Latino LGBT Pride in NYC: 2006

Finalizing (for now) our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photos - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

Immigration rights march, March 10, 2006: Bronx-based Hombres Latinos de Ambiente (H.O.L.A.) are among the organizations that participated in last year's massive immigration rights rallies here in New York.

Latino LGBT Pride in NYC: 2004

Continuing our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photos - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

Above - Taking a stand outside the Bronx Courthouse, Sunday, March 14, 2004: When conservative Latino religious organizations throughout the northeast asked parishioners to show up in big numbers at a rally in support of President Bush's constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, more than 5,000 people showed up. A few of us also showed up to counter their message and that of the homophobic State Senator (and Reverend) Ruben Diaz, Sr. Full story here.

Below - Heritage of Pride march, June 27, 2004: Venezuelan Gays United in full feather regalia perform before the judge's stand. I was a judge that year and I believe they were nominated for a couple of awards though I swear I tried to be as impartial as possible. They were pretty good though. Rumor says that this year they'll be back in feathers although the colors might change.

Latino LGBT pride in NYC: 2003

Continuing our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photo - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

Queens pride parade, June 1, 2003: This week's great news that my home country of Colombia is set to become the first Latin American nation to grant some partnership rights to same-sex couples on a national level (other Latin American cities such as Buenos Aires and municipalities had done so before on a local level) came after several attempts to pass such a bill.

In 2003, the Colombian Lesbian and Gay Association (COLEGA) decided to stage a wedding reception and dance in support of a bill that was being sponsored by Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba at the time. That we did it outdoors and at the Queens pride parade won us the "Simply the Best" award at that year's parade (yay!).

And, yes, before you ask that is the boyfriend (first guy on the left) dancing with another man.

Latino LGBT pride in NYC: 2002

Continuing our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photos - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

The annual LGBT Dominican/Latino George Washington Bridge Picnic/Health Fair, July 20, 2002: My, that was sure a mouthful. Still, from year to year this is still one of my favorite summer events. It might have been a bit foggy in 2002 but the grandiosity of the George Washington Bridge certainly gives this health fair a glorious background, fog or no fog.

Watching the drag queens make it down the steep trails to the park on their stilettoed high heels is always fun. Watching hot mamis dance merengue with other mamis and hot papis stroll by hand in hand is not something most New Yorkers expect to see in Washington Heights. There are also booths for organizations that want to provide information, warm food (usually arros y gandules or rice and beans, sometimes with fried sweet plantains). Even straight people with their kids.

As in past years, this year's picnic is being organized by the Gay and Lesbian Dominican Empowerment Organization (GALDE). Click on the link to find out more about this year's event (it's already on it's 17th year). They are also always happy to get sponsors or donations to help them with the costs. I'll probably do a reminder later but definitely save the date: Sunday, July 29th, 2007 from noon to 7pm (rain or shine and, of course, under the George Washington Bridge).

Latino LGBT pride in NYC: 1999

Continuing our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photo - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

Puerto Rican Day Parade, June 13, 1999: Organizations including Las Buenas Amigas, Latino Gay Men of New York and Primer Movimiento Peruano participate in the definitely non-gay Puerto Rican Day Parade.

I believe it's the biggest parade of the year in Manhattan and I remember being absolutely intimidated by the huge crowds. There were some plastic bottles thrown at us and a few middle fingers raised and insults hurled but there were also lots of Puerto Rican lesbians on the sidelines that jumped with joy when they saw us (at least that was my impression, maybe the gay Puerto Rican guys kept it on the down low).

I also remember that the transgender women in the groups put me to shame in actually walking into the crowds and handing out information with no fear - despite that they bore the brunt of most of the laughter and insults. I drew courage from them to say "fuck it" and just decided to enjoy the experience.

Participating in the city's gay pride marches and events might be fun and pretty and self-empowering but I always thought it is more important to be present and visible in events like these that are not necessarily as gay-friendly.

A couple of years later, I remember marching in a much smaller contingent (practically by myself and three other people from the Puerto Rican Initiative to Develop Empowerment) right in front of the Latin Kings who were dressed in yellow - their gang colors. Not sure if they realized we were a gay group but they certainly were really friendly and cheering us on.

This year the Latin Kings were banned from the parade for the first time ever and the police arrested more than two hundred people when they tried to break into the parade route anyway.

Latino LGBT Pride in NYC: 1998

Continuing our look at Latino LGBT organizing in New York through some of the photos I've taken through the years...

copyrighted photo - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

1st ever Bronx LGBT Pride Parade, July 10th, 1998: Yes, Virginia, there once was a pride march down the Grand Concourse Avenue in the Bronx.

