Description
This is the 36th issue of BLK magazine published May 1992. The front cover is printed in color and features an image of Lisa Mitchell (left) and Titia Ingram (right) hiking in the woods. Both women are carrying a red, external frame hiking backpack, with Ingram in the front and Mitchell following. Ingram is wearing a blue/white flannel with the sleeves rolled to her elbows, blue jeans which are cuffed, black tennis shoes, and a water canister hanging over her right shoulder. Mitchell is wearing a white tank top with light blue jeans, also cuffed, and black tennis shoes. She is wearing a watch on her right wrist and a ring on her middle finger; both of Mitchell’s hands are supporting the backside of Ingram. At the top and centered to the left, [BLK] is printed in bold, white, uppercase letters within a black rectangular box. Below and to the left of the [BLK] text box is the magazine issue information; in small, red text it reads [Vol. 4, No. 2 Whole No. 36 / $1.95 U.S., $2.95 Canada]. At the center and aligned to the right are the news sections listed in yellow text, [NEWS / JUMP START / CARTOONS / MUSIC / BOOKS / BLK TEA / WORD UP / CLASSIFIEDS]. Below, and also aligned to the right, is the magazine headline in red text reading [Lesbian Women / In The Wild]. Below, is the feature story headline in red text [Outwrite Outrage]. There are 68 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 [Prevention Is Better Than Cure]. The content opens with the section [JUMP START] by L. Llyod Jordan. In it, Jordan addresses the car collision Alan Bell, publisher and editor, was in. This in turn will affect the publication of BLK, though they foresee no impact to Black Lace, Kuumba, and BLACKfire, the related magazine of BLK. The article is accompanied by a photograph of Alan Bell in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs up, and the totaled car.
Following on page 3 is the section [WORD UP] by Leon Miller with four short articles: [HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET] about Pres. Bill Clinton and Rev. Jesse Jackson, [BLACK PENISES CREATE CONTROVERSY] about an exhibition in Johannesburg depicting nude photographs of young African men, [FREUDIAN SLIP, OR SNEAKING ONE IN] about Whitney Houston, and [OFFICAL RACISM, OFFICIAL HOMOPHOBIA] regarding Congressman Barney Frank.
This is followed by five letters to the editor in the section [BLK MAIL] on pages 4 and 5, with the [BLK] masthead on page 5. On page 6 is the section [BLK PEOPLE] by Michael Taylor about broad and general news regarding the Black gay and lesbian community. It is divided by city.
The cover story, which begins on page 8, is titled [Black Lesbian / Women / In The Wild]. Written by Nina Robert, a woman of color who is a professional in the field of outdoor recreation, the article several women to discuss the spiritual enrichment, invigorating feeling, and economic barrier that comes from being outdoor leisure In hoping to encourage Black lesbians, Robert makes a note of suggesting participation through a support system or organization due to homophobia, sexiam, and racism. The article is accompanied by two photographs of Lisa Mitchell and Titia Ingram and a list of outdoor programs.
A feature article begins on page 18, titled [OutWrite / Outrage / BLACK LESBIANS AND GAYS / TAKE CONTROL IN BOSTON] by L. Lloyd Jordan. The article covers the OutWrite 92 Conference and the controversary that occurred when the finalist for the $1,000 literary prize did not include any African American novelists despite the prize being named after Joseph Beam. Jordan includes the thoughts of several authors, poets, and activists while addressing the systematic intuitional history of excluding African Americans in the literary world.
A second feature article begins on page 14, titled [CONFERENCE / REPORT], written by Mark Haile and photographed by Bruce Hunt. About the firth annual National Black Gay and Lesbian Conference with nearly 700 attendees, which was cosponsored by an umbrella organization called UNITY. The conferences included the AIDS Institute, Cultural Institute, Spiritual Institute, Leadership Institute, and Women’s Issues.
On page 30 begins [MUSIC / by D.J. Marius] with one album review, [Michael Jackson / “Dangerous” / (Epic)]. On the following page is [BOOKS / by Alan E. Miller] discussing Becky Birtha, Pat Parker, Audre Lorde, and Assotto Saint.
