Date: Sun, 15 Jan 1995 21:57:06 -0500 (EST) From: Chuck Tarver Folks, this is an updated version of the lgbt list of people of African Descent, now referred to as "The Blacklist". It is found at http://www.udel.edu/nero/lists/blacklist.html A hypertext version is linked to my homepage. http://www.udel.edu/nero/chuckt.html Thanks Chuck Tarver ----------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKLIST This list of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people of African Descent was first developed in response to requests for names of lesbigay and trans people to include in Black History Month 1994 celebrations. The list was made available through the Queer Resources Directory and America Online. It was inspired by Mark Hertzog's "The Out List" which is also located in the Queer Resources Directory. Terms such as Black History Month and people of African Descent are used because not all of the people listed here are American. The term African-American in this case is therefore incorrect. The list is in alphabetical order by last name. A key and reference list are included. Many of those listed are famous, while others are less well known. An asterisk (*) indicates those still living. Due to the lack of confirming sources, many people known to be gay have been omitted. It is impossible for any list to encompass the history of a people. No list is complete. Important people are always missed. Significant contributions often go unnoticed, unreported and unrecorded. While honoring those on this list, take a moment to reflect on how you, too, are making history. The Black homosexual is hard pressed to gain audience among his heterosexual brothers; even if he is more talented, he is inhibited by his silence or his admissions. This is what the race has depended on in being able to erase homosexuality from our recorded history. The "chosen" history. But these sacred constructions of silence are futile exercises in denial. We will not go away with our issues of sexuality. We are coming home. Essex Hemphill *Indicates still living. Compiled by Chuck Tarver at the University of Delaware, nero@brahms.udel.edu. Version 2.0 (January, 1995) of this list contains corrections and additions made to Version 1.2 (July, 1994). Please send corrections, additions and additional sources to nero@brahms.udel.edu. Adams, Gregory* Activist. Media director for the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Founder and executive director of the Bayard Rustin Alliance. [BGLLF] Ailey, Alvin (1931-1989) Choreographer. Founder of the world renown Alvin Ailey dance troupe. Ailey combined African American movement with spirituals, jazz and contemporary music in a unique fashion. [EB] Ajrian-Omari, Eden* Writer, poet, activist. Ajrian-Omari an artist, performer and fashion designer is currently a non-traditional student at the University of Oregon where she serves on the President's Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns. [BGLLF] Baker, Cornelius* AIDS Activist. President of the National Association of People With AIDS, NAPWA. [WB] Baker, Josephine (1906-1975) Entertainer. Chorus girl who rose to fame in the Folies Bergere in Paris. Baker left home at age 13 to pursue a career in show business. Finding the United States difficult for black performers, she eventually settled in France. She and her husband had a large multiracial adopted family which she called her Rainbow Tribe. She was known to have had many same-sex affairs. [AA] Baldwin, James (1924-1987) Writer and civil rights activist. Baldwin was not afraid to speak out on issues of oppression. A prolific writer his works included: "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "Giovanni's Room", "Another Country", and "The Fire Next Time." An expatriate, Baldwin urged American society to discard its myths. He felt the most destructive myth was "white superiority." [AA] Banneker, Benjamin (1731-1806) Mathematician. Self-taught mathematician, astronomer and inventor who designed Washington, DC. As a youth, Banneker invented a wooden clock that kept accurate time until his death. Banneker also wrote essays on the evils of slavery. [AA] Batts, Deborah* (1947 Judge. In June of 1994, Deborah Batts was sworn in as a Federal District Judge for Manhattan, becoming the nation's first openly lesbian African-American federal judge. Batts was on the faculty of Fordham University School of Law before her appointment by President Bill Clinton. [WB, FT] Beam, Joseph (1954-1988) Writer and activist. Responsible for "In The Life", an anthology of work by black gay writers. Beam's personal papers have been donated to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, the nation's foremost collection of black history. Beam died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK, ITL] Bean, Carl* Clergy, activist. Founder and Bishop of Unity Fellowship Church, which now has congregations in Los Angeles, Detroit, New York, Washington, DC and Philadelphia. Chief Executive Officer of Unity Fellowship Ministries, which includes the Minority AIDS Project (MAP). [BLK, OC] Bell, Alan* Publisher. Heads firm that publishes five black lesbian and gay magazines including "BLK" The Black Lesbian and Gay Newsmagazine. He was editor and publisher of "Gaysweek", New York's first mainstream weekly lesbian and gay newspaper. [P] Bellinger, George Jr.