When you hear the phrase “book club” - admit it, everyone - the first thing you might think of is “Oprah’s Book Club.” My fantasy about Oprah’s book club is a room full of middle-aged white women who are stuck in sexless marriages, and whose only joy in life is to read a good book…

Well, how about a gay black male book club? What kinds of fantasies or images come into your head when you hear that phrase? I recently discovered such a book club, and
it isn’t anything like I might have expected.

Author Dwayne Vernon at recent GBM Book Club meeting

The GBM Book Club of New York was founded by N. M. Pearson in 2005, because of his love of reading and knowledge. Mr. Pearson is a native New Yorker, Bronx-born and Bronx-bred. He’s an avid reader. Among his favorite authors are V. C. Andrews, Walter Wright, and E. Lynn Harris.

When I asked Mr. Pearson what makes his book club different from other book clubs, he pointed me to his book club’s mission statement:

”The book club is a literary group created by and for us, as same-gender-loving men of African descent. We gather as a group to affirm and empower one another. We focus on the advancement of self-love, social consciousness, and critical thinking skills that will allow us to overcome, but also transcend, the conditions facing our communities. We are primarily educated through literature by authors of African descent, who recognize and promote diversity within the African Diaspora.”

Mr. Pearson then told me the book club’s motto: “Breaking stereotypes, breaking ceilings, breaking new authors.”

The book club uses a screening process for accepting new members. Each prospective member fills out an application form. In addition to customary information, the application form asks the prospective member what special skill(s) he would bring to the book club.

Book club members pay monthly membership dues. [Mr. Pearson didn’t mention the amount.] The club is self-supporting, with its own bank account and club treasurer. Monthly dues go toward the purchase of books, club trips, and refreshments for each meeting. Book club meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of each month.

On the fourth Saturday of last month, October 27th, the book club had its first open meeting at the LGBT Community Center. Another “first” was the club’s guest speaker, a first-time author from Baltimore, Dwayne Vernon. His first book is My Man, My Boyz. I attended the meeting with no idea of what to expect. I entered a beautiful room, graced with big picture-frame windows (which I love). I was cordially welcomed by Mr. Pear-son, who drew my attention to a nicely-arranged refreshment table. Mr. Pearson – who told me to call him Nick - offered me refreshments, and seated me in the front of the room near the stage. I mingled with the crowd, and met Dwayne Vernon himself. He was very personable - and not bad to look at, either.

After a few moments, Mr. Vernon “took the stage” to read excerpts from My Man, My Boyz. The passages he read were intriguing, and made me eager to read his book as soon as I can get around to it. (I have to admit I haven’t read it yet, but I plan to do so very soon.) After the readings, Dwayne took questions from the audience, composed of book club members and the public. The questions were very in-depth, mostly about the characters and story development. One excerpt Dwayne read from the book included some violence. Taken “out of context,” the passage was interpreted by at least one audience member as “feeding stereotypes” The questioner hadn’t yet read the book, as he admitted. Dwayne replied to this accusation with reserve and modesty: “It’s not a stereotype if it’s someone’s reality.”

Other questions from the audience were more focused on the different characters, which ones listeners related to most, and (of course) whether there would be a sequel [More Men, More Boyz?]. Dwayne explained that, while he never planned to be a writer, even in his wildest dreams, the book was the beginning of a serial. Eventually, he’d love to
see his characters come to life on the Big Screen.

Although there was a modest turnout for this first open meeting, I liked the intimacy of the crowd. I felt as if I were sitting around with a group of good friends, talking about our favorite book. There was a sense of brotherhood, unity and family that I fully enjoyed.

When Dwayne Vernon finished, to the warm applause of the audience, he stayed and posed for pictures with his fans (including me!). I must say, this was Not Oprah’s Book Club. I’m even thinking of joining!