NorthEast Two-Spirit Society and Executive Director of Audre Lorde Project ejected from Pride March

LR: NYPD, Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Audre Lorde Project

NEW YORK – The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society (NE2SS) and Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Audre Lorde Project were forcefully ejected from this year’s annual Heritage of Pride March in New York City yesterday.

Just before 2PM, Lieutenant Connoly of the Midtown Taskforce demanded that the People of Color Contingent leave the parade. The reason given was that a delay of 6 blocks existed between the People of Color contingent and the contingent in front of them. NYPD raised the issue of the gap once and POC contingent marshals were in the process of closing the gap. Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Audre Lorde Project (ALP), and Loyda Colon also of ALP explained to Lieutenant Connoly, that they were in the process of closing the gap and Lieutenant Connoly refused to listen. Lieutenant Connoly then insisted that the POC contingent leave the parade, and attempted to arrest both Colon and Hayashi. Lieutenant Connoly then ejected Harlan Pruden, the driver of NE2SS’ support vehicle and co-founder of NE2SS, other members of NE2SS (who led the People of Color Contingent), and Hayashi from the parade. Hayashi was physically dragged off the parade route.

“It should have been a day to celebrate and have fun,” Harlan Pruden, Co-founder of NE2SS.

After being ejected, Pruden and Hayashi asked to get NE2SS back into the parade. Pruden was repeatedly threatened with a summons and towing of the organization’s vehicle. After 30 minutes, the official answer from the NYPD as communicated by Heritage of Pride was that NE2SS could continue to march as long as Pruden was not included. Without their support vehicle, of which Pruden was the only driver, NE2SS could not continue.

Kevin VanWanseele, NE2SS member, “This was supposed to be a proud day for LGBT Native American people in New York City and in the end it was not!”

About NE2SS: NE2SS works to increase the visibility of the two-spirit community and to provide social, traditional and recreational opportunities that are culturally appropriate to the two-spirit community of NYC and the surrounding tri-state area. According to the 2000 US Census, our area is the home to the largest urban American Indian population in the country. At the heart of NE2SS effort is community development for all our peoples.

About ALP: The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. ALP coordinates the People of Color contingent at Manhattan Pride.

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Queer Black Cinema remembers Michael Jackson…

Celebrating at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY the life of a World-Wide Music Icon, Pop Star- Michael Jackson

The King of Pop, an American icon, a World Wide legend has passed away, Michael Jackson 1958 – 2009.  I knew this day would come but not for years to come. For some reason I always thought MJ would out live me even though I am much younger then him.  I am still in disbelief. I can only image what his family is going through. On behave of Queer Black Cinema and Our Stories Productions, our hearts are very heavy; we send condolence to Michael Jackson children, family and close friends.Your legacy will continue to live on forever, you were a genius of music. Rest in peace and sleep well.

Remincing…

I remember when he reunited with his brothers on an award show. I was on punishment and was band from watching television. However, I still turned the TV on low and was silently enjoying the performance of MJ and the Jackson Five.  I guess I got over excited because my mom heard the me and screamed,’” Turn that TV off.”  Of course I just turned the sound off. the images was enough for me to see and enjoy.  Share your memories…

Below is an article, I wish to share from Pride TV. It explains how I felt growing up to the music of Michael Jackson.

In Peace,

Angel L. Brown

Queer Black Cinema founder/Producer

Michael Jackson:
An American Treasure
1958-2009
By Anare V. Holmes
(June 26, 2009) Critically acclaimed author Alice Walker once wrote, “models in art, in behavior, in growth of spirit and intellect–even if rejected–enrich and enlarge one’s view of existence.”
Michael Jackson was such a model for me.
His music gave me permission to escape my immediate cirmcustances of dealing with the loneliness and isolation I felt as a young child adjusting to new family digs in the summer and fall of 1983.
At the time, Jackson’s album Thriller southed my soul with its classic hits “Billy Jean,” “Beat It,” and, of course, the title cut.
Whenever I was feeling low, I’d go up to my room, turn on my boombox, close my eyes and enter into an imaginary world where I was stage performer.
I carefully watched the choreography of Michael Peters, who orchestrated the fancy footwork captured in Jackson’s video Beat It. I had all the steps down as I sang along with Jackson.

