E. Patrick Johnson,
the gay author of ‘Appropriating Blackness,’ helps recognize Black
History Month by reading a chapter from his book on Feb. 5 at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse.
(Photo courtesy E. Patrick Johnson)
AS THE NATION PREPARES to celebrate Black History Month in February, the
complex historical spectrum of what it means to be black and gay resonates
clearly to Atlantans like Imani Evans, an author and licensed psychotherapist
who facilitates a Feb. 12 women’s empowerment workshop at Charis Books & More.
"Ultimately I think that African-American history is really about American
history, and American history is really human history," says Evans, an African-American
lesbian. "I’m a global citizen and all of those things begin and end with that
concept."
Evans’ workshop, "Living More Authentically," teaches skills to surmount obstacles
through interactive discussions — skills that can be particularly important
for those who are both black and gay, she says.
"I think we have a long way to go," Evans says. "I think it is still one of
the taboos. … It’s difficult because when the party starts to take sides, where
do you go and still be all of yourself? We’re still struggling with that."
Black gays also struggle with having fewer role models than other ethnic groups,
Evans says.
"I can look at someone like Ellen DeGeneres and I can relate to it on one
level," she says. "But there’s still a piece missing for me in terms of being
African-American."
The importance of observances like Black History Month, as well as annual
events like Black Gay Pride that highlight the contributions of African-American
gays throughout history, should not be understated, Evans stresses.
"When it rolls around it reminds me there’s a bigger pool of strength for
me to rely on," she says. "It also reminds me I can include that as part of
who I am and be proud of that."
Charis also presents several other events in honor of Black History Month.
The women’s book group discusses Tayari Jones’ novel "Leaving Atlanta" and
travel writer Grace Lynis discusses heritage travel that celebrates the African
Diaspora.
ATLANTA MEN FOR ALL CULTURES, a gay men’s social and educational organization,
also recognizes Black History Month with several events. The group’s membership
is primarily African-American and white, but all ethnicities are welcome.
The first AMFAC event is a Feb. 5 dinner at Paschal’s Restaurant on Northside
Drive. The original Paschal’s, owned since 1996 by Clark Atlanta University
and closed in August 2003, was a central meeting place in the 1960s where Martin
Luther King Jr. and his contemporaries discussed their plans.
"Our main reasoning for going to Paschal’s is its historical significance
and what it meant to blacks during the civil rights movement," says Dorjan
Williams, outreach director for AMFAC. "Even though the restaurant has been
relocated, we still wanted to recognize the significance of its history."
Later in the month, the group will meet at the Ansley Mall Starbucks to caravan
to Alabama, where it will tour prominent sites from the black civil rights
era. The itinerary includes stops in Tuskegee, Selma, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.
"As a black gay man myself, I think it’s extremely important for us to understand
our history," Williams says. "Because it can be encouraging for us to then
push forward and make advances in the gay community."
AMFAC has two other related events on tap for the month. Its Feb. 18 monthly
discussion group topic is "the Civil Rights Struggle"; the Feb. 28 meeting
features a screening of Spike Lee’s civil rights documentary "4 Little Girls."
AUTHOR E. PATRICK JOHNSON’S NEW BOOK "Appropriating Blackness" examines how
blacks are portrayed in the media. Several chapters directly address gay issues.
Johnson, an associate professor of performance studies and African-American
studies at Northwestern University, will read a chapter from the book on Feb.
5 at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse.
The selection focuses on black gay men’s use of terms associated with family
life — including "family," "mother" and "the children" — as a way of recreating
a sense of home because "so many black gay men have been displaced from their
homes because of their sexuality and their culture," Johnson says.
Many black gay men in the South were also raised in religious homes, which
created inner turmoil over reconciling their spirituality and their sexual
orientation, says Johnson, a North Carolina native.
"I dealt with it by being around positive gay people who weren’t always necessarily
black, but were self-affirming about themselves and about me. It gave me enough
strength to accept who I am," he says. "More and more folks are finding ways
to do that."
The event at Outwrite is co-sponsored by In the Life Atlanta, producers of
the city’s annual Black Gay Pride celebration.
Black History Month events
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