Last updated:
14 February, 1998 by
Chuck
Tarver
Blacklist cont.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. Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University. (Harvard University Chaplain). Author of The Good Book 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]
Headley, Jubi Jr.* Activist. Executive Director of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum (NBLGLF). Formerly lgbt advocate with United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC. Former Executive Assistant and Press Liaison to former Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves, the nation's first openly gay mayor. [NBLGLF, P]
Hemphill, Essex (1957-1995) 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." He died of AIDS-related complications. [BB, ITL]
Hendryx, Nona* Entertainer. Former member of the groups LaBelle and Patti LaBelle and the Blue Bells. [BLK]
Herndon, James (1895?-1983)Pioneer, precursor. Called "Sweet Evening Breeze," or "Miss Sweets", Herndon is remembered as Lexington, Kentucky's most colorful character. He often wore make-up, occassionally performed or appeared on Main Street on Saturdays in drag, and was apparently quite effeminate. Long before there was Ru Paul, Lexington's Sweet Evening Breeze was titillating and gaining respect from locals. [TL]
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]
Hunter, Tyra Transgender. Hunter was a resident of Washington DC left to die following an automobile accident in 1995. Upon discoving that Hunter was anatomically male, the EMS squad member stopped treating her and laughed out loud. Hunter was pronounced dead at DC General Hospital. [NBLGLF]
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 Alan* (1962) former Executive Director, Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) an advocacy, support and HIV service organization. Johnson has served as Regional Director for Amnesty International, in D.C. and as AI's Country Resource Coordinator in NYC. He was also the Country Representative for Africare in Kigali, Rwanda and worked with the United Nations High Commission in Bukavau, Zaire. Johnson is an accomplished author with work appearing in Brother to Brother and Sojourner[CL, VS]
Johnson, Michelle* (1956) Journalist. Formerly with the 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. Johnson now runs her own Internet Consulting company.[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, John "Bernard"* (1965) Publisher. Jones left a career in human relations to publish the magazine formerly known as JFY; he currently publishes the all-Black magazine, Millennium, and the soon to be published BlackPride. Jones is the youngest of child of his adopted family and the eldest of his biological family. [P]
Jones, Zachary* Clergy. Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church New York. Church Elder. [BLK]
Jordan, Barbara (1936-1996) Attorney, Stateswoman, Educator. Jordan was the first black woman to be elected to the Texas state senate. The first black Southern woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, serving three terms from 1972-1978. Jordan addressed the Democratic national convention in 1976, becoming the first black woman to do so. Jordan's oratory skills received national attention during the televised coverage of the House Judiciary Committee's debate regarding impeaching President Nixon. Following her tenure in Congress, Jordan took a teaching position at the University of Texas at Austin. Jordan was "outed" posthumously by an article in the March 1996 issue of The Advocate.[AV]
Jordan, Jeffrey* (1963) Clergy. Interim Pastor of 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]
Keene, John* (1965- ) Writer. Author of the award-winning novel ANNOTATIONS (1995). A graduate of Harvard College, he is a New York Times Fellow at New York University. Keene's work has appeared in Brother to Brother and Shade [P]
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]
Knuckles, Frankie* (1955) DJ, musical producer, remixer) Known as the "Father of House" Knuckles is credited with innovating this form of dance music while a DJ at The Warehouse in Chicago. Knuckles also played stints at NYC's Better Days and Continental Baths. He has worked with artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Elton John. [BL]
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]
Manag o, Cleo* (1963) Activist, Writer, Instructor, Social Architect. Founder of the Black Men's Xchange (BMX), an Africentric national communications clearinghouse and support system for the empowerment of Black men of diverse sexual expression. Cleo Manago founder and director of the AMASSI Institute is also known for popularizing the terms for Black-men-who-Love-men and same-gender-loving people of African descent. [P]
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. Former Co-chair of the Los Angeles-based Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. [BGLLF]
Maye, Patrick* Clergy. Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church, Philadelphia. [P]
McAlmont, David* (1967) London, UK - singer/songwriter. First and foremost Out Black Gay personality in Britain, who has been out since his career began in 1990. Works include: two albums and several successful singles in the UK. He co-wrote the song Surrender sung by k.d.lang on the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies soundtrack and covered Diamonds are Forever from an earlier Bond film. He is a positive role model to young black gays and lesbians in Britain. [R]
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]
Morrow, Bruce* writer. Recipient of the 1995 Frederick Douglass Fellowship for young African-American Fiction Writers. Editor of Shade His work has appeared in The New York Times, Callaloo, aRude, and the anthologies Speak My Name and Ancestral House. [P]
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]
Nero, Charles I* Educator. Currently teaching in the Department of Rhetoric at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. His research about black gay literature, black women's history, HIV/AIDS education, and black political conservatives has appeared in academic journals as well as popular anthologies such as Essex Hemphill's Brother to Brother. [P]
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]
Parkerson, Michelle* Filmmaker, activist. Parkinson is the creator of "Voicescapes." Writings include: Waiting Rooms a collections of poetry and Birth of a Nation: Towards Black Gay and Lesbian Imagery in Film and Video[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]
Pettiway, Leon E.* Educator. Professor of Criminology at Indiana University, Bloomington. His work, Honey, Honey, Miss Thang: Being Black, Gay and on the Streets documents the lives of five transgendered black gay men. It and a companion book, Workin' It: Women Living Through Drugs and Crime., were funded by a million dollar grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse which sought to investigate the relationship betweeen drug use and urban crime. [P]