I AM GAY Billboards Challenge Black NYC

In the August 24-30, 2006 issue of Gay City News journalist Duncan Osborne reports that in an effort to counter anti-gay bias in the African-American community on 22 August the New York State Black Gay Network launched the I AM GAY ad campaign which as part of the ongoing www.WeArePartOfYou.org campaign was funded by DOHMH and designed by Better World Advertising

08 September 2006 Friday's Photo of the Week

Little Tavern Hamburger Documentary Project

M Street . Georgetown WDC . 4 September 2006

Friday's Photo of the Week

22nd NCNW Black Family Reunion Celebration

Founded by Dr. Dorothy I Height, this weekend marks the 22nd National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Annual Black Family Reunion on the National Mall which as a two-day cultural event, from 12 noon until 8 pm each day, celebrates the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African American family. Admission is FREE.

Some packing tips from TSA before flying

This was found at a fellow flickrite's, El Dave, posting.

Before packing for your next flight you may wish to read this. Unfortunately, for me a black male, and long before there was a 11 September 2001, it was the ritual for colleagues whom I worked with in catering to secretly inspect my bags when I worked with them at museums, in offices or at the homes of clients.

It is something that they simply would do without my concent nor knowledge of. One of the reasons that I never liked flying, long before September 2001, was because when I had flown years before, it was not uncommon for my bacggage and luggage to have been inspected.

Immigrant 2006 May Day Boycott Photos Never Before Seen

PHOTOGRAPHS NEVER BEFORE SEEN

"A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS"

May Day Boycott . The March . WDC

Monday, 1 May 2006

Mel White's "Religion Gone Bad" Book Tour

After 12 years of writing and research Mel White has finished Religion Gone Bad: Hidden Dangers from the Christian Right. Launching a month long nationwide book tour at 7 PM tonight, 5 September, at Barnes & Noble in Lynchburg which is where he and his partner, Gary Nixon, resides it is his hope that his sequel to Stranger at the Gate will sound a clear warning (just before the November elections) that the rise of fundamentalist Christianity is a threat not just to LGBT people but to all Americans.

On Thursday, 7 September, Mel White will promote Religion Gone Bad in Washingon DC at Olsson's (Dupont Circle South) located at 1307 19th Street.

Springsteen's BORN TO RUN: The Unseen Photos

Though I've always liked not only his music but the man himself, as well, in recent years, I have become more fascinated with Bruce Springsteen than ever before. I strongly believe that the man is light years ahead of most of us, spiritually speaking.

Since the first anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorists attack on America, in 2002, I have contemplated the creation of a WITH THESE HANDS Documentary Project and Ad Campaign that would integrate my law enforcement hand images with Springsteen's song 'My City of Ruins". My first demo was uploaded to Yahoo Video in August 2006.

In the process of developing several 2006 Rolling Thunder Photo-Video Projects it was on last Saturday that I would purchase a cd of Bruce Springsteen's first album, BORN TO RUN from Borders at 18th and L Streets, in NW. As well as the recently released collaborative project WE SHALL OVERCOME - THE SEEGER SESSIONS.

I was not at all prepared for what would happen, less than an hour later, when listening to BORN TO RUN at home. From the first sound of Thunder Road to the final note of Jungleland I'd remember fall of 1975 when living in a basement apartment in Chillum Maryland that I would listen to the album over and over and over again. Backstreets and Jungleland brought tears to my eyes as wonderful memories of my first partner, Rick Allamong, would come to mind. The music still resonates through my soul.

Rhythmically speaking.

While I did not know about the new book, last Saturday, when I purchased BORN TO RUN, moments ago, I received an email alert from Bruce Springsteen that read:

New Book Reveals The Unseen Photos of Born To Run

It has been more than thirty years since Bruce Springsteen's album Born to Run was released, but now a new book reveals the unseen photographs of that album photo shoot.

BORN TO RUN: The Unseen Photos delivers over 100 black-and-white photographs drawn from the more than 700 that photographer Eric Meola took that day including the cover shot which has been deemed "iconic" by Rolling Stone magazine.

For more information, visit brucespringsteen.net. To pre-order your copy now, visit www.barnesandnoble.com, or www.amazon.com,

Busby begins his Hometown Invasion Tour

The summer before his fifth and final year at college Justin Sailor kept asking himself, "What in the world am I going to do with my life?". He had one year to figure it all out. There were five things that Justin knew. With degrees in advertising and in sociology and passions for photography, web design and writing, clearly, a dream job would incorporate all five of these. But since finding a job like that certainly would be difficut Justin whose nickname is Busby decided to ... take a road trip across the United States and stay with different families in each state, documenting hometown life through photography, interviews, and journal writing. And, as you will soon see, have the entire project online so people can follow his adventures across the country.

With the launching of the HIT Newsletter on 21 August 2006, from Baraga, MI, Busby's Hometown Invasion Tour has officially begun.

A new Jeep, home, photos, and 500 miles down.

A New Jeep
The news is here... I've been waiting to announce it for a long time. I'll be driving a brand new Jeep Compass across the nation. In the last 23 years I've probably taken over 100 trips between Baraga and East Lansing. Yesterday was the last one for a while, and it was the most comfortable trip I've ever had. A smooth ride, some great sounding tunes, and even a few interesting looks with the amazing graphics on the car. There are a few photos of the Jeep here, and trust me, it's much more impressive in person.

Website Updates
After a long wait there are finally photos on the site. I snapped a few on my way home, but was mostly anxious to get home, since it had been eight months. Also, Daily Fruit is now launched on the site.

The journey has officially begun, as I spend some time at home it is the only familiar place I'll see in the next year. Everything else is new territory. I'm excited to go in and talk to students at my old elementary and high school this week. Some of them will be following me in a weekly "Where in the country is Bugsy?" lesson. It'll be a great opportunity to share some of my experiences.

On Friday I head to Milwaukee, WI. I'm looking forward to hitting the road again, and seeing some brand new scenery. Be looking for many more blogs and photos, and much more frequently now. As the journey begins, it would be great to hear from you, so don't hesitate, as I really look forward to keeping in touch. Until next time... here's to the open road! *tips hat*

Best regards, Bugsy
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Email me: newsletter@hometowninvasion.com
Visit the site: www.hometowninvasion.com