Here we have the Puerto Rican Initiative to Develop Empowerment (P.R.I.D.E.) - which was founded in 1995 - joining other organizations on that fateful day. The march would not have been possible without the economic or political support of then-Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer (who would later be defeated in the mayoral race that led to the coronation of current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg). Alas, the pride march only lasted a couple of years.

On that first parade there were nearly no people watching on the sidewalks and it probably caught those who were walking-by by surprise. But it nevertheless was a victory for LGBT leaders in the Bronx (like Marisol Santiago, Lisa Winters and Crystal Paris) who wanted some visibility for the community in the neighborhood.

Last year Bronx Pride was reborn in a different guise. It is no longer a pride march, instead organizers have come up with a health fair / outing at a park kinda thingie.

As a matter of fact this year's event took place today! I hope it went well! I also hope that it was free of some of the controversies of last year involving the organizers and current (Evangelical) Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion (who is rumored to be a future mayoral contender once Mike Bloomberg is termed out of office).

Latino LGBT pride in NYC: 1997

The Spanish language newspaper El Diario La Prensa is publishing an LGBT pride supplement this year and I've been providing information to a few reporters on issues related to the history of Latino LGBT organizing in the city, challenges faced by bi-national same-sex couples and Latinos involved in the push for same-sex marriage in New York.

I have also been looking through images that I have that might help to illustrate the vibrancy of Latino LGBT life in New York over the last decade and have submitted some although I'm not sure they will be published.

In the next few posts I will share some of them and my recollections on where and when they were taken.

copyrighted photo - to post, please ask for permission: blabbeando@gmail.com

Let's start with ACT UP and members of the Latino Caucus: The back of the photo I scanned says April of 1997 so I'm not exactly sure on what exact day it was taken or what the protest was about (obviously access to treatments was a theme but considering the size of the crowd it must have been a reaction to something).

I do remember that I was marching with members of ACT-UP's Latino Caucus including Hector Seda, Carlos Maldonado, Popo and a few other people who I'd befriended and had shown me the ropes of activism. Not sure if Sam Larson or Jesus Aguais were there on that day. I was dating a great Peruvian guy, Fernando Mariscal, who was a photo enthusiast and must still have quite a collection of historic photos from those days.

I think by the time I met them, the caucus had folded but they still continued to participate in marches and hang out socially. I was in awe of their activism and wanted to grow up and be just like them (hehe).

While ACT UP is not a gay rights organization, the historical importance to Latino LGBT advocacy in New York is that some of the members of the ACT UP Latino Caucus were influential in launching a couple of gay Latino organizations. Jesus Aguais, who now directs Aid for AIDS, founded the now-defunct Venezuelan Gay and Lesbian Association (VGLA) which led also to the creation of the Colombian Lesbian and Gay Association (COLEGA) - Jesus was dating a Colombian guy and suggested that he bring some people together to launch a Colombian organization, which he did. I ended up being co-chair of COLEGA a couple of years later.

Gonzalo Aburto, who would later become editor of the Spanish-language version of POZ Magazine, also was among a few guys who launched HoMoVISIONES, another gay Latino organization that was unique in that it was not a social or a community service organization but focused on creating audiovisual material covering issues related to the Latino LGBT community. They had an incredible community access cable news show which, among other things, captured the only video I remember seeing of a NYPD officer mounted on a horse trampling through some activists at the massive Matthew Sheppard rally that took place in Manhattan on October 13 of 1998 (the police had penned in demostrators on side streets between avenues and were arresting people en masse). Gonzalo now produces the only 'Rock in Spanish' radio show in New York (La Nueva Alternativa) and writes for... El Diario La Prensa.

At the time there were already a number of Latino gay organizations, including Las Buenas Amigas and Latino Gay Men of New York (currently the longest existing surviving Latino gay organizations in the city) and Latinas y Latinos de Ambiente de Nueva York (LLANY) which still gets listed on gay directories even though I believe it's been more than a decade since it folded. These, in turn, were born out of earlier Latino LGBT organizing in the city and organizations such as HUGGL (sp?) which was gone by the time I moved to New York and, I believe, was founded as a direct result of the incredible rise of power of the Puerto Rican communities in New York in the 1980's and 1990's. I used to know some of this by heart but, unfortunately, time erases some memories and details.

There are still some people out there who have written about that part of Latino LGBT organizing history in New York, most notably Luis Aponte-Pares.

Jaws: The Grizzlies attack Las Vegas

To end the evening on a funny note: I'm not one to promote events and the like but I just love this promotional flyer for a KUMA bear pool party taking place in Las Vegas tomorrow. Not that I'll be able to make it. But thought I'd share.

