News: Black Gay Men in Brazil, Honey Dijon, Episcopalians

Js Theater interviews Oséas Santana, a Brazilian activist and educator. For nearly two decades, he has worked to improve life for black gay men in Salvador and Bahia: "During Carnaval, in the afoxés and in the street, black gay men are beautiful and marvelous; in the rest of the year, they pass by unnoticed. Not everything is happiness and pleasure."

· The New York Times runs a short but poignant profile of Pernessa C. Seele, founder and chief executive of the Balm in Gilead. The Harlem-based nonprofit advocates HIV/AIDS awareness across faith-based communities and was somewhat of a novelty when it began 18 years ago. Seele recalls that many "folks stopped on Lenox Avenue to see all these black people being comfortable with their individual faiths."

· Miss Honey Dijon, the international DJ and downtown personality, says the Kevin Aviance gay-bashing is not surprising and reflects the conservative political climate:

"Just because we have gay TV shows and all that, these things are just a fantasy. It's like two different realities. It's like The Matrix, the virtual reality and what's happening in the real world. And what's happening on the street is a reflection of what our larger government and religious institutions are doing."

· Episcopal clergy and lay delegates rejected a demand from fellow Anglicans for a temporary moratorium on gay bishops. Meanwhile, the newly-elected and first female leader of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, says she believes homosexuality is not a sin. "I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us."

· The national assembly of the Presbyterian Church has approved a controversial law that upholds the nationwide ban on gay clergy but allows local presbyteries leeway to ignore the rule.

Comments

[Doug Cooper-Spencer]

The piece on Oseas Santana was very interesting. I've often wanted to hear from our latino/latina brothas and sistas who are of The African Diaspora. I've been to some of the countries in which many of them live and have found that, unlike the image presented to the world, they are not held in the highest regard (as are those of mixed or European descent). Would like to learn more. Will check out the interview and other pieces on the subject. Welcome back!