Everything had to be perfect because I was performing right in front of Jackson. For it was this poster of him in the brown leather jacket that hung above my bed.
With Jackson watching, I had to be on point.
After the performance I felt better.
I imagined that I, too, would one day have my time to shine in the warm spotlight. The stage Michael Jackson performed on always appeared to be the place where people focused their attention solely on him.
It was the place where people screamed, cheered and shouted his praises.
I wanted that because it seemed like love.
I knew it was possible for a little Black boy to command that level of attention and respect because of Jackson.
And so, I dared to dream.
I began to visualize what was possible for my life.
Jackson may have made his physical transition from Earth yesterday, but the treasure he leaves behind is eternal.
His talent, artistry and the barriers he overcame are a testament to what we all can do when we choose to follow the passion and purpose that live within us.
Send comments to: producer@pridetv.org

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective presented by Maysles Cinema

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective Friday, June 19th-Saturday, June 27th Curated by Michael Henry Adams Co-Sponsored by Queer Black Cinema, Men of All Colors Together, and Harlem One Stop In honor of the 40th Anniversary of The Stonewall Rebellion and the subsequent Gay rights movement we celebrate the cinematic representation of Gay life and culture in Black America’s fabled homeland with Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective. Photo artist and documentary filmmaker Lisa DuBois is exhibiting fine art photographs “Timeless Harlem” and “Transgender in the nineties” in our lower lounge throughout Homo-Harlem. All photographs are for sale. $10 Suggested Donation For All Screenings

Friday, June 19 6:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective Opening Night at the Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St) 6:00 Cocktails 7:00 Discussion: Kirk Shannon-Butts, Michael Henry Adams 7:30 Screening Blueprint (Short Preview, 7 mins.) Kirk Shannon-Butts, 2008 Harlem shot and set, Blueprint is the story of Keith and Nathan – two New York City college freshmen trying to make a connection. Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life Robert Levi,1999, 90 min. Today, historians and scholars agree that Billy Strayhorn remains one of the most under-recognized American composers in history. Born in 1915, Strayhorn chose to live openly as a gay black man. It was perhaps this decision—and his lifelong devotion to Ellington—which contributed to his near anonymity as a major American composer. While Ellington is arguably the most influential and celebrated jazz composer of the 20th century, Strayhorn is unrecognized. Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life poses answers to the question of who was Billy Strayhorn, and why is he still relatively unknown? *9:30pm Dinner at Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too *Contact: homoharlemtour@aol.com

Saturday, June 20 2:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective (Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Ave. between 127th & 128th Street, June 20th-27th) Co – Curated by Angel L. Brown The Edge of Each Other’s Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde Jennifer Abod, 2002, 59 min. This powerful documentary is a moving tribute to legendary black lesbian feminist poet Audre Lorde (1934-1992). One of the most celebrated icons of feminism’s second wave, Lorde inspired several generations of activists with her riveting poetry, serving as a catalyst for change and uniting the communities of which she was a part: black arts and black liberation, women’s liberation and lesbian and gay liberation. Litany For Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde Ada Griffin and Michelle Parkerson, 1995, 60 min. From Lorde’s childhood roots in Harlem to her battle with breast cancer, this moving film explores a life and a body of work and makes connections between the civil rights movement, the women’s movement and the struggle for lesbian and gay rights. Greetings from Africa Cheryl Dunye, 1994, 8 min. In this highly entertaining short, Cheryl Dunye uses her dry wit to ruminate on lesbian dating ’90s style. Cheryl (playing herself) is searching for someone to date. Unfortunately, most of her friends are still stuck in those long-term “relationships from the ’80s”. Just when she thinks all is lost, she meets L, a beautiful, mysterious and captivating woman. Cheryl gets caught up in the chase and L leads her in and out of hot water. Q&A with Mildred “DRED” Gerestant, Activist, performer and healer

Audre Lorde

Sunday, June 21 2:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective Prepare for Saints: The Making of a Modern Opera Steven Watson, 1999, 27 mins. A chronicle of the making of the Modernist 1934 Virgil Thomson/Gertrude Stein opera, Four Saints in Three Acts, (which included an all-black cast from Harlem church choirs and nightclubs.) Q&A with Director Steve Watson. Portrait of Jason Shirley Clarke, 1967, 105 min. Interview with Jason Holliday aka Aaron Payne, house boy, would be cabaret performer, and self proclaimed hustler giving one man’s gin-soaked pill-popped, view of what it was like to be black and gay in 1960’s America. Q&A with Director Steve Watson

Portrait of Jason

Monday, June 22 7:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective C0- Curator Angel L. Brown Storme: Lady of the Jewel Box Dir. Michelle Parkerson, 1987, 21 min. “It ain’t easy…being green” is the favorite expression of Storme DeLarverie, a woman whose life flouted prescriptions of gender and race. During the 1950’s and 60’s she toured the black theatre circuit as a mistress of ceremonies and the sole male impersonator of the legendary Jewel Box Revue, America’s first integrated female impersonation show and forerunner of La Cage aux Folles. Storme herself emerges as a remarkable woman, who came up during hard times but always “kept a touch of class.” Storme was also a witness to the Stonewall Rebellion 40 years ago and is a founding member of the Stonewall Veterans Association. Stonewall Panel TBA

