Feature story from MOC Magazine

New York and Jamaican raised  action writer and essayist THOMAS GLAVE has earned the reputation as one of the most innovative, gifted and important writers to emerge on the literary scene today. Winner of several awards, Glave is the author of the acclaimed books Whose Song? and Other Stories, Words To Our Now: Imagination and Dissent, and editor of the forthcoming anthology Our Caribbean: A Gathering of Lesbian and Gay Writing from the Antilles. Glave is a founding member of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals, and Gays (JFLAG). He teaches at the State University of New York, Binghamton.

 

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Race, passion, and civil rights are at the heart of this acclaimed, deeply personal story by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner who was partially raised by a black housekeeper around the busy schedule of his parents, both professional musicians. The play is inspired by a childhood incident, and is set in Mr. Kushner’s hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

 

Caroline, or Change begins in the final months of 1963, a painful turbulent year as witnessed by the assassination of President Kennedy, the Birmingham church bombing, Martin Luther King’s March on Washington, and the Viet Nam War.

Dobama & Karamu Performing Arts Center, Karamu House Present The Ohio Premiere of Caroline, or Change Book & Lyrics by Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright Tony Kushner Music by Jeanine Tesori September 17- October 12, 2008 Jelliffe Theatre at Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre 2355 E. 89th Street Cleveland, OH Directed by Sarah May, Musical Director Ed Ridley

Caroline Thibodeaux, a 39-year-old African American divorcee with four children barely survives as a $30 a week domestic for the Gellman family. Their 8-year-old son, Noah Gelman, who has recently suffered the loss of his mother and the arrival of a stepmother, idolizes her. Noah spends considerable time in Caroline’s basement domain equating Caroline’s importance and strength with that of the president of the United States. Although this tentative and touching relationship is shattered over loose change, Caroline, or Change is imbued with the confidence that change is possible; people are capable of working toward reconciliation and mutual respect.

Caroline, or Change is a remarkable piece of theatre in its coalescence of human struggle, passionate exploration of today’s critical issues and an exhilarating mixture of classical, R & B, Motown, Klezmer, and Negro spiritual music.

Producing a landmark Kushner play with our friends at Karamu Theatre brings together two of my fondest memories during my years at Dobama Theatre. During the 1990’s Karamu and Dobama shared a rich collaborative history bringing Cleveland audiences blazing productions of The Grapes of Wrath; My Children, My Africa; Distant Fires; Playland; and Fires in the Mirror. We staged the first “forced theatrical busing” when, during the intermission of 4 performances of My Children, My Africa, we bused audience members, via double decker buses, to the other theatre for Act II. (Joyce Casey, Artistic Director, Dobama Theatre)

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Columnist from MOC

According to Keith Boykin, for many black gay men, discovering their sexuality is like “finding one more river to cross in the journey toward freedom.” We know that river well. Battling an era fear and silence and shame, who hasn’t felt bombarded with the doom and gloom articles of the 90’s? H.I.V and homophobia, sexual stereotyping and misrepresentation. In times when you can be killed for holding your partners hand, it’s hard not to question what’s good about being black and gay?

 

 

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By Ashwon Martin

Well, Gustav came through and went; he made landfall on Monday, Labor Day in Mobile, AL. which is where I live. Next he was headed off to New Orleans. Mobile received some flooding in our downtown area and along the coast. So to say the least,  Labor Day in Mobile was drenched and quiet. We Mobilians tend to be resilient, when it comes to hurricanes.

 

In Mobile, we headed the warning and therefore causalities were minimal at best. So, I spent my Labor Day sleeping and watching tv. Usually on Labor Day our stores are closed and people spend it with their perspective families. But all in all we made it through. There's still another one out there, Hanna which is hitting the coastal Atlantic seaboard and IKE which is somewhere in the Atlantic, not sure where he will hit just yet, but of course the Caribbean should be watchful.

Well until next time!

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

The Lifetime Achievement BMI award was given to the Jackson Family on Thursday, September 4th at the Wilshire Theatre. Sister, Janet presented her musical brothers the award after a musical tribute. Yet there were two Jackson's missing at the ceremony. Yes, Jermaine and Michael.

 

There's no doubt that the Jackson Five and Family well deserved this high honor.

