Fall 2015 MESSAGE Fall 2015 Editor and Publisher Jeffrey C

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MESSAGEFall 2015 MESSAGE Fall 2015 editor and publisher Jeffrey C. King art director Alan Bell 6 8 photography Jeffrey C. King Greg McNeal board of directors Joel Byrd, M.D. Garry Gregory Jeffrey C. King Roger Quinney, Ph.D. 14 19 Earl Wooten on the cover #Brothafest a Great Success! Staff and volunteers of In The Meantime by Jeffrey King �� 3 Double-Consciousness by David Crittendon 4

Message is published quarterly by In The Meantime Who Can Qualify Your Quality? Men’s Group, Inc., 2146 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, by Gerald Garth �� 6 California 90018-2039. Mailing address: P.O. Box 29861, Los Angeles, California Same-Sex Marriage 90029-0861, 323-733-4868, [email protected], by Maurice Jamal �� 8 www.inthemeantimemen. by Jayce Baron �� 9 org, Facebook: Jeffrey KIng. by Curt D. Thomas �� 10 © 2015 In The Meantime Men’s Group, Inc. All rights by Patrik-Ian Polk �� 10 reserved. The slogan “Creating Unity Breathe by C. Jerome Woods �� 11 and Affirming Our Common Bond” is a trademark of In The Meantime Men’s Group, Inc. Views and opinions Our Love Is Worth Protecting expressed in this publication by Jeffrey King �� 12 are not necessarily those of In The Meantime Men’s Group, Inc. Publication of the name or photograph of a person Black Gay Novel Is Set in Jamaica does not indicate the sexual orientation or HIV status of by Max-Arthur Mantle �� 14 the person or necessarily constitute an endorsement of In The Meantime Men’s Group, Post-Same-Sex Marriage by Victor Yates � 16 Inc. or its policies. Message is designed for educational purposes only and is not Black Gay Novel Is Set in L.A. engaged in rendering medical advice or professional by Frederick Smith �� 18 services. Some photographs in this publication use professional models. Brothafest �� 19 STATEMENT FROM THE FOUNDER

#Brothafest a Great Success!

By Jeffrey C. King

elcome to the third-quarter edition of Message. We are Wthe face and voice of the West Coast Black LGBT Community. This edition of Message will provide visual highlights from Brothafest, 4th of July, Los Angeles Black LGBT Pride Weekend. We will experience some of our nation’s leaders’ initial responses to the Supreme Court ruling on same- sex marriage. It is summertime in California, and from coast to coast we are in the middle of what is already proving to be an exceptional time for celebration. The weather is sunny, the skies are blue, the water is welcoming, marriage is the law of the land, and pride celebrating Black LGBT artists and celebrations are in full effect. California wines, held at the home The inaugural launch of Brotha of In The Meantime, The Carl Bean fest was a great success. The energy House. was high as the City of Angels took As founder and executive direc- flight and soared to EPIX heights. tor of In The Meantime, LA’s premier Working closely with my brother, Ivan Black gay men’s wellness organiza- Daniel III, together we coordinated tion, co-founder of Brothafest and cre- what will go down in the annals of Los ator and editor of Message, I couldn’t Angeles history as one of the most be more proud to live, work, and play eventful pride weekend celebrations in the City of Angels. All hail LA! to remember. Highlights included our A very special thank you to our Thursday Grown and Sexi opening Brothafest sponsors: Macy’s, AIDS reception, swank Speakeasy in Holly Healthcare Foundation, and In the wood, our Friday night celebration, Meantime. Visit www.brothafest.com. All White Party in Beverly Hills, our Saturday night EPIX Celebration at Jeffrey C. King is Founder and Executive the historic Catch One night club, and Director of In The Meantime Men’s Group, our closing event, Wine and Words, Inc.

