AUGUST 4, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

23

EVENINGS OUT

B-Boy Blues author appears at Men of Color AIDS benefit

by Calvin Stokes

"I love love. It is the most basic human emotion, yet the most complex. People will fight for it, sell their souls, their lives to keep it. The world thrives—and multiplies-on it. One can easily argue that without love and the many forms it can take, none of us would be here.

-James Earl Hardy, B-Boy Blues

When one is interviewing James Earl Hardy, one is immediately struck with his keen intellect and poise. When one is standing around shooting the breeze with James Earl Hardy, the razor-sharp wit which created B-Boy Blues is unleashed.

On July 22, the Cleveland Men of Color AIDS Project brought this new star of the gay literary scene to Cleveland for a book-signing at Barnes & Noble bookstore and a reception at Club Visions. The reception was complete with buffet, culturally sensitive beats served by DJ Jimmy Jam, and books autographed by the author. There was a suggested donation of $3 to benefit the Project. However, many attendees gave more.

B-Boy Blues, a “seriously sexy, fiercely funny, Black-on-Black love story,” is currently going into its fifth printing. It has sold over 35,000 copies-unheard of for a firsttime author with a small publishing company.

With those numbers, one would think Ebony magazine would rush to speak to the author. Sadly, that is not the case. Mainstream black publications have, for the most part, been silent, with only Essence and Vibe printing articles on the book. Interesting, because both Essence and Vibe have, or have had, a lesbian or gay editor.

With quotes such as, "Given our history in AmeriKKKa, it has been a struggle defining what manhood means in a society that does not afford us the right to be men,” Blues is unapologetically for men of color, as evidenced by the dedication: "To My Brothers, Here and Abroad: This One's 4 Us." This may explain the lack of press from "mainstream" white gay media.

Hardy's current book Spike Lee-A Biography (Chelsea House), surprisingly, was written with full cooperation from the filmmaker. Said Hardy, "He knew of my reputation and knew that I would do a good job."

Hardy is busy at work on a year-long promotional tour for B-Boy Blues. This makes working on the sequel tricky business. When does he find time to write? “At night, when people around me are sleeping,” replied Hardy. When do you sleep? "I don't."

When asked about adjusting to celebrity status, the Brooklyn resident replied, “I haven't changed. The people around me changed. They started to treat me differently."

The Cleveland Men of Color AIDS Project was launched in March, 1994 to advocate and provide the assurance of adequate and culturally appropriate HIV programs and services that are sensitive to the diverse needs of men that are of color. They currently provide HIV education and sensitivity skills building, alternative treatment options, treatment advocacy and support. Their prevention education services encompass and encourage the involvement of all communities in the creation of appropriate programs and services. The Project can be reached at 216283-3242.

When asked why Hardy was chosen for the event, Project coordinator Marcus Lowe

James Earl Hardy

replied, "It was important to bring someone to Cleveland, Ohio who affirms our culture and acknowledges our existence, which, in turn, is empowering." Through the efforts of Lowe and Ernest Horton (an accomplished

writer in his own right), Hardy's publishing house was contacted and the day of events was planned.

B-Boy Blues (Alyson Publications, $9.95) is available at most major bookstores.

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