http://www.gayagenda.com/2008/09/ga-exclusive-a-conversation-with-damon-l-humes/
GA Exclusive: Conversing with Damon L. Humes
September 17, 2008 by James Hipps
I recently had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Mr. Damon L. Humes. Mr. Humes received an Honorary Doctorate Degree on August 2nd for his efforts in creating a scholarship fund as well as his efforts in the GLBT community.
Humes is also the Executive Director of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project and an HIV/AIDS activist. Humes is also known as Jay Blahnik, a leader of the Ballroom scene, which is a Black and Latino GLBT subculture that showcases talents in fashion and performance arts.
MOCHA is an organization for people of color, which under Humes' direction, attempts to take the issues of GLBT health outside of HIV & AIDS. Although he admits HIV& AIDS are a large concern for the GLBT community as a whole, Humes says, "There are so many issues outside of HIV and AIDS that affects the GLBT community (such as HPV and transgender health issues) that are not being addressed." One of his immediate goals for MOCHA is to bring those health issues to the forefront and promote awareness to all aspects of GLBT health and wellness. Other goals he has set for MOCHA are increasing awareness of comprehensive health, spirituality, nutrition, abuse and drug use, with the hopes of being able to minimalize these issues within the GLBT community. Hume's states, "I would like to provide a means to improve all aspects wellness for the entire (GLBT) community".
Living his life, mostly in and between upstate New York and Philly, the man that makes up Damon L. Humes is one of constant change. When I asked him exactly who Damon L. Humes is, he answered: "That man changes to me every day. The one thing that remains constant is his love of dance and performing arts. "Change is good, because that means I am continuing to learn and to grow as a person. When we stop changing, we are dying."
I was very curious as to what, if anything, shocks him. When I asked, his reply was not ordinary, but extraordinary in that he looks at things from such a large scale view. He said what still shocks him to this day is, "The things we as humans put stock in." He gave me an example by stating "We were at war when Janet Jackson showed her boob on public television during the Superbowl. Instead of talking about what really matters, people were so caught up in Janet's boob. That is what shocks me." He also added, "Domestic violence and fatalism shock me as well. That it's accepted by so many, I just don't quite understand."
When I asked Mr. Humes what "fires him up" the most, he replied, "Hate-crimes. Hate has many faces including emotional and spiritual neglect and abuse. There isn't any mathematical equation behind hate; it simply affects us all negatively. LGBT couples are still fearful. Seeing LGBT people has to become normal, just as seeing heterosexual couples is normal. Then hate crimes will become a thing of the past." He added, "There is no singular approach to this however, it has to come from both religious leaders and the government."
The previous part of our conversations sparked me to ask his thoughts on homophobia, and what we as the LGBT community could do to help put a stop to homophobia. He answered by stating, "I don't really believe homophobia exists. Phobias are clinical. I refer to this is heterosexism, not homophobia. We, as a community, cannot be afraid to step out and stand up. The only way we will see change is to be change."
As well all know, the GLBT community faces many issues, however, I asked Damon if he had the opportunity to fix just one of those issues, what might that be? He replied, "Allowing people to self-determine their success. We are not all the same, so how can the world define success the same for all of us? There is no one set way to succeed, and think about what failures do to people psychologically."
Going further on issues that affect the GLBT community, another problem Humes sees us face on a regular basis is stereotyping. "We just don't have those positive roll models that other groups have", Damon said. "One reason of course is discrimination", he explained. "Discrimination comes in many forms. The use of religion for discrimination has been prevalent throughout history. People have used religion for all issues, including oppression based on sexual identity and gender. Religion claims woman was created from man, therefore religion often views women as lesser beings. God is a he, Allah is a he, Jehovah is a he, and to many gay men are less than a man and more like a woman, which perpetuates oppression."
Finally, I asked Damon if he had any suggestions for those who are just now, or are contemplating coming out as GLBT, and he responded, "Find someone who will walk with you. Don't make that journey alone."
I would like to thank Mr. Humes for his graciousness and time. It was again both a pleasure and honor speaking with him. I would also like to mention the scholarship he has established is from his soul generosity. Please contact him at dhumes@mochaproject.org if you would like to make a donation.