Tuesday, June 23 7:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective Brother to Brother Rodney Evans, 2004, 87 min. Winner of numerous awards including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize and the Gordon Parks Screenwriting Award, Brother to Brother follows the emotional and psychological journey of a young black gay artist as he discovers the hidden legacies of the gay and lesbian subcultures within the Harlem Renaissance. (with a short clip of an interview with Bruce Nugent on Gay life in the 20s.) Q&A with Tom Wirth, Literary Executor for Bruce Nugent

Brother to Brother

Wednesday, June 24 7:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective Brother Outsider, The Life of Bayard Rustin Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer, 2002, 83 min. This meditation on the parallels between racism and homophobia illuminates the life and work of Bayard Rustin, a visionary activist and strategist who has been called the “unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Daring to live as an openly gay man during the fiercely homophobic 1940s, 50s and 60s, Brother Outsider reveals the price that Rustin paid for his openness, chronicling both the triumphs and setback of his remarkable 60-year career. Panel • Dirs. Bennett Singer and Nancy Kates • Walter Naegle, Rustin’s partner until his passing in 1987 at 75 • Ernest Green, The Little Rock Nine • Adam Green, Historian, Author of “Selling the Race: Culture, Community, and Black Chicago, 1940-1955″ • Moderator: Michael Henry Adams

Brother Outsider, The life of Bayard Rustin

Thursday, June 25 5:30 pm 7:30 pm 9:30 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective 5:30 pm Walking Tour 7:30 pm How Do I Look (Preview, 5 min.) Wolfgang Busch, 2007 A brief preview of a follow up of sorts to Paris is Burning. Couture Shock (Preview, 5 min.) Lisa DuBois, work-in-progress Couture Shock is an honest expose on the complications and secrets in the lives of transgendered individuals. Paris is Burning Jennie Livingston, 1990, 78 min. Many consider Paris Is Burning to be an invaluable document of the end of the “Golden Age” of New York City drag balls, as well as a thoughtful exploration of race, class, and gender in America. 9:30 pm Afterparty at Billy’s Black* *Complete package (walking tour, screening and after party) cost is $50.00 Contact- homoharlemtour@aol.com 60 person limit on tickets so get them while you can! Tickets for the screening only can be purchased at the Maysles Cinema the night of.

Paris is Burning

Friday, June 26 5:30 pm 7:30 pm 9:30 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective 5:30 pm Walking Tour 7:30 pm Looking For Langston Isaac Julien, 1988, 45 min. A black and white, fantasy-like recreation of high-society gay men during the Harlem Renaissance, with archival footage and photographs intercut with a story. The text is rarely explicit, but the freedom of gay Black men in the 1920s in Harlem is suggested and celebrated visually. James Baldwin: Witness Angie Corcetti, 2003, 60 min. A minister’s son from Harlem, James Baldwin moved to Greenwich Village and began writing essays for left-wing journals. With the success of his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and dozens of non-fiction works, Baldwin became an international voice on American Black life in the 1950s and 60s. A look at this Black American Gay icon’s life. 9:30pm Dinner at Miss Maude’s Spoonbread Too* *Complete package (walking tour, screening and dinner at Chez Lucien) cost is $50.00 Contact- homoharlemtour@aol.com

Looking for Langston James Baldwin: Witness

Saturday, June 27 11:30 am 1:00 pm 3:00 pm 5:00 pm

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective 11:30 am Brunch at Chez Lucien* 1:00 pm Walking Tour 3:00 pm M&M SMITH: For Posterity’s Sake Heather Lyons, 1996, 57 min Morgan and Marvin Smith, twin brothers and prolific African American artists, boldly moved from Kentucky to New York in 1933 to pursue artistic careers. By 1937 they had opened a photo studio next door to Harlem’s renowned Apollo Theatre. Thus began 50-year-long careers as still and motion picture photographers, painters and sound recordists. This story is richly visualized through the Smiths’ photos, films and paintings and poignantly told by Morgan and Marvin Smith and friends such as Eartha Kitt. Clip of Short Conversation with Marvin Smith (20 mins.) 5:00pm Blueprint Kirk Shannon-Butts, 2008 73 min. Harlem shot and set, Blueprint is the story of Keith and Nathan, two New York City college freshmen trying to make a connection. *Complete package (walking tour, screening and brunch at Chez Lucien) cost is $45.00. Contact- homoharlemtour@aol.com

Today’s the day! MISSISSIPPI DAMNED NEW YORK PREMIERE@Newfest 6/9 at 7:15 PM

Queer Black Cinema Newfest FilmPICK

Tue/June 9 (7PM) MISSISSIPPI DAMNED
directed by Tina Mabry | Produced by Morgan Stiff
Narrative Feature Co-presented by Queer Black Cinema
http://filmguide.newfest.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/Title/MM

Description:

Tina Mabry (Itty Bitty Titty Committee, Brooklyn’s Bridge to Jordan) returns with an intensely personal story about redemption and family. Set in Mississippi between 1986 and 1998, Mississippi Damned chronicles the lives of three kids burdened by the family’s legacy. Kari and Sammy dream of using their talents, piano and basketball, to escape from their small town, while Leigh daydreams and running away to Memphis with her girlfriend. Standing in their way is a seemingly never-ending cycle of addictions, sexual abuse, and violence that has plagued their family for generations.

