LavenderPoppin'

New GAYDAR card

2011-12-17T12:58:00.001-06:00

www.lavenderpop.com

Very excited about the new GAYDAR humor card being added to the Lavenderpop Greeting Cards collection. A card you can send to anyone who is FABULOUS! Should be uploaded and for sale on the site very soon.

Marsha Ambrosius - Far Away

2011-01-12T18:48:00.001-06:00

Marsha Ambrosius, the former half of the Neo-Soul duo Floetry, has just dropped a beautiful song and video about Black gay love and the devastating effect of homophobia in the Black community. This will be my first purchase with the Christmas itunes gift card!

2010-10-19T19:11:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
After recuperating for over a week, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who donated for my Marathon fundraising to benefit the AIDS Foundation Of Chicago. As hard and painful as the marathon was, I'm doin' it again in 2011!

It's not too late to donate. The AIDS Foundation is still taking donations until the end of the year. Check out link. http://afc.aidschicago.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=906&frsid=13318

Running to raise money for HIV/AIDS

2010-08-27T11:12:00.008-05:00

Me at Foster Beach training site after running 20 miles Saturday 8/21 for my Chicago Marathon AIDS Fundraiser. Check out my link and give whatever you can. I'm less than $300 away from my goal of raising $1600.00. Thanks!

http://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/Otis

Try Again TARGET

2010-08-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

Here is TARGET's wholly inadequate reply to my complaint. Basically that bigotry is acceptable if the end goal is making shareholders happy. Violence and discrimination against lgbt community is defined as "one candidate's stance on a particular issue". You gotta be sh*tting me!

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Target has long believed that engaging in civic activities is an important and necessary element of operating a national retail business. What's more important than any one candidate's stance on a particular issue is how we nurture thoughtful, long-term growth in the state of Minnesota.

Our support of causes and candidates is based strictly on issues that affect our retail and business objectives. To continue to grow and create jobs and opportunity in our home state, we believe it is imperative to be engaged in public policy and the political process. That is why we are members of organizations like the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce and many others. And that is why we decided to contribute to MN Forward.

MN Forward's objective is to elect candidates from both parties who will make job creation and economic growth a top priority. We operate best when working collaboratively with legislators on both sides of the aisle. In fact, if you look at our Federal PAC contributions year to date, you will see that they are very balanced between Republicans and Democrats. For more information please visit www.target.com/company, and view the Civic Activity page.

Target has a large stake in Minnesota's future, which is why it is so important to be able to provide jobs, serve guests, support communities and deliver on our commitment to shareholders. As an international business that is proud to call Minnesota home, it is critical that we have a business environment that allows us to be competitive. Our guests, team members, communities and shareholders depend on Target to remain competitive.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Offices

No More Mr. Nice Gay At TARGET

2010-07-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

The CEO at Target thought it was in his company's interest to donate $150,000 to MN Forward, an organization that supports Tom Emmer a Republican Candidate for governor of Minnesota. Emmer is anti-gay and is supported by folks who advocate violence against the lgbt community. Now you got some pissed off gay folks! I just shopped there like a week ago, and do most of my holiday shopping there...but no more. There is debate about the effectiveness of boycotts. I would hate not shopping there, but damn don't act like you respect your gay employees and customers then pull some sh*t like this. So until CEO Gregg Steinhafel makes amends to our community I guess I need to spend my money somewhere else. Target, your stuff is cute, but not worth disrespecting myself.

Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com ph: 612-696-6234 fax: 612-696-6325

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=27464

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Boycott-Target-Until-They-Cease-Funding-Anti-Gay-Politics/147077835306202?ref=mf

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/demand_target_stop_donating_to_anti-gay_politicians

Consumer Vents At Target For Right-Wing Donation

2010-07-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight (Official Unedited)

2010-05-25T11:39:00.000-05:00

2010-05-25T11:13:00.004-05:00

Lots of talk on the web about Christina Aguilera’s new song "Not Myself Tonight". Critics and fans are saying she is bitin’ hard off of Lada Gaga. I see way more Madonna references than Gaga. She bites off some other divas including Annie Lennox, RuPaul and even George Michael. So is the vid a rip off or a tribute…you decide. Click image for larger view.

The latest is her summer tour was canceled. Speculation for cancel is that the single didn’t do so hot on the charts.

Introducing our New Happy Anniversary Card!