For information on how you can help support the HOUSE OF BLAHNIK program, please send an email to info@houseofblahnik.org
Also visit: www.houseofblahnik.org
GA Exclusive: Conversing with Damon L. Humes
September 17, 2008 by James Hipps
I recently had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Mr. Damon L. Humes. Mr. Humes received an Honorary Doctorate Degree on August 2nd for his efforts in creating a scholarship fund as well as his efforts in the GLBT community.
Humes is also the Executive Director of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project and an HIV/AIDS activist. Humes is also known as Jay Blahnik, a leader of the Ballroom scene, which is a Black and Latino GLBT subculture that showcases talents in fashion and performance arts.
MOCHA is an organization for people of color, which under Humes' direction, attempts to take the issues of GLBT health outside of HIV & AIDS. Although he admits HIV& AIDS are a large concern for the GLBT community as a whole, Humes says, "There are so many issues outside of HIV and AIDS that affects the GLBT community (such as HPV and transgender health issues) that are not being addressed." One of his immediate goals for MOCHA is to bring those health issues to the forefront and promote awareness to all aspects of GLBT health and wellness. Other goals he has set for MOCHA are increasing awareness of comprehensive health, spirituality, nutrition, abuse and drug use, with the hopes of being able to minimalize these issues within the GLBT community. Hume's states, "I would like to provide a means to improve all aspects wellness for the entire (GLBT) community".
Living his life, mostly in and between upstate New York and Philly, the man that makes up Damon L. Humes is one of constant change. When I asked him exactly who Damon L. Humes is, he answered: "That man changes to me every day. The one thing that remains constant is his love of dance and performing arts. "Change is good, because that means I am continuing to learn and to grow as a person. When we stop changing, we are dying."
I was very curious as to what, if anything, shocks him. When I asked, his reply was not ordinary, but extraordinary in that he looks at things from such a large scale view. He said what still shocks him to this day is, "The things we as humans put stock in." He gave me an example by stating "We were at war when Janet Jackson showed her boob on public television during the Superbowl. Instead of talking about what really matters, people were so caught up in Janet's boob. That is what shocks me." He also added, "Domestic violence and fatalism shock me as well. That it's accepted by so many, I just don't quite understand."
When I asked Mr. Humes what "fires him up" the most, he replied, "Hate-crimes. Hate has many faces including emotional and spiritual neglect and abuse. There isn't any mathematical equation behind hate; it simply affects us all negatively. LGBT couples are still fearful. Seeing LGBT people has to become normal, just as seeing heterosexual couples is normal. Then hate crimes will become a thing of the past." He added, "There is no singular approach to this however, it has to come from both religious leaders and the government."
The previous part of our conversations sparked me to ask his thoughts on homophobia, and what we as the LGBT community could do to help put a stop to homophobia. He answered by stating, "I don't really believe homophobia exists. Phobias are clinical. I refer to this is heterosexism, not homophobia. We, as a community, cannot be afraid to step out and stand up. The only way we will see change is to be change."
As well all know, the GLBT community faces many issues, however, I asked Damon if he had the opportunity to fix just one of those issues, what might that be? He replied, "Allowing people to self-determine their success. We are not all the same, so how can the world define success the same for all of us? There is no one set way to succeed, and think about what failures do to people psychologically."
Going further on issues that affect the GLBT community, another problem Humes sees us face on a regular basis is stereotyping. "We just don't have those positive roll models that other groups have", Damon said. "One reason of course is discrimination", he explained. "Discrimination comes in many forms. The use of religion for discrimination has been prevalent throughout history. People have used religion for all issues, including oppression based on sexual identity and gender. Religion claims woman was created from man, therefore religion often views women as lesser beings. God is a he, Allah is a he, Jehovah is a he, and to many gay men are less than a man and more like a woman, which perpetuates oppression."
Finally, I asked Damon if he had any suggestions for those who are just now, or are contemplating coming out as GLBT, and he responded, "Find someone who will walk with you. Don't make that journey alone."
I would like to thank Mr. Humes for his graciousness and time. It was again both a pleasure and honor speaking with him. I would also like to mention the scholarship he has established is from his soul generosity. Please contact him at dhumes@mochaproject.org if you would like to make a donation.
For information on how you can help support the HOUSE OF BLAHNIK program, please send an email to info@houseofblahnik.org
Also visit: www.houseofblahnik.org
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