Bill Duke ... directed one of my favorite dramas of all time, Deep Cover. His newest film slated for '06 release, Invisible, tackles the DL ‘problem’ head on … and could be sub-titled, ‘Every black woman's nightmare.’ At the end of the trailer, it gives shocking information about the women who sleep with these men. The last frame reads ... “70% of these women have contracted HIV or are dying of AIDS.”

In complete homage to the style, artistry, and brilliance that is Bill Duke, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt with this provocative statistic, for I believe the jury is still squabbling over that one. But it still disturbed me. Could it lead to scapegoating of all SGL men, as the cause of the AIDS crisis amongst black women? After all, didn't Oprah already subtly deem it possible ... by putting author/opportunist J. L. King (and his book), on her Best-Seller-making show? We all love her, but that wasn't one of her most balanced episodes. She started out as a public service I'm sure ... but besides making King rich, all she accomplished was making black women suspicious of their husbands and boyfriends, and more leery of gay men. Thanks Op'.... So ... people already want to believe we're sex-obsessed loose-cannons of society anyway ... like we're just salivating to pounce on helpless straight men to fuel the hedonistic orgies we call our lives. Will this movie feed that nonsense, or will it expose it for the bullshit that it is? Will it be true to life ... or just guilty entertainment to creep-out the masses? Time will tell. But if this movie does expose the life of one leading a stereotypical DL lifestyle and who happens to expose his wife to HIV ... is it just entertainment? Or is it real? Despite the other contributing factors to the rate of infection in women, this particular scenario has happened. And like the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, could deluding ourselves that these reckless men don't exist be just as destructive as the behavior itself? And are we complicit in their crimes when we sleep with a DL kat, knowing he's got a girl ... or a wife? Do these things happen? Hell yeah they do. And as long as Pastors and Reverends call our loves, homes and spiritual bonds an abomination ... we will keep having brothers (and sisters) who opt for surface sanctity and deceit instead, brothers (and sisters) incapable of accepting second-class citizenship in this life AND the next. And at the risk of sounding like a defender of Down Low anything, if there truly is a DL 'problem' in the Black community, then its the bastard child of the very churchs and pastors who condemn all things gay. Now ... ain't that a bitch?

I'm going on record that Bill Duke will paint it fairly, and possible point the finger at other culprits in this madness. I pray for that. But one way or the other, I'll be in the theater opening night. And if Mr. Duke gets it wrong, I'll have something to say about that too.

"I'm a FAGGOT ...." ... that was the subject line of the email below from this sweet young college student of slight stature. Let's call him Zamir for now. He granted me permission to post it here.

After reading this ... can you comment on what's at the root of these sudden attacks of homophobia that our young men are prone to?

What can be done about it? And what advice would you give Zamir?

~~

Taylor ...

Tonight I decided to journey to the mall with a friend. We opted to take the train home, and then to transfer to a bus that drops directly off at our stop. Upon waiting for the bus, we decided to grab something quickly from McDonald's. I'm standing in line, directly at the counter, and without even having seen my face, I can hear this wannabe thug mumbling to his friend, sayin shit like,

"I hate faggots. Damn I can't stand that shit. He betta not even look this way..." I hear his friend mumble, "Yo, that's rude." He responds, "I don't give a fuck. I hate that shit." Just to verify that I'm not losing my mind, I do a quick turn with my head. I hear him say to his friend, "That's right. Muthafucker betta turn around. Damn that sissy shit." I whispered the ongoing situation to my friend because he was oblivious to the whole thing. I elbow him slightly, "Damn, I wish someone had taught my ass how to fight, or I wish something was in sight and I was slightly more ghetto because I'd turn around and whoop some tacky thug ass." He's lost, and I tell him to listen closely to the mumbles behind us. A few minutes later, we're standing toward the exit on the lookout for the bus. They're on their way out, and the dude who's been doing all the talking, his friend just partially giggling, says, "Look at him, even got his dress boots on...look at those heels, nigga." He turns back, looks at us, and says "faggot ass muthafucka," and then he runs out of the store with his friend laughing along with him. Thankfully, it wasn't loud and the restaurant only had the employees in there. I guess that's the cost me wearing a track jacket that's completely zipped, collar naturally popped, black dress shirt underneath, Diesel bootcut khakis, and contemporary black pointed toe dress shoes that look like boots. Maybe I should wear trade gear??? Hmm...guess it's just the cost of me being thin and well dressed. [Zamir] ~~

I have my feelings on the subject, but I wanna know what you think this time.

http://www.gthemovie.com/

G OPENS IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE ON OCTOBER 28TH

... This vibrant independant film is a contemporary African-American romance inspired by the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald story The Great Gatsby ... and stars Blair Underwood (L.A. Law, Madea's Family Reunion), Richard T. Jones (Collateral, Judging Amy) and Andre Royo (Shaft, The Wire).

