Updates: Jamaica murder, Emanuel Xavier, Lesbian Council Speaker and Taking a T

Been a bit busy to blog more consistently. But I thought I'd give you some updates:

The Nov. 30th murder of Lenford "Steve" Harvey in Jamaica: I haven't seen any new stuff in media but in the Jamaica Land We LGBT blog, there has been an ongoing discussion on the murder and the international attention it has gotten from a Jamaica-based vantage-point.

On the attack on spoken word artist and actor Emanuel Xavier: I am glad to report that Emanuel is doing much better. He's been amazingly grateful for the support that he received and, closer to home, he has decided to put together "Mariposas," a night of spoken word poetry and performance as a benefit for "SOMOS..." (the anti-homophobia program at the Latino Commission on AIDS that I used to coordinate and is now run by the great Francisco Lazala and Bolivar X. Nieto). The event will take place at the Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery @ Bleeker, right across from CBGB's, F Train to 2nd Avenue or 6 Train to Bleeker, on Saturday, January 28th, 2006 from 6 to 8pm - suggested donation $5). Elizabeth Latex will MC and performers include Emanuel, Dino Foxx, Simply Rob, Robert Ortiz and Marty Cohen.

On Christine Quinn having a chance to become the first ever openly-gay New York City Council Speaker: Over the weekend, the New York Times actually endorsed her over Bill De Blasio, which makes that reality a little bit closer.