As reported by LOLDarian, Karen Clark Sheard was scheduled to perform today in Washington, DC at the National Organization Marriage (NOM) tour for the grand finale of the march against gay marriage but it looks like Karen had a change of heart or maybe a “schedule conflict” (a term overused in the music industry). No official word was given from NOM or by Karen’s PR on why she did not perform.
Fourteen year married gospel recording artist couple Deitrick and Damita Haddon took up Karen’s slack at the event and performed proclaiming sacred marriage for a man and woman. During their performance of ”I Gotta A Praise”, Deitrick shouted to the crowd to grab someone of the opposite sex and do the praise dance with him and his wife. Watch below.
Prop 8 was overturned on August 4th by District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walke with a temporary stay to allow suspension of the ruling pending appeal. On August 12th, Judge Walker allow announced his decision to lift the stay as of August 18th. Gay couples in California will be allowed to marry again come August 18th.
Today Judge Vaughn Walker issued a decision that denied an extension on the stay of gay marriages. Beginning, August 18th, gay couples in the state of CA will be able to marry again! Check out this excerpt from CNN.com:
A federal judge ruled on Thursday to allow same-sex couples to marry in California, starting on August 18, handing another victory to supporters of gay rights in a case that both sides have said is likely to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage last week, ruling that voter-approved Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. Walker had issued a temporary stay on his decision, which on Thursday he said he would lift.
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.
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.
(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
At the reception last night President Obama promised to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” an area where gay activists are pushing the president to move faster. The President also said that the health and human Services Department would be moving to get hospitals to allow visitation rights to same-sex couples!
While at the event Kevin tweeted a picture of president Obama (pictured above) and stated “Obama Is Right Here In Front Of Me, Speaking!!! #SurrealTweet.”
The email made our day and confirmed that our work is not in vein. It shows that President Obama & his staff are very much so paying attention to whats going on in the black LGBT community. Congratulations Morehouse College Safe Space for your hard work and we know it’s not over!
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 DANIGGAWITDATATTOOSvideo.
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!
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.