Set amidst the grandeur of the ultra elite Hamptons, "G" follows self-made millionaire and rap mogul Summer G (Richard T. Jones) on a journey to regain what he desires most - the love of his life (Chenoa Maxwell), now married toa wealthy and philandering Wallstreeter (Blair Underwood). Having built his thriving empire from the ground up, Summer G would relinquish it all for the promise of rekindling a romance with his one true love. Urban music writer, Tre, (Andre Royo) spends the summer chronicling the lifestyle of this complex rap mogul for an article on the rise of African-American prominence linked to Hip Hop in the Hamptons. Without malice or intent, this writer brings these lovers together while simultaneously pulling their worlds apart.

"G" is directed by ChristopherScott Cherot, who made his directorial debut with the independent film "HavPlenty," and written by Cherot and Charles E. Drew, Jr. ~~~

"Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." ~ SGL Legend ... James A. Baldwin

Trick or Treating ... The Top 10 signs you're Too Old for it:

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say, "Great Boris Karloff Mask." and you're not wearing one.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or....." and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hair-piece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

1. You keep having to go home to pee.

In case I don't see you before,

wishing all a safe and Happy Halloween !!

"Fifty years ago, white folks thought interracial marriages were a 'threat to the institution of marriage.' Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson.

She also said, "When I was a small girl, white folks used to talk about "protecting the institution of marriage" as well. What they meant was if people of my color tried to marry people of Mr. Chisum's color [State Representative Warren Chisum of Pampa sponsored the amendment, House Joint Resolution 6, which the house approved, 101–29, on April 25.], you'd often find the people of my color hanging from a tree."

And from those noise-making SGL rabble-rousers I love so much, Wil from Black Gay Men And Woman Of Action adds:

"Monday begins early voting in Texas to write discrimination into its state constitution: sgl marriage act. Regardless of your opinion of sgl marriage, unequivocally... All GLBT/SGL Texans Must vote NO on Prop.2

Gov. Rick Perry called black and white ministers to Austin to support Prop.2. Perry's not concerned about black ministers and congregants because blacks are so gullible; say homosexual - most Negros will ally with the KKK.

Sad: I have a 40+ yr old friend in a long-term committed relationship, but he doesn't see the importance of voting.

Therefore, I say to all those like my dear friend: If you don'tvote – shut the F*** Up and don't complain when the ramifications reach you and your partner now or later."

I couldn't agee more Wil ...

VOTE ... or shut the fuck up.

What's it all about ... ... this anger at certain heavy-handed tactics? At the risk of sounding like a Boykinista [defender of Keith Boykin no matter how wrong he is], I wanna interject something. His Earning the Right to Complain essay did have a sharp edge to it. Lots of emotion. It's been an emotional few weeks and months for him and all of us .... Beginning with 'Rev.' Willie's repugnant "anytime you gotta slap some grease on your behind" sermon/homophobic rant ... and those moronic parishioners who cheered the aforementioned 'sermon', filling the church with applause and 'Amen'. Boykin and others stepped up in outrage demanding Willie's head, even Reverend Al Sharpton stepped up and said this has gotta stop ... whilst the rest of us SGL tribesmen vented our rage more anonymously, lighting torches and 'doing the rabble-rabble thing' in the distance. But at some point ... and I think it was after Keith and Jasymne Cannick asked the infamous question, 'Are These Pastors Gay?' ... we began to rabble louder. First ... some kats who are not completely 'out' themselves began to bombard Keith's website in outrage, completely twisted at the thought of exposing anybody's secret sex life. This morphed into personal attacks and accusations ... words like "ego-maniac" and "self-serving" began to fly about. Some proclaimed that, for mysterious reasons, they "just don't like him."

( A friend of mine is one of those people. When pressed, he raved, "Look at that picture on his website, all shirt-less and whatnot. How professional is that? He might represent YOU but he doesn't represent ME!!" I responded .. "First off, its his damn dot com and he can put his asshole on it if he wants to. Second, that picture you're referring to is Boris Kodjoe, not Keith ... it's an ad or something." He responded, "Oh. Oh. Still ... I just don't like him." ) Hmmm .... Ok.

Then the 3M thing came and by then, our burning torches on the sidelines were clearly split into different groups, and we fought bitterly amongst ourselves. Do we really need to be there? Do we even need another march? Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? Why does HE have to speak? Then the aborted speech, and the rabble turned into a riot, torches flying, punches thrown, tribemen being trambled all over the place ... and sitting back, watching the melee, 'Rev' Willie smiles at our disfunction (after all, didn't he just say there was something not quite right about us?) Have we forgotten who pissed us off in the first place? Is this a transference of aggression thing? How did we end up trying to put one of our own on a spit? Keith's essay had a sharp edge. Rightly so. People who are not OUT shouldn't complain too much about the actions of those on the front lines. If you don't like what's being done, or who's doing it ... then get out there and take their place. And I believe his essay should have gone a step further and reminded us that the real enemy is still sitting up in that pulpit ... with a most ungodly condescending smile. We need to get back to what this is really about.

