L.G. B. & T. Celebrations In New York City-2006:

June 25-2006:


The L-G-B-T Pride Celebrations-New York City-2006:


What was once thought of as The Gay disease, was now celebrated by the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization (G.M.H.C). Once again in the forefront, after twenty five years serving Gay-Lesbians-Transgender & The Heterosexual communities with prevention, HIV testing and counseling, providing meals every day for clients, legal advocacy for un-documented immigrants who are HIV positive, and other related services.

Yes, GMHC was another contingent with a float in the Gay & Lesbian Pride parade today, which culminates the end of formal celebrations for this community, for the month of June every year.

There were other HIV related organizations in the parade too, all with their supporters, participants, and onlookers in the thousands celebrating together as Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, same sex loving people, who are also affected and infected with HIV and AIDS.

The theme was. "the fight to save lives continues-with prevention strategies, coupled with continuous efforts to find a cure."

I stood at the junction of Christopher & Hudson Sts, to watch as the parade passed by, and couldn't help feeling proud for all those participants, providers, and supporters who came out in the thousands to support the cause, and to celebrate with us on this momentous occasion.

Om Shanti.
Derryck S. Griffith
New York City.

Redemption Song Sculpture-Explained:

Redemption Song Sculpture!


Redemption Song Statue: Pride or Shame?
undecided 106 (9%)
approve 877 (77%)
disapprove 163 (14%)
total votes: 1146
What do you think? undecided
approve
disapprove

A 3,320-pound bronze sculpture called Redemption Song unveiled on July 31 in Kingston, Jamaica has become the latest controversy on the island. The statue portrays two former slaves, a male and a female standing in a pool of water with their eyes looking towards the sky. Why the controversy? Both statues are naked as the day they were born and the man who stands about 11 feet tall has a penis that...well...stands tall on its own. Some criticize what they observe as inappropriate European features chiseled in the woman's face.

Emblazoned on the base of the statue are the words of Marcus Garvey put to music by Bob Marley in the song that gave the statue its name "none but ourselves can free our mind." Those who support the statue suggest the controversy over its nakedness is evidence that Jamaicans may not yet be free from the mental slavery that Garvey and Marley discussed. Many of Europe's most famous sculptures are in the nude and are considered works of art.

Does size matter? It appears that the focal point over the debate has become the man's penis, or to be more specific the size of it. Laura Facey-Cooper, the Jamaican sculptor who created the statue says "I did not particularly enlarge that part of the male body to the exclusion of anything else. He has very strong muscles in his torso and buttocks. Both the male and female are very well-endowed in every possible way."

Several Jamaicans are calling for the Patterson administration to remove the statue from the newly named Emancipation Park in which it stands. This would not be the first time a statue has been recalled in Jamaica. During the 1980's sculptor Christopher Gonzales was commissioned to create a statue to honor the late Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley. After it's completion the government, then led by Edward Seaga decided that it was not what they were looking for and commissioned Alvin Mariott to erect another which now stands in front of Jamaica's National Stadium. Gonzales's statue spent much of the 20 years since in the National Gallery before its recent placement at the Island Village in Ocho Rios.

At a recent concert in the Emancipation Park given in honor Jamaica's beloved Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverly) popular Deejay Tony Rebel pleaded to Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson "Mister prime minister, take down the naked people and put up a statue of Miss Lou instead." Many of the over 10,000 in attendance cheered in support. In a release by the sculptor, Laura Facey Cooper upon the release of the statue she stated "It is my hope that our Jamaican people will be moved by Redemption Song." She appears to have gotten her wish...what do you think?

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Hello Everyone!

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this statue.

What I see here is a Black couple, probably in the nude.

If that is what some Jamaican Prudish hypocrites feel is inappropriate, then they have their own sexual and psychological issues to deal with.

Peace!
Derryck.
Moderator

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