Consumer Vents At Target For Right-Wing Donation

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight (Official Unedited)

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!

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

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

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

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.