, brilliant black woman) As soon as the words went out of my mouth I wanted to draw them back in because I knew I didn’t really want to hear the answer. He went on to tell me about Rosa Parks and… Martin Luther King…

While reading the AJC (I really do miss the Washington Post and every time I visit the AJC website it becomes even more apparent) but anyway I digress… while reading the AJC several times this month I saw article after article on Martin Luther King… Martin Luther King Streets… the multimillion dollar Martin Luther King papers…

While visiting Victory church a few weeks ago, the pastor mentioned a black history trip for the youth of the congregation. They were taking a one day bus trip to Montgomery to visit where “Martin and Rosa started the movement” ...

Attention Attention my fellow Americans!!!

BLACK HISTORY IS MORE THAN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR While I honor and appreciate the achievements and the struggle of Dr. King I am so tired of hearing of him as the source of all of our "rich" Black History. I guess working a few blocks from the King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Historic Auburn Avenue doesn't help much either. You can add Rosa, Medgar, brother Malcom to that list as well. Our history didn’t begin or end with these noble people. And it is time that we make household names of

L Douglas Wilder and Deval Patrick
The First and Second Elected Black U.S. Governors

Ralph J. Bunche
The First Black Nobel Peace Prize Winner

(yep someone won before MLK... imagine that)

Guion Bluford
The First Black Astronaut to fly in Space

Julian Bond
Chairman of the NAACP

Toussaint L’Ouverture
Led Haiti to being the First Black Republic

Oprah Winfrey
The First Black Woman Television host and 2nd Black Billionaire
(you know damn well I wasn’t gonna let this slide without mentioning my girl)

Tiger Woods
The First Black National Golf Champion

(although it happened in GA... nope it wasn't MLK either!!)

Free & Clear

Such a milestone in my life... last Wednesday, I paid off my truck several months early. So it is officially mine... free & clear!!

Just a personal moment I am having!!