<I>BLK Vol. 4 No. 3</I>
date: label: Date
content: September 1992
name: label: Published by
content: Alan Bell, American
label: Edited by
content: Alan Bell, American
label: Subject of
content: Justin Fashnu, English, 1961 - 1998
label: Subject of
content: Spike Lee, American, born 1957
label: Subject of
content: 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, American, founded 1986
label: Subject of
content: Raymond Jones, American, 1959 - 2011
label: Subject of
content: Pomo Afro Homos, 1990 - 1995
label: Subject of
content: Human Rights Campaign, American, founded 1980
label: Subject of
content: National Task Force on AIDS Prevention, American, 1985 - 1998
label: Subject of
content: Nia Collective, American, founded 1987
label: Subject of
content: General Colin L. Powell, American, 1937 - 2021
label: Subject of
content: Rev. Carl Bean, American, 1944 - 2021
label: Subject of
content: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, founded 1987
label: Subject of
content: Minority AIDS Project, American, founded 1985
label: Subject of
content: Magic Johnson, American, born 1959
label: Subject of
content: National LGBTQ Task Force, American, founded 1974
label: Subject of
content: Gay and Lesbian Organization of Witwatersrand, South African, 1988 - 1997
label: Subject of
content: Black Men's Xchange, American, founded 1989
label: Subject of
content: Rue's House, American, 1989 - 1997
label: Subject of
content: Chuck D, American, born 1960
label: Subject of
content: Bill Cosby, American, born 1937
notes: label: Description
content: This is the 37th issue of BLK magazine published September 1992. The front cover is printed in color and features an image of Justin Fashanu. The athlete is dressed in a dark green tank top, dark pants, presumable trousers, and accessorized with a gold-colored necklace and a single stud earring. Fashanu is seated on a backwards red chair with a white, almost baby blue background. At the top and centered to the left, [BLK] is printed in bold, white, uppercase letters within a red 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. 3 Whole No. 37 / $1.95 U.S., $2.95 Canada]. At the top and aligned to the right are the news sections listed in muted red text, [NEWS / CARTOONS / MUSIC / THEATRE / PEOPLE / BOOKS / WORD UP / BLK TEA / CLASSIFIEDS]. Centered and below Fashanu’s chest is the magazine headline in yellow text reading [Justice Fashanu / Top British Athlete Pays the Price / of Coming Out]. There are 68 numbered pages, stapled the center fold, with articles, advertisements, classifieds, black and white photographs, and cartoon illustrations throughout.
label: Description
content: The inside of the cover features an ad [Prevention Is Better Than Cure]. The content opens with the section [WORD UP] by Leon Miller with five short articles: [AFRICAN FROGS GO TRANSSEXAUL], [THE BLACK BOOK IS WHITE] about the national directory of sexuality resources, [CHUCK D AND BILL C ON AIDS AS A CONSPPIRACY], [FAIRYLAND, JUNGLELAND, STUPIDLAND], and [NATIONAL GUARDSMAN PASSES FOR WOMAN].
label: Description
content: This is followed by three letters to the editor in the section [BLK MAIL] on pages 2-5, 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.
label: Description
content: The cover story, which begins on page 8, is titled [Out of Fashanu / The first black gay footballer in England / to come out endures a personal sacrifice – and is / sacrificed by the black news media as well]. Written by Mark Haile, the article beings by talking about the ‘outting craze’ that has consumed the media. Haile then shifts to Fashanu, the first Black British football player to be traded for £1million, and the national reaction in England and Nigeria once he was outed. The article is accompanied by four photographs of Fashanu and several tabloid headings.
label: Description
content: A feature article begins on page 14, titled [STATE OF THE ART / Sophisticated Duo’s First Releases From Spike Lee’s / New record Label] by DJ Marius. Marius conducts an interview State of the Art, comprised of Raymond Jones and Norma Jean Wright, who are a part of Spike Lee’s record label 40 Acres and a Mule.
label: Description
content: A second feature article begins on page 16, titled [STONEWALL COMES TO / SOUTH CENTRAL], written by L. Lloyd Jordan. The article discusses the aftermath of the verdict regarding Rodney King’s assailants, particularly the difference in the words used to describe the events; “riot” used mainly by white Los Angelenos vs almost any other term like “rebellion” or “revolt” by Black Los Angelenos.