When Marlon was asked, "Where's Michael?" He answered, "I don't know, I think he's in Egypt riding a camel or something." Ouch!

The truth is said that Gladys Knight discovered the brothers but it was Motown who rewrote the history by having Diana Ross introduce them to the world. It was thought that Diana was a much bigger star than Gladys. Once Motown released, I Want You Back", it was hit after hit to a multi-platinum career, where the family is now legend. Michael moved on to become the biggest star of the family, followed by little sister Janet, who has said that if he decides to headline Vegas, she would happily open for him.

The other Jackson's have not had the kind of success as the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. When the Jackson Five left Motown, Jermaine, who at this time had married Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel, decided to stay with Motown, Randy was his replaced. In leaving Motown, the brothers could not take the name, so it become the Jackson's instead of the Jackson Five.

At the ceremony, Janet said that she is extremely proud of her brothers and felt honored to be the one to give them this huge award.

For those of you who don't know, BMI means, Broadcast Music Inc. - it's a organization that collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.

You read it at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

When I received this e-mail, I couldn't wait to see whatever there was to see. Up to this point the only thing that I knew about Soulja Boy was the unique dance movements that he and his gang did on one of the award shows on BET. I didn't have an opinion and had not heard any negative comments in regard to homosexuality, to be said by him. To tell you the truth, some of this dancers could be gay, but it wasn't anything that I thought about, mainly because I found the "Soulja Boy" product quite entertaining no matter the lifestyle.

 

DeAndre Cortez Way, now the Grammy-nominated, Soulja Boy, age 18, who's known for his smash "Crank That", it appears may have been "cranking this and that". Maybe living the best of both worlds. It's believed that he has a girlfriend. But what does that mean in a world that's full of secrets and lies. The sex photos look like him and it looks like he posed for the X Rated photos. Will this destroy his budding career? If he is gay, is it fair for the young rapper to be made to come out of the closet due to the released of some porn homosexual sex photos? Did he bring this on himself by allowing such a film to be made?

There's a photo of Soulja Boy wrapped in a white towel around his waist, which doesn't confirm a sexuality. However, the other photo shows (which appears to be) Soulja leaning back on a flat surface, looking into the camera with a smile on his face as he's being serviced orally by another male. Again, I ask, will this destroy his budding career? Will he just take the money and run? Will he become our first Grammy nominated gay rapper? It's said that the tattoos on Soulja's body confirm that he is, indeed, the person on this sex video and photos. It's said that there's a complete video tape. The world of Hip Hop and Rap have not greeted the gay lifestyle and its gay fans warmly, so it will be interesting to watch the outcome of the Soulja Boy story. You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

My heart aches for Donnie C., as his mother, Denise Powell Passes, passed away from cancer at the age of 45. I totally understand because my mother was called home to live with God at the age of 35. Ms. Passes battled cancer and finally God said, "My child its time to come home." When death calls, no age is welcomed or perfect, as your parents, you want your mother, your father, in your lifetime to live forever, here on earth, for as long as you are here on this earth.

 

The service for his mother is next Thursday at the Church of God and Christ. The address is: 545 Chapel Hill Road in Spring Lake, NC. As we have heard said, no one knows the day or the hour when death comes. Please keep Donnie and his family in your prayers.

Donnie, your mother will forever be with you. She will be another angel looking out for you, there to protect you. She's living in glory. She's living with God. Amen.

We at GBMNews.com will continue to keep you in our prayers as you go through a difficult and painful time. Continue to pray, God will send you comfort and strength.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

You may contact Donnie C. at
http://www.donniecsoul.com
http://www.myspace.com/donniecsoul

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

I am, we are, at an exciting time in political history. We may have our first black, American President in the White house. As a credit to all people of color, we may have our first person of color in the White House who's Commander in Chief. I feel that during this time, a lot of us are researching our family history, our roots, and discovering that we are or are not as Afro American, or Latin or whatever as we were led to believe, however, according to White America a person of color is still Black. 

Hopefully we will finally realize that there's power in numbers, there's strength in numbers and hopefully we will finally learn to love and embrace all of who we are. Someone said to me that Senator Obama is more African American than a lot of us, his father is from African and his mother is American White. You know there's some truth to that.

