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E. Lynn Harris was a great writer.
E. Lynn Harris was a true trailblazer, redefining the world of self-publishing before becoming a New York Times Bestselling author.
E. Lynn Harris was an inspiration to would-be writers, young men struggling with their sexuality and all those who enjoyed the thrill of a good love story.
E. Lynn Harris was my friend.
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The openly gay author, who loved his family, appreciated his friends and often assisted talented new writers promote their books with his personal endorsement and financial contributions, died on July 23, 2009 at the age of 54 as a result of heart disease. He had just started his latest book tour when he fell ill temporarily in Los Angeles. But his death was unexpected, leaving many of his friends and family seeking ways to comfort one another while also looking for the best way to memorialize this amazing man and keep his legacy alive.
From Flint to Fayetteville, and from Arkansas to Atlanta, a call was issued for those who knew him best to gather at several locations and participate in services of tribute to the late Harris.
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Many of the words that follow come from a tribute held at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse - the South's definite site for LGBT literature, films, music and everything in between. And so we came together on a warm Sunday evening in early September to celebrate, to cry and to toast the man many knew simply as "Lynn."
It should be noted that additional comments in this story were gathered during a subsequent "tribute" (also held at Outwrite) which was in fact, the kickoff for the national book tour for Harris' last published novel, Mama Dearest (Karen Hunter Publishing). |
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| A Gathering of Friends
Outwrite's owner Philip Rafshoon set the mood for the tribute which included authors, publishers, LGBT community activists and several members of Harris' family. Far from being a session of sad songs, soliloquies of sorrow and tales of regret, the event was instead upbeat - almost a celebration. And that is how E. Lynn would have wanted it.
Philip Rafshoon: "I'm not sure if any tribute can attest to all that he did and represented for the community, writers and the world but we are certainly here to give our best. E. Lynn showed us that every life is a story worth telling and he was an inspiration for many gay writers who may have once been afraid to tell their own stories. It wasn't that he was the first black gay writer to come along with a great story.
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But he took it to a whole new level - he opened up the minds of people, straight and gay. Many of us remember E. Lynn Harris when he wrote his first book, Invisible Life. We have had him with us in this store for every one of his book signings and it has been a fantastic journey that we have taken together. And until this country acknowledges our community with equal rights and equal respect, the journey will need to continue."
J.L. King, New York Times Bestselling author: "His influence on the publishing world was amazing - he really had clout. In terms of my own career, E. Lynn touched me and motivated me to write my book about the down low and then other projects.
And what was great about him is that he helped others get their foot in the door and their books into the hands of the public. Some people have debated about who will fill his shoes but I would say that no one really can. There will never be another E. Lynn Harris."
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Cindy Barnes, College Friend: "We've been friends since college at the University of Arkansas and he and my brother pledged Alpha Phi Alpha together. When my brother died from AIDS in 1995, E. Lynn was there for him and for our family - he became my brother and an uncle for my children. He had a way of uniting people and had a heart as big as they come."
Jessie Phillips (Aunt "G"), Aunt: "He was more than a nephew to me - he was more like another one of my sons. Lynn was a compassionate man and loved people. He especially enjoyed taking me and my sister [Harris' mother] to one new city a couple of times a year that we had never visited.
I remember one time we were in Philadelphia and a young man shared how much he [Harris] had inspired him. The young man admitted that before reading Lynn's novels, he had never read a complete book in his life - and he enjoyed it!
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| "When my nephew was 14 or 15, he sat down and told me that he was gay. I told him that I loved him unconditionally and I told him that until his death. I know he was afraid that I might reject him, but I could never have done that. I believe that he tended to give more to others than he got back, but then he enjoyed giving.
He had it rough growing up and his stepfather tried to beat his "gayness" out of him. His mother never knew that but if she had known, there would have been real trouble. With all of that it's amazing to me how beautiful a person he became.
"I remember when he quit his job at IBM - he was very unhappy and said he wanted to write. I told him if that was his passion then he needed to write but I also told him that he would have to be willing to sacrifice in order to make that dream come true. Then I made a deal with him - I told him he could stay with me and work on his book. He would read a few chapters to us at a time and I was amazed at his talent.
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He had to be one of the most descriptive writers I have ever known. I could see his characters and all of our family encouraged him.
"That first book was tough for him. He lived at Kinko's getting it printed and could not find a publisher so he did it himself. He carried books in his car and went to barber shops and beauty salons and house parties. I even took books to my office.
He had some hard knocks along the way and some friends let him down. But his mother and I both reminded him that sometimes people will let you down - but you have to keep going.
"We had many memorable family gathering and while he was always on a diet, that boy could put some food away. I am grateful that God game him to us for 54 years. That was a true blessing. I have three sons - but E. Lynn Harris was my fourth son."