Fall 2015 | Message | 3 PRESERVING HER/HIS STORY

Double- Consciousness WHY THE BLACK LGBT PROJECT’S TIME HAS COME

By David Crittendon community: our psychic home. The Black Lesbian Gay Bisexual .E.B. DuBois, one of the Transgendered Project addresses twentieth century’s greatest these issues through affirming the Wthinkers and a tireless principle of following one's nature, be advocate for Black liberation, coined that gay, straight, or any combination the phrase double-consciousness of those impulses. Founder C. Jerome in his book, The Souls of Black Folk, first published in 1903. Double- consciousness refers to the condition of being both American and Negro. “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others ... without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of opportu- nity closed roughly in his face.” It can be successfully argued that DuBois‘ brilliant analysis is much less true in 2015 due to the unceasing ef- fort toward equality that transformed the twentieth century. Nevertheless, it is still relevant to the dilemma many black same-gender-loving persons face in relation to being both Black and gay. As same-gender-loving people, we are misunderstood, os- tracized, and hurt because being our true gay selves is filled with risk and, too often, danger within the black

4 | Message | Fall 2015 Woods echoed this principle in a 2012 identified Black LGBT art. interview: “It is very rare that you find an “Being Black and being gay, artist that is gay, Black, out and doing it’s hard to say which came first. In work that speaks to his experiences my own persona, I just feel gay, that seldom that you find his (her) experi- comes from the God given. Later you ences.” says Duane Paul, Sculptor come to realize the power and pres- The Black LGBT Project's collec- ence of being black, which also can tion is located at Mayme A. Clayton be an avenue to being accepted. So Library & Museum in Culver City, many doors have opened. Ninety-five California, where former Executive percent of my experience has been Director, Larry Earl, Jr., recognized positive from L.A. to Johannesburg. the importance of acknowledging and Being gay is just wonderful to me. celebrating the entire Black com- Without it I would have had a more munity. Chaitra Powell, a museum difficult life. I don’t think I would have fellow and a visiting archivist, recently been as compassionate, accepting of finished cataloging the first run of re- love, aware of my surroundings and pository materials. To date, local and familial relationships.” international researchers, university The Black LGBT Project was students, community members, and created to collect and safeguard organizations—such as L.A. Pride & materials from Black lesbian, gay, Promote, Los Angeles Department bisexual, same-gender-loving, of Cultural Affairs, and West Holly- queer, intersexual, and transgender wood's “One City, One Pride”—have history and existence. There was no been able to access and use these central place where the black same- artifacts in their own presentations. sex experience was honored and On behalf of the Black LGBT recognized. So much information has Project, Woods hopes you, your been lost due to family disapproval, friends, and your family will pass faith-based issues/concerns, and the word that our histories and lives devaluation of the lives represented must be preserved. There is now by gay-related materials. a place for your photos, artwork, Woods is the prophetic voice of writings, stories, films, memorabilia, awareness. He tells us our lives are organizational records, and books. precious and fleeting, our accom- The Project actively seeks volunteers plishments and creations easily lost or to assist in the sorting, cataloging, destroyed when we are no longer here preservation, and presentation of our to treasure them. history. Please join us. The day that “You need to go to your closets, Du Bois worked so tirelessly to bring go into your garages, find some mate- about is within reach if we are willing rials, give me some history ... We have to make it real. skills and the ability, and I think we “The lives and contributions of first and foremost should recognize Black LGBT persons and their signifi- each other and acknowledge each cant others matter!” says Woods. other.” The Black LGBT project under David Crittendon, M.A., a member of the Woods' direction has successfully Black LGBT Project, is a writer and musi- partnered with ONE Institute, In the cian based in Los Angeles. Crittendon has Meantime Men’s Group, Mayme A. been published in CSULA's literary journal, Clayton Library & Museum, the Village Statement Magazine, and the collection, Lost Highway/ A Blues Poetry Anthology, at Ed Gould Plaza, Lucy Florence Lummox Press. Coffeehouse, and William Grant Still C. Jerome Woods can be reached at Arts Center. The last two venues were [email protected] chaste. sites for the first major exhibitions of [email protected].

Fall 2015 | Message | 5 BEING THE BOSS

Who Can Qualify Your Quality?

