Chicago Gay Pride Parade 2009

Blogs were all the rage in 2007 and I jumped on the bandwagon. I figured I have stuff to say, I'm an illustrator and I take pics on my little digital camera, so why not do a blog? Well this sh*t is hard. Not hard like geometry, but I just don't have the time to update like I should. Damn it's been 2 years from this post to the last one...trifiling!

I like blogs, I spend a good portion of my work day at blogs; Rod 2.0, Pam's House Blend, Pretty On The Outside, SGL Cafe are some of my favorites. I realize I'm not up to do what they do. It takes some real dedication to update on a regular basis...and all of these bloggers have day jobs.

Anyhoo...my web designer Simone did a bang up job on the redesign of Lavenderpop.com so the least I could do is update my postings. Here are a few shots of the 2009 Chicago Gay Pride Parade.

1. I was wondering when I would see my first Lada Gaga impersonator and there she is...she even has a disco stick...go bitch!

2. Illinois Senator Roland Burris. I still think the Blagojevich appointment was tainted, but I give him props for supporting the community.

3. This shot doesn't capture just how far brotha was jumping in those spring boot wachamacallits.

4. I couldn't find my friend Carol James who was marching with the SGI gay Buddhist group, but I did get a pic of Mr. Buddhist Hotness.

5. My friend Israel's cute pug.

6. The Jeffrey Pub is one of the oldest bars in Chicago and it's located on Chicago's Black south side community. This is their first float in the Pride parade.

Peace till next time.

New cards from the big boys

So Hallmark announces a new line of cards called Journeys. Included in this line are cards for unique occasions like coping with cancer, dealing with depression, and coming out. Of course I had to check this out. You mean ole Miss Hallmark is tryin' to reach out to the gays? Well the card and writing was so watered down that the card could really be used for a number of occasions...which from a marketing standpoint makes since, but if you are going to do a coming out card, then dammit, commit to it! Of course they didn't.

Which is why gay greeting card designers like myself create the cards that we do. We know our communities and make cards that boldly speak to us in words and images.

Popin' Book Review

It's been a few months since I read From Top to Bottom by Michael-Christopher. What stuck with me is that Michael approached the whole concept of sexual positioning which isn't really talked about in the gay/bi/same gender loving community. It is assumed that you are either a top or a bottom. With that identity comes all the baggage of masculinity, character traits, personality, and mannerisms which we are taught should match what position you take in bed.

Virgil, the main character is propositioned during an out of town business trip. Already in a relation ship as a bottom, he is asked by a handsome stranger to be a top. When he returns home, this request colors his relationship with a confirmed 100% top, and his close knit friendship with his three buddies. The story not only unfolds as Virgil questions whether he must be confined to the bottom role, but causes his friends to examine their own identities and that of their boyfriends.

The Chicago reading and booksigning was sponsored by Adodi-Chicago and held at Cafe Nine 17. From Top to Bottom is a great and entertaining read by one of today's most prolific writer/illustrators.

http://www.fromtoptobottom.info/

The book signing for SPIRITED was a truly spiritual affair. Held at Affinity in Chicago 10/14/06, an enthusiastic crowd welcomed editors Lisa C. Moore and G. Winston James as well as contributors CC Carter and Anthony Hardaway. Pictured- me, Anthony, and G. Winston

Please visit http://www.redbonepress.com/

Me and the talented Darryl Stephens of NOAH'S ARC at the Deeply Rooted Dance Performance in Chicago 10/06.

Posted are a collection of my original art and illustrations. All work is copyrighted and can not be copied or posted in any way without permission.