Colombia: United Nations backs pension rights for same-sex couples

Pictured right, attorney and gay rights advocate
German Humberto Rincon Perfetti

Yesterday's surprise end-of-session congressional vote and passage of a bill that gives "established gay couples full rights to health insurance, inheritance and social security" was not the only major gay rights victory in the South American country this week.

In a little reported May 14th finding that was apparently only announced this week, the United Nations Commission for Human Rights ruled that Colombia had violated a person's equal right protections by denying him access to the pension benefits of his deceased same-sex partner (I could only find a Spanish language version of the the announcement in the United Nations' website).

The ruling is the second time that the Commission has spoken on issues related to same-sex partners. In Young v. Australia (2003) the Committee held that "Australia, in denying pension rights to the surviving same-sex partner of a war veteran, violated discrimination protections in article 26 of the ICCPR" (Human Rights Watch).

In the new ruling, the Commission stated that the Colombian government "has the obligation of adopting measures to block similar violations in the future" and asks Colombia for "information on adopted measures to comply with the current ruling" within 90 days.

It's unclear when and how the Colombian government plans to respond.

The claim on behalf of the unnamed surviving partner was brought before the Commission by my friend and Colombian gay rights advocate (and attorney) German Humberto Rincon Perfetti (yes, he is a man of many untold names and abilities). He can be reached at rinconperfettigerman@hotmail.com.

These developments follow a Colombian Supreme Court ruling back in February (as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle) that seems to be paving the way for a succession of gay rights victories.

Perfetti, for one, is exploring whether Colombian notaries can legally deny civil union rights to same-sex partners in the wake of that Supreme Court ruling.

Colombia: Congress passes gay rights bill

Cool, the AP has the story so I don't have to do much translating this morning:

Colombia to become first in Latin America to recognize rights of gay couples

The Associated Press

Friday, June 15, 2007

BOGOTA, Colombia: Colombia is set to become the first Latin American country to give established gay couples full rights to health insurance, inheritance and social security under a bill passed by its Congress.

The measure approved Thursday is expected to take effect soon. It is backed by the country's conservative President Alvaro Uribe.

The measure would allow gay couples in long-term relationships to have the same health insurance and social security benefits as heterosexual couples. It also guarantees that assets accumulated during the relationship will be divided between the two, and in the case of death, inherited by the survivor.

Previously, possessions were passed on to blood relations.

Some states and cities in Latin America have passed similar laws, but no other country in the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic region has done so at a national level, said Marcela Sanchez, director of the gay rights group Colombia Diversa. She said as many as 300,000 gay couples in Colombia stand to benefit.

"I'm elated," said Catalina Gomez, an English teacher, who said she plans to use the new legal status to take out health insurance for her partner Monica, a self-employed designer and disc jockey. "It validates our union before the law so we no longer have to going around lying about our relationship."

Congress' lower house passed the bill 62-43 following a heated debate in which Alfredo Cuello Baute, the president of the chamber, accused gay lawmakers of a conflict of interest.

"I hope photos don't turn up showing some of our colleagues dressed as drag queens on Caracas Avenue," said Baute, referring to a nighttime cruising spot for transvestites and male prostitutes in Bogota.

Colombia's Senate passed a similar version in April. The two chambers must now agree on a unified text before sending it for Uribe's signature as early as next week.

"This is a victory that only a few months ago seemed unthinkable in this country," said pro-government Sen. Armando Benedetti, one of the bill's sponsors. "To my surprise, the Congress has shown itself to be a modern, responsible and liberal institution."

Colombia's Constitutional Court recognized similar rights to shared property and inheritance in a February ruling, but that decision did not deal with health insurance or social security.

While homosexuality is still taboo in much of Latin America, there has been increasing acceptance in many areas. Mexico City and the Mexican state of Coahuila recently joined the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul in legalizing same-sex civil unions.

Opponents of the measure and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church said they feared the Colombian law may open the way to gay marriage and gay adoption. But activists say their campaign is focused for now on obtaining practical benefits.

"Now people will have no choice but to accept we exist and have the same rights as straight couples," said Jose Luis Bautista, 36, who has been living with his partner Jaime for 15 years.

A more comprehensive report, in Spanish, over at El Tiempo which says that the version passed by Congress still needs to be reconciled with the version that the Colombian senate approved last year.

The vote came on the last days of the current congressional session and was in danger of being swept under the rug.

UPDATE:

• June 19, 2007: Heartbreaking news: Colombian same-sex partnership rights bill is DEAD!!

Previously, on Blabbeando...