African American director and actor, Spike Lee, has always been true to himself, like him, love him or hate him, he's still Spike all of the time. I read an article where Mr. Lee believes that because of this moment in time, in history, our presidential hopefully Mr. Barack Obama will change the black, African American, sound of music.

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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Again we have another entertainer being pushed out of the closet only after death. The beautiful Ms. Dusty Springfield, who's hit recordings: "The Look of Love", I Only Want To Be With You" ,"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", Dionne Warwick's, "Wishin' and Hopin", and "The Son of a Preacher Man (later covered by Aretha Franklin), brought the blue-eyed soul singer to world fame.


 

The tell all book states that the music diva, kept her being a lesbian out of the public eye by claiming that men were too "daunted" by her success to wed. The book titled, "Dusty! Queen of the Postmarks", is said to be released in November 2008.
The book further quotes Dusty as saying, "You have to concentrate on marriage and I'm a Catholic and can't get divorced. I'm self-centered." Later in life, before her passing in 1999, people who knew her claim that she loosened up by saying, "Am I gay?", "If you want to know the truth, ask the people that I've gone to bed with." I can recall that she and Vicki Wickham (I believe the last name is), who was the manager for the group, LaBelle, were said to have been lovers. Now is this true, I don't know but I'm sure it will be discussed in the book.
For today's youth who may not know the sound of Ms. Springfield should purchase her greatest hits. Her vocals on classics, "The Look of Love", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and other ballads were breathy, sexual and smoky.

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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Some of you may recall that a few weeks ago I wrote an article on how this beautiful, gifted brother views himself as "Narcissist."

Due to his career many things have come his way, and of the many he has been offered and has signed a two record deal with Columbia Records. The first project titled, "Shine Through It" was released on September 2nd.

 

Well Mr. Terrence Howard, the singer, sang his first release called, "Love Makes You Beautiful" on the David Letterman show. Mr. Howard played the guitar, the musicians were great, the girl background singer looks and sounds pretty in a strange haunting way. The lyrics are satisfactory in a 1960's kind of way. However, vocals on the Oscar nominated, "without me there's no world, there's no universe" are poor. He's not a singers singer, not even in a folk kind of way. Perhaps having starred in the "Hustle and Flow", movie as a rapper made Terrence think that he could finally become a singer in real life. Yes, the "Pimp" song won an Oscar, which I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. Also on the "Letterman" show he and his band were dressed to impress in designer elegant after seven outfits which was so opposite of the song performed. When I think of folk music, dyed hippie T-shirts and wore torn dirty jeans come to mind. Many people don't realize what it takes in marketing an artist, starting from vocals, the look of the artist, to hair styles, background vocals, singers, the band and the music selection, as the singer becomes a product.

This isn't the first time that an actor has been led to believe that he or she could sing and become a recording star. Other actors who have tried to also have a music career are actors:, Robert Downey Jr., Leon, Jasmine Guy, Eddie Murphy, Tatyana Ali, Katey Sagal, Cree Summer and Queen Latifah, to name a few.

Perhaps for brother Howard, this was his first time singing in front of a television audience. Maybe when he appears on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show", he will select a different song or dress differently, or maybe go back into the studio and remix it to some house beats. Otherwise this CD will find its way to the $4.99 bin and the second CD contract will be cancelled. Oh and by the way, Terrance stalked his ex-wife and is said to have written about this experience on his CD. Now that's something to think about. I would hate to think that there's a little Ike Turner in him.

Go to YouTube and check out his performance at J&R Music in NYC. Perhaps the message and the music are heavenly but not the vocals. You will hear the ladies screaming (and some of the men). Perhaps to stop singing?

For all of Terrence Howard fans out there, I'm not hating on the brother, I'm just keeping it, as the kids say, real.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

Eight people have died after Hurricane Gustav arrived in the US, but New Orleans has escaped a repeat of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

By Tom Leonard

The hurricane was downgraded to a Category 1 storm and passed west of the city as high winds and heavy rain hit the coast of Louisiana.

Three people were killed by falling trees in the state and four more died in Georgia when their car struck a tree as they attempted to flee the storm.

However New Orleans itself only received minor damage and the storm failed to live up to initial fears that Gustav had found the same weaknesses in the city's defences as Katrina.

Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans, said it was too early for residents to return to the city, which remains largely without power, but said their homecoming was "only days away, not weeks".

Mr Nagin, who had previously warned Gustav was the "mother of all storms" praised the city's defences.

"I was hoping that this would happen, that we would be able to stand before America, before everyone, and say that we had some success with the levee system," he said.

"I would not do a thing differently. I'd probably call Gustav, instead of the mother of all storms, maybe the mother-in-law or the ugly sister of all storms."

As the storm passed, New Orleans was left battered, but intact.

Waves from the hurricane pushed large amounts of water over the steel floodwall of the city's industrial canal to the east of the city, causing knee-deep flooding in streets of warehouses in the adjoining Upper 9th Ward.

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By Adam Nossiter and Shaila Dewan

NEW ORLEANS — City officials ordered everyone to leave New Orleans beginning Sunday morning — the first mandatory evacuation since Hurricane Katrina flooded the city three years ago — as Hurricane Gustav grew into what the city’s mayor on Saturday called “the storm of the century” and moved toward the Louisiana coast.

 

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, center, and other city officials hold a news conference at City Hall in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008. Nagin briefed media on preparations for the possible arrival of Hurricane Gustav, which became a Category 4 storm as it crossed over Cuba. Photo Bill Haber

 

Bus driver Barbara Word helped residents evacuate the Ninth Ward in New Orleans on Saturday. Photo: Michael Ainsworth

The mayor, C. Ray Nagin, said Hurricane Gustav was larger and more dangerous than Hurricane Katrina, and he pleaded with residents to get out or face flooding and life-threatening winds.

“This is the mother of all storms, and I’m not sure we’ve seen anything like it,” Mr. Nagin said at an evening news briefing. “This is the real deal. This is not a test. For everyone thinking they can ride this storm out, I have news for you: that will be one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your life.”

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Recently, MSNBC caught up with the lives of two young people made famous in the Hurricane Katrina tradgedy. Nine year old Charles Evans, seen below and wise beyond his years, became the spokesperson for the suffering prople of New Orleans when he pleaded for help for his people on national televison.

 

Katrina victim Charles Evans shares the stage at the 2005 Emmy Awards with "Everybody Hates Chris" star Tyler James Williams.

Only 36 Of This Year's 2,380 Delegates Are Black, Down From 167 Four Years Ago

by Marilyn Werber Serafini

As Republicans fret about how their response to Hurricane Gustav will be judged, nightmares of Hurricane Katrina come rushing back. And memories of how Katrina spotlighted black poverty could draw attention to the fact that the 2008 GOP National Convention is overwhelmingly white.

 

Convention organizers say they do not track the number of black delegates. Only 36 are black, according to David Bositis, a senior political analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. That's a mere 1.5 percent of the 2,380 total delegates, and a sharp drop from 2004, when there were 167 black delegates, 6.7 percent of that year's total.

By contrast, 24.5 percent of the delegates at last week's Democratic convention were African-American, according to the Democratic National Committee. That translated to 1,087 black delegates. Four years ago, some 20 percent of Democratic delegates were black.

The percentage of African-American delegates at Republican conventions had been on the upswing -- growing from 2.6 percent in 1996, to 4.1 percent in 2000, to 6.7 percent in 2004.

At this year's GOP convention, 33 states plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have fewer black delegates than four years ago. Just three states have more. Mississippi and Michigan have the highest proportion of black delegates -- about 10 percent each. They are followed by South Carolina.

Twenty-four states have no black delegates or alternates -- up from seven in 2004. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele was the only African-American among the prominent speakers on the convention's pre-Gustav schedule.

A small number of African-American voters consider themselves Republican. "This low level of black attachment to the Republican Party is now almost five decades old," Bositis says.

From 1984 to 2004, young black voters were more likely to identify as Republican than their elders. That's no longer true.

"This represents a potentially troubling [fact] for the GOP because for the last 20 years the Republican Party's best prospect for improving their African-American support was through the younger cohort," Bositis notes. "Further, the 2008 presidential campaign is unlikely to improve Republican prospects since the contest is between a young, charismatic black Democratic nominee and a 72-year-old white Republican nominee."