You've been Punk'd by Keith Boykin! Well, that's what George Payton is saying in a fiery email making the rounds today. Once again, I've got Boykin on the brain and feel the need to speak. But first here's a clip from George Payton's lengthy note.

I have news for everybody. Especially those so enraptured in Keith Boykin's guerilla-like self promotion tactics that their logic has gone to sleep. There is a quote in today's Washington Post from Willie Wilson that states a fact many gays are way too busy hating him now to accept. It says, “[Keith Boykin] straight up lied” about ever being invited to speak at the Millions More rally. In other words, Keith Boykin was never cut from the Millions More program by Willie Wilson. He was never invited, and he knows it.

... Be logical people and face that you all have been punk’d. When everybody scammed by Keith comes out of their stupor, they may then admit that Cleo Manago was the logical choice to speak on behalf of same gender loving people at Farrakhan’s pro-black Millions More Movement rally....

~~~

George Payton ... I wanna make a confession. For a lot of years I've hated Keith Boykin with a passion. Hated. Passionately! Everytime I saw a press release or news blurb about him doing this or that ... I got an angry knot in my stomach and I'd mumble, "Queen", under my breath. Boykin was the SGL communities Al Sharpton, swooping in whenever gay rights were impugned or somebody whispered "faggot", and of course, cameras were present and he was always coiffed and prepared for the spotlight. I hated Sharpton too, and his processed hair (which Chris Rock told him he'd never be president with) ... because in my estimation they both were blatantly and unashamedly self-serving in their tactics. Tactics, I must add, that when disguised as activism are even more morally and ethically repugnant. It's like someone consoling you by stroking your back and cooing in your ear ... while surreptitiously stealing your wallet. They reminded me of Kevin Powell. He was on the original cast of MTV's The Real World, playing the angry black man asshole stereotype. I hated him too. The thing is, we went to high-school together. He was cool then. But once he turned up on The Real World years later, I started to hate him. Then he wrote a book ... and I hated him even more. I'm sure you all see where this is going. I sat down and admitted to myself why I hated people who, although their actions were somewhat self-serving, were out on the front-lines getting things done. I was jealous of Kevin Powell because we'd sat in the same class in Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City ... we graduated together and he walked away with a special award for winning a national essay contest our senior year. I'd won that same contest in our junior year, but I got no mention. I fumed over that ... and a long, unhealthy, one-sided rivalry was born. I say one-sided because I'm the only one aware of it.

Kevin Powell would probably laugh his ass off if he knew I've been hating on him since our graduation in '84. There are a lot of unconscious haters out there. And its a shame. I finally admit it, right here right now, that I've hated Keith Boykin just because he's an extremely attractive, accomplished, poised, and a first-class self-promoter. Basically ... he's my dream ME. Kevin Powell ... same thing (although I still say I should have received an award at graduation, damnit!). As for Sharpton, I don't know, maybe in the late eighties I was just tired of seeing his fat sweaty presense everytime something went down. But in hindsight, thank God he did the things he did. People need to know a community refuses to be spat upon. Sharpton annoyed people, but he also got things done ... while at the same time becoming a national political figure to be reckoned with. Is he self-serving? Probably. Be honest with yourself ... aren't we all, just a little bit? At a time when the SGL movement for equality has finally begun to crawl, already forces from within are conspiring to trip us up before we even attempt to stand. Some throw around terms like Boykinistas, to describe anyone who supports Keith, which in my opinion says a lot more about the creator of the term than the targeted supporters. It's bullshit. Plain and simple. We are at the base of a hill where the enemy is firmly entrenched and lobbing shells all around us. And what are we doing? We're punching each other in the eye like Ren & Stimpy. Have you ever heard of the crabs in a barrel syndrome, George Payton? I thought, I hoped, we had the same goals ... respect from the African American community and squashing the rhetoric from the pulpit, and then ... equality as a whole. A two step plan. We'll never acheive full equality on a national level as long as the Neo-Cons use The New Black Church to dehumanize us. That's our target. That is what should be in our collective cross-hairs, not each other. And certainly not an activist who's out on the front lines not only making a name for himself, but making a name for all of us (did you read his unspoken speech? Was it about him? Or was it a history lesson about US and OUR legends?). He's not just getting headlines and selling books, he's also dodging the bullets that society likes to throw willy-nilly at OUT, PROUD, UPPITY FAGGOTS who dare to defy the church & demand equality. I have equal respect for Keith Boykin and Cleo Manago and John-Martin Green and BMX and NBJC and everyone else who stands up, dodges bullets of hate, and demands my rights for me. The question of motives has no place in this discussion ... 'cause bottomline is, we all want a piece of the pie. Don't front. From one hater to another ... and I say this with the greatest brotherly respect ... you need to check yourself, George Payton ... dig deep deep down inside yourself and grab that inner 'haterator' ... and then strangle the fuck out of him. 'Cause we don't have time for the bullshit right now ... we'll beat each other up later, but let's take out the enemy first ... shall we?