Steven Mackin would have turned 28 today

It's been a few months since Steven died. It hurts big time that he is gone. I often find myself observing something or watching a TV show that I know Steven would have just loved and find myself thinking that it's just impossible that he's not there to share trashy stuff with.

Today he would have turned 28 and a few people have been leaving messages on his MySpace page. I am just glad that I got to know him and, as of late, that I have been able to communicate with his mom and sisters as well.

A bud posted a YouTube video that speaks for all of us (see below). I still cry every time I see it. I am honored that it begins with the image above, which I sent to Steven a few days before he passed away. He just loved it big time.

From his LiveJournal on his birthday last year, before he knew the cancer was back, "My Life in pictures."

I miss you so bub.

Colombia: Medellin to celebrate 10th annual gay pride parade

As prided out as I've felt this pride season, this never ceases to amaze me (see above) - specially because when I came to the United States it was, in part, because I did not think I would be able to live an openly gay life in my home country.

Several cities in Colombia already celebrate gay pride with different events including Cali and Bogota but on July 1st my home city of Medellin will be observing the 10th gay pride march for which organizers hope to attract more than 20,000 people.

I would have never thought as I was growing up that such an event could take place in Medellin, much less observe a 10th anniversary. Yet another sign of how things have changed not only in Medellin but throughout Colombia and Latin America on issues related to gay rights.

It is organized, in part, by the gay rights organization Corporacion El Otro (The Other Corporation). Their website needs to be updated but they will probably have more details as the date nears.

I will be in Medellin this summer. Unfortunately not on the day of the parade. Still, if you are there, let me know how it turns out!

Photo of the day: Sperm dance against gay marriage, abortion

Ok, there was, like, a massive demonstration in San Juan, Puerto Rico over the weekend where conservative political leaders like Congressman Jorge De Castro Font and some religious leaders were joined by thousands in a protest against same-sex marriage (and, on a ligher scale, against abortion rights).

This in light of proposed changes to the island's civil code that would allow same-sex couples to have access to civil unions.

Movingly, some of the organizers saw it fit to dress their kids as - ehem - sperm and, hm, teach them sperm choreography by the look of the photo above (from El Nuevo Dia). At least they were painted with the rainbow colors although I'm not so certain that it was in honor of gay pride month.

I'm also not so sure they meant it in jest. No, I'm pretty sure they were pretty serious.

So is it so damn wrong of me to be rolling on the floor laughing?

• Dance of the Puerto Rican sperm children (Gawker)
• Puerto Rican Kids perform Sperm Lake (Guanabee)
• Children of the Sperm (Nerve: Scanner)
• Every Sperm is Sacred (Feministing)
• Sperm Party!!! (Bil*eri*co)
  

This Sunday: Folsom Street East

It's back: Folsom Street East 2007 is this weekend. It always amazes me how little known the event is outside certain circles because I've always found it to be one of the most fun events of the year. Despite appearances above, women are welcome too. I for one am bringing my friend Diana with me, yay! Details here.

Updates:

• Ah! Folsom Street East 2007
• Breaking News: Guanabee concerned about Folsom key-lime pie misshap

Patricia Nell Warren on Puerto Rican AIDS Crisis

From A&U Magazine (June 1, 2007)

Puerto Rican Crisis
AS WAITING LISTS GROW AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AIDS SERVICES ARE STIFLED, PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS SUFFER, FLEE & FIGHT BACK.
by Patricia Nell Warren

As I was writing this column, Cindy Sheehan quit the peace movement. Sheehan said she’d realized that her son “died for a country which cares more about who will be the next American Idol than how many people will be killed in the next few months while Democrats and Republicans play politics with human lives.”

Her bitter words echo other voices coming from Puerto Rico, where another war has been raging for over ten years—that of needy PWAs fighting bureaucratic ineptitude and corruption. Yet the mainland pays little attention—despite efforts at publicizing the war by veteran activists José Colón and Anselmo Fonseca.

In a recent IM interview with me, Colón said, “The situation regarding HIV/AIDS in PR is in a deep crisis, both in Title I and II. I feel like we are expensive for the government, and as such, disposable... I have found that neither the Health Department of Puerto Rico, nor the Health Department of the San Juan EMA, nor HRSA care for PLWHIV/AIDS at all. It just comes down to money and dirty politics.” Recently Colón made the dramatic announcement that he was stopping his own HIV treatment as a protest, and to show solidarity with Puerto Rican PWAs who are being denied treatment.

The problem is not lack of funding, but lack of proper administration. Puerto Rico is experiencing a complete collapse of HIV/AIDS service delivery—decrepit and unsanitary clinics, scarcity of doctors and other needed personnel, and meds simply not being bought and distributed. Indeed, according to one report, some HIV-positive Puerto Ricans are fleeing to the U.S., in search of better services.