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Christopher Bennett, Author: "If it had not been for E. Lynn Harris, I would never have become a writer. His memoirs actually touched me - it was like I knew some of the people in his books and after reading his first book, I began to write my own.
I wanted to write the first great American novel and just the thought of him left me star struck. I reached out to him when I was close to finishing my first book - well, I only had three chapters really done, but he actually read them.
He sat down, read carefully and told me that while he expected it to be mostly trash, that he was very impressed. As I continued to write, he would reach out to me periodically to see how things were progressing. That meant so much to me. Today is like closure for me."
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| D.J. Coleman, Author: "I had one of those valley moments in my life when I was close to suicide and I told E. Lynn about it. He embraced me and that was the beginning of 10 years of conversation.
He told me he believed in me. I mailed my mother a copy of Invisible Life and told her that the main character was her son. I could not have done that without E. Lynn Harris in my life. "
Fiona Zedde, Author: "I came to the United States from Jamaica and lived with my aunt during my teen years when I was beginning to understand that I was attracted to women. My aunt knew what I was going through and she actually gave me a copy of Invisible Life to help me with my coming out process.
It was the first time I had ever read a book with characters that were experiencing the same highs and lows that I was. Reading his book helped me overcome my own challenges and when I started writing he was my inspiration."
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Anthony Antoine, Actor/AIDS Activist: "I remember being that boy in Dallas and my mom gave me Invisible Life to read. I had just recently come out and it was my first time reading a book that told me that I mattered - that my life and my works were worthy. I became like an E. Lynn Harris stalker and I followed him everywhere. I read that first book in quick fashion as if my life depended on it - and in fact, it did! There is still a multitude thronged inside of the closet - but E. Lynn Harris showed us that it doesn't have to and shouldn't be that way. "
Tracie Howard, Author: "Quite simply - E. Lynn Harris was a rock star and a courageous human being. He tackled subjects at a time that very few were brave enough to even touch. And that remained true in all of his novels. We once shared an editor and I needed a blurb for one of my books. Let me tell you it was like pulling teeth and so when I asked E. Lynn I was a bit skeptical about his reply. But he wrote an amazing note for my book cover - I will be forever grateful for how he helped my career move forward." |
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Clarence Nero, Author: "E. Lynn Harris gave me my start in mainstream publishing. He opened the door for me and he encouraged me and was kind. I knew I had to be a part of this tribute to tell the world how special he was to so many writers like me."
Laura Gilmore, Adopted Mother: "I was so touched when Lynn told me that he was going to dedicate his last book to me. But that was just Lynn. He loved to spend time with his family and I had the pleasure of working with him for five years as his personal assistant.
His mother was always foremost in his mind and I was always included with her and his Aunt Jessie. We miss him so much that I cannot tell you how much it pains me to know he is no longer here for me to talk to. I still have the last message he left for me on my answering machine - I will never erase it."
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R.M. Johnson, Award-winning Author: "We met in 1999 at a book signing event for Omar Tyree in Chicago. My first book, The Harris Men, had not come out yet and I really wanted to talk with him about it. But I was really hesitant because I figured he would flick me away like a fly. But he was so gracious - it was the start of a 10-year friendship. He was the only person to give me a blurb for my book and that was really helpful. There are so many new and emerging authors that he helped like me. During those ten years we took road trips together and had some candid conversations. He was really cool people and I am going to miss him - and the black man could write!"
Eric Jerome Dickey, New York Times Bestselling author: "I still miss E. Lynn Harris - hearing his voice on the telephone saying 'what's up frat?' He was a funny man and a real card. There are so many stories that most people do not know of how he helped writers get started in the business.
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For me I have said it before and I will say it again - E. Lynn Harris sent me out on my first book tour when I was barely making ends meet by working as a substitute teacher.
I didn't even know him then. But he footed the bill so I could go to three cities - something that my publisher at that point wasn't even willing to do."
Etta Mae Harris, Mother: "Lynn was my only boy and my first child and he always signed his cards 'your number one son.' After the divorce he became the man of the house for me and his three younger sisters. He was a blessing to us all."
Harris' mother, who was the final speaker, chose to end her comments at that point, clearly overcome with emotion.
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| Epilogue
E. Lynn Harris introduced us to Yancey, Basil, Kyle, Raymond and the irascible Ava - characters that reminded us of ourselves, our friends and our lovers. He showed us that love should not be defined by the narrow parameters of a close-minded world. He illustrated how there can be victory and joy even in the painful process of "coming out" - admitting to others that we are different than they may have imagined. He helped us see that the only box we need to fit in is the one the Creator planned for us.
Years from now his stories will continue to live on, inspiring future generations of straight and gay youth to love themselves and to have the courage to openly love the man or woman that makes their hearts skip a beat and brings them joy.
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