E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

I just returned from my chapter's annual Literary Luncheon where E. Lynn Harris was our featured author. The word awesome is all that comes to mind. I had the honor of having dinner with him last night and the brother is awesome (did I say that already?) Even if you do not like the topics of his books, you can't help but admire him as a person.

Couple of tidbits:
His next book will not be out until next Spring :-(. The topic will not be about Raymond. It will be about the life, troubles, and successes of a 37 year old single mother and her 20 year old son--and no the son is not gay. But he also said that Raymond's life will continue in future books.

To those who also heard the rumor that Basil was based on Yancey Thigpen, I asked directly and he said that he didn't even know Yancey Thigpen, and that Basil was a composite of men he knew.

He is an Alpha and they have ostracized him, but they did not tell him that he could not mention the fraternity in his books, nor did they strip him of his membership.

On the other hand KAPsi has respected him as a Black author and a Black man and he is grateful to them for that. (This may explain why some folx thought he was a Kappa.)

He is very concerned about D.L. men who deny that they are gay because they do not live the "gay lifestyle." He says, to him there really is no "gay lifestyle." He himself does not hang out at gay bars, or go to bath houses, or act "flamboyant" because that is just not how he socializes. But he is still gay.

Finally, he and his partner for the past 7 years have split and he is back on the dating scene. He is surprised at many of the D.L. men he has encountered that even he would have never guessed. Now ladies, that is really scary, because if his gaydar couldn't pick it up, how can we????:(

Okay first let me say I'm jealous you were hanging out and conversing with E. Lynn. but thanks for the information. I like his books, well most of them but you aren't gonna like every book ya read, and it will be interesting to see where this book goes. I wish him well though, I think he's good at what he does and just strikes me as a nice person. Okay I'm gonna sulk cause I'm not a Sensai Baller and hanging out with big time folks.

Did you tell him about me!!?!? ;)

I had already known about the new book and cannot wait for 2005.

Such a shame about him and Alpha Phi Alpha. Whether they know it or not, he taught a lot of women about a lifestyle that had been very much a "secret" for so many of us. Bless him.

sawry
 

:o No, but he took my card so I do have an opening to contact him.

Re: sawry
 

I really was just playing and meant it in terms of my avid book reading. LOL

Me too:) I would love to have a 1 on 1 conversation with this man.

I WAS THERE!!
 

I had the pleasure of attending the Literary Luncheon, and was in total amazement when E. Lynn Harris gave his speach. It was different from any other Literary Luncheon I had attended. He was very encouraging and I love him so.

I appreciate E. Lynn Harris as well because he educated me on homosexuality and bisexuality. I can respect someone who's openly gay much better than someone who is on the DL.

Thank you E. Lynn Harris for speaking out. And thank you Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumnae Chapter for getting him. Next year's will be hard to beat, Ladygreek!

Well this is one Alpha who hasn't ostracized my Frat! :D If I ever have the opportunity to bring him to DC, I will.

As a matter of fact, ladygreek, could you please PM me? I'd like to know what steps one would take to plan an event like that. Literacy isn't really one of our national programs, but I'm sure we could sneak some Alpha authors into a program under the banner of "Scholarship." :D

Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

Just curious ... was any objective proof of this ostracization offered? Anything that suggested that whatever opinion/opposition he may/may not have experienced was tied to official policy of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and not simply an individual brother he may have encountered?

I'd hate to see Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., or any org. for that matter, painted unfairly with so broad a brush.

Re: Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

Maybe you are not aware of this but it has been rumored for a long time that the reason he never mentioned his fraternity in his books is because your national organization forbade him from doing so as well as ordered him to no longer wear his pin or acknowledge Alpha in anyway and that his membership was revoked. I asked the question of him (in private) for clarification. His answer was, they have ostracized me but have not told me that I could not wear my pin not have they revoked my membership.

BTW, an Alpha in the audience actually got up and addressed the issue and basically told him that he was sorry that their fraternity had turned its back on him and that he for one was proud to have him as a brother of Black and Old Gold. This comment was unsolicited as the topic had not been brought up at the luncheon.

Re: I WAS THERE!!
 

Right, but he gave us some suggestions after we said that to him. ;)

Re: Re: Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

No, I wasn't aware of the rumor you cited, but neither was I aware of any fraternal sanction against the author.

Appreciating that your question was asked and answered privately, it takes this way down, IMO. Harris' answer (even privately) that he retains all fraternal rights/privilges, leaves open to question and interpretation exactly what his "ostracization" means, and to what extent, if any, it was institutional.

Re: Re: Re: Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

Well my guess is out of respect for the fraternity, he didn't share that with me. You could probably find out the answer, though.
I guess you could start by finding out if your fraternity has ever invited him to speak at a convention, have they spurned any attempts by him to market his book, etc. I know other D9 orgs have had him speak and helped to market his books because he is a Black author. Just a thought.

I merely posted it to stop the membership being revoked rumor, and that the fraternity did not specifically tell him not to mention them in his book.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

Then I appreciate the spirit of your post. My comment was really only to address what I felt was an overly broad, and unproven, assertion of ostracization by the frat.

peace.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: E. Lynn Harris in Minnesota
 

But remember it wasn't my assertion--it was his (and his words.) And if that is how he perceives it, then for him that is the reality.