The crisis revolves around two agencies that administer over seventy-five percent— nearly $55 million—of the AIDS funds distributed to Puerto Rico. While the City of San Juan is supposed to administer Ryan White Title I funding and some HOPWA funds, Puerto Rico’s Department of Health is supposed to deliver Ryan White Title II funding, as well as ADAP, HOPWA and other related programs. Yet these agencies have shocking records of bungling, inefficiency and criminal corruption, harking back to a series of FBI arrests and trials a decade ago, with charges including outright embezzlement of funds. Yet problems continue to fester, and laws and regulations continue to be openly violated. Example: The mayor of San Juan’s action in axing the city’s required Community-Based Planning Council. In December 2006, the FBI launched a second round of raids on San Juan city offices that administer AIDS funds.

In May, Colón had had enough. He announced, “I will not take any medicines for my AIDS condition until the ADAP waiting list is totally eliminated…. I also believe that Law #349, the HIV/AIDS Patients Bill of Rights, is being violated. This has to stop.”

As I wrote this column, I asked Colón for a progress report on his protest. He said: “I just found out about ninety-six more cases on the ADAP waiting list today. Emotionally I am crushed. There is so much injustice! The government says that there is NO list, but we know of 477 cases.” He added that he’d had to stop his protest after twelve days, at the request of his doctor, his family, and his partner Anselmo. “I’m just too frail to keep it up,” he said. “Nevertheless those twelve days have had a very strong impact.”

One Puerto Rican who moved to Florida to escape the crisis is asking, “Why is it that, unlike the public health challenges surrounding the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Walter Reed Veterans Hospital, the deepening HIV/AIDS crisis in Puerto Rico has not caught the attention of the national public? Am I less valuable a citizen in Puerto Rico than in Florida?”

In my opinion, this refugee’s question can be answered by asking other questions: Why have post-Katrina conditions along the Gulf Coast not been adequately addressed by government? Why have our wounded and disabled veterans been neglected by the very administration who demands that all Americans “support the troops in Iraq?” Why is the U.S. still mired in the Iraq war when most Americans want us to withdraw? Most important, why are more and more Americans like Cindy Sheehan and José Colón pointing fingers at both the Democrats and Republicans, in a deepening bipartisan crisis that reveals a collapse of government administration everywhere?

• José Colón can be reached by phone at (787) 283-8623 or (787) 688-9247.
• Author of fiction bestsellers and provocative commentary, Patricia Nell Warren has her writings archived at www.patricianellwarren.com. Reach her by e-mail at pnw@patricianellwarren.com

Update: United Giving a Face to AIDS (in Puerto Rico)

photo by Andres Duque

United Giving a Face to AIDS
Unid@s Dandole Cara al SIDA

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Marcy Lopez 917-673-8649

Today, June 8, 2007, people with HIV/AIDS, elected officials, and community leaders gathered on the steps of City Hall in New York City to demonstrate their support for people with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico and the organizations that serve them.

“The tragedy of life saving medications not being delivered to people with HIV/AIDS because of government mismanagement, as has been demonstrated in numerous governmental reports and news articles, is inexcusable. We cannot speak for activists in Puerto Rico, but we can demonstrate our support for their demands” said Rosa Colon from Unid@s Dandole Cara al SIDA: New York Chapter.

“Puerto Rican activists are demanding that the Commonwealth and San Juan governments distribute federal funds for AIDS through independent credible third party organizations. They are also seeking an infusion of emergency funds from the Puerto Rican and San Juan governments to address the current life or death reality. Finally they are requesting Congressional oversight hearings and fact-finding as to what has gone so wrong in the way the Commonwealth and San Juan government are delivering health care services to people living with HIV/AIDS and what corrective action should be taken.” said Dennis deLeon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS.

The poor health conditions in Puerto Rico are causing people with AIDS who have lived in the island to move to the United States. “I was forced to move to New York to receive AIDS medications and medical services. With so many new medications that can prolong life, it really upsets me that my sisters and brothers in Puerto Rico have to live in a situation which will lead to shorter lives. Why do they have to leave to live?” said Mr. Menendez, a patient from Puerto Rico. “If we don't take care of the health care system in Puerto Rico we will then have to take care of our people here as demonstrated by the number of people that United Bronx Parents has flown in from Puerto Rico” said Lorraine Montenegro, Executive Director of United Bronx Parents, Inc.

