NEW THIS WEEK: The anthology For Colored Boys: Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough hit bookstores this week. The anthology’s title pays deference to the 1975 Tony Award-nominated stage play by Ntozake Shange and was edited by best-selling author and political commentator for CNN and MSNBC, Keith Boykin. Other contributors include La Marr Jurelle Bruce, Clay Cane, Mark Corece and Frank Roberts. The anthology shares compelling perspectives from African American, Latino and Asian American writers who tell their own stories of coming out, coming of age and coming home.
Former GLAAD People of Color Media Institute participant, Rod McCullom of the blog Rod 2.0, wrote a gripping piece for EBONY.com highlighting the anthology’s signifance for LGBT communities of color. Keith Boykin told EBONY, “The anthology was inspired by the tragic stories of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Raymond Chase and Joseph Jefferson.” McCullom notes that these are not necessarily stories you may have heard due to a lack of media attention, however, these stories of gay black youth committing suicide in their communities can no longer endure such silence. Keith Boykin sought to change that with this anthology, which contains over 44 essays, stories and poems from 42 authors who share experiences from various age groups.
Tonight, the book will host its launch party at the BMK Center at 6:30 pm. The launch event also coincides with the 15th Annual New York City Black Gay Pride. Find out more, here.
GLAAD applauds Keith Boykin for standing behind this project and the many authors who contributed their stories in hopes of providing refuge for the many LGBT youth of color who are silenced, forgotten and struggling at the intersection of acceptance for themselves and their sexuality. In McCullom’s article, he calls the book timely due to the spark of violence against gay youth of color this past year, especially transgender communities of color who have been failed by the media, the court systems and the citizens in their own back yards.
Please visit the official site to purchase the book or visit Amazon.com to find out how to get a copy for yourself or someone who could use the guidance and encouragement.