Love is Patient...

From A Thesis for the Gay and Lesbian Citizens of the State of California News (but really for Queer Folk everywhere):

Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but delights in truth. Love always protects, love always trusts. Love always hopes, love always perseveres, and love never ends. Three gifts have been given to us — they are faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love. Therefore, make love your aim. — 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13

The often-cited quote above is from today's essay by Los Angeles-based freelance musician, singer, and composer Ken Potter. He was inspired by German theologian and Augustinian monk, Dr. Martin Luther's posting of the “95 Thesis” and argues that now is the time for a well-coordinated response, not just protest. I agree.

Celebrate Loving Day

[ VIA Mombian ] :

Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the "wrong kind of person" for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people's civil rights.

I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about. (emphasis mine)

From Mildred Loving’s statement of June 12, 2007, the 40th anniversary of the decision in Loving vs. Virgnia (striking down laws against inter-racial marriage).

Reminder: Home To Harlem

I won't mention tomorrow/today's 3rd Annual Black Pack Party Mix and Mingle (google the phrase if you're interested), BEA Saturday when the event is held here in NYC. Instead, here's a reminder for an upcoming and very, very worthy cause:

2009 Spring Benefit | Mosaic Literary Magazine

Join us Sunday, June 7, 2-5pm for some wine, food, and art as we celebrate spring and Mosaic. Proceeds will go to benefit Mosaic Literary Magazine and its education programs.

Featuring poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
and the photography of Marcia E. Wilson
(Preview video presentation)

Wine · Food · Art

AALBC.com Brownstone Gallery
64 West 119 St
Harlem NY 10026

Help Asian Writers & Maybe Win A Vespa

[ VIA angry asian man ] :

win a vespa from the asian american writers' workshop

Sick of the subway fare hike? Tired of biking? Feeling poor? The Asian American Writers' Workshop has your solution. They're raffling off a brand new Vespa LX50. Robin's egg blue. Just picture yourself on this thing, tooling around on the streets of New York. You! On a Vespa!

You have until this Thursday to enter the raffle. Proceeds will go towards supporting AAWW's great workshops and literary events, which has featured authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri, David Henry Hwang, and Michael Ondaatje.

They'll announce the winner at Debut Fiction Night on May 21. (You don't have to be present in order to win.) Go here to buy your ticket (just $10) and stay tuned to AAWW's Twitter to find out the winner at 9:00pm on Thursday night.

Disseminate often and wide. A very worthy cause

A Hymn For Alvin Ailey

VIA Facebook:

Black Public Media Matters: A Free Monthyly Film Series Presented by the New York Public Library and National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC)

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: NYPL, 115th Street Branch
Street: 203 West 115th Street
City: New York, NY
Phone: 2126669393

A tribute to the late Alvin Ailey featuring performances by choreographer/dancer Judith Jameson, and a performance by artist/actress Anna Deveare Smith.

From Harlem to Haiti, Black Public Media Matters is a film series featuring stories about the global black experience. The stories are told through engaging documentaries and vibrant dramas about today's youth, issues and the performing arts.

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day 2009, originally uploaded by ronntaylor

This is a photo of my mom Linda and her mother — Mean Nana, don't ask — Lucille. Although it's been several years since they've both left us, I was thinking about them so much lately. I miss having them around. Hearing their laughs, eating their wonderful foods and just being near them both.

Happy Mother's Day.

Home To Harlem

I know it's late notice, but this is a very, very worthy cause:

2009 Spring Benefit | Mosaic Literary Magazine

Join us Sunday, June 7, 2-5pm for some wine, food, and art as we celebrate spring and Mosaic. Proceeds will go to benefit Mosaic Literary Magazine and its education programs.

Featuring poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
and the photography of Marcia E. Wilson
(Preview video presentation)

Wine · Food · Art

AALBC.com Brownstone Gallery
64 West 119 St
Harlem NY 10026