Summer 2018 in the Meantime Men’S Group the Premiere Organization for Black Gay Men in Los Angeles Summer 2018 MESSAGE
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MESSAGESummer 2018 In The Meantime Men’s Group The Premiere Organization for Black Gay Men in Los Angeles Summer 2018 MESSAGE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER PROGRAMS & SERVICES: Jeffrey C. King Yoga and Meditation • Holistic Wellness Clinics • 12 Step Recovery ART DIRECTOR Meeting • A Visit from The Doctor/General Health Education/ Alan Bell Medical Updates • Mylife Mystyle Health Education (Three PHOTOGRAPHY Bryan Allo Empowerment Sessions) • The NIA (Purpose) Health Education Jeffrey C. King (Three Empowerment Sessions) • Brothers Reaching Brothers Jesse Knowlin Weekly Social Discussion Group • MENtorship: Mentorship NATIONAL ADVERTISING 4 10 Rivendell Media Initiative • BoiRevolution Youth Initiative • The 50+ Social Support 1248 Route 22 West • HIV Testing/STD Screening Linkage • Case Management Mountainside, NJ 07092 BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Community Outreach/Condom Distribution • Game Night/Social Joel Byrd, M.D. Hour • Project Elevate (Social Justice Advocacy) Garry Gregory Jeffrey C. King Roger Quinney, Ph.D. ANNUAL EVENTS: Earl Wooten Kwanzaa Celebration • Anniversary ON THE COVER Jamari Fundraiser • Black Gay Men’s Wellness Month • The Black Party • Umoja 16 28 Three-Day Empowerment Retreat Message is published quarterly • National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness by In The Meantime Men’s Black Pride: A Thing of the Past . 4 Group, Inc., 2146 W. Adams Day • Pre-Pride Celebration Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018-2039. Mailing address: ............................... 8 Box 29861, Los Angeles, CA Fashion 90029-0861, 323-733-4868, [email protected], inthemeantimemen.org www.inthemeantimemen. André Leon Talley .................10 [email protected] org, Facebook: Jeffrey King. © 2018 In The Meantime Men’s Just Jamari .........................16 Facebook: Jeffrey King Group, Inc. All rights reserved. 323-733-4868 The slogan “Creating Unity .....................22 and Affirming Our Common Brandon Blake 818-441-1216 Testing Hotline Bond” is a trademark of In The Meantime Men’s Group, 2146 W. Adams Blvd. Inc. Views and opinions Chris Webb .........................24 expressed in this publication Los Angeles, CA 90018 are not necessarily those of ITMT. Publication of the name Niza Jay .............................26 or photograph of a person does not indicate the sexual orientation or HIV status of Isaiah Green ........................28 the person or necessarily constitute an endorsement of ITMT. or its policies. Message is designed for educational Stacking Contrasting Styles ....30 purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. Welcome Home ....................34 Some photographs in this publication use professional models. ‘Genitalic’ Tells the Untold �������36 Summer 18 MESSAGE 3 Black Pride: A Thing of the Past We Got Lost Somewhere Along the Way By Jeffrey C. King and national visual artists reserved space to exhibit their paintings, ride is a manifestation of photography, and handiwork. Friends, something powerful felt inside. family, and allies rallied around as we PThere was a time when the sky celebrated us. seemed to open up and thousands We raided the malls up until the of proud Black LGBTQ people would last minute looking for that perfect descend into the City of Angels. outfit to show off at the clubs—that’s It was a time when many came clubs with an “s.” We had established out of the closet feeling supported club nights—venues that were owned, by the powerful wave of OUR music, run, and managed by Black LGBTQ culture, artistry, and the electrifying people. There were lines down the energy created when we all came street and wrapped around corners. together. We seemed to be more There was rarely a need to cross powerful. Wilshire Blvd. other than for the In Los Angeles, At The Beach thousands of Pride seekers who was the mecca and respected hub desired to visit Hollywood and other for all official Black Pride activities. LA landmarks. We were gifted with the literary We spent countless hours in the café that showcased our literary gym working on those stubborn love giants from around the country handles in preparation for the Black with the written and spoken word. Pride centerpiece beach party. The Filmmakers from around the world infamous Malibu Beach Party and would showcase their movies that Catch One Disco will go down in the exposed and celebrated our varied annals of American history as national lived experiences as Black and treasures that will never be forgotten. LGBTQ. Health service agencies Names like Dwayne Bremond, came together to offer health-related Wendell Carmichael, and Michael resources and referrals. Our local Flowers became legendary. As the