By Gerald Garth

was having coffee with a new friend, Vanessa, and our Iconversation drifted to the “boss” mentality. So many people are convinced they are at—or are aspiring to—executive level or CEO status. Many times the mentality depends upon being in charge or having nice things or people “liking” you. But she and I agreed that a boss is a boss before he has any subordinates, expensive things, or even overall support. Most CEOs will speak to times of sacrifice, determination, and said that seeds planted deep have quite often isolation. stronger roots, which, conversely, led Our conversation drifted further me to think that seeds planted in shal- into how people become “famous” on low soil are prone to be pecked by the strength of social media popular- birds. Are you positioning your seeds ity. Social media is a wonderful outlet to have strong roots, or are you in for new talent, and it is inspiring when place to be swallowed up by birds? individuals find a platform as their Another point we shared was outlet—myself included! But when that people “like” things according to those people gauge their success on their capacity. It stands to reason that the number of “likes” or views they more exquisite, more intricate, more get, I don’t agree. refined things have substantially fewer In this age of Instagram likes and “likes,” but that does not take away YouTube views leading to individuals from the product; it actually adds to it. becoming buzz-worthy, I can’t help There is something to be said about but ask, “Who are these thousands exclusivity. of people who ‘like’ you?” Not to take Know your worth, and know it’s away from anyone’s recognition, but not quantified in likes and views. when it comes to all these people, who are you speaking to? What are Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based ac- you taking from it all? Is there a plan? tor, writer, and publicist who works for the Vanessa shared an analogy with Black AIDS Institute. See more of Gerald’s me about pressure and growth. She work at GeraldGarth.com.

6 | Message | Fall 2015 NEW FROM IN THE MEANTIME

MENTORSHIP MENtorship is a grassroots community movement designed to provide fundamental support to younger Black gay men and to bridge the intergenerational gap between Black gay men of all ages in Los Angeles County.

THREE OVERARCHING GOALS: ■■ Facilitate the linkage of men in search of mentorship with men who are willing to be mentors ■■ Create social and educational events and activities that bring men of all ages together ■■ Offer service referrals for all men upon request FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Same-Sex Marriage THE LAW OF THE LAND

West, Andre Allen, Jenifer Lewis) and Maurice Jamal life now, embodying each aspect of my past and amazing present and I could not be more limitless future. proud of the fact I could not be more proud that that I am from the I've fought for equality in all its forms liberal bastion of the for literally a generation (Donna Queer Revolution Payne, Brandon Braud, Sharon Lett- known as San man-Hicks, Wendell C. Carmichael, Francisco—from my Jeffrey King, Tony Horne, George literal coming out on the Castro (being Walker, Duane Cramer, Phill Wilson, guided by a friend from high school, Neil Giuliano, Roshelle Darlene Hud- Shaun Saunders) to my heyday as an son, Gregg Allen). underage go-go dancer (Dwayne I could not be more proud that I D'Wayne A. Wells, Calvin Boissiere, have developed, nurtured, and worked Juicy D. Light, Jordan Sowle) to the hard to have a family that is over- first boyfriend/lover/partner I ever had whelmingly accepting and loving (I first (Corey Davis) to the beginning of my heard about our Marriage Equality vic- advocacy work (Omar Hasan, Darryl tory from my sister Andrea Vonny Lee Joseph, Marvin K. White) to becoming who called to congratulate me). an important artist/advocate (Nathan I could not be more proud of the Hale Williams, Deondray Gossfield, fact that I get to live a life FOR me, Quincy Gossfield, Patrik-Ian Polk, that IS me. Wilson Cruz, Entertainer Buttaflysoul, I am humbled by how many pow- Baron Artist, Shanté Paradigm Smalls, erful souls walked this road before James Earl Hardy, Lonnell Williams, me, rolling the large stones out of my Neil Lowe, Anthony Antoine, Tim'm T. way, so I might only have to ocas-

