This past weekend, WhatsTheT had the great opportunity of kicking it with the hilarious Drama Dupree and Notorious Sir Daniels at The Evolution Center in Atlanta, GA to celebrate their 50th online Better Days Radio show episode. A 1.5 hour weekly show, Better Days Radio is the leading online radio show that covers news, entertainment, gossip, and discuses topics that affect the under-served same gender loving community. The two disc jockeys wittiness and straight forward talk gives listeners their opinion without all the politics that come with other media outlets sometimes.

The Evolution Center invited Better Days Radio to their center to record their show live with an audience on this past Saturday (07/24). The Evolution Center is a non profit organization  for young gay or same gender loving (SGL) black men ages 16-28. The Evolution Center’s primary purpose is to offer a safe space and programs that serve as an investment in the individual by addressing the needs of young gay/same gender loving black men in Atlanta.

The show was very interactive and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it. Check out a few pictures from the event below and a video snippet. You can listen to the show weekly at www.BetterDaysRadio.com. You can also take Better Days Radio with you on the go by downloading their episodes on I-tunes.

View Photo Album

We’ve definitely had our days of “WTF…is everbody against us!”, but today is not one of those days! In DC, the D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the District’s same-sex marriage law, ruling in a 5-4 decision that marriage equality opponents cannot put the issue on the ballot - which ballot.  In response to today’s court victory, Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, released the following statement:

“The long and arduous road to marriage equality in the District culminated with a decided win at the D.C. Court of Appeals today.  This is an incredible victory over a dogged, overzealous, and well-funded anti-gay opposition. This ruling comes after many years of hard work by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, allies and legislators who sought the family protections that marriage confers for their loved ones.  Today, we can truly celebrate the unchallenged joy and happiness of the thousands of couples who will flock to Washington, D.C. to marry.”

And in Argentina yesterday, Salon.com reports that the Senate approved a bill to recognize same sex marriage making Argentina the first country in Latin America to recognize full-fledged same-sex marriages.

It’s a great day for gays and gay advocates!

(Morehouse College Safe Place President Kevin Webb tweets a pic of President Obama from the special LGBT pride Month Reception)

Many of you may have recalled back in March when we told you about Morehouse’s first ever Pride week spearheaded by Morehouse’s only LGBT organization, Morehouse College Safe Place. The pride week hosted various events each day including a discussion panel where Multimedia Maven B. Scott was one of the special guests for a panel discussion about the black LGBT community. The event  was a huge success.

Well, fast forward two months, and that same group now finds their safe at the White House with a personal invite from President Barack Obama for the White House’s First-Ever Reception for LGBT Pride Month. Here is the email WhatsTheT as well as our fellow blogger and friend Darian Aaron received from the organization yesterday:

Hello Friends,

As an extended member of our Safe Space Family, we had to notify you and your respective media outlets of some rather exciting news! Today, our very own, Kevin Webb, has been personally invited to the White House by President Barack Obama for the White House’s First-Ever Reception for LGBT Pride Month! He will be joined by Spelmanite Jeshawna Wholley, President of Afrekete (Spelman’s LGBT Organization). Attached is a Press Release for the Event. We are so very thankful for your coverage of our little student-led organization. We know that without the support that you all have given us, none of this would be possible.

Respectfully,

Kevin Webb & Daniel Edwards

Morehouse College Safe Space

The popular LGBT online television show, 3LWTV, has launched a new series called “Pillow Talk”.  In the new “Pillow Talk” series, Lonnell Williams who is the host and founder of 3LWTV, sits down with various people making moves in the LGBT community for a candid talk about doing business and/or community work in the gay community, relationship talk, and almost anything else that the person is willing to discuss.

On the first debut, Lonnell sits under the plush down comforter with the sexy Chicago Marketing Executive Rob Brew II and talks about the upcoming 4th of July Black Gay Pride festivities in Chicago. They also talk about the dynamics of  an older man dating a younger man.  Later in the show Dwight Allen Oneal of “Dating Dwight” and “Christopher Street TV” for a 3som candid conversation!

The show is a great way of highlighting those that do so much in the community and sheds a positive light on the things going on in the African Amercan gay commuunity.

Check out the first episode below and make sure you subscribe to 3LWTV here…

From the files of that infamous website called YouTube that we all love, DANIGGAWITDATATTOOS talks about heterosexuals and their “No Homo” comments and wonders do gay have a “No Hetero” rule. WhatsTheT has the answer to his question after his video! But first watch DANIGGAWITDATATTOOS video.

Dear DANIGGAWITDATATTOOS, when we were on our Miami getaway last summer with @DramaDupree @McWedia @BlueEyedSimba & @IncorporateBob, you damn right we had a “No Hetero” rule! Watch the video and you’ll see the acknowledgment of our “No Hetereo” Rule at 5;52 of the video!