2010-05-10T13:23:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to introduce a new Happy Anniversary card to the Lavenderpop Greeting Card Collection. Lavenderpop cards were created to serve the relationships within the LGBT community. The Anniversary card is just as appropriate for our straight allies.

Check it out among the other 'DATING' cards.
Dating Card Happy Anniversary Link

There is also a special going on. Buy any 3 cards and get a 4th card FREE.

What Is Justice For The Black Gay Man Panel Discussion

2010-02-04T12:24:00.009-06:00

Keith Boykin

E. Patrick Johnson

Antonio D. Jimenez

I attended a recent panel discussion titled 'What Is Justice For The Black Gay Man?' on Thursday, January 28, 2010. Sponsored by a collaboration of orgs: Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, TPAN, Project CRYSP, Lifelube, and the Communities of Color Collaborative.

On the panel were Keith Boykin, editor, author, TV host and former White House aide to president Clinton, E. Patrick Johnson, a professor at Northwestern University and author of "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South," and Antonio D. Jimenez of the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health. The event took place at the The University Center downtown Chicago and the audience was standing room only. My brief notes from each panelist's message:

Keith Boykin: Our biggest problem is our own internalized homophobia. Attitudes won't change until the Black community sees out Black gay men. Go beyond identy politics and have dialog with other groups and movements.

E. Patrick Johnson: In interviewing Black gay men for this book, "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South" he discovered that these men are looking for affirmation and confirmation. Justice is being who you are and calling others out on their homophobia, even family members.

Antonio D. Jimenez: Spoke from the perspective as an ally. He started one of the earliest HIV prevention orgs that served the Black and latino community-Minority Outreach Intervention Project. He spoke of the need for men to be tested and to be proactive about their health. Black men must also maintain connections to family members and partners for support.

Congrats to organizers for great turnout and discussion by panelists and audience. After the panel, several people expressed feedback that 'Justice' as a topic was too broad. I agree that topic is broad, but as a starting point maybe that's ok. Looking at the many themes that came up, hopefully the organizers will use the email list serv to have follow up talks with more narrowly focused topics. Other attendees have suggested more focused discussions and measurable outcomes.

Topics I noted were:

Identity/Being true self
Visibility/Outness
Homophobia/Internalized homophobia/Heterosexism
Access to privilege (white, male, etc)
Role of allies
HIV prevention in marginalized communities (MSM, prisons)Interconnections with others (trans, bi, women)
Knowing our Black gay history (Bayard Rustin)

Using agency/empowerment to get stuff done
Affirming one another to build community

I believe the large turn out represents the desire for Black gay men to find solutions for ourselves. I noticed members representing many organizations in the audience; Chicago Windy City Black Pride, Adodi Chicago, ONYX, religious/spiritual orgs, etc. Maybe a comprehensive list of local Black gay groups could be posted to let others know who is doing what in the community.

As a small business owner (http://www.lavenderpop.com/), I’d like to see discussion on how we can build economic power and networking to address issues. I’ve heard feedback that continued talks about homophobia and stigma, while important, are a distraction from building economic and political power. Homophobia effects white gays too. And as one audience member said “White gays get stuff done (along with lesbians)”. Can Black gays who have less economic power and privilege than white gays, successfully confront the multiple issues that negatively affects our full participation in the Black community and the larger society?

Panelists take audience questions

Front row panelists seated: L to R-Antonio D. Jimenez, Keith Boykin, and E. Patrick Johnson

along with event organizers

E. Patrick Johnson and me

Kathy Griffin not so D-list signing

2009-10-28T13:25:00.010-05:00

Maybe I was just tired after standing in line for 3 1/2 hours to get my book signed by Kathy Griffin. The 'official' pic with her, my eyes are shut and I'm looking particularly greasy. D-List my ass...the line for her snaked around all three floors of Borders. Now 'yall know I'm not much for book readin' and learnin', but the parts I read standing in line give a revealing insight into her early development in comedy and all the behind the scenes obstacles she overcame. It’s a very funny read. Saw her standup the following weekend at Chicago Theater, and she killed.

Location: 830 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago

Chicago Gay Pride Parade 2009

2009-07-10T11:39:00.034-05:00

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

2007-02-28T19:49:00.000-06:00

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

2006-12-03T14:30:00.000-06:00

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/

2006-11-25T14:37:00.000-06:00

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/

2006-11-25T13:44:00.000-06:00

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