* AIDS activist. Bellinger has been active in developing strategies to address the HIV/AIDS concerns of gay men of color, adolescents, substance abusers and women. [BGLLF] Birtha, Becky * (1948 Writer. Author of several books of poems and short stories including "Lover's Choice" and "For Nights Like This One: Stories of Loving Women." [BLK, HG] Blackberri* (1945 Musician, actor, activist. Born Charles Timothy Ashmore, Blackberri has appeared in "Word is Out" and "Tongues Untied." His music appears in "Tongues Untied" and "Looking for Langston." [BLK, ITL] Boykin, Keith* Government Official. Clinton Administration White House aide. Boykin was present when Clinton met with gay/lesbian leaders at the White House. [BLK] Brinkley, Sidney* Journalist. Brinkley's work has appeared in the gay press throughout the country. He also headed Blacklight Press, which published "BGM." [BLK] Brown, Ron* (1966 Choreographer. Heads the modern-dance troupe, Ron Brown/Evidence. Brown works with loosely narrative pieces. "Dirt Road" is among his works. [NYT] Buckmire, Ron* (1968 Mathematician. Founded and runs the Queer Resources Directory, the largest collection of information on gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/AIDS available on the Internet. [OL] Burke, Glenn* Athlete. Played professional baseball during the late 1970s with the Dodgers. Later traded to the Oakland A's. He played basketball in the 1986 Gay Games. The November 21, 1994, issue of "People" magazine updated his life and his struggle with AIDS. [AA, BW] Burrell, Walter Rico (1946-1990) Publicist. Burrell worked for Universal, Motown, 20th Century Fox, MGM and ABC. Wrote one of the earliest pieces by a black gay man chronicling his life with HIV/AIDS. He died of AIDS-related complications. [BB, BLK] Carter, Mandy* Activist. Public Policy Advocate for the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), as well as a member of the executive committee of Stonewall 25 and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bayard Rustin Alliance. Currently working with the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum (BGLLF), on a campaign to counter the religious right's encroachment into communities of color. [BLK] Cheeks, Rainey* Clergy. Pastor of Washington, DC Unity Fellowship Church. Founder and Program Director of Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc. Cheeks is a longtime AIDS survivor who has developed his own holistic treatments. [BLK, BGLLF] Cheetam, Carlene* Activist. Co-chair of the DC Coalition of Black Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals. One of the founders of Washington DC's Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day. [BLK] Clarke, Cheryl* Writer. Member of Kitchen Table Women of Color Press. Works include: "Narratives: Poems In the Tradition of Black Women" and "Lesbianism: An Act of Resistance," in "This Bridge Called My Back." [BLK, HG] Cleveland, James (1931-1991) Clergy, gospel musician. Cleveland founded the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Los Angeles and served as its pastor. He is better know for his work as a gospel recording artist, receiving a posthumous fourth Grammy for the LP "Having Church." Toward the end of his life he moved beyond internalized homophobia to become active in the fight against AIDS. He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK] Cliff, Michelle* Writer. Jamaican author of "Claiming an Identity They Taught Me to Despise" and co-author of "Sinister Wisdom." [HG] Clinton, Michelle T.