After the start of this project, I was torn as to it's impact or service to the GLBT community or anyone else for that matter. I started out only with a monthly post or bi-monthly in attempt to get a feel for not only the technology but if I could raise an audience. However, I'm happy to report that it seems that you are out there and frequently reading our postings. I want to thank all those who have approached me with both positive and negative comments. I appreciate your candor and suprising insights, as well as, encourage each of you to share our musings with others either through links or virally. It is our mission to educate, inform and entertain...because we are the online destination for Arkansas GLBT community and beyond!
Today is February 13, the 44th day of 2007 and 13th day of celebrating Black History Month.
Community Amber Alert! Have you seen Little Rock's Black gay community lately? Beacuse we haven't. Therefore an Amber Alert has been issued in search of this unseen and basically unheard from group. In our recent research we have discovered pockets of individuals hangin at the Backstreet complex on some Friday nights, others have sequestered themselves at the nebulous club, The Split,( Asher/ Wright Avenue) that has many of us scratching our heads at what's really goin on in there. Our inside sources have told us that it's a mixed crowd that get's the party rolling around 1 a.m. until the wee hours. The last time I frequent this haunt I was intrigued with it's operations, namely that it was a rented "party space?" and appeal to a wide variety of folks. Just for the record, yes that included white folks, especially those of you inquiring to me personally about whether it would be O.K. to put your face in the place. However, it seems that the "DL" ( down-low) crowd has taken there interest to "straight" clubs such as La Changes, Elevations, DEEP and other hot spots in search of acceptance or reclusiveness. We couldn't get a straight answer from many of these devotees as to why they had opted out of gay nightlife. However, one individual stated that " those bars make me feel uncomfortable and unwelcomed. If you go out, they wan't to charge you again to enter or search you as if you were a criminal!" Meanwhile, we've notice that the welcome mat is out at Sidetracks, The Factory, and UBU, but with few takers. What gives? If you know, could you clue a brother in on the 411.
Rainbow Rappin. Congrats and props go out to rap artist, Jessie O. ( pictured above) on the release of his debut album, Exposed. A songwriter who has penned for Clay Akins ( yes, her) and worked on other projects has created a sensation in music circles with his catchy melodies as featured on his single, "I think I'm fallin in Love." According to J.O. as a same loving gender person he had some concerns about how this would affect his career however, he has decided that it would not deter him from his goals. I liked the cut and found it to have a infectious hook and cute lyrics. If you want a sample go to: www.myspace.com/babyjmusic
Canned Liquor. Thank God venue owners in Los Angeles, Hartford and New Orleans came to there senses and cancelled the insipid and offensive, Shirly Q. Liquor show performed by Charles Knipp. All the venues expressed a concern for community unity and the insensitivity that such a show promotes. Unfortunately, this same show played to a welcoming crowd in Hot Springs and had YouTube clips posted. As producer of this forum we addressed our distaste in a previous post( The United States of Understanding) and in letters to the Editor in Hot Springs. Our attempts to raise local consciousness as to the nature of this show was met with resounding silence.
It's My Turn!! Dina Matos McGreevey estranged wife of former NJ Gov, James McGreevey is going to tell all in her new memoir, called " Silent Partner," due out in May 2007. Matos McGreevey has stated," I'm sick of media conjecture, now here's my side of the story, and ditto on that intimate details business!" Emphasizing the speculations from onlookers about the nature of their sexual realtionship in relation to his national coming out as a Gay American. On the flip side, I can't wait for Gayle Haggard's book detailing her attitudes about her Meth-using, sex-buying, Rehabed evangelical husband, Ted Haggard or Char Barnes, wife of another DL Colorado pastor who admitted to having gay sex in the rockies. Talk about six degrees of christian seperation. Go Figure!
Got Backtalk, share with us first! at Nealix101@comcast.net
In Northwest Arkansas, need information contact the NWGLTBCC hotline: 1.888.391.922
3 comments:
Please consider adding Little Rock Capital Pride on the list of "rolling out the welcome mat with no takers" to the African-American GLBT community. I was glad to hear that site-owner, Cornelieus, was at Faces of Pride (wish we could have chatted!) but hated to hear you were the only "the only 'real' Black male" there.
-Reading your post, "The United States of Understanding" you stated that Shirley Q. Liquor's performance in Hot Springs had been promoted on the cover of The Pink Spectrum. This is of course the very same “alternative magazine” which you claim to be partnered with in a December 11 blog. Was there any apology from Pink Spectrum publishers? Or are there new owners now? What gives?
-I think it’s important when analyzing Shirley Q Liquor that we not stop our critique at Knipp’s portrayal of blacks, but extend our criticism to his portrayal of women. Shirley Q Liquor is a perfect example of the complex intersections of race and gender, and focusing on just one aspect leaves out the rest of the picture. Of course it’s not only white racist Knipp engaging in this mockery of black women and their bodies, but also the mainstream media (most notably the recent Eddie Murphy film Norbit which pulled in $33.7 million at the box office this weekend and, apart from mocking black women, also managed to feature Murphy in a Chinese version of blackface).
In progressive communities it can be easy to criticize Shirley Q Liquor as racist, but it’s more difficult for the gay male community to criticize drag culture in general. While drag does have the powerful potential to subvert traditional gender roles, it’s also equally capable of reinforcing the gender binary if not handled correctly. Unfortunately the gay male community has put drag on such a pedestal that to question it is almost out of the question. Yet there are real issues that need to be addressed with the way gay men treat the female bodies they create for drag performances.
-The Center for Artistic Revolution was also very vocal in its opposition to Knipp’s performance of Shirley Q Liquor.
The metaphor of a 'welcome mat' implies inviting someone into a space that they are normally not invited or normally do not reside. I may visit someone’s house that has a welcome mat, but I’ll always be just a guest. And ultimately that’s the problem.
Post a Comment