8 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE August 2, 1996
16th BWMT convention is like a family reunion
Continued from page 1
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which took place at the Cleveland Hilton South on July 22-28, was "Unity = Power Accomplishment," and all of the events held during the conference reflected that motto.
The week began with delegates from around the country convening to take care of the business aspect of the organization, meeting twice daily to conduct board meetings. But, knowing that all work and no play can lead to a dull convention, co-chairs Roger Gee and Scott Bibbs of BWMT-Cleveland
on the edge of the 21st century to never, ever tolerate the existence of a divided countrya country that's separated by race, by culture, by class. Our nation's motto is E Pluribus Unum, which means 'Out of many, we are one.' There's a lot of people in this country who don't understand that, they don't believe it. We do, that's why we're here."
Brian Zurich, of the Cleveland Community Relations Board, presented a proclamation signed by Mayor Michael R. White, which thanked the National Association of Black and White Men Together for holding
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Keith Boykin, executive director of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, gave the keynote address at the national BWMT convention.
made sure that there was plenty of evening entertainment available, providing a shuttle service from the hotel to the various Cleveland area bars and restaurants. Included in the events were a pig roast at the Ohio City Oasis, a mixer at the Leather Stallion Saloon, and a Safer-Sex Workshop at the Flex Club.
Wednesday, July 24 was the first day for workshops, and they included separate caucuses for both black and white men, a couple's workshop, and a session titled "Single in the '90s." The evening was capped by the opening ceremony buffet, which was highlighted by a rousing speech delivered by one of the nation's leading African-American lesbian activists, Mandy Carter.
Prior to Carter's address, Will Brennan, executive director of NABWMT, spoke to those in attendance.
"We need to remember that racism, sexism and homophobia are alive and well in this country and around the world," Brennan said. "We have an obligation now that we're
their convention in Cleveland, and wished them well in their efforts to combat racism and homophobia.
Ed Fleming, co-chair of the Midland Region and a member of Men of All Colors (MACT)-Chicago, said, "We alone are in a unique position of being the only national interracial gay organization in America. We're the only group with members in nearly every major city in America. This is potential for tremendous power."
Carter, the only person in the history of NABWMT to be named an honorary member, agreed with Fleming that the organization's strength lies in its diversity. "This is one of the few organizations, if not the only one in this country, that has people of color and gay people in the same room," Carter said in her keynote address.
"They [the radical right] don't like us for being people of color, they don't like us for being gay-and they're trying to pit one against the other," Carter continued. "But I want to thank Ralph Reed. I want to thank Pat Robertson. I want to thank the Traditional Values Coalition. Because by coming after people of color and gay people, they presented us with a glorious moment of opportunity to figure out how we get in the same room at the same table and have a common conversation about how we overcome common bonds of oppression and work together and turn toward the radical right, and say, 'No, not with our lives and not with our community.' This is the moment. Are we going to take advantage of it?".
Carter, who is currently working in North Carolina to help defeat anti-gay Senator Jesse Helms, said that it is crucial for gay and lesbian people of color and their allies to turn out at the polls this November.
“What would happen if we got rid of both Jesse Helms and Bob Dornan on November 5? And it's not a coincidence that both of these individuals are being challenged by people of color [Harvey Gantt in North Caro-
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Convention co-chairs Scott Bibbs and Roger Gee.
lina and Loretta Sanchez in California]. Let's not forget one of the most fundamental pieces that we have been given a right that people have given their lives for-and that's the power of the vote. Don't throw it away, do not waste it, use it!"
The week continued with a wide assortment of workshops
and evening entertainment, including the annual "No. Tal-
ent" Talent Show,
held Thursday evening at U4ia. A
not-to-be-missed
event, the show featured the tenth per
formance by Madam X, a.k.a. LeRoy R. Scott of BWMT-Detroit, one of the orga-
nizers of the first-ever
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tonight, the right-wing forces of oppression are strategizing against us," Boykin said. "Ralph Reed, the disarmingly boyish-looking leader of the so-called Christian Coalition boasts that his organization plans to mail 45 million voter guides to 100,000 churches in the weeks before the election. That's
'This is one of the few organizations, if not the only one in this country, that has people of color and gay people in the
same room.
Gay Pride March in New York City. The "Low Rent" Reception and Roast on Friday night honored the work of Paul Sears, also of BWMT-Detroit, and raised money for the national organization.
The annual banquet on Saturday evening, was emotional in many ways as members said goodbye to each other until they will gather again for the 17th annual convention, to be held July 7-12 next year in Charlotte, N.C.
Prominent author and activist Keith Boykin was on hand to deliver the evening's keynote address. Boykin, who is the executive director of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, brought the audience to their feet with his powerful speech, titled "Where Will You Be When They Come?"
"At this very moment as we assemble here
enough for one out of every five Americans, or one in every other household. The same people who lied and told us that the Equal Rights Amendment meant that men and women would have to share bathrooms, are now preparing to mount the biggest lie ever."
Boykin encouraged the crowd to become agents of change. "Look to yourselves and ask: Where will you be when they come?" he said.
After giving the Lifetime Achievement Award to James Credle of MACT-New York and introducing newly appointed board members, conventioneers took to the streets of Cleveland for one last night of fun on the North Coast before returning to their home cities.
They left Ohio having been rejuvenated for the work to be done in the coming year, and looking forward to next year's conference in Charlotte. The theme for the 1997 conference will be "Celebrate: Our Lives, Our Loves, Our Brotherhood." To join the celebration, call the national office at 800NA4-BWMT (800-624-2968).
Mr. Great
Lakes
Drummer
Saturday August 24, 1996
9:30 PM
Herby's Tavern
Columbus, Ohio
Produced by Boy Toy Productions, Inc.
"Meet the Contestants`
Tradewinds II 117 E. Chestnut St.
Friday August 23, 1996
•
10:00 PM 2:30 AM
“BBQ and Beer Bust”
Outland⚫ 1034 Perry St. Saturday August 24, 1996
·
1:00 PM 5:60 PAI
Tough Customer Party“
IMRU. · 235 Lazelle St
Saturday August 24, 1996
12.30 AXT 230 AM
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