Also joining in the press conference were representatives from Harm Reduction Coalition, Lower East Side Harm Reduction, Hispanic AIDS Forum, Housing Works, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Citiwide Harm Reduction and Bronx AIDS Services. Puerto Rico has a death due to AIDS of 16.4 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 4.9 per 100,000.

Breaking News: We don't want Isaiah off Grey's Anatomy

We have said it before. Alas, the powers that be seem to have spoken.

Sticky Pages: Queer comic book artists at LGBT Center

On Saturday, June 9th, Ivan Velez' Planet Bronx Productions is hosting a queer comic book gathering at the LGBT Center. "Sticky Pages" participants include Jennifer Camper, Allan Neuwrith of "Chelsea Boys" fame, Abby Denson and Ivan himself.

For kids that found themselves visiting or going through the Hetrick Martin Institute during the late 1980's and 1990's his work on "Tales of the Closet" probably remains indelible from their minds. Here was a multi-issue comic book that portrayed gay youth and their lives in uncompromising and direct fashion which was made available to youth at the center for free and sold to visitor for a small donation.

My acquaintance with the Bronx native goes further back to my teen years in Syracuse, New York. At the time (the early to mid-1980's) Velez drew an ongoing comic strip for the Syracuse University student newspaper The Daily Orange which also dealt with coming out issues and homosexuality and certainly made a big impact in my life.

When I found out about Planet Bronx Productions a while back, I sent Ivan a quick message thanking him for the positive impact of his work in my life. Still, despite living in the same city, we have yet to meet. I hope to thank him personally on Saturday and, for the comic book lovers out there, I hope you can make it too.

• In somewhat related news, "Queer comics seized by Canada border services" (Xtra, June 7, 2007)

Favorite blog of the moment: Guanabee

OMG! If they hadn't linked up to one of my posts I probably would not have known about them but I am just loving this blog. Guanabee (as in wanna-be) is a Gawkerish look at all things Latino with a queer edge here and there. It was just launched on June 1st and so far so great:

• Fresa flashback: Latin Music industry still on that nostalgia trip
• MySpace now irrelevant in Spanish, too
• Trends: Introducing the Mexican American Prince
• Shocking revelations: Michelle Rodriguez is NOT gay
• Grupo Fantasma (who?) to back Prince on ALMA awards tonight
• Dear God, we're liveblogging the ALMA awards!

Coolness.

No shame in his game: Quentin Harris

Photo by Joe Opperdisiano

Last time we wrote about Quentin Harris we were wondering if his Japanese-only import "No Politics" would be ever released in the United States. Hm... We're still waiting.

Still the man has been busy. Late last year, Quentin launched the hugely successful NRK records Coast2Coast series (Kerri Chandler, Ron Trent and Ame have followed) while, closer to home, he recently became the resident DJ at kissmyblackass, a monthly house music dance club party. That's in between all the touring he has been doing in Europe and the United States.

The man, who has remixed hits by Shakira, India Arie, Patti Labelle, Sting, Alicia Keys, Usher, Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, Leela James, Floetry and Femi Kuti has recently had a couple of his own cuts burn down the dancefloors throughout the world: "Hate Won't Change Me" featuring Byron Stingly and, more recently, "What it Feels Like" featuring the amazing Joi Cardwell (you can listen to both on the "audio console" at Quentin's official website).

In the meantime I have to admit that even I was a little shocked by how prominent Quentin has been on a different endeavor [Warning: NSFW].

Not that there aren't other out DJ's out there (Junior Vazquez, Frankie Knuckles, Tom Stephan a/k/a Superchumbo and Danny Tenaglia, among others) but spinning records as a gay DJ is something and actually putting your sexuality front and center as an integral part of an HIV prevention campaign targeting gay men of color is quite another (oh, and did I mention that it's all about gay men of color who are active in the leather and s&m communities?).

As the site says Safer+Saner "provides safer sex outreach targeting the leather and kink communities" and was founded in 2005 by Blackkat, Mr. American Leatherman 2005. Since its foundation, Safer+Saner has organized a few events and Quentin has gladly provided his, ehem, DJ services.

It's refreshing to see one of the most promising DJ's out there be so engaged in the community. But, still, I wanted to ask Quentin whether it was OK to write about it on this blog. His response?

"You can blog about whatever dude i have no shame!...LOL."

So for having no shame in his game, Quentin Harris becomes my second hero of the week! And, mind you, I don't necessarily take bestowing "hero" status lightly.

Links:

• Quentin Harris official website here
• Quentin Harris MySpace page here
• Safer+Saner here [Warning: NSFW]

Other Blogs: Enrique Iglesias gays it up, Moscow Pride violence, Queens pride, Matt Sanchez and MORE!