* Poet. Clinton's publications include: "Good Sense and the Faithless" and "High Blood/Pressure." Her recordings include: "Black Angels" and "Blood as a Bright Color" on Freeways Records. [BGLLF] Cooke, Welmore Alfred (1925-1992) Activist. W.W.II and Korean War veteran who was one of the founders of Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in Washington, DC. Cooke was president of Washington's Pinnacle Club and a charter member of Best Friends of Washington, a people of color AIDS support organization. He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK] Cooper, Mario* (1955 Attorney. Cooper served as the Convention Manager for the 1992 Democratic National Convention in New York. Cooper managed a staff of more than 200 and a budget of more than $12 million. He also served on President Carter's advance team and was responsible for the President's domestic and foreign travel. [BGLLF] Corbin, Steven* Novelist. Latest work is "Fragments that Remain." Previous work, "No Easy Place to Be." [BLK] Cox, Debra* Activist. Director of finance and administration for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF). [WB] Cullen, Countee (1903-1946) Writer. Harlem Renaissance poet known for "The Ballad of the Brown Girl", "Copper Sun" and "The Black Christ and Other Poems." Cullen married W.E.B. DuBois' daughter but two months later sailed off to Europe with Harold Jackman, his best man at the wedding. He is known for the verse questioning the pain of his existence. "I DOUBT not God is good, well meaning, kind,...Yet do I marvel at this curious thing: To make a poet black, and bid him sing!" [AA] Davidson, Jaye* Actor. British actor with lead role in the film, "The Crying Game." [OL] Davis, Angela* (1944 Activist. Professor and activist Angela Davis made what many are interpreting as her coming out statement during her keynote address and press conference at the Sixth Annual BGLLF Conference (1993) in Long Beach, California. [BGLLF, WB] Davis, Paul* AIDS Educator. Director of Education for the Minority AIDS Project of Los Angeles, (MAP). [AL] Delaney, Samuel* (1942 Writer. Popular and critically acclaimed science fiction writer. Delaney is one of the few African Americans writing in that genre. His works include: "The Jewels of Aptor" and "The Motion of Light in Water." [AA] DeLoatch, Gary (1951-1992) Performer. Principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. [BLK] Dixon, Melvin (1950-1992) Writer, scholar. Author of two novels, "Vanishing Rooms" and "Trouble the Water" and a volume of poetry, "Change of Territory." He translated "The Collected Poems of Leopold Sedar Senghor." He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK, OC] Duplechan, Larry* Novelist. Author of a series of novels including: "Eight Days a Week", "Blackbird" and "Captain Swing." [BG, BLK] Evans, Herbert* (1951 Clergy. Former Pastor MCC, Philadelphia. Serves on MCC Judicial Affairs Board and on the AIDS National Interfaith Network (ANIN), the Ecumenical AIDS Committee. [BGLLF, CO] Farajaje-Jones, Elias* Theologian, activist. Farajaje-Jones, a bisexual of mixed heritage (African & Native American, Tsalagi/Cherokee), specialized in African Religions at the University of Bern in Switzerland. He is on the faculty of Howard University. [BGLLF] Fashanu, Justin* (1959 Athlete. Nigerian born British soccer player who came out in the London tabloid "The Sun." [AA, BLK, GT] Frechette, David Warren (1948-1991) Journalist. His film, music and gay culture articles appeared in "Advocate", "Black Film Review", "City Sun" "Essence", and "Right On!" His chapbook, "Too Through" was anthologized in "Here To Dare" 10 Gay Black Poets." He died of AIDS-related complications. [BB, OC] Furh, Gayle L.* Writer/storyteller. Founder and advisor of "Circle of One" theater arts performance troupe. [AL] Garner, Darlene* Clergy. Pastor of MCC, NOVA. First African American Elder in the MCC Church. [BLK] Gerald, Gilberto* Activist. Founder and director of the African American Gay and Lesbian Studies Center (AAGLSC). Fought with Immigration and Naturalization Service for four years to gain US citizenship finally admitting to his sexual orientation during the process. He was naturalized in 1982. [BLK, ITL] Gomes, Peter J.* (1932 Clergy. Minister at Harvard University's Memorial Church (Harvard University Chaplain). Gomes came out during a rally to support gay and lesbian students following a rash of homophobic incidents at Harvard. Gomes delivered sermons at Ronald Reagan and George Bush's inaugurations. [10%] Gomez, Jewelle* Writer. Author of "The Lipstick Papers," co-editor of "Gap Tooth Girlfriends" and author of "The Gilda Stories" a collection of vampire tales. [HG] Gonsalves, Roy (1960-1993) Writer. Gonsalves was the author of two books, "Evening Sunshine" and "Perversions." Founder and editor of the "Pyramid Poetry Periodical." He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK] Grant, Annie Lee Various. Grant passed as "Jim McHarris" for 20 years in order to get higher-paying "men's work." She worked as a short order cook, cab driver, gas station attendant, preacher and shipyard worker. Grant's secret was discovered when she was stopped for a traffic violation in 1954. [20] Haizlip, Ellis B. (1930-1991) Producer. One of the first black producers at PBS. Produced the program "Soul" which aired on WNET, New York from 1967 - 1973. [BLK] Hampton, Mabel (1902-1989) Activist. At the 1984 NYC Gay Pride Rally, Hampton said, "I have been a lesbian all my life, for eighty-two