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this year’s Black Pride after receiving positive
hen Cliff Jones moved to
feedback about the inaugural celebration.
Portland in the early 1980s,
“We had great turnout,” he says of 2002’s two
he felt something was lack
events, “A Night of Flava” at Klub Z and
ing in the city.
“Ebony Knights" at the Fez Ballroom, which
“There was not an organ
Brother to Brother celebrates Black Pride
I 1 A
•
. I
• .
he estimates attracted close to 250
ized gay community for blacks,” he
people overall.
says. “ 1 had been exposed to a really
Herrera says last year’s Black
tight network of black gay and hi
Pride events— which featured both
men in other parts of the country,
social and educational components,
and I wanted some of that here in
including safe-sex messages, HIV
Portland.”
testing and condom distribution—
Seeking an opportunity to con
were well received. “The need is
nect with other African American
there. There was a strong feeling
queers, Jones, along with a group of
that events like this should he held
nine like-minded men, worked
more often.”
together to create Brother to Broth
This year’s Black Pride party,
er. T he volunteer-run nonprofit
which
has taken a six-member com
organization provides advocacy and
mittee more than four months to
support for black gay and hi men
plan, is expected to draw 150 people.
and their families. “We want them
“We have a lot of people supporting
to have a voice, to have a home,”
us, and I’m optimistic that it will be a
Jones says.
great event," Herrera says. "The event
For the past 10 years Brother to
is to recognize that we’re here, to give
Brother has done just that: created
us a voice.”
a home for African American gay
Herrera believes that when
and bisexual men and their sup
African American men are trying to
porters through social and educa
come
out and be accepted into the
tional programs including monthly
gay community, they often feel they
potluck dinners and political and
must lose their cultural identity. “We
fund-raising activities. “ It’s a way to
show them how to maintain their
share black culture in a queer set
cultural identity and he part of the
ting," Jones says.
gay community,” he says,
In addition to a full social cal
Community is what Brother to
endar, Brother to Brother also C liff Jones co-founded Brother to Brother in 1993 to provide advocacy and support for black gay and bi men and
Brother is all about, Jones says. “ It’s
places heavy emphasis on HIV their families
a safe environment where we can
prevention education. The organi
expect we won’t he disrespected, invalidated
been anything hut invisible. In 2002 alone the event. He says Black Pride will include music,
zation partners with state and local health
or stereotyped based on our race or sexual ori
food and conversation.
organization served close to 500 people through
agencies such as Cascade A ID S Project to
entation. We want people to get to know each
“We’re
here
to
empower
our
community,”
stx:ial events, referrals and education.
fight the epidemic, which disproportionately
other and break the isolation.”
Herrera says. “ Black Pride is about shared vision
Jones says he’s proud of Brother to Brother’s
affects African Americans.
Petry adds: “It’s an inclusive event. Everyone
and
shared
responsibility.
There
are
not
a
lot
of
accomplishments during the past decade. “As
“We know how to reach our community,”
in the community is invited to participate.”
things in the LG BT community that address
Jones says. “We know how to draw in knowl one of the founding members it was my vision
He hopes the event will create closer con
African
Americans;
we’re
here
to
create
a
that we would identify the issues of black gay
edge, resources and information, and we want
nections between African American gay and bi
to help health organizations bring their mes and hi men and create services to ensure they shared vision in our community.”
men. "When we celebrate in the community, it
*
Brother
to
Brother
office
were addressed.”
sage into our community in a way that works
helps defray the stigma,” he says. “It’s one small
manager Bobby Fouther
One of the ways Brother
for us.”
step
in being able to accept who we are.”
adds,
"The
event
provides
a
to
Brother
is
creating
Run purely on volunteer power, Brother to
Petry, who has been active in promoting the
safe place for us to gather
opportunities
to come
Brother is the only nonprofit organization in
Black Pride celebration, concludes, “I hope it
together as a family." He
together is through Black
Portland offering this depth and variety of
continues to strengthen our community.” J H
says that gay men in the
Pride parties. This is only
services to African American gay men. “We
African American commu
the second year Portland
have no competitors,” Jones says. “We’ve
nity have limited opportuni Brother to Brother will celebrate its 10th anniver
made it 10 years because a community of has held the event, a full
ties to participate in organ sary during B la c k PRIDE 2 p.m. June 28 at Site F
day of celebration for the
black gay and hi men felt the organization was
of Columbia Park at the comer of North Lombard
ized social activities and that
African American gay com
important."
—
Reggie
Petry
Black Pride addresses that and Woolsey streets. For more information call
munity and its supporters.
Reggie Petry, owner of Alherta Arts Pavilion
503-417-7991.
need.
and one of Brother to Brothers founding mem Black Pride 2003 also will
"It brings people together,” Fouther says. “It’s
bers, says his interest in creating the organiza commemorate Brother to Brother’s 10th
a
gcxxJ
event to meet other people in the com JODI H elm er is a Portland free-lance wnter and
tion was simple: “ It was a way to meet other peo anniversary.
editor. Her work has appeared m The Portland
munity and to celebrate the work Brother to
“ It’s going to he a celebration,” says
ple who related to the issues of who I am. I want
Tribune, The Oregonian and Nervy Girl. Visit
Brother
is
doing.”
Stephan
Herrera,
the
organization’s
HIV
pro
ed to stop being invisible."
her online at www.jodihelmer.com.
Herrera is "excited and optimistic" about
gram manager and a lead organizer of the
For the past 10 years Brother to Brother has
E bony K nights
"It was a way to m eet
other people who related
to the issues
o f who I am. I wanted
to stop being invisible."
Investing m Dignity
Community philanthropist Gary Maffei saw the stage production of Hedwig and the
Angry Inch last summer and fell head over heels in love! He knew many of his friends
at Equity Foundation would too. Leveraging their Equity Foundation donor-advised
funds, they joined together to sponsor the return of Hedwig this June at Theater!
Theatre!
We agree with Hedwig: "To be free, one must give up a little part of one's self.” Donor
advised funds are easy to set up and make it possible for individuals, couples and
families to develop their own personal plans for making charitable contributions.
triangle productions! presents Hedwig starting June 12th at Theater! Theatre!
For tickets call 503-239-5919
Fo un d ed in 1989 by O re g o n ’s G ay and Le sb ia n co m m u nity W W W . C q i i i t y f 0 U n d 3 t i 0 n . o r g
Ad sponsored by Marvin Salles. Realtor and Susan Nestor. CPA.
PO Box 5696
Portland. OR
97228-5696
503-231-5759
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