I must admit, I'm not a big fan of Pride parades. From a visual standpoint, it all seems redundant and excessive. Drag queens, "barely there" outfits, bumping 'n grinding atop floats, rainbow flags and tired politicians looking for a photo-op have all lost their luster to me. Every year, I try to focus on a different and more intimate aspect of NYC Pride. Last year, I photographed young black lesbians on the pier in a post I titled "Black Sexuality" . This year, without being overwhelmed, I sought out representative portraits of the black gay community out at Pride (not to be mistaken with Pride in the City which is this August). Pride is a predominately white event, but make no mistake, we are out there! Below are a few pictures of black and Latino men "out and about" at Pride.

I am beside myself with grief. My best friend Bill Harmon died yesterday at Long Island College Hospital. I had to cut my vacation short and rush back to New York to be with him.

Fortunately, I got there in time enough for Bill to see me and take his final two breaths. This is the first time I'm dealing with grief on such an intimate level.

I've never lost anyone I cared for more or who I was as close to.

On Friday night in a show of unity, BMX-NY (Black Men's Xchange) held their meeting at GMAD (Gay Men of African Descent) in Harlem, NY for a night that was billed as a "Youth Poetry Slam". With about forty brothers and a sprinkling of sisters present, it was clear to me to me that black sgl men from different organizations and walks of life can come together to celebrate our own, and honor our youth, withoutout animosity and a clashing of organizational missions. This is how we build community. I was happy to be one amongst many.

That's exactly what happens at the annual Soul Summit Music Festival in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn-- You 'Catch your LIFE!' This summer jam knows no color nor sexual orientation. In true ol' skool house form, it's a free for all, and all that is required is positive energy. This classic party, the second of four, is strictly for House Music Heads...especially for those who love to DANCE!

This year's 'Pride In The City', New York's official Black Pride has come and gone, but these images will live on to tell the story of who we are, and how we love during our annual celebration of Black Gay Pride. Four days of events and about 1,400 pictures later, I present to you my vision of the main events of the weekend, as seen through my eyes. Obviously, I did a tight edit to present the images here. Please enjoy the photos and email the link to others. Click to enlarge any photo and feel free to post comments! HAPPY PRIDE!

Out of the six hundred and ten photos I snapped at this year's Adodi Retreat, the first one below would be sufficient enough to tell the whole story of the Adodi Retreat as I experienced it. Brotherhood.

The gruesome murder of 19 year-old Rashawn Brazell on February 17th 2005 remains unsolved and the killer lurks amongst us. Rashawn, a young black gay man and aspiring web designer's body parts were found stuffed in garbage bags at three different locations throughout Brooklyn. This case garnered very little media attention but did include a national piece on the television crime show "America's Most Wanted". Homophobia on the media's part? Perhaps.

Three years later, on the eve of Rashawn's murder anniversary, I can't help but wonder how much more exposure this case would have received had it been a white woman whose dismembered parts had been found in a similar fashion. In the same year on May 30th, a young white woman disappeared during a school trip to Aruba. Three years later, the case still garners considerable media attention on national and perhaps even some global news outlets. I remember Natalee's name, not because I knew her, but because the media makes sure that I don't forget her and that I (and everyone else) helps provide tips to locate her killer. But what's worse is our own community's apathy surrounding this case. I mean, there is a killer out there who has murdered a black gay man! Though this case has not been officially deemed a hate crime, it has all the makings of one... chopped up body parts to start. Hopefully the killer will be found and brought to justice.

This year I'm honoring Rashawn's memory by running the series of photos from last year's candle light vigil.

I remember Rashawn, and will never forget...

Nostrand Avenue Train Station, Brooklyn. One of the places where parts of Rashawn's dismembered body were found.




Volunteers hand out leaflets to the community.




Desire Brazell, Rashawn's mom speaks to the crowd.



The Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
.


Friends embrace.




Rashawn's father.