years, and I am proud of myself and my people. I would like all my people to be free in this world, my gay people and my black people." [20] Hansberry, Lorraine (1930-1965) Writer. Author of "A Raisin in the Sun" and the first African American woman to have a play produced on Broadway. She is also known for putting Dan Rather in his place. When he asked if she had won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award because she was a black woman, she calmly replied no. Then said if she had, it would be the first time in America that anyone had been given an award for being a black woman. [AA] Hardy, James E. Writer. Author of B-Boy Blues, his first novel about same-gender black love. [BBB] Harris, Craig (1958-1992) Writer, AIDS educator, activist. Harris went out like a meteor. His works appear in the anthologies: "In The Life", "Brother to Brother", and "Sojourner Black Gay Voices in the Age of AIDS." He died of AIDS-related complications. [ITL, OC] Harris, E. Lynn* Novelist. Harris' two best sellers are "Invisible Life" and its sequel "Just as I Am." [BGLLF] Harris, Sherry* Politician. Seattle City Council Member. The first openly lesbian African American elected official. [BLK] Hemphill, Essex* (1957 Writer, cultural activist. Hemphill edited "Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men." His works are featured in the films: "Tongues Untied" and "Looking for Langston." He narrated the black gay documentary "Out of the Shadows." His essays have appeared in "Advocate", "Gay Community News", "High Performance" and "Out/Week." [BB, ITL] Hendryx, Nona* Entertainer. Former member of the groups LaBelle and Patti LaBelle and the Blue Bells. [BLK] Hill, Marjorie* Psychologist. Assistant vice president for Special Populations at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation's largest public health network. As former director of the New York City Mayor's Office for Lesbian and Gay Issues she was instrumental in negotiating the inclusion of the lesbian and gay contingent in the St. Patrick's Day parade, by having former NYC Mayor Dinkins march with the group. [BG, BLK, BGLLF] Hite, Ernest* Activist. Co-founder of Image Plus an organization to instill pride in Black Lesbian and Gay youth and provide HIV/AIDS education. [BLK] Hughes, Langston (1902-1967) Writer. The writer most identified with the Harlem Renaissance. A prolific writer, he used almost every conceivable form to arrange his thoughts on paper: poems, songs, novels, plays, biographies, histories and essays. His works include: "Not Without Laughter", "The Dream Keeper", and "Tambourines to Glory." His most quoted work, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" includes the verse: "I have known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers." He often said of his life, "There are some things I don't tell nobody, not even God. He might know about them, but it certainly ain't because I told him." [AA] Hunter, Alberta (1895-1984) Singer. Hunter was the last of America's original blues/jazz stars performing right up until the end of her life. Hunter retired from music in 1956 but regained her popularity during the 1970s. [AA] Hunter, B. Michael* Activist, writer. Editor of Other Countries', "Sojourner: Black Gay Voices in the Age of AIDS. [OC] Icard, Larry* Educator. Associate professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Icard's publications include: "Counseling Black Gay Men" and "Black Gay Men and Conflicting Identities." [BGLLF] Johnson, Cary Allen* Activist, writer. Staff member of Amnesty International and Board Member of the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission. [BGLLF, OC] Johnson, Michelle* (1956 Journalist. Boston Globe. Member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). Johnson took part in the groundbreaking NABJ conference session dealing with lesbian and gay issues. [NJ] Jones, Bill E.* Psychiatrist. President of New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation's largest public health network. Formerly commissioner of New York City's Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services. [BGLLF, BLK] Jones, Bill T.* Choreographer. Founder and Director of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. The "Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin The Promised Land." is Jones' most famous pieces. His work "Still/Here" deals with the connections between life and death, sickness and wellness. [BG] Jones, Zachary* Clergy. Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church New York. Church Elder. [BLK] Jordan Jeffrey* (1963 Clergy. Co-Pastor along with Rev. Dan Lee of an interracial clerical team at Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia. [P] Jordan, June* Writer. English professor and author of "Passion", "Civil Wars" and "Kimako's Story." [HG] Julien, Isaac* Filmmaker. British film maker responsible for "Looking for Langston" and "Young Soul Rebels." [BLK] Kenan, Randall* (1963 Writer. Author of "A Visitation of Spirits", "Let the Dead Bury Their Dead" and a biography of James Baldwin designed for young people. [BGLLF] Kelly, Patrick (1954-1990) Fashion designer. Kelly, a transplanted Mississippian with an outrageous sense of fashion, became the toast of Paris. He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK] Kinnard, Rupert* Cartoonist. Creator of the Brown Bomber and Diva Touche' Flambe'. [LB] Lewis, Edmonia (1844-1911) Artist. Born of a Chippewa mother and an African father, Lewis worked in clay and changed the notion of black art around the time of the Emancipation. [AA] Levan, Larry (1954-1992) DJ. Larry Levan is the performing name for Lawrence Philpot the legendary New York DJ who held court at the Paradise Garage for 11 years. The large "sit in" disco speakers that he helped design were named "Levans" after him. [BLK, OUT] Livingston, Derek Charles* Activist. One of four national co-chairs of the 1993 March on Washington. Currently Executive Director of North Carolina Pride PAC, a gay & lesbian lobbying & political action committee for all of North Carolina. [OL] Locke, Alain (1886-1954) Philosopher. The first African American Rhodes Scholar and the chief interpreter of the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes gave him the title, "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance." [AA] Lorde, Audre' (1934-1992) Writer. Lorde was named the Poet Laureate of New York State. A writer of prose and poetry, Lorde's work is deeply personal and at the same time intensely political. Works include: "Sister Outsider", "The Cancer Journals", and "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name." In "I am your sister", she wrote: "When you read the words of Langston Hughes you are reading the words of a Black Gay man. When you read the words of Alice Dunbar-Nelson and Angelina Weld Grimke', poets of the Harlem Renaissance, you are reading the words of Black Lesbians. When you listen to the life-affirming voices of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, you are hearing Black Lesbian women. When you see the plays and read the words of Lorraine Hansberry, you are reading the words of a woman who loved women deeply." She succumbed to cancer after a long struggle. [AA, BG, BLK, HG] Lowe, Sandra* Attorney, activist. Director of the New York State Office of Gay and Lesbian Affairs under Governor Mario Cuomo. [BLK] Mabley, Jackie "Moms" (1897-1975) Comedian. "Moms" rose to prominence performing at the Cotton Club and Apollo Theater in the 1920s and 1930s. Her 1960 comedy album "Moms Mabley at The U.N." sold over a million copies. She appeared at Carnegie Hall in 1962. Her first television appearance was not until 1967, toward the end of her career. [AA] Manago, Cleo* Activist. Founder of the Black Men's Exchange (BMX), an Afrocentric national support group for same-gender loving black men. [BLK] Mason, Abner* Activist. President of Log Cabin, an organization of gay Republicans. [BLK] Mathis, Johnny* (1935 Entertainer. When activists decided to "out" the singer, they were embarrassed to discover he had been out for years. [BLK] May, Gregory* (1958 Activist. Co-chair of the Los Angeles-based Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. [BGLLF] Maye, Patrick D.* Clergy. Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church, Philadelphia. [P] McCoy, Renee* Clergy. Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church, Detroit. Church Elder. [BLK] Moragne, Tim* Psychologist. Former president of the Association of Black Psychologists. Moragne came out to the members of the organization in his first keynote speech. [BGLLF, BLK] Morgan, Tom* Journalist. New York Times. Former president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Morgan, along with Linda Villarosa, and Michelle Johnson, organized the NABJ's first conference session on lesbian and gay issues. [NJ] Ndege'Ocello, Me'Shell* Recording Artist. Her name, pronounced (n-Day-gay-o-Chell-o), is Swahili for "free like a bird." Her debut album was the innovative Plantation Lullabies. [BLK] Nkoli, Simon* Activist. South African involved in the anti-Apartheid and HIV/AIDS struggles. [BLK] Nugent, Bruce (1906-1987) Writer. The Bohemian of the Harlem Renaissance, Nugent is considered the first black writer to deal openly with homosexuality. His 1926 "Smoke, Lillies and Jade" appeared in the first issue of the short-lived literary quarterly, "Fire!!" The critic for the "Baltimore Afro-American" wrote, " I have just tossed the first issue of 'Fire!!' into the fire." [BW, ITL] Parker, Pat Writer. Educator and writer included in numerous anthologies including, "Gay and Lesbian Poetry in Our Time," and author of "Jonestown and Other Madness." She died of complications related to breast cancer. [BLK, HG] Parkinson, Michelle* Filmmaker, activist. Parkinson is the creator of "Voicescapes." [BLK] Penn, Robert* (1948 AIDS activist. Coordinator of Gay Men's Health Crisis Center's AIDS Prevention Program for People of Color. [BGLLF, OC] Penniman, Richard W.