TPAN, Test Postive Aware Network, along with a few other organizations, have decided to bring gay Black men together to discuss the meaning of  ‘justice’ for gay Black males. 

On the panel, Keith Boykin, from The Daily Voice, CNBC, and BET, E. Patrick Johnson, creator of “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South-An Oral History,” and Antonio D. Jimenez, professor at Northwestern University and from the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health.

The forum hopes to start the discussion on the meaning of ‘justice,’ obtaining equality, the role of our allies, and some strategies to bring real and lasting change for Black gay men. 
 
“It’s not only important for Black gay men to be cognizant of how we are impacted by our lack of justice, but also, how we too, impact this innate right for others,” stated Boykin.  “Events like these continue to challenge and illuminate this fact.”

I’m most excited to talk about the plight of the gay Black male and how we can change or eliminate some of the stereotypes bestowed upon our community. Another topic that’s been bugging me for some years now, interracial dating within the gay community. I’ve discovered, in my own personal experience, a bit of a stigma with White males dating Black males. I’m curious to hear what the panelists may have to say about that.

This forum is a first-time collaboration between the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, the Communities of Color Collaborative,a new initiative launched by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago in June 2009, Project CRYSP and LifeLube.org, as well as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (set for February 7, 2010).

The event will take place at the University Center, 525 South State, on the second floor. 
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for appetizers and socializing, and the program begins at 7:00 p.m. 
Admission to the event is free. Come out! It’ll be sure to be an explosively epic conversation.


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