(pictures courtesy of AndresFlava)

In addtion to DC rapper Wale performing at this year’s DC Black Pride Wellness & Fitness Expo, Pride attendees got a double dose of entertainment with Def Jam’s J. Holiday who also performed. Holiday song tracks from his past 2 albums and even gave the kids a topless strip tease.

After a week of mis-communications, accusations of homophobia, and anger from gay fans and supporters, DC’s own rapper Wale showed up at DC Black Pride’s Annual Fitness & Wellness Expo to let his gay fans know, he’s not a homophobic. It was announced last week by Wale’s booking agent that Wale would not be able to perform at DC’s Black Pride Expo due to the fact that Wale did not know what type of event it was. Wale spent most of the week setting the record straight on twitter and replying to his fans and followers explaining that that was not the case and after realizing the affect and damage his booking agent had caused, Wale announced that he would cancel what he had planned to show up on Sunday at DC Black Pride. Once on stage, Wale explained:

“One thing I stand for is Hip Hop music. And Hip Hop music is no race, no color, no age, no gender, no sexual orientation,  none of that. So the most important thing about it is the music. And if it makes people feel happy, that’s why we’re here. I will say. Sometimes, in this business you get in align with people that don’t understand that or don’t necessary have the same beliefs as you do and I apologize for not having my best foot forward. And I’m going to do better as we all do. Everyday we got to get better. So I apologize on behalf of my team not being the way they supposed to be…”

He sat down with Ebony Belle of MetroWeekly.com and did an interview and explained further about his love for everybody. Check out the interview below.

Wale Performing “Chillin”

Kudos to DC Black Pride, Metro Weekly, bloggers, and fans for not backing down and making sure that the LGBT community is respected! Hopefully more mainstream male artist will take on this same approach in the future and begin to recognize their gay fans and followers who support and buy their music.

Since the whole DC Black Pride/Wale turmoil and media fiasco started last week, rapper Wale has continued to defend his self and respond to fans and critics explaining that he is in no way, form, or fashion a homophobic and that his music is for all people. So in his latest tweet rant he explained, “I’m cancelling what I was supposed to be doin..to go …yeah ILL BE THERE!! I’m not scared nor do I have any hatred for ANYBODY.” We’ve reached out to DC Black Pride for comments on Wale’s latest claim; however, we did not get a response back yet. We’ll keep you posted!

In other news, 2009 Weblog Award Winner and LGBT writer and You Tube personality Xem Van Adams did a great Vlog on Homphobia in the Hip-Hop and music industry at large. Check out the video below.

When it comes to social media sites like twitter and facebook, one thing twitter has done is removed “PR” out of the formula. When artist have something to say they have the freedom to tweet it now. Despite advice from the PR team to not respond to the issue, Wale has responded to the homophobic comments from people that have hit him up on twitter and articles such as the Metro Weekly article and probably ours too. Below is what Wale had to say about the situation:

How do people read publications and run with WHATEVER is said.jus because its said/written. I don’t get it. The passion behind the hatred.over Misinformed info breaks my heart, but also shows me the malice of “fans”.  Iowa, remember when I cancelled that show? Cuz of Letterman and transportation..Hofstra remember when that show was cancelled. Some ppl love a “story”.. Sooo bad that they’ll turn people against u..its sad, so u get ur story , in turn, u turn ppl against me? I was told NOT to respond, but that wouldn’t be me..anybody who knows me an familar w/ my music know that I work for PEOPLE..all ppl. And the people who deliver propaganda never heard the music yall know..they write it to ignite anger, cuz ur anger generates revenue. So with this said, HipHop music is for everybody..I love all the supporters, and real know real.

Wale even responded to a few fan fans about the situation via twitter. One follower (@DKUnlimited) tweeted to Wale, “Did or did your agent NOT e-mail DC Black Pride & tell them you canceled because you didn’t know it was gay? Set the record straight.” Wale responded, “No, that aint happen.”

So there you have it. Still leaves a lot of empty spaces between Wale comments and those of DC Black Pride but take his comments how you’d like… Maybe in the future Wale will set his self apart from the others and do a gay event in the future.

Lost? Keep Up with the story here... & then here…

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of spending the day with the lovely Isis King of America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 11). Isis kicked off her Fan Appreciation Tour in Atlanta, GA and had a Meet & Greet at Sephora Lenox Square. While signing autographs, Isis met a young girl by the name of Sherell and gave her a makeover. Check out the video footage from the event.

Make sure you check out all the pictures from the event at www.whatsthet.smugmug.com.