Several shorter articles appear under the section [BLK NEWS] complied by Eric K. Washington, News Editor. Beginning on page 33, these articles include: [AIDS Kills Most Productive], [Man Held in Shepherd Murder], [Sponsors Rethink Magic Ads], [Homophobes Harrass Pageant / – Mark Haile] about the St. Croix Miss Gay Pageant, [Grandmom Battles for Tots / – Mark Haile] which involved the Institute of Black Parenting, [Randy Miller New EACH Head] regarding the Gay Men of Color Consortium’s Early Advocacy and Care for HIV program, [Divas Sing for MAP’s Benefit] about the second annual Divas: Simply Singing!, [Gays Organize in Nigeria / – Rex Wockner] about the International Lesbian and Gay Association and Nigerian Gentlemen Alliance, [Gentlemen Announce Grants] about Gentlemen Concerned and Dignity House, [Rivera Slayers Found Guilty / – Eric K. Washington], [MAP Dedicates AIDS Mural] about artists Mary-Linn Huges and Reginald Larue Zachary, [Black Group Gets White Funs], about the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum and the Ryan White Care Fund, [POC Seek Expanded Agenda / – Mark E. Johnson] regarding the People of Color Organizing Institute, [‘Jacks’ Off to New Format / Eric K. Washington] about Jacks of Color, [College Student Slain by 5], [Drifter Kills Black Gay Leader] about civil rights activist Earl D. Craig, Jr., [Rappers Hit Anti-Gay Violence / – DJ Marius] about Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, [Women Gather for BLUeS / LaRose Parris] regarding the Bronx Lesbians United in Sisterhood, [Survey High Risk Behavior], [Unity Starts Joe Beam Fund], [GMAD Goes Gowntown / – Eric K. Washington] regarding the Gay Men of African Descent fashion show, [Cleveland Sued Over AIDS] about Christopher B. Harris and the late Rev. James Cleveland, [AAGLCA Gives Awards at Fête] about the African American Gay and Lesbian Cultural Alliance, [Billy Preston Charged Again], [Catch Ball for Rue’s House] a ball benefit at Jewel’s Catch One for Rue’s House, [‘Hits Home’ Hits New York] about Cheryl L. Thompson’s play ‘Before It Hits Home, [Black Solon Nixes Rights Law / – Dawn Ruth], [Activist Charged with Murder], [Lesbians, Gays in MLK Parade], [Riggs, Spiro Win TV Grants] about Marlon Riggs and Ellen Spiro, [S.F. Passes Anti-Carding Law] which involved Lesbians and Gays of African Descent for Democratic Action, [Braun Wins Illinois Primary] about Carol Mosley Braun, [‘Times’ Denies ‘NYQ’ Report], and [Chorus Achieves Success] regarding the Unity Fellowship Men’s Chorus.
A section titled [BLK BRIEFS] can be found on page 34 providing quick articles in one or two sentences. This is followed by [BLK VEIL] on page 47 and lists nineteen obituaries: Oewen Lashley Adukie, Louis D. Ashley Jr., Rory Buchanan, Jospeh Arthur Byrd Jr., Craig Gerrard Harris, Alex Evans, Paul Everett, Gregory Anthony Jenkins, Kenneth Lawrence Marshall, Joseph C. Mayhan, “Bill” Mitchell, J. Kenneth Moor, Tracy Marie Oliphant, Norman Winsor Poe, Cedric Sandiford, James Edwards Simms, Steve Leonsoon, and Eddie Spencer.
The gossip column, now titled [BLK TEA] written by Preston G. Guider is on page 49. The issue concludes with the section [BLK MARKET] on page 55 and the classifieds section [TALKING PERONALS] starting on page 58, with personal ads divided by gender, nation, then U.S. regions.
The back cover is a full-page advertisement [Live with HIV] by the Gay Men of Color Consortium.
There are several advertisements throughout, including: an album promotion ad for [Deee-Lite / Presents / The New Single / “RUNAWAY”]; [The 14th National / Lesbian And Gay / Health Conference / 10th Annual AIDS/HIV Forum] by the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation and George Washington University; [Reality Ball ‘92] by ACT-UP Los Angeles, [We know someone / who would / give your new outfit / two snaps up / Shanti Project]; [Sixteenth San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival / A Frameline Presentation / June 19-28, 1992 / Any / Sin But / This / Could / Be / Forgiven]; [The 7th Annual / Gentlemen Concerned / Fund Raising / Garden Party]; [OUT in / The PARK] by the Gay and Lesbian Community Service Center and Christopher Street West, [THE 1992 SAN FRANCISCO / Lesbian/Gay / FREEDOM DAY PARADE / and CELEBRATION]; [BECOME A MAP VOLUNTEER / YOU CAN MAKE / A DIFFERENCE]; [CELEBRATE YOUR / PRIDE!] by Christopher Street West; [WHATS UP?] calendar of events for Jewel’s Catch One; [KNOW yourself / Knowledge=Power] by the AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum; [UCLA / CARE / CLINIC]; [Drop attackers safely with new ‘Liquid Bullet;’]; [PERSONAL / ASTROLOGY]; [17th / AUGUST 11-16 / 1992 / Michigan / Womyn’s / Music / Festival]; [The First Time / Was Tough.] by the Northwest AIDS Foundation; [COMMUNITY / PRESCRIPTION / SERVICE / A Mail-Order Pharmacy & AIDS Information Service]; [Subscribe to the leading interracial gay magazine / QUARTERLY INTERCHANGE]; a thank you ad to the volunteers of the 5th Annual Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference and Institutes; [EMPOWER LIFE]; [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.]; [EXCLUSIVE FROM Brothers CARDS]; [EIGHT LILAC COURT]; [Director of Programs] for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center; [Correctax, Inc.]; [MEET / BLACK / MEN]; [TRAVEL HOTLINE]; [Dee’s Hair Oasis]; [The New Personal Attack Alarm]; BLK subscription ad; [GAYELLOW PAGES]; [THING]; [THE / HOLLYWOOD / SPA / COMPOUND / A MAN’S PRIVATE PRESERVE]; [I Want It / ARIES]; [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 and 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]; [BLACKfire / BLACK LACE]; [GLAAD/LA / JOB ANNOUNCEMENT]; [GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL GUIDES BY / DAMRON]; [Men of Color / Phone Personals]; [BLACK / HANDFULLS / A SOLO ACTION FILM]; and [CLUB BODY / CENTERS].