According to the Republican convention's press office, 13 percent of this year's delegates identify themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority group. The office points out that that is more than double the 6.3 percent at the 1996 convention.

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By Edward Harris

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The performers pounded on animal-skin drums, the singer howled praise for Barack Obama, and the audience of fist-bumping supporters of the U.S. presidential candidate joined in the chorus: "We can do it! Yes we can!"

The shindig, held by a group calling itself "Africans for Obama 08," drew hundreds of people from the Nigerian business elite. Each paid more than $2,000 to munch on grilled snails, sip from flutes of Veuve Cliquot and Moet & Chandon and join in a lively, if poorly executed, series of the "fist bumps" popularized by Obama and his wife, Michelle.

Interest in the U.S. presidential race is blooming around the world's poorest continent as Obama emerges as the Democratic candidate, stunning many here who never believed that a son of Africa had a real shot at leading the United States. Now, with roasted snails and Champagne, text messages and T-shirts, both political organizers and entrepreneurs are seeking to harness the growing enthusiasm for Obama's message of youthful change, which resonates on a continent where leaders often hang on as long as possible.

"In Africa, we just keep recycling the same old people, so change isn't welcome. Let people who are unique, who are young, who have ideas — let them come up," said Robinson Allen, a 40-year old banker at a recent gala in support of Obama. He said Obama's achievements show a triumph over discrimination. "It's an event that's enabling for all people."

The group says it plans to use the proceeds for advertisements in African media urging people to pray for Obama. The message, according to one organizer: "We can't vote for you, but we can pray for you." Similar efforts are under way in Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya, organizers said.

Another Nigerian group, "Blacks Unite for Obama 08," is running full-page ads in the country's mass dailies asking customers to send text messages costing about 75 cents in support of Obama, while registering to win a trip to the United States.

In Ghana, songs boosting Obama run on the radio. An artist called Blakk Rasta sings in pidgin English of his pride at Obama's quest: "Originally stepping out of Kenya, Africa/Adopted into the cold woodlands of America/Dem youthboy defied every order and turned a Senator."

And in Uganda, about 5,000 students at Makarere University have joined the Obama Solidarity Group, essentially a fan club for the candidate. Its leader, Patrick Rutalo, cited Obama's example in his own successful drive for student body president. "He inspires young leaders to go for highest offices," said Rutalo.

In fact, the Obama infatuation seems to have somewhat annoyed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who told Ugandans to turn their attention in more self-fulfilling directions. "Obama, Obama, Obama. He is an American. Why are you looking at him and not yourself? Why don't you build your strength here?" Museveni said at a news conference.

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Editing by Nick Tattersall and Mary Gabriel

LAGOS, Aug 31  - Nigerian anti-graft police have seized some $630,000 raised at a gala dinner in support of Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign, authorities said on Sunday.

While the fund-raising was not illegal in Nigeria, it is illegal under U.S. law for foreign campaign groups to donate funds to political parties. Obama's campaign said it was in no way affiliated with "Africans for Obama" and would not accept funds from the group.

Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, chairwoman of the "Africans for Obama" campaign group and head of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, organised the fundraiser in Lagos on Aug. 11. A "platinum" ticket for a table of eight cost 2.5 million naira ($21,226).

The huge amount raised from the dinner sparked widespread public outrage in Africa's top oil producer, where the majority live on less than $2 a day, prompting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation.

"(The EFCC) has taken custody of the funds realised from the controversial Africa for Obama dinner/concert and will soon work out modalities on how to share the money among those who paid to participate in the event," the agency said in a statement.

It said it had seized 74 million naira ($629,834) raised at the dinner and cautioned Okereke-Onyiuke to "steer clear" of such activities in the future.

"The outcome of investigations however, revealed that the sale of tickets at the event does not constitute any known offence for her prosecution under the Nigerian law," it said.

Okereke-Onyiuke said in a full-page statement in Nigeria's The Guardian newspaper on Aug. 21 that the dinner had never been intended to raise funds or solicit donations for Obama, but to sensitise and mobilise Africans worldwide.

The idea of a man with an African father attaining the world's most powerful political office has fuelled "Obama-mania" across Africa over the past year and Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation, is no exception.

