Harris is known for his breakthrough novel, Invisible Life, which became a testament for many gays and lesbians struggling with their sexuality and the need to come out to their family and friends. What started as a self-published novel that he sold out of the trunk of his car in the early 1990s, Invisible Life, and the almost dozen novels that would follow, consistently earned a place on the New York Times bestseller’s list while at the same time, gaining a place of reverence in the hearts and minds of millions of readers – mostly women.

Harris would become a living example of the independent author scoring big after being picked up by a major book publisher. A longtime author for Random House, his titles include: Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, and his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted.

Harris recently spoke with this writer while promoting his book at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse. In the coming days we will publish excerpts from that story and the interview along with testimonies from his fans.

Readers are urged to send their comments and reflections to this writer at dkmcneir@hotmail.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his son, his mother and his many friends and fans.

I will miss you my friend!

"And, man, he would turn things upside down! It was just a wonder to behold to see him in action. He really saw himself as the editor. ... Walter actually had had a blue pencil that he used from time to time. I mean, he did the whole deal."

After a lot of screaming and hollering and making sure it was okay with my parents, she loaded us all into her Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, a car that I liked so much that I begged my mother to get me a Matchbox (car) replica, and whisked us away like Glenda, the Good Witch of the North, to the concert.

We wouldn't have much time to talk or play before it was time for them to take the stage - that would happen the following afternoon at a party that Mr. Gordy gave at his mansion on West Boston Boulevard, with all the goodies we could gobble up, and other fun activities including bowling, swimming, tennis, basketball and other children's games.

But what I remember most, both before Michael went on stage and the next day during the party and before the Jackson Five had to leave for another city and another concert, was the sad look in his eyes. It never really registered with me until just recently that even then, despite having it all, or so I believed, more than anything what Michael really wanted was the opportunity to do what I did every day and took for granted - enjoy being a little boy.

One writer who interviewed Jackson said that one of his greatest unfulfilled desires, when he was still a young boy, was to go outside and join other children, children that he did not know, on a playground and just … play.

Perhaps now, in death, the man-child who touched our hearts with his uncanny ability to dance and sing will finally have the chance to romp and skip in the playgrounds of heaven. And maybe now he is happy - at least, I would like to think so.

When I was a boy, we all wanted to be Marlon or Jermaine, Tito or Jackie, or of course, Michael, but I wonder, if I could have really switched places, would I have been able to embrace my new life and all of its challenges. When I look at the mountains that Michael Jackson was able to climb and the valleys that sometimes appeared to swallow him whole, I wonder if perhaps I was am actually the lucky one.

And I have decided to be satisfied with who I am and hold on to being an ordinary brother from Motown and celebrate the memories of a childhood when Detroit was a little like "heaven."

The essay above is from Kevin's collection of essays that he is currently completing for publication entitled, Growing Up Motown: When Detroit Was "Heaven."

I'm sure most of you have been following this Michael Jackson saga, we heard that the he is to be buried at "Neverland", then we heard that the family were having a private service for only family and close friends, leaving the fans with no closure.

Now some Republican Congress man, I'm not even going to mentioned his name, since I feel that he's trying to become known, on the coattails of Mr. Michael Jackson's celebrity, has stated that he doesn't understand the world's sorrow, since the entertainer was accused of child molestation. However, Mr. Jackson was found not guilty and cleared on all other charges. Yet, I don't think that he ever recovered from that. We will not concentrate on the "hater's" of our King of Pop.

Rev. Al Sharpton said that Michael Jackson belonged to us. I feel that Michael Jackson came from us, but he belonged to everyone who loved him. "Black or White", Gay or Straight", Young or Old", "Rich or Poor". And he will be remembered forever.

Love you Mr. Michael Jackson, rest in peace.

You read it here at GBMNews

It was just released that Joe Jackson, his father gets nothing, he was cut out of the will, as Mr. Michael never got over how his father abused him, when he was a child. Strangely, Mr. Joe Jackson has been granted legal control of the Michael Jackson estate. The interesting thing is that the Michael was in disagreement with his father, most of his adult life. Only recently Mr. Joe Jackson wanted a reunion tour with Michael and his brothers, but Michael was not interested. There was also talk of Mr. Michael Jackson headlining in Vegas. Ms. Janet Jackson, his younger sister, said that if this were to happen, she would love to open for him. As for Mr. Joe Jackson handling anything belonging to the gloved one, I'm sure he would not approved.