Keith Boykin has some interesting thoughts on that YouTube video making the rounds of Enrique Iglesias more than performing at a gay bar in London (see above). Terrance is smitten. I personaly retch everytime I hear his voice, but - hey - that's me.

Rex covers the recent violence at Moscow Pride, so does Doug Ireland here, while Joe.My.God took pictures at yesterday's small protest outside the Russian consulate in New York. Michael Petrelis also has photos of a similar protest outside the Russian consulate in San Francisco. Good as You takes issue with one aspect of the protests in NY and SF.

Rex also posts an article he wrote in 1991 about the Soviet Union's first ever gay pride events.

Bernard's gone fishing and sometimes I get the feeling I might want to join him.

Bloggernista answers that all important question: Where in the world is Matt Sanchez? Explains why some YouTube videos I found of the former gay porn star and marine reservist show him in Iraq (Previously on Blabbeando...).

Bushwick Boy takes a look at Sunday's Queens Pride festivities. Manhattan Offender was also there and took video clips to prove it.

Chris Crain has announced the launch of a gay news aggregator webpage named, appropriately GayNewsWatch.com.

Jasmyne Cannick has a series of posts on her recent trip to Africa alongside "Grey's Anatomy" actor Isaiah Washington.

JockoHomo has a look at some HIV/AIDS awareness ads from Glasgow.

Miss Wild Thing picks her tribe over news that a former Democratic National Committee gay outreach advisor is suing the DNC.

Donald asks dancehall-reggae singer Buju Banton to explain himself in light of a recent performance he did in New York (and has a related poll for his blog readers).

From Venezuela, Jogreg admits that it wasn't easy to open up about his life as a gay man in Venezuela in as public a venue the BBC (he won a contest and was given access to write in blog-form on the BBC site for a couple of months) [NOTE: Both of those links lead to Spanish-language only entries, sorry].

Hero: José F. Colón

Speaking of the AIDS crisis in Puerto Rico, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the heroic and selfless activism of 54-year old José Fernando Colón a/k/a "Chenín" who has long been an advocate for HIV positive individuals in the island as an HIV positive person himself.

As founder and director of HIV/AIDS Patients in Favor of Healthy Policies (Pacientes VIH/SIDA Pro-Política Sana), José has long been a thorn on the side of the Puerto Rican government and has often dared to publicly name names when advocates or agency directors at larger HIV service centers have been afraid to speak up and risk losing their funding.

José, who has been also battling health-related issues (he suffered a heart-attack in November of 2006 from which he has slowly recovered), has nevertheless made certain that his voice is not silenced until he takes his last breath.

As a matter of fact, it's been rumored that when the FBI seized 400 boxes of documents from the San Juan Health Department offices in December in an investigation that is believed to be related to the questions surrounding Ryan White AIDS treatment funding for the island, San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini specifically blamed José for raising the questions that have brought so much federal attention on the health department (though it was Santini who in 2005 disbanded a Ryan White advisory panel in 2005 which included community members and replaced them with mostly governmental appointees).

José, for his part, has said that it was not only his statements that have brought such scrutiny but also the voices of patients that have seen interruptions in their treatments or delays in being given HIV treatments after initial diagnosis (apparently not due to lack of availability but to errors in distribution and tracking of medicines in stock).

Following these reports of HIV positive patients going without access to treatment, José announced that he would also stop taking his HIV medications in protest.

“I need a certification from the Health Department of Puerto Rico, signed by its Secretary, Honorable Rosa Perez Perdomo assuring patients in Puerto Rico that the waiting list has finished, and that measures are being taken for it not to re-occur in the near future,” he said in a statement.

He has yet to put a stop to his latest protest.

Through all this, José's long time partner, Anselmo Fonseca, has stood by him and made sure that José is heard even during extended hospital stays. They both deserve not only my respect but that of many others throughout the world.

In Puerto Rico, AIDS care in crisis

New York Times reporter Erik Eckholm spent a few days in Puerto Rico investigating claims that mismanagement of Ryan-White HIV/AIDS care funding had led to clients going without HIV treatment medicines for weeks at a time and to HIV-treatment waiting lists for newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals.

A few days ago, upon his return from the island, I was glad to be able to act as translator for a telephone interview he did with a service provider as he sought additional information for the article he was writing.

The result of his investigation appears in an article from today's newspaper ("Puerto Rico's AIDS Care in Disarray Over Funds," June 5, 2007).

Ratching up their Latino cred (or at least attempting to do so), Republican Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn and Democratic New York State Senator (and presidential candidate) Hillary Clinton have each released letters expressing concern about the goings-on (Coburn's letter can be accessed here; I can't find an online link to the Clinton letter but I've posted an image of it above and here).