8 | Message | Fall 2015 sionally trip on my journey. And while about trying to keep track if same-sex saddened by how many I've known was legal or illegal because of the and lost along the way, I am even numerous times bills were passed more resolute to being their voice in then overturned. This community has gratitude and respect. been fighting for this for decades and So I head out today to see a host finally, on June 26, 2015, our voices of friends and family (Cornell Poetiik- have been heard and marriage is Soulja Sewell, Joe Hawkins, Gabriel equal for every human being. Maldonado, Rodney K. Nickens Jr., I was never really a politics type Jarrett Hill, Wilson Cruz, Jimonté of guy. And by that I mean I hated it Lavon, Anthony Wayne, Jan Hunter) and every single professor that tried overjoyed and running over with grati- to shove Amendment One down my tude and joy... and love. throat. Do I undoubtedly see the perks And we know our work is not and benefits to being well informed over. There are more battles ahead. about what is happening in The Struggles to be overcome. But today, District? Absolutely! For one, at an the lift feels just a little lighter and the upscale social soiree you’re capable road not as long. So for all of us, I of hanging in there during a passive- say “good job, bitches,” let's have a aggressive debate about foreign drink, pour one for the homies, then policies as you obnoxiously chuckle straighten our lapels and get ready to and pound your aged scotch (neat). show the world the best & fiercest is But I’m going to be honest, I’d rather yet to come. watch Fitz eat Olivia’s box before I sit down and watch late night CNN. However, I do remember one thing. Jayce Baron Separation of Church and State. Yes, marriage was created to be a religious This morning I woke unity, but in America it has without a up to some fabulous question become far more than that. news, hunty. Tax breaks and insurance policies It’s been are now benefits of being in “holy” months since I’ve matrimony. I remember watching a actually set an PSA years ago about a gay couple, alarm to begin my and one of them died. His boyfriend day. The blazing sun frying my body lost everything to the faux family-in- like an over-hard egg while the early law the deceased hadn’t even spoken bird commuters hit the 101 directly to for years. All because they were not outside my window seems to do the legally married. Sounds completely trick. However, this morning at about fair, right? 7:02 a.m., my cuddy buddy (my out- Trust me. I’m a little bit ratchet, dated iPhone 5) began to booty-do to but I’m also a little bit righteous. I was the rampage of a gargantuous group raised in the first family of a Baptist text announcing that the Supreme church. I was the president of our Court ruled that same-sex marriage youth ministry, performed the clown was now legal across the nation. walk in Phat Farms to Kirk Franklin on Because there was still crust in the dance team, and can still recite all my eyes and my friends were being ri- of the books of the bible… in order. diculously silly with the historic news, My parents divorced years ago. it didn’t really sink in how monumen- My dad did a simple “Ok, see you tal this was. I thought about being soon,” when I told him I was bringing an undergrad in the conservative- a boyfriend home, but my mother’s dominated Orange County and the religious side was a different story. It whole ordeal with Prop 8. I thought took a while and some adult-to-adult

Fall 2015 | Message | 9 conversations between two different difference. Once again, #LoveWins. generations, but we got through it. Oh, and if you haven’t checked Although I’ve come to terms with the out gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s fact that she may or may not walk with Facebook page, please do so… it’s me down the aisle at my unplanned quite the spectacle :) wedding, I’m happy that we have made it this far and I can truly live in my truth without offending the family Curt D. Thomas that I love. Many associate the LGBT com- Now more than munity with circuit parties, late nights ever, we need to at the Abbey, and the many monu- band together. I was mental seasons of RuPaul’s Drag in prayer tonight Race. Believe it or not, it’s more than and God began to carefree day drinking and being the speak truth to life of the party with sassy punchlines action in my spirit, and the flip of an imaginary bang. We and although we rejoice in Victory are a minority in society, and only in today, we still must fight against the past decade have our voices been homophobia... which is why we all truly heard. And I mean, gah, look at need to visit inthemeantimemen.org our dating scene. Many of us grew and take the pledge and get others to up with heterosexual parents, so we do so also, then support places that don’t really have a concrete men- support you!!! And remember we are tal picture of a successful dynamic Jesus people creating a Jesus between a homosexual couple. Due Culture, so trust him! to this lack of example, we don’t really know how to deal with someone of the same sex as well as our burning Patrik-Ian Polk feelings towards the other person. I mean, that’s the whole purpose of The winds of Kiss + Tell. To simply talk about it. No change are blowing filter. No repercussion. Just creating hard this morning, a platform to open the discussion. At an historic day for my last event a drag queen recited our country. As with John 3:16. Where does that happen desegregation, at?! I’m happy that many LGBT pa- Loving Vs. Virginia, trons have found peace within them- etc., I'm so relieved that the Supreme selves and their personal relationship Court has finally put this divisive issue with God despite the stigma some to bed. Even though I'm sure the churches have put out there. crazy right wing will bring on a slew of All and all, I’m truly happy. I was bullshit “religious freedom” laws, the proposed to three times today (one marriage question has been answered of them being straight, lol). I said by the highest court. That debate is “no”, but I’m glad that no matter now over. where I am in the U.S. I can stupidly Now hopefully we can transfer say “yes” and get it annulled just some of that energy, passion, activ- like any of my hetero brothers and ism, and money into addressing other sisters. I’m happy the couples that pressing issues affecting our com- are truly in love can publicly profess munity: transphobia, violence against their love for one another. Thank you trans women of color, housing and to everyone who did not give up in health care for homeless LGBT youth, the fight. To all the campaigns like HIV/AIDS disparities for LGBT people “NO H8” that were created to make a of color.

