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| Photo by Ocean Morisset |
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| There was never a dull moment as recording artists and musicians walked the red carpet, reminisced in the VIP lounge and posed for photo opps during the recent 2009 OUT Music Awards, held at Webster Hall in New York City. |
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Now in its 19th year, the program brings together an alliance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) recording artists and performers to celebrate the accomplishments of artists and musicians from within its community. Among the sponsors were MAC cosmetics, Grace Hotels, Peaceman Foundation, GMAD and LOGO, who taped the awards for a yet unscheduled January viewing.
Although the music is what mattered most at this annual event, there was certainly an assortment of daring fashion statements made by those in attendance, from skin tight leggings to multicolored capes reminiscent of the always entertaining if not eccentric Liberace himself. |
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Tony Enos and friend at the OUT Music Awards
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Rodney Chester from Noah's Arc and political humorist and GLADD Media Award winner Kate Clinton served as the show's co-hosts. And while there were some complaints about delays and programming foibles, those in attendance still got a taste of some outstanding entertainment, including performances by Christine Martucci, Toshi Reagon and a host of hip hop stars.
One of the more memorable moments was Indie recording star Nhojj's moving rendition of his song "Love." He later picked up the award for Outstanding R&B/Soul - the first time a Black male has ever won the award. The song was featured in Director Kirk Shannon-Butts's film "Blueprint" which was shown at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival and is a sensitive reflection of two male college students who are drawn to one another. |
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Nhojj at the OUT Music Awards
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"I believe love is for everyone - homosexual and heterosexual," Nhojj said. "One day soon our world will acknowledge this simple truth."
Nhojj, whose fans are both straight and gay, commented on his feelings after his history-making selection.
"This win will allow other black male artists and listeners to see more possibilities," he said. "This is bigger than me or any one person. This is about love and truth. There are artists who came before me who were proud and fearless like Sylvester and Kevin Aviance and there will be more after me. I am happy to be a beautiful link in a golden chain. Yes, I am a gay black man and I want to tell the black gay youth how proud I am of them.
They are living out there and staying true to who they are. No one is perfect but more and more youth are living fearlessly and that is something to be proud of. I borrow the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said "unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
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| Photo by Ocean Morisset |
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Popular singer Tony Enos, whose debut CD "Get it Rite" was recently released was among the award presenters and said he was honored to have attended his first OUT Music Awards. (You can check his music out at www.cdbaby.com/cd/tonyenos3).
"This was my first time attending the awards and I thought it was fantastic," he said. "People do not understand that there is a lot of hurry up and wait that takes place - it's not like you see it on television after the editing has taken place. But what they were able to do and accomplish compared to last year I thought was very cool. It's important for LGBT performers to have their own forum and opportunity to recognize excellence in the music industry and I wanted to be a part of this.
We need a greater presence and a more positive one too and these kinds of shows can help breakdown some of the stereotypes about the gay community."
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Kevin Aviance and Tony Enos
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Performance artist milDRED, who earlier in the year had received OUT Music's Spirit Award in recognition of her 14 years of service, said, "I came to the awards to give my support because OUT Music supported me and my work."
The program featured 23 categories and a staggering 91 nominations. Among the award recipients were Kevin Aviance, OUT Music Lifetime Achievement Award; Willie Ninja, OUT Music Icon; Reagon, OUT Music Heritage; Debra Harry, OUT Music Pillar; and Michael Biello and Dan Martin, OUT Music Visionary Award.
Biello and Martin started the OUT Music awards in their living room and said it was about "men singing to men and women singing to women."
The actual trophy was designed by 24-year-old Emmanuel Perez and was inspired by his own recent coming out to his parents and family. |
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| Photo by Ocean Morisset |
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| Not to be outdone, two men in the audience almost stole the show when one artist and their twelve back up dancers performed a routine with "voging undertones." The two men, decked out in a fur jacket and in drag with a blond wig and heels, were unable to contain themselves, somehow making it to the stage to join in the dance. Others from the audience expressed their delight, cheering from their seats and standing to show off their own voguing skills. |
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But it may have been the acceptance speech by Aviance that proved to be the highlight of the evening.
"Kevin's speech was so moving - he spoke to the other LGBT artists and gave folks a real reality check," Enos said. "He touched on some of the tragedies that those of our community have faced, including the recent decapitation of that gay teenager in Puerto Rico. He reminded us that our music speaks to young gays and lesbians and that we as artists often speak for them because no one is willing to hear them. It was a heartfelt, sincere speech."
Check your local listings or go to the LOGO website for information about when you can see the show for yourself. |
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