Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris died Friday at age 54. According to reports, his personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm his death. The writer was in the middle of a West Coast tour to promote his 11th novel, “Basketball Jones,” when he passed away.
Harris was best known for such successful novels as “Invisible Life,” “Just As I Am,” “Too Good To Be True,” as well as his 2004 memoir “What Becomes of The Brokenhearted”. He specialized in writing about African-American gay culture and lifestyle.
Born in Michigan, Harris grew up in Little Rock and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was the school’s first black cheerleader. Harris recently taught English at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor.
Ignorance is alieve and well I see from reading some of the retarded remarks about the mans sexual prefrence. Let him rest in peace however his passing manafest. I loved all of his books. Im not a hag, Im a secure black hetro sexual Christian woman. That have enough sense to know beyond his sexuality, his books has a common theme and point that we can all relate to be, being accepted, achieving that american dream, and finding love. Love is universal .
Im not God so Im in no position to do his job. Sure we can have our opinions but remember the tongue is a mighty sword. You may have a child who is gay. Or a family member. And you wonder why the ones that are “down low” become just that. And that “Us” “WE” black women get the brunt of it all , because society “Our On” Make it hard for gay black men to be themselves (sure u have your greedy, selfish, mis guided ones) but for the most part they want the american dream just like you and me. But fakin it to get for fear of ridicule.( which leads to high h.i.v rates amongst black women) If you have your opinions, make it constructive and pray about..
Pray that God dont punish you for trying to take his position.
And I’ll Pray that you will get together.
R.I.P
E.Lynn
he was a great writer, and his biography was great, may he rest in peace
RIP E. Lynn Harris. You changed the game for African-American literature forever. Writing about gay and lesbian lifestyles was taboo until you blew the hinges off the door. You will be dearly missed.
I was just starting to get back into his books. This has really blown me away,
@61 Speak it girl!!!!
#52…what the hell is wrong with you?? A sin is a sin is a sin is a sin. God sees ALL sin as equal. How dare you? Are you God now? Only GOD can judge. You on the other hand need to shut up and have some respect for the man’s family. Shame on you. Don’t be mad because he lived his life to the fullest and your sitting there with your lights in your mama’s name, selling your link card and probably a full out in the closet junkie. Deal with it!
@61,spoke nothing but the truth!!
I can’t believe he’s died…he was such a great writer who inspired a new genre of writing. He will be missed.
Oh man…I love his books…R.I.P E. Lynn Harris!
YEAH, YOU’RE CORRECT THAT SIN IS SIN. BUT THIS PARTICULAR SIN IS ACCEPTED BY MANY PEOPLE. HOMOSEXUALITY ISN’T WORSE THAN ANY OTHER SIN. WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE FACT THIS THIS MAN ACCEPTED HOMOSEXUALITY AS BEING A NORMAL WAY OF LIFE AND NOT SINFUL. SIN IS SIN BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU SEE WRITING BOOKS ABOUT MURDER (FOR EXAMPLE) BEING SOMETHING THAT IS PERFECTLY FINE.
THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRUGGLING WITH A CERTAIN SIN AND EMBRACING THE SIN, AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO EMBRACE THE SIN ALSO.
@70. Amen. We have such an inability to call is “is.” Nobody’s judging the guy or celebrating that he’s died — nor are homophobic! AGAIN I say — IT IS NOT NATURAL!! Anybody who says it is, is fooling him or herself. For all you holier than thou folks. The dude my just well make it into heaven, but what he represented WAS NOT SOMETHING that should be embraced and perpetuated. None of you wants your son to be an –E. Lynn Harris!! Barrack Obama? You betcha!!
You can’t see for looking, bible toting hyprocrites, “First get the mote out of your own eye, then shalt thou see clearly what is in thy brother’s!” WORD!!! The world is both better because he lived AND because he is now not living!!!!!
@ 17.AshleyNikole – you said you read most of his books. I wouldn’t be interested his “man on man action” books but if he’s written about something other than that, I might be… so which ones would you recommend for a great read? Thanks.
@72 – all of his books have “man on man action” of implications there of. That’s who he was — and why he is no longer. Sorry. Try BeBe Moore Campbell’s work (who by the way passed away last a year or so ago).
I am saddened by his passing. I have been a fan of his for the last 10 years. I have read and own every novel and currently my wife is reading ” And this too shall pass”. The world truly lost a talented and inteligent black man.
@73. Remember? – okay thanks.