Buses and cars in the crowded streets of Lagos carry "Obama '08" bumper stickers, while militants in the oil-producing Niger Delta have even called on the U.S. Democratic presidential candidate to mediate in their conflict.

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Pat Buchanan: "It was a genuinely outstanding speech. It was magnificent. It is the finest — and I saw Cuomo's speech, I saw Kennedy in '80, I even saw Douglas MacArthur, I saw Martin Luther King — this is the greatest convention speech. … This came out of the heart of America and he went right at the heart of America."

 

Oprah Winfrey: "I cried my eyelashes off. I think it's the most powerful thing I have ever experienced. He's not an African-American candidate. He's a candidate for Americans."

Hillary Clinton: "His speech crystallized the clear choice between he and Sen. McCain."

David Gergen: "In many ways it was less a speech than a symphony. … It was a masterpiece."

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C.: "When Obama came out on the stage tonight, I lost it for a moment. … I really did. I have been trying hard all week to control my emotions. But I lost it for a while."

Sources: ABC News, Associated Press, Obama campaign, Congressional Quarterly Transcripts Wire

Buchanan on Obama's Acceptance  Speech

 

By Niraj Warikoo

Thousands of African-American Muslims from across the United States are gathering in Detroit this weekend for an annual convention that's returning to Michigan for the first time in more than a decade.

 

They are followers of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, a Hamtramck native who now lives in Chicago. He is the son of Elijah Muhammad, the former leader of the Nation of Islam, founded in Detroit almost 80 years ago. Given metro Detroit's sizable Muslim and African-American communities, the convention has special significance for many locally.

After Elijah Muhammad's death in 1975, Mohammed took over and reformed the black nationalist organization into a group that preached a more orthodox Islam that opposed any racial or ethnic divisions. A few years later, Minister Louis Farrakhan broke off and formed a new Nation of Islam he felt was more in line with Elijah Muhammad's teachings.

While Farrakhan is the leader who gets more media attention and is most often associated with Islam among African Americans, Mohammed is thought to have more followers. In contrast to Farrakhan, Mohammed is low-key and speaks more like a scholar than a preacher.

"He's a superb leader," said Nadir Ahmad, 58, of Detroit. "He has a sober message of good morals, but also a commonsense approach to life and religion."

On Friday in the Cobo Center, the imam spoke to a packed crowd at the start of the three-day convention. He urged personal responsibility and praised Jesus and Muhammad, Islam's founder, saying both were great teachers.

He stood on the podium slightly hunched over, a compact man with glasses and a modest brown suit who spoke in measured tones.

"We all ... should be trying to be Christlike," he said.

Ahmad said Mohammed "has always called for cooperation between faiths."

Imam Gary Alkasib of Detroit was eager to hear his words and glad that the convention is in Detroit this year. "It's the return of a native son," he said.

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By Sewell Chan

The virus that causes AIDS is spreading in New York City at three times the national rate — an incidence of 72 new infections for every 100,000 people, compared with 23 per 100,000 nationally — according to a study released on Wednesday by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The findings, based on a new formula developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimated that 4,762 New Yorkers contracted H.I.V. in 2006, the most precise estimate the city had ever offered.

But the city stressed that because the method of estimating infections was new, it could not be said definitively whether the number of new infections in the city had increased or decreased from previous years.

Blacks, and men who have sex with other men, are the groups at greatest risk of contracting H.I.V., the study found. A summary of the new data:

• Men accounted for 76 percent of new H.I.V. infections and women for 25 percent. (The figures exceed 100 percent because of rounding.)
• Blacks made up 46 percent of the newly infected; Hispanics, 32 percent; and whites, 21 percent. (Figures for other racial or ethnic groups were not provided.)
• Those under age 20 made up 4 percent of the newly infected; those 20 to 29 years old, 24 percent; those 30 to 39 years old, 29 percent; those 40 to 49 years old, 29 percent; and those 50 and older, 15 percent.
• Sex between men was the main cause in 50 percent of new infections; high-risk heterosexual sex in 22 percent; intravenous drug use in 8 percent; and unknown or uncertain causes in 18 percent.

Manhattan accounted for 35 percent of new infections; Brooklyn, 26 percent; the Bronx, 19 percent; and Queens, 17 percent.