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By Ocean Morisset, Photojournalist


On March 28th a group of friends headed out to Sedona, Arizona to fulfill our friend Bill Harmon's final wish. Bill, who transitioned on July 5, 2007 expressed to us that he wanted to be cremated and his ashes dispersed in Sedona, Arizona. For us, this was a mission like none other, and I'm happy that we were able to carry it out. On Bill's birthday March 29th, we hiked along one of the spectactular red rock mountains of Sedona, finding the ideal spot along the "Little Horse Trail". Simple, yet moving, we each took turns saying a few words about Bill, while a recording of his flute song "Peace" played serenly in the background. Afterwards, Steve and I dispered his ashes into the red earth. Bill is really and finally at peace now, and I was honored and blessed to have have shared the experience with a group of special friends: K, Steve, Joe and Christina.

This is my second trip to Sedona. The first time was in 2004 when I went on a spiritual and cleansing retreat after I'd ended my thirteen year relationship. Upon my return, I showed Bill my photos from the trip. He had fallen in love the beauty of the landscape, and admired my ability to seek out healing for myself. Bill loosely planned to make a trip to Sedona, but it never really manifested...at least, not until now.

Below are some photos that show some of the beauty and wonder I experienced in the beautiful landscape of the Sedona desert. In loving memory of my best friend Bill Harmon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!

Portrait of Bill smiling, 2004

Aloe Plant.

Lone Cactus casts a shadow on the earth.

The trail where Bill's ashes were dispersed.

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By Ocean Morisset, Photojournalist

I am just as astonished as everyone. Outraged like most. Saddened for my brother, and will join others in the pursuit of JUSTICE!

On Friday April 25th I joined hundreds of other Sean Bell supporters and media outside the Queens County Criminal Courthouse to hear the verdict of the Sean Bell murder trial. Sean Bell was a young UNARMED African American man whose body was riddled with bullets, killing him instantly, by three New York City Police Officers. Bell was to be married later the same day. The NOT GUILTY verdict sent a shockwave of raw emotion throughout the crowd outside the courthouse, as well as to people of African descent everywhere.

Below are some images that document the scene outside the courthouse moments after the verdict was read.

In memory of SEAN BELL and with my heartfelt condolences to the Bell's family and friends.

Awaiting the verdict.

One of several NYPD helicopters hover above the crowd.

A hopeful Bishop Lester Williams awaits the verdict. Bishop Williams was to marry Sean and his fiancee on the day he got shot.



I took this picture because I thought it was a great representation of being "on opposite sides of the fence".


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By Ocean Morisset, Sr. Photojournalist

Reverand Al Sharpton's National Action Network planned a series of six "pray-ins" at strategic locations in New York. The images that follow are from the carefully orchestrated demonstration at New York City Police Headquarters, also known as One Police Plaza. On this bright spring day, hundereds of protesters came out in force for a day of civil disobedience. And that's just what it was. Not a brick was thrown, and people actually signed up to be arrested. Now that's deep! By the end of the day, over two hundered and twenty people were arrested, all for Sean Bell, an unarmed black man who was shot to death by police on his wedding day.

This was a tough shoot given the large number of protesters and media, but I was proud to be there because after all, I AM SEAN BELL!

Feel free to post your comments about the Sean Bell case. 

Protester shouts at police officer. Crowd of protesters and media swarm the Reverand AL Sharpton, Nicole Paultre Bell, Sean's fiancee and the Bell family as they walk towards Police Headquarters. Nicole Paultre Bell. A picture of grace, dignity, and determination. Shooting victims Trent Benenfield and Joseph Guzman. We are ALL Sean Bell!

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Images from the book signing event Hiding in Hip-Hop fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center whose mission is to help homeless LGBT youth be safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood. To learn more about the Ali Forney Center, visit www.aliforneycenter.org.

Just to be a lil' different and still somewhat creative, I photographed this event in black and white. Enjoy!

 

The event, held on May 21 st, was sponsored by Nubian Dreams,  N Harlem Boutique and the author Terrence Dean.

Terrence Dean's new book, Hiding in Hip-Hop . Terrence Dean signs a copy of his book.

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