At the Apollo, during the day, as thousands & thousands waited in the hot sun, umbrella's were opened in honor to the King of Pop. It's believed that thousands waited for 2 days outside of the theatre, to insure entrance. Now its raining, still thousands patiently wait to enter the famous theatre. At 5:26 pm, on Thursday, June 25th, everyone in NYC and LA, stopped for a moment of silence, as we, of one mind, focused, prayed and thanked God for sharing this musical genius with us.

Now many of you are probably saying, so what happened at lunch? But I think it's important to give a little history. After this breakthrough album, perhaps the pressure was on, plus he had his own demons caused by his father, Mr. Joe Jackson, it's been released that father dearest use to tell the musical genius that he had a big nose. (The damage that some parents cause to their children should be against the law.)

It was also revealed tonight that Michael Jackson was also anorexic. I am currently watching live coverage on CNN, of a helicopter carrying the pop icons body, which just goes to show the enormity of this moment! There will be tributes paid all across the world all across TV channels and of course we would be remiss if we did not include some photographic tributes and a video or two.

There are reports that Michael's situation is much worse than the belated Ms. Anna Nicole Smith. Shocking yes, as we are now told that prescription drugs may have be instrumental in his sudden passing, coupled with a broken heart. The media in the last few years, broke his heart.

My sister told me recently that when Michael Jackson's tickets became available here in the United States, she and I had to get tickets. Mr. Jackson told that press that this tour would be his last. Many wondered if he could break his own record, as "Thriller", went 4 platinum.

Shy of a few weeks, the great gloved King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson's comeback tour, will not happen as he was called home to live with God. The world will shed tears for this wonderful gentle spirit. He will be missed and his music will be played forever. He's been compared to the late Mr. John Lennon and Elvis but there's no comparison, Mr. Jackson stands in his own light.

I pray that if there's a hereafter, that Mr. Jackson is able to feel that love from his many fans from all around the world. My heart also aches for his family. I'm sure there will be stories written about his private life, but lets concentrate on his career, the gift that he shared with us.

Mr. Michael Jackson, you are a great talent that made the world a better place. Rest in peace.

You read it at GBMNews.com

However, I believe that her most important role was to be the wife of Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. When you saw them you could tell that it was pure love, he loved his Altovise and she loved him. Mr. Davis died in 1990 of throat cancer.

I would imagine that when Ms. Altovise was about to go through that door of the hereafter, I would not be surprised, if Mr. Davis was there waiting.

Rest in peace Mrs. Altovise Davis.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

Later in her career, she took it upon herself to fly to Washington DC, where she was reported as making the First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson, cry. For many years after, Ms. Kitt believed that she was blacklisted because of this act. The CIA developed a file on Ms. Eartha. She was later forced to live in Europe for the next 6 years.

In the 70's, disco was born and Ms. Kitt recorded a smash gay club hit, "Where Is My Man" of which the album, "I Love Man" was released. She was a favorite on the club scene and on the International circuit. Later she appeared in such movies as "Boomerang" where she called Eddie Murphy character, "Markus", in a way that was sexual and inviting.

It wasn't until she was sent to live with her aunt in New York City, did she receive some kind of love. Her aunt encouraged her to pursue the performing arts but the relationship wasn't the best, Eartha left her aunt's home, returned to reconcile, only having to leave again.

When Eartha was 16, just by chance, she run into a young lady who was attending the Katherine Durham Dance School. The stranger told Eartha that she should try out, audition. Well she did and she won a scholarship. The dance school, introduced the "diva in waiting", to a bigger world. She was able to dream and was able to make her dreams come true. In 1950, she starred on Broadway, in an Orson Wells production, "Helen of Troy".

Ms. Kitt was married briefly, and this relationship produced one child, Kitt McDonald, in 1961. In later years Kitt was her mother's manager. In 1997 gave a benefit performance in South Carolina, and created the "Eartha Kitt Performing Arts Scholarship" for dance.