SOCIETY- African Sex in the City Lesbian Film Premieres@ Newfest 6/8@8 PM

SOCIETY directed by Vincent Maloi

The groundbreaking mini-series boldly portrayed the first depiction of a lesbian relationship on south African television, and has been recut into a feature version for theatrical viewing.  Billed the South African Sex and the City, Society is an ensemble drama about a group of diverse black women living, loving and thriving in Johannesburg.  An unexpected reunion prompted by a sad occurrence challenges the facade of these professional women and risks their relationships and happiness.  Co-sponsored by QUEER BLACK CINEMA.org

Monday, June 8, 2009 8 PM at Newfest

SVA Theater between 8th & 9th Ave.

Click here for tickets: http://filmguide.newfest.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/films/1085

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Link to this Film
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DJ BAKER host of DA DO DIRTY SHOW TELLS IT ALL…

Left to Right: Angel L. Brown (Founder - Queer Black Cinema), DJ BAKER (host of Da Do Dirty Show), Alston Ho (ChillFest) at the NY Screening of Jumpin the Broom by Debra Wilson and discussion on Gay Marriage with in the Black communiry

Check out DJ Baker on the Rainbow Collective Show. DJ have always been a supporter of Queer Black Cinema’s mission. I’m sure many of you heard our commercials about our monthly screenings on his show. You also can hear a very intriguing, fun, and another side to Angel (that’s me..lol) you haven’t heard before on DA DO DIRTY SHOW hosted by DJ Baker.

You can hear DJ show Monday – Friday 5 PM – 7 PM on http://www.QNation.fm BUT FIRST! Check out a recent interview he did on the Rainbow Collective show http://vimeo.com/4954858

Then check out the
http://www.dadoo-dirtyshow.com/

If you want to hear me when I was on his show, you have to find it on his site…lol

Trust me, it will be worth the search. Be sure to leave a comment.

PS: Who’s going to the Roberta Munroe Workshop???
IT”S THIS FRIDAY AT 11AM!!!
http://www.newfest.org

ALSO…
Queer Black Cinema Newfest FEATURE FILM PICKS:

SOCIETY (June 8th)
http://www.newfest.org

MISSISSIPPI DAMPED (June 9th)
http://www.newfest.org

Let’s go……

Roberta Munroe is Back in New York for another workshop on “HOW NOT TO MAKE A SHORT FILM.”

Roberta Munroe is Back in New York giving another intriguing workshop on “HOW NOT TO MAKE A SHORT FILM.”

Short Film Seminar with Roberta Munroe
workshop
(90 mins)

Roberta Munroe arrives at NewFest to speak about her craft, both in filmmaking and programming, in an insightful and entertaining lecture that is a must-see event for all filmmakers, students, curators and cinephiles.

Topics covered will range from script development to distribution and funding to how to avoid the 100 most overused film cliches. Roberta knows not only how to help you make a great film but can also show you “How NOT to Make a Rotten, Unwatchable, Unprogrammable Short Film.”

Learn why making short films is good for your career, why you shouldn’t care if your film gets into Sundance, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls filmmakers often encounter. Join us as Munroe dispels the mystery of making short films versus features, guides us through the madness of production for both narrative and documentary, from funding and casting to festival and distribution strategies and reveals insider secrets to help get your film out there!

An articulate and informed speaker, Roberta is considered the go-to expert with a keen insider’s take on the production and business of short filmmaking. In a media world that is increasingly dominated by the short film format, including online and mobile content, Roberta’s knowledge and rock solid advice are more valuable than ever for short-form media makers everywhere.

Roberta Munroe is a former Sundance Programmer and author of “How Not to Make a Short Film: Secrets from a Sundance Programmer.” Copies will be available at this event.

Click here for details information
http://filmguide.newfest.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/films/1120

I’m going, ARE YOU? See ya there!!

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oh, by the way. How many people got there tickets to the New York premiere of MISSISSIPPI DAMNED?
This must see film is Queer Black Cinema Newfest pick!

The film is by AWARD WINNING FILMMAKERS -
Tina Mabry – writer/director
Morgan Stiff – Produced and edited
Debra Wilson – Co-produced
The tickets are selling fast people, don’t wait.
Click here to purchase cheap tickets and view the trailer
http://filmguide.newfest.org/tixSYS/2009/filmguide/films/1093

Feel free to share this people! Let’s gooooo
Tina and Morgan will be in the house so let’s show them some love!!