As the health department has repeatedly noted, gay minority men were particularly at risk. For example, of new H.I.V. infections among men under age 30 who have sex with men, 77 percent were in black or Hispanic men, as were 59 percent of new H.I.V. infections among men ages 30 to 50 who have sex with men.

Over all, the study found some interesting differences between national and local rates of new H.I.V. infections.

Nearly two-thirds of the city’s new infections occurred in people 30 to 50 years old. Nationally, people under 30 accounted for 41 percent of new infections, compared with 28 percent in New York City.

Also, within New York City, whites were infected at four times the national rate, Hispanics at three times the national rate, and blacks at almost twice the national rate.

The health department said in a news release:

“The analytic technique is new, and the estimates may be imprecise, but even a rough gauge of H.I.V. incidence is a valuable tool for understanding — and combating — the spread of H.I.V. The health department’s new estimate includes 2006 incidence figures for different age groups, racial groups and both genders. By repeating the exercise for subsequent years, researchers may be able to discern increases and decreases over time, and target their prevention efforts accordingly.”

Over the past year, the health department has warned that H.I.V. infections among young gay men have risen and that unsafe sex remains common.

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By Ashwon Martin

I had the pleasure of meeting a relative new community member through the query of our editor for GBMNews. Let me introduce to you Marcus G. May. Marcus works for the AIDS Community Service in Buffalo, NY; he is also the LGBT Community Outreach Specialist. Marcus was kind enough to give GBMNews an interview; he is also the person who spear headed the first ever Buffalo Black Gay Pride.

 

Q. How did the Buffalo Black Pride come about? A. It started with the life changes group and through networking with other social groups, agencies (Pride Center Western NY) and gay houses.
Q. How long did it take to put the pride event together? A. It took approximately 4 mos. This is was done by street outreach, networking, internet annocements and word of mouth.
Q. What was the community reaction? A. We have had mixed reviews, the Caucasians gave the most opposition; they felt why have an identified ethnic specific pride. June 8th was pride day in Buffalo then we (Black Gay Pride) followed out our own on the 26th of July. The Caucasians thought one was enough.

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By Rachel Gordon

Del Martin, a lesbian rights pioneer who took part in one of California's first same-sex weddings, died today in San Francisco after a long period of declining health. She was 87.

Ms. Martin's political activism began more than five decades ago when in 1955 she co-founded a ground-breaking lesbian rights organization, Daughters of Bilitis, named after a book of lesbian love poetry. On June 16, she and her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, were married at San Francisco City Hall by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Del Martin (right) and Phyllis Lyon make history - again - as they are declared "spouses for life." Chronicle photo by Lacy Atkins

"Her last act of activism was her most personal - marrying the love of her life," said Kate Kendell, a long-time friend of the couple and executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Ms. Martin died this morning at UCSF Hospice, nearly two weeks after she was admitted with a broken arm.

"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side," Lyon said in a statement issued by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "I am so lucky to have known her, loved her and been her partner in all things.

"I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married," Lyon said. "I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."

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By Justin Smith, Sr. Correspondent

After the controversies around DC Black Pride's two events at one time and New York's cancellation Atlanta is going forward with their Pride. Atlanta's pride promises to be filled with family and fun. The weekend is crammed with all sorts of things from parties to workshops from plays/movies to fashion shows.

Among the celebrities heading to town to celebrate Black Gay Pride are actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph and Gabrielle Union, R&B group Danity Kane, singers Chili of TLC and Tweet, and gay porn studs Bobby Blake and Alex "Militia" Castro from "American Gladiators." Several cast members from the upcoming "Noah's Arc" movie will also be in town Sept. 1 previewing clips of arguably the most anticipated black gay film ever.

Wednesday August 27, 2008 - Tuesday September 2, 2008

W Hotel Midtown - Atlanta
188 14TH St NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Category: Festivals
Website: http://www.inthelifeatl.com
Atlanta Black Gay Pride is held every year during Labor Day weekend. As the World's Largest Black Gay Pride celebration, we invite you to join us for a weekend filled with pride, celebration, education, and new experiences for everyone. The theme for 2008, Time to Act, signifies our commitment to accountability and to meeting the needs of Atlanta's residents and visitors.