Throughout her lifetime, there was this confusion of race. She didn't feel that she belonged. First the rejection from her mother, her family, some of the ills of the Black American race problems from within and the shame of society's demons on race. But Ms. Eartha Kitt was able to live her life her own way. Many times she would state that she was American Indian, other times, half white, half black but no matter the race, she was an asset, a pioneer, a hero and legend.

On her fan club website, there's a thank you note: "It is with much sadness that we confirm that Eartha has left us. Our heartfelt sadness to her daughter, Kitt, Jason and Rachel (Jason and Rachel must be her grandchildren). I always said Eartha would perform until she died, for aside from family , it was her love for her fans that came next in her heart. The past several years Eartha closed her shows with "Here's To Life". In closing for now, I would like to say, "Eartha Here's to Life, here's to love, here's to you." Love your adoring fans.

We at GBMNews, say thank you Ms. Eartha for sharing your life with us. We will always love you and miss you. Rest in peace.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

Eartha Kitt: "Where's my man"

NYC Channel 1 Obituary

The Jefferson's Mr. Bentley

He has a complete library of different works as an actor but he will forever be known as the neighbor who needed "George" to walk on his back.

Roxie, Isabelle and now Paul. Thank you Mr. Bentley for the laughter. Rest in peace Mr. Paul Benedict.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

A few years in 1989 in San Fransico while a student at the New Pacfic Accademy, a training program for emerging Gay and Lesbian leaders that I got to see her again in full consciences of myself and who she was and her revolutionay act of wearing her natural and coining the term the Odetta. I waited for over an hour after the show to just tell her I was still there. While it was less of an opportunity as before she had made her impression on me.

Her passing today has caused me to reflect on not only the blessing of meeting her but all of those parents, family, friends, and mentors that have impacted my life and submit the following:

As she sang her last note, last Sunday, Nov. 9th, 2008, she had a heart attack as she was leaving the stage. She wore her blackness with pride. She appeared to all as a Queen, as a example of how our beautiful sisters of color should see themselves.

Thank you Mama Africa for your example. Thank you for your truth. Thank you for being who you were. Rest in peace.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

Dee Dee had a few hits, such as "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", which Diana Ross and The Supremes with The Temptations, re-did. And singer, Chaka Khan recently re-did Dee Dee's, "Foolish Fool." There are 2 CD's out with her complete library of her music.

She never received the kind of success that her older sister, Dionne, received but she held her own in the singing department. I was lucky enough to have purchased an album called, "Call Me", that Dee Dee recorded in Canada, and its an excellent album, as she did some R&B but also some jazz, "Fool Of The Year", was one of the songs that's a personal favorite. When I have company over, and play her music, the reaction is wonderful, as many say that they are reminded of Aunt Cissy or her cousin, Whitney Houston, or sister, Dionne, as her voice is a soulful blend of the three.

On Dionne's current gospel CD, "Why We Sing", Dee Dee and Dionne sang together. If was wonderful to hear the both of them sing and praise the Lord together. The sister's have recorded before, "To Be Young, Gifted & Black", and its priceless.

Well Ms. Dee Dee, you will not be forgotten. Your earlier music from the 1960's, such as, "We'll Doing Fine", "Yours Until Tomorrow", "Another Only Saturday", among many other's were played during that time, and is still played in my home today, I regret that I wasn't able to see you perform in person.

We at GBMNews express our sorrow & loss to the Warwick & Drinkard family.

Thank you Ms. Warwick for sharing your voice. Rest in peace.

I can recall my mother playing the 45 records and within moments, I would hear such songs as "My Girl", "Every Little Bit Hits", "Ooo Baby Baby", and "Shake Me, Wake Me", recorded by the 4 Tops.

The song that I really connected to, recorded by the 4 Tops is called, "Ask The Lonely." Even at that tender age, Levi's voice and the lyrics touched me. From that period on, I was a 4 Tops fan.

No one sounded like Aretha, no one sounded like Smokey, no one sounded like Dionne or Diana, no one sounded like Marvin or Martha, no one sounded like Mr. Levi Stubbs.

Also many didn't realize that it was Mr. Stubbs singing voice in the movie, "Little Shop of Horrors", he was the voice of the monster plant.