label: Description
content: This is followed by the section [THEATER] on page 25, mention Pomo Afro Homos, Stanley Bennett Clay, and the Rainbow Repertory Theatre among many other individuals, institutions, and plays. On page 26 begins [MUSIC / by D.J. Marius] with one album review, [Adeva “Love or Lost” / (Capitol)]. The section [BOOKS / by Alan E. Miller], on page 29, discusses literature by Diane Bogus, Vega, Gloria Hull, and Michael Datcher. This is followed by [BLK BRIEFS] on page 30, providing articles in one or two sentences.
label: Description
content: Several shorter articles appear under the section [BLK NEWS] complied by Alan Bell and Shawn Hinds. Beginning on page 33, these articles include: [Judge Rules in PWA’s Favor] regarding James Dorsey, [Baker Takes NAPWA Post] about A. Cornelius Baker and the National Association of People with AIDS, [HRCF Names Carter to Post] about Many Carter and the Human Rights Campaign Fund, [Black AIDS Efforts Launched / – Huntly Collins] about funding provided to Unity and the GALAEI Project, [Consortium Project Funded] regarding the Gay Men of Color Consortium (comprised of American Indian AIDS Institute, Bay Area HIV Support and Education Services, Comunidad Unida en Respuesta al SIDA, and Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Community HIV Project), and the Risk-Reduction Train-the-Trainer Project, [Family Holds Benefit] about the Family Foundation’s first annual AIDS benefit, [Nia Holds Sausalito Gathering] about the fifth annual Gathering for Lesbians of African Descent, [Blacks Red on Day o’ Green / – Eric K. Washington] regarding the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, [Joint Chiefs Oks Gay Ban / – Rex Wockner], [Carl Bean Hospice Opens / – Shawn Hinds], [Johnson Quits AIDS Panel] about Magic Johnson and the National Commission on AIDS, [Coalition Hosts Annual Dinner / – Shawn Hinds] about the Black Coalition on AIDS, [‘Change’ Comes to L.A. / – Shawn Hinds] regarding the fifth annual Creating Change Conference and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, [BGLLF to Long Beach in 1993 / – Shawn Hinds] about the sixth annual National Black Gay and Lesbian Conferences and Institutes by the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum], [Gay South African Murdered] about Sgxabai, chair of the KwaThema Township chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Organization of Witwatersrand, [British Group Nixes POC / – Rex Wockner] regarding OutRage, [Blacks Form New Demo Club / – Mark Haile] about Lesbian and and Gays of African Descent for Democratic Action and the Harvey Milk Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, [Prof Said to Be Name Caller], [North Carolina Begats Group] about Umoja: An Open Community of Lesbians and Gay Men of African American Descent, [BMX Plans 1993 Conference], [African Drug Gets Closer Look / – Shawn Hinds] regarding Kemron, an AIDS drug developed in Africa, and [Gentlemen Raise $35K / – Shawn Hinds] about Gentlemen Concerned distributing the money to organizations serving HIV+ African Americans and Latinos.
label: Description
content: This is followed by [BLK VEIL] on page 40 and lists eighteen obituaries: Stanley Brown, Vince Butler, David Edwards, Zawadi-Lazarus Garrett, Robert S. Hart, Gordon Heath, Joel B. Irvine, Alexander Omega Jaramillo, Mark A. Johnson, Bryan Joseph, Melvin Lindsey, Willis Robert Lomax Jr., Larry Riley, Lue James Sinclair, Sr., Sonia Singleton, James Virgil Smith, Cleveland Michael Torain, and Donald W. Woods.
label: Description
content: The gossip column [BLK TEA] written by Preston G. Guider is on page 42. The section [BLK LIST], a listing of gay and lesbian organizations, bars, and baths, runs from pages 49 to 55. Entities are assigned one to four stars based on how Black they are, with one star meaning “Somewhat black” and four stars “All black,” with a cross meaning “Mixed gay and straight.”