Summer 18 MESSAGE 5 years progressed others would come to share their talents and resources. In the Meantime Men’s Group ANNUAL BLACK GAY MEN’S WELLNESS MONTH Dwayne fell ill and the will host the literary, cultural, arts infrastructure of the organization and wellness components of the began to waver. After numerous 2018 July 4th Weekend. attempts to salvage the once shining star for Black Gay LA, it is saddening established Pride celebration yet. to say that Los Angeles no longer has OWNING IT! Yes, it is a new day and the youth a Pride celebration on the same level of today will find a way to celebrate as those in past years. just as we did. I would be remiss if I MIND, BODY, SPIRIT didn’t recognize the efforts of local t 59, I am able to sit back and promoters providing parties and club smile upon the memories cre- ———— THE POWER SERIES ———— events for the youth who are here ated over the 20-plus years of A today. August 7: Opening Reception LA84 Olympic Foundation Black Pride celebrations here in Los It is my hope that they will have August 14: Owning My Mind 2141 W. Adams, LA, CA 90018 Angeles. From time to time, my BFFs more to be proud of as the years prog- August 21: Owning My Body f @BlackGayMensWellnessMonth of 30-plus years and I get together ress. I see more and more young Black August 28: Owning My Spirit www.inthemeantimemen.org and almost always the topic of Black LGBTQ people continuing to come out Pride comes up. We recall the days All sessions: 7-9 p.m. 323-733-4868 every day. Our Pride will continue even when LA was the most desired des- if it doesn’t look the same. tination spot for Black LGBTQ Pride FREE TO THE PUBLIC celebrations in the world. Jeffrey C. King is Founder and Executive Somehow, we lost our way Director of In The Meantime Men’s Group, and we haven’t made it back to an Inc. Members of the community gather for In The Meantime’s “Where Is the Pride” panel presentation. 6 MESSAGE Summer 18 Fashion Fashion Starts FASHION with a Blank Canvas ummer in Southern California. A time to look up at the sky, enjoys dancing, writing, music, interior design, and, of course, fashion. contemplate our astrological signs, and be thankful for the He is followed by Brandon Blake, a Leo, who enjoys hiking, Ssunshine that’s a touch nicer than the nice weather we are modeling, dogs, and drinking wine; Chris Webb, an Aries, who’s into blessed with all year long. Summer is as much a state-of-mind as it is designing clothes, soccer, modeling, photography, clubbing, and a season. It’s a time for pool parties, picnics, and pride celebrations. A traveling; Niza Jay, a Gemini, whose passions include reading, music, time for road trips, beach parties, backyard barbecues, and, of course, and playing with clothes; and Isaiah Green, a Taurus, fashion. who can be found dancing, playing games, This Message Summer Fashion section begins with André Leon writing, and involved with the performing arts. Talley, a Libra, and a fashion icon for over a half-century. It was Talley Besides voyeuristic pleasure, part of who introduced Michelle Obama to the Taiwanese Canadian designer the purpose of a fashion issue is to inspire Jason Wu from whom she bought her inaugural gown. In 2007, Talley readers to embark on new ways of was ranked 45th in Out magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Gay Men and thinking about their own wardrobes. Women in America.” This year, he is the subject of a new documentary, Beyond style tips from the pros, past The Gospel According to André, by filmmaker Kate Novack. what are said to be this year’s trends, The section ends with a profile on Winnie Stackz, an Aries. Com- each of us must come to a place that pared to Talley, to whom Stackz pays tribute as inspiration, he’s a new- we find comfortable. There are no kid-on-the-block. Still, he’s already one of L.A.’s most-sought after rights or wrongs here. Whether stylists, whose work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue the beach or the backyard, and W magazine and has styled several Hollywood celebs including we can make it our own Kelly Osbourne, MTV’s Amber Diamond, and Queen USA Hailie Sahar. personal runway. Head up In between we meet five of In The Meantime’s very own high, shoulders back, eyes fashionistas, ready for sun and fun, captured by photographer Jesse straight ahead—and walk. Knowlin, a Capricorn. First up is cover model Jamari, a Taurus, who You better walk. 8 MESSAGE Summer 18 FASHION André Leon Talley From the Segregated South to the Forefront of Fashion By Alan Smithee and it was rough going at first. It’s very intrusive, it’s like you are ex- André Leon Talley has been a fixture posed, like chest surgery. It’s like you in the world of fashion for so long that open the cavity of your chest and you it’s difficult to imagine a time when expose yourself on a surgical table. I he wasn’t defining the boundaries had no idea what it was going to be.