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VIDEO: Mike Ruiz's "Ballroom Couture" Cover for SWERV

PHOTO: MIKE RUIZ for SWERV

Your first look at the brilliant cover of SWERV's Spring 2013 issue. The cover editorial was lensed by celebrity and fashion photographer deluxe Mike Ruiz. The "Ballroom Couture" issue features the "legends and icons" of New York City's past, present and future ballroom community—Tracy Africa, Rayceen Pendavis, Leiomy Prodigy, Roxxy Evisu, David Ultima-Xtravaganza and Robbie St. Laurent.

Watch behind-the-scenes video of the making of the cover WHEN YOU JUMP ...

"We do our best to share the stories of the extraordinary people in our community that are often ignored by both Black and mainstream LGBT media," says SWERV Publisher Jamil Fletcher. "Our current issue spotlights the New York City ballroom and it’s influence [on] popular culture. It is such a great honor to bring these stories of the Ballroom icons and legends to our readers."

Perfect "tens" across the board for the feature. Go behind-the-scenes video for the making of the editorial AFTER THE JUMP ...

R20 INTERVIEW: Photographer Michael Christopher's "MAN-BLACK: Images of Black Male Beauty"

MAN: BLACK, Images of Black Male Beauty is a gorgeous coffee table collection lensed by Washington DC-based artist, illustrator, novelist and photographer Michael-Christopher. It's a tribute to the classical Black and African male aesthetic. The collection is also an antidote to stereotypical notions of Black men, the artist says.

"I was conducting some research on HIV prevention and couldn’t find what I was looking for," Michael-Christopher told R20 last week. "I did a Google search for "Black men" and the result were pages and pages of porn. I thought, 'Wow. This is how we’re seen?' Very disappointing and very upsetting. And as a Black man, the last thing that I think of myself is as a porn object."

MAN: BLACK is Michael-Christopher's first photography collection. Many readers first encountered his work in the very popular Living the Life graphic novel series. Michael-Christopher has also written several critically-acclaimed novels, such as From Top to Bottom and its sequel Unspeakable. All are published by his own publishing imprint MC Books.

More stunning images and read the interview WHEN YOU JUMP...

NEWS: Swerv, Darryl Stephens, Nathan Williams, Krystian Legierski

Tyler Perry's mansion burglarized by teens.

Suspect arrested in slaying of Florida gay couple.

SWERV, the new Black LGBT publication from publisher Michael-Christopher, features the "Stars of the Black Gay 'Net": B. Scott, Pam Spaulding and Rod 2.0.  L. Michael Gipson on B. Scott and R20, Lisa Joyner chats up Pam. More later ...

Bulging baller Matt Kemp is available.

Rapper DMX admitted to prison psychiatric unit.

India: Police arrest 13 men at a gay party

Gay marriage boosts Mexico City tourism.

Pommel horse hotness Louis Smith wins another gold medal.

Bernie Wilson, one of the last surviving members of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, dies at 64. With this year's loss of Teddy Pendergrass "Lloyd Parks [is] the sole surviving member of legendary band."

Newly-elected Warsaw City Council member Krystian Legierski: "Being gay in the U.S.A. is [easier] than in Poland—not because of law but because of the population's mentality. I know personally maybe 10 Black people in Poland."

Latina lesbian activist to run for Chicago City Clerk

Pharrell announces new collaboration with Madonna.

Darryl Stephens tweets from the set of his video shoot for "Envious Moon." It's now available at iTunes.

Patrik-Ian Polk and band Fol Chen to tour in January 2011.

The Billion-Dollar Blizzard: Bloomberg "facing increasing criticism" over the slow pace of cleanup. Newark Mayor Cory Booker praised for using Twitter to "rescue snowed-in residents with his own shovel."

Modelizer: Well-fitted briefs.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie vows to end birther controversy.

Segregation revisionist Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour using state planes for personal use?

 Nathan H. Williams in Chicago Tribune on his casting in Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys. "A lot of the images of African-American gay men on television are one-sided and stereotypical ... [I]t was time for America to see that we don't come in just one shape and one size. It was time to show a different face about what it means to be a black gay man."

READ/WATCH: Rev. Kevin E. Taylor's Message to Black Gay Men

The Rev. Kevin E. Taylor, the New Jersey-based pastor, gay activist and author, is featured in several venues this week. Read Rev Kev's essay at Black AIDS Weekly, "Through My Eyes", which offers some outstanding advice to black gay men and youth seeking to reconnect spirituality.  There's a passage devoted to fatherhood and mentoring:

My life as a Black gay man has been amazing. I've had a great career working in the entertainment industry and a wonderful spiritual calling. Five years ago I adopted a now 20-year-old son, and it was incredible watching him grow into a young man. Many brothas sometimes wonder how they can give back to the community. Have you considered mentoring youth? Or volunteering in your neighborhood? Black gay men have so many skills and talents that our community should tap into.

Read the essay at Black AIDS Weekly ...

Rev Kev is also profiled in the newest issue of SWERV—hottie DeMarco Majors is on the cover—the newish black LGBT lifestyle publication. Find out where to find a copy HERE.

Watch and vote for Kevin's Oprah audition video, too.

And over Father's Day weekend, Rev Kev shared a  video that he made for his now 20-year-old-son Ga'vel as he journeys into manhood. Watch it WHEN YOU JUMP ...