Photo by Donald Andrew Agarrat, 2006.
Okay, this is what I've been up to lately.
May
The ALMS GLBT International Conference: Saving Our Culture, Minneapolis, MN.
Sat on a panel, "Diversity Issues in LGBT Archives and Special Collections," with Yolanda Retter Vargas, PhD, UCLA Chicano Studies Library and Special Collections; LGBTI Archives/Special Collections Diversity Project (California); Daniel Tsang, Asian American studies et al. bibliographer, University of California, Irvine (California); and Kim Clarke, Assistant Librarian, Wilson Information Reference and Instructional Services, University of Minnesota Libraries (Minnesota)
Gave presentation on the Black Gay and Lesbian Archive project, and discussed the lack of diversity among the majority of LGBT archival institutions. Excited about the work I see being done to collect and preserve LGBT culture; not so pleased to see only a handful of librarians and archivists dedicated to collecting and preserving the archival records of people of color. I can see making an even larger contribution to the field largely through educating the Black LGBT/SGL community about the work I do, the work that needs to be done, and why this work matters so much.
art in harlem: star struck, Village of Harlem
Great people, fabulous art and awards created by Marvin K. White. Watch for the short film about that special day (May 21st) in the near future. You've seen the pics. Trust me, it gets a lot crazier. Last art in harlem is coming in November. The theme: renaissance.
Black Pride DC 2006 - Washington, DC
Sold a shitload of Vintage Entity Press books (shared table space with RedBone Press), in the hot-ass sun with Larry. Met some nice folks. Also attended Fire & Ink, Inc. board meeting to discuss upcoming fundraising projects. Gave a kick-ass reading from FUNNY and forthcoming book of poetry.
June
Brooklyn Alternative Small Press Fair - Brooklyn, New York
Had a chance to talk up Vintage Entity Press, our mission as well as show off our lovely titles. Cheryl Boyce Taylor stopped by and we had a good time catching up, if briefly. She's as busy as I am. Maybe more so.
State of Politics and Activism in the Black LGBT/SGL Community. Schomburg Center, New York, New York. Panel discussion feat. Samiya Bashir (Freedom to Marry), Larry D. Lyons, II (Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund), and Cheryl Clarke (activist.) Moderated by Kevin McGruder (Revival). Engaging, inspiring and charged dialogue about (among many things) where we are as queer folks of color; how to bridge the generation gaps (legacy folks to new heads); effective coalition building around principles rather than (solely) sexuality and race; what defines an activist and activism; and where we want/need to go as individuals and as a community.
A PRIDE OF WRITERS Reading and Fundraiser to benefit Fire & Ink, Inc. Washington, DC.
Wonderful readings by Reginald Harris (Ten Tongues), Michelle Sewell (Growing Up Girl), Shelton Jackson (The Dawn of a New Day) and Clarence* Fluker (Spirited.) Playwright Alan Sharpe showcased a reading from his play, "Auld Lang Syne." Lisa C. Moore, Steven Newsome, Reggie and I organized the event. There will be more fundraising events in the near future. Stay tuned.
Black LGBT/SGL Publishers Speak Out. Schomburg Center, New York, New York. Panel discussion feat. Charlene Cothran (Venus Magazine); Lisa C. Moore (RedBone Press); and Colin Robinson (Other Countries). I moderated the panel. Discussed the rich, largely obscured history of black LGBT/SGL publishing in the United States from small presses and community based organizations, to magazine publishers and self-published authors.
On the writing/publishing tip:
Mutant Me: A Review of X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Vibe.com. June 2006.
Thomas Glave: Words To Our Now. Interview. Vibe.com. May 2006.
On Michael Jackson by Margo Jefferson (book review.) Black Issues Book Review. May/June 2006.
Snippet:
Which came first, myth or Michael Jackson? In Margo Jefferson’s first book, “On Michael Jackson,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning cultural critic for the New York Times, she deftly poses this question as she tours readers through the Funhouse of the undisputed King of Pop. Jefferson illuminates the varied landscapes in which the Moonwalker has both flourished and faltered as ringmaster and freak, manager and minstrel, breadwinner and child, virgin and sex symbol, child protector and accused pedophile, whose questionable grip on reality isn’t really the question. What Jefferson says about her subject by default reveals more about the public and its obsession with celebrity than it does her subject. We are implicated in this remarkable treatise.
My Life in France by Julia Child, with Alex Prud'homme (book review.) Library Journal. April 2006.
Snippet:
Accessible, passionate, and always touching, this is a sumptuous offering from an immortal chef, a magical woman who feasted on life and found it quite sweet—a recipe for living fully, a lesson to us.
Favorite moments:
Watching Reginald Harris read - twice! Once at the Bowery Poetry Club at the Fire and Ink's fundraiser at Lambda Rising Bookstore in Washington, DC.
Hanging out with my sweetie at Good Morning America, watching Mary J. Blige!
If you look really closely, you can see me (red shirt) and Larry (white shirt.)
Upcoming: interviews, interviews, interviews!
Saturday, July 01, 2006 @ 04:51 PM