In The Life Atlanta

Keith Boykin reads from new book at Outwrite

Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse along with In The Life Atlanta welcome writer and activist Keith Boykin, who will read from his new book Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America on Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at 8:00 p.m. Outwrite is located at the corner of Tenth St. and Piedmont Ave. in Midtown Atlanta.

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In Beyond the Down Low the author traces the troubled history of Black sexuality in popular culture, examines how black masculinity and homophobia is defined through sports and hip- hop, and questions the black church's ambivalent relationship with sexuality. From the "skyrocketing" HIV infection rates among African American women to the secret fraternity of black men accused of infecting their wives and girlfriends, Boykin takes to task the media's rush to judgment and the black community's "don't ask, don't tell" attitude toward sex and infidelity.

Breaking new ground by going beyond the media hype with an eye-opening look at the down low sensation, Boykin attempts to answer such questions as:

Why are black men afraid to talk about their sexuality?
Why are black women caught in the middle?
How did the media get the story wrong?
Why is everybody talking about the "down low"?

Keith Boykin, a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, is one of the nation�s leading commentators on race, sexuality, and politics. Author of the 1997 study One More River to Cross: Black & Gay in America, he has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today, among many other periodicals. More recently he was a featured contestant on Showtime�s reality series American Candidate. He lives in New York City. For more information visit www.keithboykin. com.

Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse has been serving Atlanta with a focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities since 1993 with the latest in literature and magazines enhanced by delicious coffees and snacks. To find out more about this and other upcoming events or to order books, visit www.outwrite books.com or call 404.607.0082.

ITLA hosts 2nd Annual IFBP Technical Assistance Meeting

ITLA was pleased to host the International Federation of Black Prides 2nd annual Technical Assistance meeting February 15th through 17th, 2005.

]]> Black Pride organizers from across the country assembled in Atlanta to exchange ideas, information, and receive training in areas intended to strengthen local pride organizations as well as the national IFBP.

A special thanks goes out to organizers IFBP President Earl Fowlkes, Dorena Kearney and Michael
Hinson of Philadelphia Black Pride (Colours Inc.), and the Atlanta host committee.

ITLA Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. and Bayard Rustin

ITLA partnered with the MLK March committee under the leadership of Rev James Orange, to produce a great weekend. Members of ITLA's Board of Directors participated in planning several aspects of the weekend such as producing the program souvenir booklet, planning events such as the "battle of the bands" and the gospel concert that featured James Bingham.

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On Friday the 14th, ITLA hosted the Bayard Rustin Leadership Award Reception to honor the contributions from several long time supporters of ITLA and the Black LGBT community:

State Senator Sam Zamarripa
Ronold Moore, Hewlett Packard Diversity Manager
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
Dr. Kenneth Samuel, Pastor of Victory Church
State Representative Nan Grogan Orrock
State Senator Vincent Fort

View Photo Album for the Bayard Rustin Leadership Award Reception

On Saturday the 15th, over 100 people attended the screening and panel discussion of "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin". This film chronicles the history of Rustin, an out Black Gay man, and his often forgotten contribution to the Civil Rights movement. Following the film, ITLA held a lively panel discussion with featured panelist from the community.

Monday morning the 17th, ITLA hosted the annual Bayard Rustin Breakfast. Members from all over the state assembled to share a hearty breakfast and prepare to represent the entire LGBT community in the City's annual MLK Jr. March. Speakers Craig Washington, Monica Helms and Paul Plant ignited energy and issued a call to action to our community while singer Nadirah Shakoor inspired us to "Live in our Pride".

Following the breakfast, ITLA lead Atlanta's LGBT community in the annual MLK March. Atlanta's Kevin Bynes gave an impassioned speech as part of the post March activities. There were some who were not receptive to the message but that did not matter. Kevin received supporting cheers and shouts from our community as well as from our supporters. This weekend was an opportunity to build bridges and bridge gaps within the mainstream Black community and we are proud to have done just that and more.

View Photo Alumb for the Bayard Rustin Breakfast

We would like to recognize and thank our dedicated and hardworking volunteers without whom none of this would have been possible. A special thanks goes out to event organizers Darlene Hudson, Denise Holden, and Zandra Conway for their vision and contribution to the weekend's programs.

ITLA also thanks our generous sponsors and partners: EM Designs Group, AID Atlanta and the Deeper Love Project , Metrotainment Cafes, Starbucks, Radial Cafe, Positive Impact, AIDS Survival Project, BWMT, ALCI, Flying Biscuit, Pride At Work, and Thumbs Up Diner.

Welcome

Welcome to In The Life Atlanta

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
January 14th - January 17th

In The Life Atlanta (ITLA) the official organizers of Black Gay Pride is pleased to announce in the Spirit of Bayard Rustin, Chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, and in support of the 2005 Martin Luther King Celebration, a weekend of celebration and reflection.

Click HERE for program schedule and hotel information

Our Mission: ITLA serves to promote unity, pride, self-empowerment, and positive visibility within Atlanta's Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender community of African descent through education, advocacy, and coalition building programs. ITLA is a proud member of the International Federation of Black Prides.