10 | Message | Fall 2015 Breathe By C. Jerome Woods

His lips, his thighs The cunning in his eyes The smile, the grin Strong jaw, chiseled chin

FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, text I didn't want him to be next

Cold cement, expectorant speckled ground Body outline drawn Gasping for air Man down

The po-po pulled his hair, placed arm around his neck S O B felt in his chest

Stop it, stop hater-ration Embody President Obama's State of the Nation Stop the YOU, THEY, THEM - division Make the WE, US, Godly decision

Tried to kill him (Michael Brown, Eric Garner) before he was born Labelled the brotha (Ezell Ford, Dante Parker), had families and communities torn

Confused, creative, sensitive, riveting, icky Portrayed like a character created by Eric J. Dickey Never given credit, not allowed to motivate or inspire No second chance, no part in Lee Daniels' Empire

Nothing of mother's milk, carbon footprint; no iPod, no smiley No regal manifest; no magnificence likened in the art of Kehinde Wiley

“Hands Up, Don't Shoot” “No Peace, No justice” No apology, no appreciation “Black Lives Matter” Give him breath Stop the asphyxiation!

Fall 2015 | Message | 11 #PROTECTOURLOVE Our Love Is Worth Protecting A MONTH-LONG FOCUS ON BLACK GAY MEN’S WELLNESS

By Jeffrey King

he In The Meantime Community is grateful Tto our four community sons for signing on to be ambassadors for this year’s Black Gay Men’s Wellness month: “Our Love Is Worth Protecting." Television/film producers and directors Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett, and the dynamic duo of LGBT activist/ HIV/AIDS advocate Chris Wilson Smith and television producer Marcus Wilson Smith—both legally married couples— continue to represent at the highest levels. Their love for community and for each other is reflected in their work and their passion for giving back. As an 18-year old community-based organization, our mission is to enrich, empower, and extend the lives of inter-generational Black men, respectful of sexual orientation, through social, educational, health, and wellness programs and services. Reaching more than 3,500 individuals through our various programs and

12 | Message | Fall 2015 services, ITMT is dedicated to importance of Black gay men’s health cultivating a safe space for Black and to empower Black gay men to gay men. ITMT provides critical take charge of their own well-being community services such as HIV through sustained healthy lifestyle testing, hepatitis C screening, HIV/ choices. This month-long focus calls AIDS prevention and education, a for individuals, organizations, and mentorship initiative and educational policy-makers to direct their collective scholarships, mental health attention and resources to Black counseling, and a range of support gay men’s disease prevention, while services to our community. encouraging early detection and In August of 2014, ITMT launched treatment of health-related Issues. a grassroots initiative—Black Gay Join us as we proclaim our Men’s Wellness Month—and today we love for self and community. are working to expand this initiative #protectourlove. as a city-wide observance in Los Angeles. Jeffrey C. King is Founder and Executive Black Gay Men’s Wellness month Director of In The Meantime Men’s Group, was created to bring attention to the Inc.

