From the opening moments of the second annual State of Black Gay America summit Aug. 30, it was clear that this year’s event would exceed the success of the inaugural event in 2007.
“I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim song,” actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph belted as she took the stage at the Renaissance Hotel to deliver the keynote address.
“I am a singer, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs,” Ralph continued, singing the opening line of her one-woman show “Sometimes I Cry,” which looks at the impact of HIV/AIDS on women.
Ralph’s deep, powerful voice brought summit attendees to their feet, and gave the event an energy and passion that it lacked last year. A former star in the original Broadway cast of “Dreamgirls,” Ralph is a longtime AIDS activist who talked about being drawn to the cause during the early days of the epidemic.
“All of the great things we did [with ‘Dreamgirls’], but nobody ever mentions that we lost one-third of our original company to that disease,” Ralph said in an emotional speech. “People have forgotten, they have forgotten what is was like when men just dropped dead.”
While offering her full-fledged support of gay rights issues at the summit, Ralph also bemoaned how relatively small the event was considering the crowds gathered in Atlanta for Black Gay Pride during Labor Day weekend.
“The [HIV rate] has now [increased] and we have done nothing,” Ralph said. “We have not said anything, we have not done anything; but last night, thousands and thousands of people got their swerve on, got their drink on, and thousands made that hook-up, and quite a few will leave here with a gift.
“Why does that happen?” she continued. “Today, when it’s about dialogue, they’re not here. We have some business we need to take care of.”
However, the crowd at the second annual State of Black Gay America was far larger than in 2007, with between 150-200 people attending.
“Sheryl Lee Ralph was just amazing, and the entire program was like something I’ve never been exposed to,” said Jonathan Levi, who traveled from Columbia, S.C., to attend Black Gay Pride. “It means so much to hear someone have your back the way she does, and to be with black gay people who are looking to do things in the community. This is what I think of when I think of what Pride should be.”
STRONG YEAR DESPITE STRUGGLES
Although attendance estimates were not available by press time, the crowds were as large as ever at Black Gay Pride events throughout the weekend, which inspired In The Life Atlanta, which helps organize Black Gay Pride.
“ITLA and all of the organizations who helped to organize Black Gay Pride events, I think have turned an important and critical corner,” said Anaré Holmes, ITLA board secretary. “It’s kind of like a hairdo — you keep styling it and styling it until you get it right.”
ITLA’s opening ceremony at the W Hotel got Black Gay Pride weekend started on a high note, featuring a welcome proclamation from Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, performances by local musicians such a Rahbi, and a surprise visit from rising star Janelle Monae. Like Ralph, Monae pledged to be a strong ally for black gay men and lesbians, who she called “bold and fearless” for living their lives openly and honestly.
“We were able to highlight some of the best artists in Atlanta,” Holmes said. “We were really happy to kick up the opening ceremonies a notch.”
Numerous workshops were held throughout the weekend, but many were sparsely attended. A workshop titled “The Politics of Inclusion,” coming on the heels of the Democratic National Convention and the historic speech by Barack Obama, the first black presidential candidate on a major ticket, attracted nobody and was canceled.
Approximately 25 women of color attended a workshop titled “The Impact of Homophobia & Racism on the GLBTQ Youth of Color,” where they shared personal stories of coming out.
“When I went to college [in Las Vegas], I joined a GLBT group where there were 30 Caucasians and two black people,” said presenter Rasheeda Ladd. “I could not identify with them — they talked about issues that I could not relate to as a black lesbian. Youth need tailored resources, especially GLBT youth of color.”
Holmes considers the success of Black Gay Pride particularly encouraging considering the difficulties ITLA faced during the past few months, including finishing 2007 in the red and allegations of embezzlement by its former treasurer.
“To be able to go ...
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o'brien
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hey everybody around the world.this is jermaine and i represent the south from my head to my toe step on the dance floor watch and learn cause here i go i throw my hands up and work my body to the floor
