Explore Black History

June 1989

The 7th issue of BLK magazine, published June 1989. The front cover features an image of bodybuilder and AIDS activist Roger V. Pamplin, Jr. Pamplin, visible from the waist up, stands looking at the camera and smiling, wearing a polo shirt. At top left,[BLK] is printed in large, bold, white uppercase letters within a red rectangular textbox. The date and issue [Number 7, June] are printed just below the title. There are 30 pages in total, with articles, advertisements, classifieds, black and white photographs, and cartoon illustrations originally from Ebony Magazine with new captions written by BLK throughout.
The inside cover features an ad for the [Minority AIDS Project], listing the organization’s services. The content opens with a section entitled [WORD UP] with short blurbs on media and culture items, including a Johnny Walker advertisement featuring two men, a review of Damon Wayans offensive and homophobic stand up set, commentary on a Slick Rick song and a report that Washington DC clergy persons and council members have rejected a series of AIDS prevention posters because of explicit references to condoms. The next two pages contain the calendar of events, titled [BLK BOARD], and the letters to the editors, titled [BLK MAIL].
There are three feature articles: [Harassment vs. Protection: Police actions at Hollywood bar stir feelings of ambivalence], [The Truth about Stonewall: Lesbians, gay men of color, drag queens and young people start modern gay movement] with a timeline titled [Major Events in Black Gay History Since Stonewall], and a profile of Roger V. Pamplin, Jr. titled [It Happened to Me: Brawny bodybuilder describes how he got AIDS and how he denied it].
In the [Blk Community News] section, the articles include: [U.S. Appeals Court Tells Army to Reinstate Black Soldier but Avoids Hearing Constitutional Issue], [L.A. Gets New Magazine], [Curtis Tucker Jr. Gets MECLA Award for Dad], [New L.A. Black Lesbian Panel to Meet Monthly], Winfrey Rumor Proves Untrue, Reporter Fired, Papers Removed; Beau Said to Reconsider Union], [Los Angeles Panel Oks AIDS Training Funds], [Waters Tapped for Marshall in Pride Parade; Carl bean, Virginia Uribe to Receive Top CSW Honors], [Ousted Members Form New Police Liaison Group], [Harvey Milk Demo Club Leaves Cop Task Force], [Essex Hemphill Seeks Black Gay Manuscripts]. There is also a photograph from the “Hot, Horney and Healthy” workshop program sponsored by the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention of the National Association Black and White Men Together.
The issue continues with an obituary section titled [BLK VEIL]. This is followed by a gossip column titled [Read My Lips], a directory titled [BLK LIST] and the issue concludes with a classified ads section titled [BLK MARKET].
There are advertisements throughout, including: [Stonewall 20: A Generation of Pride], [Dinner & Program Honoring Jewel Williams on her 50th Birthday], [Being Alive / People With AIDS ACTION COALITION], [Unity Fellowship Church / A Church For All People], [CATCH ONE DISCO], [A DIFFERENT LIGHT] bookstore, [Hot, Horny and Health!] AIDS prevention program, [976-CAMP], [970-WOLF], [976 HUGE], and [MIDTOWNE SPA]. The back cover consists of a full page ad for the [KEITH MEDICAL GROUP].

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Books and Published Materials

HIV/AIDS Activist Movement

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alan Bell

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2018.108.7

magazines (periodicals)

© BLK Publishing Company, Inc
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper (fiber product)

H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 1/4 × 1/8 in. (27.4 × 20.9 × 0.3 cm)

Title • BLK Vol. 1 No. 7

nmaahc_2018.108.7

NMAAHC

BLK VOL. 1 NO. 7

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

Minority AIDS Project • Slick Rick • Uribe, Virginia • Winfrey, Oprah • National Association of Black and White Men Together • Bell, Alan • National Task Force on AIDS Prevention • Bean, Carl • Waters, Maxine • Pamplin, Roger V. • Hemphill, Essex • Wayans, Damon

United States • Los Angeles County • North and Central America • Los Angeles • California

Activism • Police brutality • Black Press • LGBTQ • Communities • Health • Sexuality • HIV/AIDS Activist Movement • Mass media • U.S. History, 1969-2001 • Group identity

City • Los Angeles • County • Los Angeles County • State • California • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

Limited Use