Fall 2015 | Message | 13 A NEW NOVEL Black Gay Novel Is Set in Jamaica

n Jamaica, being gay place beside B-Boy is a death sentence. Blues and Invisible I“Boom bye bye inna Life as a seminal batty bwoy head” (gun black gay novel,” shot to gay men) has says Jarrett Neal, replaced the country’s author of What Color motto, “Out of many, is Your Hoodie?: one people.” Essays on Black Time magazine Gay Identity. “A called Jamaica the coming of age novel worst place in the written with flavor Americas for LGBT and audacity, Batty people and one of the Bwoy ushers readers most homophobic into an environment places in the world. where the fluidity Batty Bwoy is of identity—sexual, a bildungsroman racial, national— set in Jamaica and propels its main America. The title is character through his a reappropriation of the derogatory many adventures,” Neal says. Jamaican epithet used to describe gay, bisexual, and effeminate men or amaican-born Max-Arthur Mantle those presumed to be gay or bisexual. studied journalism at Howard Batty Bwoy is the coming of age JUniversity and served in the story of Mark Palmer, a gay, black U.S. Navy. He is an avid abstract Jamaican. The son of an overbearing, painter and self-preserving enthusiast absentee mother, he is thrust into an residing environment that requires a thick skin in Miami. from torments and socio-economic A spring/ disparities. Suppressing his “gay summer book tendencies” to avoid being bashed tour begins or killed, he migrates to America and in Miami with breaks free from the closet into a scheduled world where he is disenfranchised signings and arrested. As his life spirals across the downward from bad choices, he country. clings to desperate measures and eventually finds hope. Max-Arthur Mantle can be reached at “Batty Bwoy is destined to take a www.maxarthurmantle.net.

14 | Message | Fall 2015 In The Meantime’s Mind Wellness Initiative brothers@7 intimate support group sessions One2One confidential one-on-one counseling sessions

All services are free and facilitated by a licensed mental healthcare professional

For additional information 323-733-4868

Funded, in part, by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and In The Meantime NOT EVERYONE APPLAUDS

Post-Same-Sex Marriage WHY ARE SOME GAY PEOPLE MAD?

By Victor Yates patrons at a gay bar rallied after a police raid. very single American—gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, So what does the ruling mean “Etransgender—every single for Black gay men? American deserves to be treated Same-sex couples can now ap- equally in the eyes of the law and in ply for veteran’s benefits and Social the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty Security. The Social Security Admin- simple proposition,” said President istration issued a statement encour- Barak Obama at the Human Rights aging “spouses, divorced spouses, Campaign national dinner in 2011. Seated in the audience were a number of Black gay men, includ- ing LZ Granderson, senior writer for ESPN magazine; Alvin McEwen, con- tributor to The Huffington Post; Justin Stewart, producer for WJLA-ABC 7 News; and Michael Crawford, digital director of the Freedom to Marry campaign. Some of them applauded, while others chose not to. Even though they were all concerned about the possibility of marriage equality, none of them thought they’d see it during their lifetime.

n a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that same- Isex couples have the right to marry. The unprecedented decision was a period at the end of a 46-year- old sentence, which started when

