Anthony Antoine Tribute to E. Lynn Harris - "Invisible"

Philip Rafshoon and Outwrite Bookstore & Coffee House hosted an E. Lynn Harris tribute Sunday 09-06-09 of Black Gay Pride Weekend 2009. It was appropriate, moving, emotional & more as a packed house gathered to honor the life and legacy of E. Lynn Harris. I sent Philip an email soon after learning of Lynn's passing that Outwrite was the perfect location for a tribute and that I MUST be a part of it. Outwrite was a stop for Mr. Harris for every single one of his book releases...and I can't remember an E. Lynn stop at Outwrite that I didn't make it too. During one of those stops, I gave E. Lynn my phone number and that started a brief yet honored "friendship" that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

In this clip, I attempt to capture "some" of what the life and legacy of E. Lynn Harris means to me and means to so many others particularly in the black gay community but too, the rest of the world. "Invisible Life" still stands as the one book to shift a conciousness, validating that stories about black gay male characters are worthy to be told. Soon after reading "Invisible Life," I wrote a poem titled "Invisible" which hopefully captures the energy and voice that the legacy of E. Lynn Harris continues to influences. And although it was two years ago that I last saw him, we communicated by phone, email & FaceBook up until his untimely passing. I will forever treasure the moments I shared with Lynn. I miss him terribly and the world has suffered a great loss in his passing. Thankfully, we have his books and his legacy to hold onto.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• E._Lynn_Harris
• Invisible_Life
• Anthony_Antoine
• Mama_Dearest
• Outwrite_Bookstore
• Philip_Rafshoon

[riccrollins]

Your words brilliantly spoke for those of us who couldn't be there. Thank you for sharing your gift and opening your heart to speak to the hole that remains, the void so visible, the life os missed.

Kudos.

[babysdaddyATL]

Thanks so much Ricc. I appreciate your comment and yes, what a void. He will be so missed.

[blkmoet27]

OMG......what hole have i been in....i never knew E LYNN HARRIS DIED....RIP............im in shock...what happened does anyone know? please advise.

[babysdaddyATL]

E. Lynn Harris died on July 23rd, 2009 of a heart attack.

[AtlantaSistah]

Beautiful indeed! I loved this video. Thanks for posting it. I have all my books signed except the last 2. Damn ... I miss him.

[MissMusikallyskilld]

I appreciate this tribute very much....