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By Justin B. Smith

Talented, Sexy and Smart Maurice Jamal has it going on. I, Justin B. Smith personally met Jamal in 2005, and I knew he was the next big thing. He walked in the room with his confident swagger and sophisticated good looks I knew he was an unstoppable force of nature. When I saw met him he was as nice as apple pie to me. He introduced himself with a strong handshake and beautiful shinning white smile. I was exiting the screening of The Ski Trip and he asked what I thought of the movie, I said I loved it. I knew what ever he touched next would be not gold, but platinum.

Jamal and I touched base again this year and he granted me this interview. He was just as nice and the first time we met. In this interview he touches on his love life, personal goals and new life in LA. Maurice Jamal is a ground breaking actor/director/writer whose work has had a history making impact in the entertainment world. He is one of the few openly gay Black actor/directors in film and TV, and his production company MOJAM Entertainment consistently breaks new ground in mainstream media.

Mr. Jamal burst on the scene in 2005 with his debut film THE SKI TRIP. The film was the first Black and Latino gay film to air nationally and helped launch MTV's LOGO Network and was the first programming geared towards people of color on the network. The film became a huge hit and with over 25 million viewers over 2 years has become the most highly watched Black gay film in history! MTV President Brian Grayden called the film "the finest example of programming in the MTV family."

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Interview

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

For the Fall 2008 season, the CW has a new night time comedy drama titled, "Privileged" which will have a black gay male character by the name of Marco.

 

The new show is said to be a series on the order of, "The Gilmore Girls." Marcos is a gay personal chef to the Limoges family of Palm Beach, Florida. Allen Louis, the actor who plays, Marcos, explains that the character is definitely gay and comfortable about his  sexuality. He's modeled the character after Stanley Tucci's gay character in the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada." And yes, Marcos will have a boyfriend. Marcos will be known for his quickness however the character will also be played in a serious manner. If you are looking for this chef to be played super masculine or super fem, this will not be the case as its suppose to have a natural balance.

On YouTube, Allan explains that "Marco is a wildcat, who's intelligent, cultured and definitely a black man."

To give you a little background on Allan, he was born in Haiti and came to the United States when he was five years old. Allan was raised by his mom, who had never seen a movie until she went to view her son's first movie, " Stomp the Yard" where he played Dr. Palmer.

His bio also states that he speaks 3 languages and graduated from the Goodman School of Drama. The sound of his voice reminds you of a young Sidney Poitier. He's done some television shows such as the hit series, "Boston Legal."

So check your local television listings and support this brother who's promises to make us proud.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

We must take our hats off to Ms. Tyra Banks. This coming season, 2008, the show will have its first transgender model. As you know, each season they're 14 females who compete to be the "Next Top Model."

 

The transgender's name is Isis, who identifies herself as being a woman born into the wrong  "physically male" body. When interviewed by US magazine, she said that "I like to help people, but I'm here to follow my dreams." It's no secret that the modeling industry has accepted and use transgender models in the world of fashion. Many of the beautiful female models that walk the run way were born and are male. This is a definite plus for the transgender community, as many feel that they are not gay and agree with what Ms. Isis has stated. It's felt and expressed that many feel that they are not homosexual or heterosexual, but are the third gender.

It will be interesting to see if the "Top Model" drama will affect Isis, since women have a different way of thinking, feeling and reacting.

It would have been more interesting if this information had not been released to the press. Can you imagine the many men, who would have been attracted to Ms. Isis?

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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Sometimes reality mirrors fantasy, as actor, David Duchovny, in his Showtime hit, "Californication, plays a sex addict, in real life has entered a rehabilitation facility admitting the same.

 

This information was released by Mr. Duchovny's attorney who also requested that the media give him and his family their respect and privacy. The actor is married to actress Tea Leoni and the couple have two children. I wonder how it was discovered that he has an addiction to sex? I don't want to start any rumors but I have a strange feeling that David's probably stepped outside of the marriage and his wife probably ordered that he get help with his problem or that he would lose his family in divorce. The couple married in 1997.

David good luck on your quest, as it's been said that most men think about sex every few minutes. If this is true, I wonder how many of us are sex addicts?

You read it here at GBMNews.com

By En