label: Description
content: The issue concludes with the section [BLK MARKET] on page 56 and the classifieds section [TALKING PERONALS] starting on page 58, with personal ads divided by gender, nation, then U.S. regions.
label: Description
content: The back cover is a full-page advertisement [Live with HIV] by the Gay Men of Color Consortium.
label: Description
content: The object came with an insert: an enclosed envelope from [OVERLOOKED OPINIONS] for [Important Readership Survey Enclosed!!! / Win a free cruise / see inside…].
label: Description
content: There are several advertisements throughout, including: [Stand up for Your Right II / 5th ANNUAL CREATING CHANGE CONFERENCE] by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; an Ice Cube advice ad by Minority AIDS Project; [POSITIVE / CONNECTION] by the Minority AIDS Project HIV Support Group; [KNOW yourself / KNOWLEDGE=POWER] by the AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum; [COMMUNITY / PRESCRIPTION / SERVICE / A Mail-Order Pharmacy & AIDS Information Service]; [DARK / SNEAK / LOVE / ACTION / TOM TOM CLUB]; [THE HOMOEROTIC PHOTOGRAPH] ordering slip; [SUBSCRIBER’S / SERVICE] for BLK Publishing Company; [AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION / TELETHON]; [Army of Lovers / MASSIVE LUXURY OVERDOSE]; [BUILDING BRIDGES / MAKING CONNECTIONS / The Sixth Annual / Black Gay & Lesbian / Conference and Institutes / The Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum]; [BLACKfire Cover Man Contest / and Dance Party]; HIV/AIDS awareness ad by Minority AIDS Project, [the / BFP TEE]; [THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND FINEST EROTIC DEPARTMENT STORE / The Pleasure Chest Ltd.]; [I Want It / ARIES]; [THING]; [THE / HOLLYWOOD / SPA / COMPOUND / A MAN’S PRIVATE PRESERVE]; informational slip for the Assistant Directors Training Program; [UCLA / CARE / CLINIC]; [CONFIDENTIAL PRESCRIPTIONS]; [THE / BLACK / GAY / MEN’S / RAP]; [Black Jack Party]; [EMPOWER LIFE]; [GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL GUIDES BY / DAMRON]; [Unity / Fellowship / Church / A Church for All People]; [Social Change / Tool for the / 90s / Alternative Press Index]; [CREATING CHANGE] for the 5th Annual Conference by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; [ACT-UP/LA needs / your input • your leadership • your anger!]; [THE CENTER / LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT]; [1-800-877-BOYS]; [Gay and Lesbian Literature / A DIFFERENT LIGHT BOOKSTORE]; [1-800-733-MEET]; [Black and White / Men Together]; [BLACKfire / BLACK LACE]; [BLACK HANDFULLS]; and [CLUB BODY / CENTERS].
place: label: Place made
content: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: London, England, Europe
label: Place depicted
content: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Nigeria, West Africa, Africa
label: Place depicted
content: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: San Francisco, San Francisco county, California, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: North Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: California, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
label: Place depicted
content: Sacramento, Sacramento County, California, United States, North and Central America
topic: label: Topic
content: African American
label: Topic
content: Activism
label: Topic
content: Associations and institutions
label: Topic
content: Black Press
label: Topic
content: Communities
label: Topic
content: Health
label: Topic
content: Identity
label: Topic
content: International affairs
label: Topic
content: LGBTQ
label: Topic
content: Mass media
label: Topic
content: Race relations
label: Topic
content: Sexuality
label: Topic
content: Soccer
label: Topic
content: Sports
label: Topic
content: Theatre
label: Topic
content: U.S. History, 1969-2001
label: Topic
content: Violence
label: Topic
content: Women's organizations
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
label: Classification
content: Books and Published Materials
label: Movement
content: African American - Latinx Solidarity
label: Movement
content: HIV/AIDS Activist Movement
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alan Bell
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Object number
content: 2018.108.37ab
objectType: label: Type
content: magazines (periodicals)
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: © BLK Publishing Company, Inc
label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: ink on paper (fiber product)
label: Dimensions
content: H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 1/4 × 1/8 in. (27.4 × 20.9 × 0.3 cm)