Description
This is the 35th issue of BLK magazine published January 1992. The front cover is printed in color and features an image of Steven Corbin. Corbin is seated on the floor, with his right leg raised and left leg tucked under. He is resting back on his left arm with his right arm hanging over his right knee. Corbin is dressed in a white tank top, blue jeans, white socks, black shoes, and with cross necklace and a single earring. At the top and centered to the left, [BLK] is printed in bold, white, uppercase letters within a red rectangular box. Below and to the left of the [BLK] text box is the magazine issue information; in small, black text it reads [Vol. 4, No. 1 Whole No. 35 / $1.95 U.S., $2.95 Canada]. To the right of the magazine name text box is the news sections listed in white text, [NEWS / CARTOONS / MUSIC / WORD UP / READ MY LIPS / CLASSIFIEDS]. Towards the center bottom and to the right is the magazine headline in yellow text reading [THE BLK INTERVIEW / Steven Corbin]. Below, in red text it reads [Michelle Tellison Sues / Oprah Winfrey Gets ‘Duped’ / Joe Pressley Takes Over]. There are 60 numbered pages, stapled the center fold, with articles, advertisements, classifieds, black and white photographs, and cartoon illustrations throughout.
The inside of the cover features an ad [KEITH MEDICAL GROUP]. The content opens with the section [WORD UP] by Leon Miller with three short articles: [WHAT’S WRONG WITH SEX IN THE BACK SEAT], [LAW ENFORCEMENT FLORIDA-STYLE], and [IBM AND APPLE GO BLACK]. This is followed by eight letters to the editor in the section [BLK MAIL] on pages 2-4, with the [BLK] masthead on page 4. On the following page is the section [BLK PEOPLE] about broad and general news regarding the Black gay and lesbian community. It is divided by city.
A feature story begins on page 9, titled [Black Lesbian Seeks $10 million in / Damages from City Transit System] by Mark Haile. The article addresses a law suit filed by Michelle Tellison who suffered discrimination for having a disability and being a lesbian. Judge Jack O’Neill ruled in her favor in June 1988. A photo of Tellison accompanies the article.
The cover story, which begins on page 11, is titled [THE BLK INTERVIEW / STEVEN CORBIN]. Conducted and written by Larry Duplechan, the article opens with a biography of Corbin before diving into the interview portion. Corbin opens about his upcoming books, racism in the gay community, his career as novelist, being HIV+, his thoughts on relationships, and identifying as queer. The article is accompanied by a photograph of Steven Corbin.
A second feature article begins on page 26, titled [Oprah Look-alike / Start 2nd Career] by Mark Haile. The article covers the experience of Jecquin Stitt after she won a Oprah look-alike contest and the flurry of interviews that occurred when it became public knowledge that she was a transgender woman. The article is accompanied with two photographs showcasing the contest.
A third feature article begins on page 28, titled [JOE / PRESSLEY] by Eric K. Washington. The article covers the goals Joe Pressley has for the organization Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) as the new executive director, sighting it as a pivotal support system when he came out. The article is accompanied with one photograph of Pressley.
On page 30 begins section [MUSIC / by D.J. Marius] with three album reviews: [Phyllis Hyman “Prime of My Life” / (Philadelphia International)], [Ultra Nate “Blue Lights in the Basement” / (Eternal/Warner Bros)], and [Tough Young Tenors “Along Together” / (Antilles/Island)].
Several shorter articles appear under the section [BLK NEWS] complied by Eric K. Washington, News Editor. Beginning on page 33, these articles include: [GLOW Adds New Chapters / – John Hubert] with new chapters in Kwa-Thema, Tembisa, Soweto, and Johannesburg Central, [2,000 March in South Africa / – Rex Wockner and Gerry Davidson] in the country's (and continent’s) second pride parade, [Lorde Named New York Poet / – Eric K. Washington], [Black AIDS Educators Meet / – Mark Haile] about the Gay Men of Color AIDS Institute, [Group Names ’92 Officers / – Mark F. Johnson] regarding the D.C. Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gay Men announcing their leadership board, [Man Calls Cleveland ‘Dad’ / – Mark Haile] about Andre M. Cleaveland/McIssac and the late Rev. James Cleveland, [Judge Quizzes Jurors / – Eric K. Washington], [Study Says Condoms Shunned], [Politician Slams Gays, Blacks / – Rex Wockner] about Donald Chapman, [Woman Starts New Business / – Mark Haile] Leslie Despenza-Hale as the business owner of Androgyny, Inc., [AIDS Groups Get Sire Money] about the National Minority AIDS Council and Pediatric AIDS Foundation, [Jazzers Hold AIDS Benefit / – Eric K. Washington] held at the Village Gate, [Blacks Target of Gay Bashers / Antonio Sharp], [Lowe Takes N.Y. States Post] regarding Sandra J. Lowe leaving her post as a staff attorney at Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund to become the director of the Governor’s Office of Gay and Lesbian Concerns for New York State, [Johnson Signs for 3 Books] about Earvin “Magic” Johnson, [AFA Boycott Targets Listed / – Mark Haile] regarding the American Family Association, described as a right-wing, anti-gay organization, has boycotted several institutions, [L.A. Clippers Enter AIDS Fight] becoming the first NBA team to take action against HIV by supporting Shanti Foundation, [D.C. Black Pride Set for May / – Mark E. Johnson] about D.C.’s second Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day, [Black Groups at Marathon / – Eric K. Washington] about the second annual AIDS Dance-a-thon, [New Orgs Spring in Rochester / – Eric K. Washington] Rochester Lesbians of Color Organization and Brothers United, [AIDS Money to Black Center] about Aid for AIDS in Nevada, [Conference Changes Site] regarding the fifth National Black Gay and Lesbian Conference and Institutes, [Skinheads Indicted in Attack], [Martina Sees Double Standard] about Martina Navratilova tennis player, [Dinkins Relents on needles / – LaRose Parris] about Mayor David Dinkins and endorsing needle exchanging programs, [BMX Holds Cultural Gathering] about Black Men’s Xchange and the African American AIDS Support Services and Survival Institute, and [Johnson to Begin Taking AZT].
