The theme for the 17th annual D.C. Black Pride over the Memorial Day weekend was “Black All Over:  Liberty, Unity and Strength.”  It fully embraced and demonstrated the spirit of renewal for this celebration, which bubbled over with the three “E’s”--energy, excitement, and enthusiasm.

     According to James W. Hawkins, President of the Board of Directors of Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, Inc., “D.C. Black Pride began as a one-day festival in 1980 when three men—Welmore Cook, Theodore Kirkland and Ernest Hopkins—found themselves concerned with both the lack of a place for our community to gather during the Memorial Day weekend and with the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS and its impact on their community.  We are honored to continue this proud tradition of success.”

     Hawkins also stated that the D.C. festival is the original, longest-running and most inclusive Black Pride in the United States.  “D.C. Black Pride is changing its focus and its direction from one weekend-long celebration to year-round events as well,” he added.  “D.C. Black Pride will focus on gearing its efforts to events that will continue to build ‘

‘Strength’ and establish a greater sense of ‘Unity’ with specific emphasis on HIV prevention and education, community involvement and social activities.”

     The host hotel for this year’s Pride was the hip, comfortable, and esthetically pleasing Renaissance M Street hotel, located in the city’s northwest corridor adjacent to Dupont Circle.  The friendly, capable management staff provided swift, quality service.

     Numerous events were held.  Some of the more noteworthy ones included a town hall meeting on the “State of Black Men’s Health” and a “Transgender 101” workshop.

     The Brave Soul Collective presented “Black All Over:  Poetry Slam.”  Also, the annual Fire and Ink Literary event, sponsored by publisher Lisa C. Moore of Redbone Press, showcased authors reading from their new works.  These included Laurinda Brown, Walk Like a Man; Doug Cooper-Spencer, This Place of Men; G. Winston James, The Damaged Good; Michelle Sewell, Growing Up Girl; and Michael-Christopher, From Top to Bottom.  As well, I read passages from Nothing Can Tear Us Apart (gay/ethnic/erotica), my brand new full-length novel. 

     On Sunday at the D.C. Convention Center, an eclectic and diverse group of vendors presented their wares to the community for purchase.  They included African Images, BLACK SWEAT, Metropolitan DC Police—Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit, Washington Blade, Nathan James, Washington City Paper, People of Color In Crisis, and Ebony Pyramid Entertainment. 

     Various acts performed during the day.   The “show-stopper” was pop and R&B sensation Monica.  She was hot, she was righteous.  The singer “set it off” with “Don’t Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days),” and then slipped into “Angel.”  Afterwards, she kept the groove “rollin’ right along.”  Oh, yeah.

     However, Sunday night brought a major disappointment:  Miss Patti Labelle.  Her appearance at D.C. Pride was to have been a major coup, a really big deal.   But it wasn’t.  Her performance was a “downer,” to say the least, for the jam-packed crowd--which waited patiently until 1 a.m. for her to grace the stage.

     Let me give you the “411.”  She sang only two songs:  New Attitude and Over the Rainbow.   And she interacted with the audience far too much.  Now, it’s true that playful, humorous banter with the “peeps” is a charming, effective part of her routine--but enough is enough.  Really.   Patti--you should’ve done what you were paid to do first and foremost:  sing.

     During this “concert,” Pride presented Patti with a birthday cake.  Then, all of a sudden, Ms. Jennifer Hudson materialized and crooned “Happy Birthday.” 

     After that, J Hud sang one song.  Next, she performed a duet with Patti.  And then it was all over.  Total time--from when Patti first opened her mouth to when she finally closed it—was 21 minutes.  The audience was dumbfounded.


     I had the opportunity to have a sit-down with Nathan James, best-selling author of several genres, including gay ethnic erotica.   His best sellers include the full-length novel, The Devil’s Details; the anthology, Muscle Worshippers; and the E-book, In His Court.   He has various other projects near completion (including his full-length novel, Acapelago) or almost ready to drop (the E-books Check Ride and Center Court.  The latter is the follow-up to his hugely successful In His Court.).





     A highly intelligent and extremely engaging man, James grew up in New York—where he continues to make his home.  He first started writing at age 11.  “When I was in the fifth grade, I entered an essay contest entitled “Our Town.”  It was about the history of Far Rockaway, my neighborhood in Queens.”  James walked away with a first-place win.  “I discovered then that I had a way with words.”

  

   What motivates and inspires the author to put pen to paper?  “Life experience.  The things I see going on in the world around me, what I see others struggling with.  The unfailing ability of our society to create conflict and change.”

     I asked James if he employs a certain method or process when writing.  “Well, I use visualization.  I try to see the world from the perspectives of my characters.  I try to meditate on who these characters are as people, and how I would live if I were one of my characters.”

     The best-selling author commented on gay literature as a whole.  “I believe that gay lit is undergoing a renaissance,” James observed.  “I’m seeing more publishers becoming receptive to the genre, and more authors being recognized for their work in the genre.”  He added, “We need more Black gay writers to contribute their richness and diversity.”

     Next, James spoke on gay erotica.  In a recent interview with Succumb magazine, he stated, “ ‘I think of erotica (as opposed to pornography) as the telling of a story in which intimacy and sexuality play a central (but not overwhelming) role in the story.’ "                                     

    He noted, “Gay erotica has been moribund for a long time.  There have been a limited number of choices offered by a limited number of publishers.  Now, public demand seems to be reversing this trend.

     “Gay erotica is a genre in which I can show that the sexuality between gay people is just as valid and beautiful as the sexuality of ‘straight’ people.”

     And, is a Gay Black Pride really necessary?  “I think that’s a question that needs to be addressed within the larger LGBT community as a whole,” James commented.  “I think that gay people of color aren’t separating themselves from the rest of the Gay community.  But sometimes, the reverse is true.”

 

 

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