* (1935 Entertainer. Little Richard is one of the greatest influences on Rock 'n' Roll. His first hit was "Tutti Fruiti" in 1955. [BLK] Pomo Afro Homos* Theater troupe. Djola Bernard Branner, Brian Freeman, Eric Gupton, New Member: Marvin K. White Theater troupe which presents the black gay male experience. Pieces include: "Fierce Love: Stories From Black Gay Life" and "Dark Fruit." Appeared on the Comedy Channel's Special "Out There." [BG, BLK] Rainey, Ma (1886-1939) Singer. Blues singer popular from 1904 until 1935. Rainey recorded "Prove It On Me Blues" which included the openly lesbian line, "Went out last night with a crowd of my friends. They must've been women, 'cause I don't like no men." [AA] Rawlins, Clifford (1950-1993) Activist. Founder of Adodi, an Afrocentric support group and system for black gay and bisexual men. The group has chapters in Philadelphia and New York. He died of AIDS-related complications. [AD] Reeves, Kenneth* (1952 Politician. First African American mayor of the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nation's first black openly gay mayor. [BLK, CC] Riggs, Marlon (1956-1994) Filmmaker. Produced, directed, and edited the black gay documentary "Tongues Untied", which was aired on PBS. Other films include: the award winning "Ethnic Notions", "Anthem", "Color Adjustment", and "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (No Regrets)." Riggs was one of the youngest people ever tenured at the University of California at Berkeley in arts and humanities. He was working on the film "Black Is" when he died in April of 1994 of AIDS-related complications. [BLK, OC] Robinson, H. Alexander* Attorney, activist. Legal Representative for the American Civil Liberties Union AIDS and Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights Projects and Co-chair of The Campaign for Fairness. [BGLLF] Robinson, Max (1939-1988) Journalist. First black anchor on a national network news program. He died of AIDS-related complications. The Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington, DC named its AIDS treatment facility in Anacostia (Southeast DC) after him. [BB] Robinson, Sandra L.* Clergy. President and chief executive officer of Samaritan College, an international, professional school of ministry for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. [BGLLF] RuPaul* Entertainer. RuPaul Andre' Charles, six-foot-five black blonde drag queen who rose to the top of the dance charts as the "Supermodel of the World." [BG, BLK] Rustin, Bayard (1910-1987) Civil Rights Activist. Rustin was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Civil rights leaders, concerned that Rustin's homosexuality and prison term as a conscientious objector during W.W.II might be used to discredit the march, asked A. Philip Randolph to be the march's official head. Randolph kept Rustin on as chief organizer. [AA, OC] Saint, Assoto* (1957-1994) Writer, publisher and activist. Assoto Saint (Yves Lubin) Haitian-born Saint was a pioneering writer, dealing with explicit Black Gay themes long before many others. He established Galiens Press which made a commitment to publishing not only his own work but the work of others, producing "The Road Before Us: 100 Black Gay Poets" and "Here to Dare." Saint was working to complete two anthologies when he died in June of 1994 of AIDS-related complications. [BGLLF] Seales, Franklyn (1953-1990) Actor. Played the part of Dexter Stuffins on the sitcom "Silver Spoons." He died of AIDS-related complications. [BLK] Semien, Stephen* Performer. Semien began his career with the Joel Nobel (Katherine Dunham) Dance Company. He has performed in "Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope," "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God," "Ain't Misbehavin," "Sophisticated Ladies," and the film version of "The Wiz." His show "Children of the Night" won the NAACP image award for best choreography. [BGLLF] Shende, Suzanne* Attorney. Staff attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Director of their Anti-Bias Violence Project. [BGLLF] Simmons, Ron* Activist, writer. Executive director of Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc. and a certified "trainer of trainers" in AIDS Prevention for African Americans and high risk youth. [BGLLF] Smith, Barbara* Editor and Publisher. Founder and director of Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. The