August 2008 – MSP DEBUT PRESENTATION
To those of you who came to our first presentation: THANK YOU!!
With a packed, standing-room-only house, an incredibly loving and present audience, tears and laughter, and loud standing ovations for the courage and honesty of our presenters, the first MSP presentation took place on 8/17/08 at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA! Huge thanks to the amazing participants, and to everyone who came out to support and share – this felt like just the beginning of a broad-reaching and important project which will only become stronger as we go!
The event included 16 men, ages 22-60. Topics addressed included: platonic love between men; struggles with Islam, homophobia and HIV; bisexuality and internalized homophobia; disability and sexuality; testicular cancer and personal wholeness; images of African American masculinity; men’s public restroom rituals; one man’s journey from domestic violence perpetration to anti-violence activism; refusal to continue intergenerational patterns of violence; spirituality in San Quentin; transgender identity and gender fluidity; relationships with fathers and other family members; and gratitude to lifelong mentors.
We made a documentary film of this live event, which is now being used far and wide as an educational tool. Learn more and purchase.
Presenters
Juan Cuba (SF Women Against Rape), Robert Haaland, Kenny Johnson (This Sacred Space), Michael Katz, L. Abdul-Kenyatta, Leroy F. Moore, Jr. (Sins Invalid), Galen Peterson (Art in Action); Jeff Pollett, Rashad Pridgen (a.k.a. Soul Nubian), Ahmed Salcido, Matt Singh, Jake Tobias; Abe Becker, Matt Blesse, Charles Ekabhumi Ellik, Stephen Meads (Berkeley & Oakland slam poetry championship teams).
Film Trailer & Clips