There are advocates working diligently in Puerto Rico, New York and DC to draw attention to the dire situation in the island and to make sure that those without access to HIV medicines are quickly brought into appropriate care.

Let's hope that the Times article puts enough pressure on the Puerto Rico government and on federal HIV treatment funders to resolve the situation quickly and prevent this from ever happening again in the island.

Out for NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn

On Wednesday, June 20th, the New York City Council will be hosting its annual LGBT Pride celebration at the council chambers. It's the second year in which the proceedings will be overseen by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the first gay person (or woman) to hold the seat.

Christine, a former dynamo LGBT rights activist turned political maverick, has quickly ascended in the local political ranks and has long been rumored to be mulling a run for the Mayor's Office in 2009 after current Mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to leave office due to term limits.

A cover page profile and interview in Thursday's Gay City News gives an overview of some of Christine's major accomplishments as Council Speaker and also gives voice to some people in the community who express dismay at some of the compromises she has made for what they argue is political expediency. But reporter and GCN Editor-in-Chief Paul Schindler does a good job in distilling the realities of political activism vs. the political process and comes out with a fairly balanced and ultimately glowing profile.

I too have been critical of Christine in the past, particularly of her alliance with some of the least progressive Democratic party leaders in Queens, but as Council Speaker she has been pretty tremendous, including her latest effort to push campaign finance reform that would reduce the influence of business interests in city races.

A day before the Council pride celebration, on June 19th, I will be joining well over 100 of the city's LGBT leaders in hosting a fundraiser for Christine with tickets ranging from $35 to $100 for those of you who might want to join us.

Although host committee members are listed in their individual capacity, they include a diverse array of community leaders including Michael Adams, ED of Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE); Richard Burns, ED at the LGBT Community Center; Gerard Cabrera of the Out People of Color Political Action Club (OutPOCPAC); Daryl Cochrane of the Human Rights Campaign and GMHC; transgender advocate Carrie Davis; Latino Commission on AIDS ED Dennis deLeon; NYS Senator Thomas K. Duane; People of Color in Crisis ED Gary English; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force ED Matt Foreman; Assemblywoman Deborah Glick; Councilmember Rosie Mendez; Gay City News columnist and Brooklyn's Lambda Independent Democrats' Christopher Murray; ACT UP member and Gay USA co-host Ann Northrop; Assemblymember Daniel J. O'Donnell; Gay Men of African Descent ED Tokes Osubu; Lambda Independent Democrats' Gary Parker; New York City Anti-Violence Project ED Clarence Patton; Gay Officers Action League's Vivian Rodriguez; Stonewall Democrats of New York Tom Schuler; Queens Public Library's James Van Bramer; Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' Tom Viola; Stonewall Democrats of New York's Jon Winkleman; Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson; and actor BD Wong, among many others.

It's actually a pretty impressive list and shows that, well ahead of a possible 2009 mayoral run, the Speaker enjoys wide support from the New York City LGBT political establishment should she chose to make a run for it.

Blog roll addition: HotShitRecords

Yes, indeed, it's HotShitRecords and you can find it under my Music Blogs column on the right.
...and, yes, if you note any similarities it's because that's non-other than my brother Juan, editor of HotShitRecords, as he prepares his latest post.

Come July, I'll be visiting him in my home country as I make one of my periodic pilgrimages back to my roots. Looking forward to it big time.

Queens Gay Pride

Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the Queens Pride Parade which - confoundingly (is that a word?) - also marks the first time in the fourteen years that I have lived in the borough that I will be missing it.

In recent years participation from local grassroots organizations has decreased as political representation has increased which has meant lots of councilmembers and senators walking behind a banner with the usual bar floats right behind them.

This year, members of Latino Gay Men of New York, Primer Movimiento Peruano, and the Puerto Rican Initiative to Develop Empowerment will be marching as well as the Hispanic AIDS Forum so let's hope things pick up a bit. Chueca Bar also manages to make an great impression from year to year with their themed floats.

In the meantime The Queens Tribune which published a special supplement on the Queens gay community back in October of 2005 has issued a 2nd gay-themed supplement to coincide with this year's Queens pride festivities. For a full listing of articles click here.

Highlights:

• A look at my neighborhood's gay bar scene
• A day in the life of Dominican-born drag queen performer Lorena Saint Cartier
• A profile of the Hispanic AIDS Forum
• Also a profile of Glenn Magpantay and his partner Chris Goeken and my friend Dirk McCall and his OUT Astoria group
  

Photos from past Queens prides:

• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002

Enjoy!