This is followed by [BLK VEIL] on page 43 and lists twenty-three obituaries: Gweb Alexander, Jesse ‘Jay’ Black Jr., Richard A. Boydston, Tim Dollson, Michael Christopher Dunham, Gordon Tyrone Dunn, Cleveland Gates Jr., Tony Hughes, Ernest A. Johnson, Dwight E. Jordan, John W. Kemp, Henry Lovett, Martial-Rio, Kenneth A. Martin, Ernest Miller, Jeffrey Patrick, Freeman Pollard, Kelsey Pulliam, Raymond Pugh, Rafael Roman, Shane, Edward Smith, and Curtis Straughter.
A section titled [BLK BRIEFS] can be found on page 34 providing quick articles in one or two sentences. The gossip column titled [Read My Lips] written by Preston G. Guider is on page 45. The issue concludes with the section [BLK MARKET] on page 49 and the classifieds section [TALKING PERONALS] starting on page 50, with personal ads divided by gender, nation, then U.S. regions.
The back cover is a full-page advertisement [Prevention Is Better Than Cure].
The object came with an insert: a paid-postage, two-page flyer titled “NOW THE BEST MUSIC OFFER IN ON SALE!”. The flyer lists several CD across several genres.
There are several advertisements throughout, including: [BLK / KUUMBA / BLACK LACE / BLACKfire]; [I JUST WANT A / GOOD TIME] by the Gay Men’s Health Crisis; [THE BLACK GAY MEN’S RAP / Together We Can Work It Out!]; [Be A Buddy To Someone With AIDS] a support program by the AIDS Project Los Angeles; [Jewel’s Catch One / 20th ANNIVERSARY]; Say it Loud… / I’m BLACK & I’m PROUD / Celebrating African-American Women / Women’s Calendar of Event for FEBRUARY] hosted by The Center’s Education Department, Community Outreach & Education Project; [PERSONAL / ASTROLOGY]; [Drop attackers safely / with new ‘Liquid Bullet;’]; [GAYELLOW PAGES]; [THING]; [THE / HOLLYWOOD / SPA / COMPOUND / A MAN’S PRIVATE PRESERVE]; [BROTHER TO BROTHER / edited by Essex Hemphill / conceived by Joseph Beam] ordering slip; [KNOW yourself / Knowledge=Power] by the AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum; [REACTIONS]; [I’m Positive. / I’m safe.] by the Northwest AIDS Foundation; [COMMUNITY / PRESCRIPTION / SERVICE / A Mail-Order Pharmacy & AIDS Information Service]; [Subscribe to the leading interracial gay magazine / QUARTERLY INTERCHANGE]; [TALKING PERSONALS / Connections USA]; [HIV POSITIVE AND HEALTHY? JOIN THE QUEST…] by HemaCare Corporation; [Unity / Fellowship / Church / A Church for All People]; [FREEDOM / make it happen / THE PROVOKER]; [the / BFP TEE]; [THE WORLD’S / LARGEST AND FINEST / EROTIC / DEPARTMENT STORE / The Pleasure Chest Ltd.]; [RAKEVIN INCOME TAX SERVICE]; [YOU ARE INVITED! / WHAT’S THE OCCASION? / BLACK MALE TO MALE (“GAY”) RELATIONSHIPS] by Black Men’s Xchange; [ACT-UP/LA needs / your input • your leadership • your anger!]; [THE CENTER / LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT]; [Gay & Lesbian Literature / A DIFFERENT LIGHT]; [1-800-877-BOYS]; [The Law Offices / of OLLIE P. MANAGO]; [1-900-990-HEAT]; [Black and White / Men Together]; [976-WOLF]; [Looking for Latinos? / HOMBRES has ‘em]; [Men of Color / Phone Personals]; and [CLUB BODY / CENTERS].