Kitchen Table Collective's best sellers include: "This Bridge Called My Back", and "Home Girls." Additionally Smith co-edited, "Conditions: Five, The Black Women's Issue" and "All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave: Black Women's Studies." [BLK, BGLLF, HG] Smith, Bessie (1894-1937) Singer. Smith is regarded by many as the greatest blues singer in history. Her first recording, "Down Home Blues" (1924), sold a surprising 780,000 disks in less than six months. She once held off a Ku Klux Klan gang single-handedly. [AA] Smith, Nadine* Activist. Executive director of the Human Rights Task Force of Florida and one of four national co-chairs of the 1993 March on Washington for Gay, Lesbian & Bi Equal Rights. Among the gay/lesbian leaders who met with President Clinton in the White House. [BGLLF, WB] Smith, Vengerflutta Carlita* Educator. Trainer, humorist and inspirational speaker. Member-at-large of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Standing Committee for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Awareness. [BGLLF] Smith, Willi (1947-1987) Fashion Designer. Smith is best known for his affordable line of comfortable clothes known as "Williwear." He died of AIDS-related complications. [EB] Sojourner, Sabrina* Activist. Legislative aide for California Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Sojourner became the first out African American Lesbian to serve on a Democratic State Committee, when she was elected to the D.C. Democratic State Committee. [BGLLF] St. John, Keith* Politician. Alderman, second ward Albany, NY. First black openly gay elected official in the United States. [BLK] Sylvester (1948-1988) Entertainer. Sylvester James Hurd put his energy into his performances, not hiding his identity. His "Step II" LP went gold. He was at the height of his popularity during the disco era of the 1970s. He died of AIDS-related complications. [AA, BLK] Tarver, Charles W. B. IV* (1956 Activist. Formerly with the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) where he was the first black male lobbyist with that organization. Facilitates the "Brother to Brother" workshop for black gay men. [BGLLF, BLK] Taylor, Willa* Cultural Activist. Taylor coordinated the cultural festival for Gay Games IV the largest Gay and Lesbian arts festival in the world which included exhibitions and performances of more than 3,000 artists in theaters, galleries, public spaces and concert halls throughout New York City. Taylor was on loan from the Lincoln Center Theater, where she is the Education Program Coordinator. [BGLLF] Thais-Williams, Jewel* Businesswoman. Owner of Los Angeles' Catch One Disco and founder of a home for women and children with HIV/AIDS. [BLK] Thomas, Wynn P.* (1953 Production Designer. Set designer for Spike Lee's film production company. Film credits include: "She's Gotta Have It", "School Daze", "Do The Right Thing", "Mo' Better Blues", "Jungle Fever", "Malcolm X", "The Five Heart Beats", and "A Bronx Tale". [P] Turner, LaPaula* Clergy. Ordained minister with MCC, Los Angeles. [BGLLF] Vega* (1954 Publisher. Pen name for Lloyd Jeffers, who published "Men of Color," "A Warm December" and "In Our Own Image." [BLK, ITL] VelJohnson, Reginald* (1952 Actor. Plays the patriarch Carl Winslow on ABC's "Family Matters." [BLK] Villarosa, Linda* Journalist. Senior Editor Essence Magazine who along with her mother Clara Villarosa wrote "Coming Out" in May 1991, Essence, an article about her coming out process. The article was read by five million readers and received more letters than any previous article. [BGLLF] Wagner, Vallerie* Activist. Co-chair of the Los Angeles-based Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. [BGLLF] Washington, Jamie* Activist. Educator active with the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). Author of "Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbian, and Bisexuals on Campus." [BGLLF] Wasson, Robert P.* Attorney. Professor at Suffolk University Law School in Boston where he teaches Federal Civil Procedure, Federal Courts, Jurisprudence and Sexual Orientation and the Law. [BGLLF] Waters, Ruth* Activist. Co-founder and past co-chair of the Los Angeles based Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. [BGLLF] Watkins, Perry* Veteran. Army sergeant who successfully challenged the Army regarding his re-enlistment and retirement on the grounds that the service knew of his orientation when he was drafted and when he re-enlisted. [BLK, 20] White, Evelyn C.