16 | Message | Fall 2015 or surviving spouses of a same-sex urprisingly, all Black gay men marriage or non-marital legal same- aren’t thrilled over the ruling. In sex relationship” to apply for benefits Sa closed Facebook group, Older right away. and Mature Black Men for Friendship “A surviving spouse of a worker and Relationships, a member posted, entitled to Social Security retirement “The right to marry does not require or disability benefits may be entitled us to do it.” The replies were one- to receive retirement benefits based sided. One member stated: “I have on the deceased spouse’s earning always fantasized about the idea of record,” said attorney Kathleen me dating a guy and the both of us Michon. being fiercely independent, with our “For retired married couples, own homes, vehicles, and indepen- a person whose calculated Social dent agendas and that we'd come to Security benefit is lower than that of meet as often as a married couple.” his or her spouse may take half of his Another member wrote that it “isn’t for or her spouse’s higher benefit, rather everyone.” One of the group’s mod- than receive the amount calculated erators commented: “A 27-year-old from his own earnings,” Michon person proposed to me and asked me added. to marry them. This same-sex mar- Other benefits that same-sex riage thing has gotten out of hand.” couples can now take advantage of include tax benefits, estate tax and Why aren’t all gays happy over estate planning, immigration benefits, the ruling? education benefits, and federal A small minority within the com- employment benefits. munity feels as if marriage equality “More than 22 million Americans overshadows other more pressing is- are employed by the federal sues like “police brutality,” “homopho- government,” Michon said. “Many bia,” “access to quality education,” of the employment benefits that the “cuts to public services,” “the number federal government provides to its of people of color in prison,” “employ- employees and their families are tied ment protection for gays, lesbians, to marital status. These benefits, and transgender people,” and “LG- which are part of the employee’s BTQ Blacks finding acceptance within compensation package, are denied to the Black mainstream.” Others simply unmarried employees. Examples of a do not believe in gay marriage—or few of these benefits include health straight marriage, for that matter—and insurance for spouses, and wages, believe in living a singular existence. worker’s compensation, and health Others feel the institution of marriage insurance.” is a trap to force gays to assimilate Children of same-sex couples into the “straight agenda.” may benefit as well from the ruling. Although some people in the They “now have access to programs community cringed the day the deci- designed to keep them out of sion was announced, the Supreme poverty,” said Crosby Burns, a former Court is sitting on the right side of policy analyst for the LGBT Research history by giving same-sex couples and Communications Project at the the option to choose if they want to Center for American Progress. “This get married. includes Social Security benefits, which offer thousands of children the Victor Yates is a writer and blogger whose economic support they need when work has appeared in Windy City Times, GBM News, Qulture, Campus Circle, The their parents are no longer able to Voice, The Catalyst, and Prism. His first financially provide for them due to old book is set to be released by AddisonCraft age, disability, or death.” Publishing.

Fall 2015 | Message | 17 A NEW NOVEL Black Gay Novel Is Set in L.A.

uthor Frederick risk it all to protect Smith recently their hearts and their Aspoke about destinies. his new novel, Play It Foward. “Dirty little riginally secrets can lead to from Detroit, public scandals and OMichigan, unexpected love Frederick Smith is affairs,” he said. a graduate of the In the book, University of Missouri Malcolm Campbell School of Journalism is the director of a and Loyola University south Los Angeles Chicago. A finalist organization focused on for the PEN Center mentoring gay youth, Emerging Voices and his 19-year-old Fellowship, and nephew, Blake, is being an alum of the sent to stay with him for VONA (Voices of the summer. Malcolm Our Nations Arts has always been a community and Foundation) Writers Workshop, Fred is family role model everyone looks up a social justice advocate. to. But he also has a secret he never He lives in Los Angeles and knew he had... until it pops up on the works with local college students Internet. to help them find their voices and Across town, in the closed and develop pride in their cultural and closeted world of Black Hollywood gender identities. He is a Lambda celebrity, pro-basketball player Literary Tyrell Kincaid and R&B singer Award Tommie Jordan are public heroes in finalist and a very private relationship. After a the author series of indiscretions and slipups, of Down for the relationship becomes fodder Whatever, for speculation and outing by the Right Side paparazzi and nationally known of the Wrong gossip reporter Livonia Birmingham. Bed, and Play Despite living in two different it Forward. worlds in L.A., Malcolm, Blake, Tommie, and Tyrell find themselves in Frederick Smith can be reached at www. the same arena, where they'll have to FrederickLSmith.com.

18 | Message | Fall 2015 BROTHAFEST

Fall 2015 | Message | 19 BROTHAFEST

20 | Message | Fall 2015 BROTHAFEST

From the Legends Ball

Fall 2015 | Message | 21 BROTHAFEST

22 | Message | Fall 2015 BROTHAFEST

Fall 2015 | Message | 23 In The Meantime Men’s Group, Inc. The National Model for Black Gay Men’s Wellness Programs and Services MENtorship Brothers @7 One2One Counseling NIA Project My Life My Style BoiRevolution Black LGBT Network HIV Testing Hep C Screening Linkage to Care Brothers Reaching Brothers X-Homophobia Campaign The 50+ Group Events and Activities Kwanzaa Celebration Black Gay Men’s Wellness Month Black Party National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day World AIDS Day Umoja Retreat

www.inthemeantimemen.org 323-733-4868 818-441-1216 Testing Hotline 2146 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90018