* Journalist. San Francisco Chronicle. Editor of the "Black Women's Health Book: Speaking For Ourselves" and co-author of the photography book, "The African Americans." [BGLLF] Williams, Reggie* Activist. Former executive director of the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention. [BGLLF] Wilson, Phill* Activist. Director of Public Policy for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). Co-founder and past co-chair of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. Among the gay/lesbian leaders who met with President Clinton in the White House. [AL, BGLLF] Wolfe, George C.* Playwright/Director/Producer. Producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival. He wrote the play "The Colored Museum", and directed the plays "Spunk", and on Broadway "Angels in American", Jelly's Last Jam", and Anna Deveare Smith's "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992". [AT] Woods, Donald (1958-1992) Filmmaker. Executive director of AIDSFILMS a production company that involves various communities in the making of HIV/AIDS films. Died of AIDS-related complications. [BGLLF] Woodson, Jacqueline* Writer. Author of books for young people. "I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This" is a story of two young women dealing with sexual abuse. "From the Notes of the Melanin Sun" deals with a mother coming out to her adolescent son. [GN] Young, Ivy* Activist. Organizer of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's (NGLTF) annual conference, "Creating Change." [BLK] Reference Key Key AA = Alyson Almanac AD = Adodi Training Manual AL = Alternatives Magazine AT = American Theatre Magazine BB = Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men BBB = B-Boy Blues BG = B&G Magazine BGLLF = Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum BLK = BLK Magazine BW = Black Men White Men CC = The Cambridge Chronicle CL = Colours EB = Ebony Magazine FT = Frontiers Magazine GN = Internet Newsgroup Gaynet HG = Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology ITL = In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology LB = Lambda Book Report NYT = New York Times OC = Other Countries OUT = Out Magazine P = Personal Friend, Permission Granted WB = Washington Blade 10% = Ten Percent Magazine 20 = Black Love, Black Resistance: 20 Questions on Lesbians and Gays in Black History Sources making specific reference to sexual orientation are cited. Other sources (not listed) were used for additional information. References Adodi (undated). "Support groups for gay and bisexual men of African descent." Philadelphia: Adodi. "The Alyson almanac: the fact book of the lesbian and gay community." (1989, 1990, 1993). Boston: Alyson Publications, Inc. B&G Magazine: Vol. 1, No 3; Vol. 2, No. 3; Vol. 3, No. 3; Vol. 3 No. 5. Black gay and lesbian leadership forum: Conference booklet, newsletter, (1992, 1993, 1994). Los Angeles: BGLLF. BLK Magazine: March 1989: August 1989; December 1989; January, 1990; Vol. 2. No. 2; Vol. 2, No. 6; Vol. 2, No. 7; Vol. 2, No.8; Vol. 2, No. 9; Vol. 2, No. 10; Vol. 2, No. 12; Vol. 3 No. 2; Vol.3. No. 3; Vol. 3, No. 4; Vol. 3, No. 5; Vol. 3, No. 8; Vol. 3, No. 9; Vol. 4, No. 1; Vol. 4, No. 2; Vol. 4, No. 3; Vol. 4, No. 4; Vol. 5, No 1; Vol. 5, No. 2; Vol. 5, No. 3. Colours: "For progressive men of color." (September 1993). Vol. 1 No. 2. Hemphill, E. (1991). "Brother to brother: New writings by black gay men." Boston: Alyson Publications, Inc. Hertzog, M. (September 1993). "The out list." Version 1.2. Hunter, B. M. (1993). "Sojourner: Black gay voices in the age of AIDS." New York: Other Countries. Johnson, C. A., Garret, D., & Taylor, T. (1989) "Other countries: Black gay voices." New York: Other Countries. Keen, L. & Chibbaro, L. (December 31, 1993). "The year in review." The Washington Blade. Lambda Book Report: A review of contemporary gay and lesbian literature. March/April 1992. Vol. 3 No. 3. Lee, N. (Winter, 1994). "Black Love, Black Resistance: 20 Questions on Lesbians and Gays in Black History. School Voices. Marshall, J. & Deal, T. (July 91). "Justin Fashanu: soccer's enigmatic gay star." Gay Times. Mignott, I. (May, 1993). "Sounds Wicked" Out Magazine. Miller. A, (December 10, 1992). "Activists hail him as nation's first black, openly gay mayor." The Cambridge Chronicle. Morales, E. (December 1994). "Theatre and the Wolfe" American Theatre, vol. 11 no. 10 pgs. 15-20 Poussaint, A. F. (December 1990). "An honest look at black lesbians and gays." Ebony Magazine. Smith, B. (1983). "Home girls: A black feminist anthology." New York: Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Smith, M. J. (1983). "Black men white men: A gay anthology." San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press. Thorpe, D. (March/April, 1994) "Keeping the faith at Harvard." Ten Percent Magazine. Trucco T. "The Elusive Spark That Ignites the Choreographer" The New York Times, Sunday July 10, 1994, Arts & Leisure (section 2) pg. 4. Winston Baye, B "Why blacks are silent" Gannet New Service reprinted in The News Journal (Wilmington, DE)