I may check out BeBe Moore Campbell’s work. I’ll look her up, it’s just too bad she’s passed too.
#6 Lis was that really necessary to say? jeez.
LISTEN FOLKS I ENJOY A GOOD READ & E. LYNN HARRIS WAS AN EXCELLENT WRITER. I COULDN’T CARE LESS IF HE WAS GAY, STRAIGHT, OR WHATEVER. TALENT IS TALENT. R.I.P.
#66 — Who said anything about the Bible? I sure didn’t in my post #52. I also didn’t mention anything about judging. See, what we fail to realize is that everyone has the right to an OPINION. That’s exactly what I shared in this appropriate forum. But here’s the real problem … If someone says they don’t like someone’s hair, car, clothes, or their relationship with their spouse, they’re simply sharing an opinion that can be heard, ignored or whatever. The minute any of that is directed at a gay person, THEN it becomes judging, and biblical, and PSALMS 23. You gay people are the absolute most hypocritical people there are. Am I not supposed to have an opinion about what someone when I believe their actions negatively impact our society or our children. Perhaps you are of the mindset that it doesn’t have negative impacts. See, that’s called an opinion. Get one and allow me to have mine. I make no apologies.
RIP
I agree everyone has a right to their opinion. Homosexuality is a choice and a sin. The scriptures say homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom.
If we truly care about our brothers and sisters in the homosexual lifestyle and about their souls it is our duty to tell and show them the way.
Silence only breeds acceptance of a lifestyle that GOD has condemned.
That’s not judging. If you have issues about, speak to him!
THERE IS NO WAY HOMOSEXUALITY IS A CHOICE. IF THAT WAS SO THEN HETROSEXAULITY IS A CHOICE AS WELL. THAT MEANS GAY AND STRAIGHT PEOPLE COLLECTIVLY HAD A CHOICE ON WHICH SIDE OF THE STREET YOU WOULD BE ON. SO DID YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO BE STRAIGHT???? OF COURSE NOT BECAUSE YOU WERE BORN THAT WAY. THERE WAS NO OTHER OPTION FOR YOU. JUST AS WITH GAY PEOPLE, WE DON’T HAVE A CHOICE TO BE GAY, THERE WAS NO OTHER ROAD TO TAKE. WE COULD CHOOSE TO TELL PEOPLE WE WERE GAY BUT NEVER CHOOSE TO BE GAY.
@ TELL IT LIKE IT IS
THE BIBLE SAYS ONE MUST STUDY TO SHOW ONES OWNSELF APPROVED IN HIS EYESIGHT. IT WOULD BE ONE THING IF YOU “SAVERS” REALLY HAD GOOD IN YOUR HEART AND CARED FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN, BUT ALL I HEAR FROM ANY OF YOU IS VILE WORDS OF HATE AND HURT. WHERE WILL THAT GET YOU ?
THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS GOD IS A GOD OF LOVE AND HE FORGIVES SEVENTY TIMES SEVENTY TIMES SEVENTY IN A 24 HR TIME FRAME. SO IT IS HIS MERCIES THAT ENDURTH FOREVER, NOT YOURS, OR JUDAH’S, OR THE WRITERS OR ANY OTHER BLOGGER WHO THINKS THEY CAN “SHOW SOMEONE THE WAY”
IN THE BIBLE THE WORDS OF JESUS ATE WRITTEN IN RED, AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY WORDS I BELIVE, NOT THE WORDS OF MOSES, LOT, JOB, DANIEL, DAVID, OR ANYONE ELSE. AND NO WHERE IN RED PRINT DOES IT SAY GOD HATES GAY PEOPLE OR IT IS A SIN TO BE WHO YOU ARE. IN FACT IT SAYS YOU SHOULD BE EITHER HOT OR COLD, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE LUKEWARM HE WILL SPEW YOU FROM HIS MOUTH, SO MAYBE YOUR PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE BISEXAUL PEOPLE.
THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN SHOW ANYBODY “THE WAY” WHEN YOU ARE LOST YOURSELF, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERFECT PERSON AND HE IS SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.
SO PRAY FOR YOUR OWN SIGHT THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE PAST YOUR OWN CHOICES AND BELIEFS AND LET ME BE WHO I WAS BORN TO BE. I WAS MADE IN HIS IMAGE AND HE KNEW ME BEFORE I KNEW MYSELF
I HOPE ONE DAY “YOU PEOPLE” WILL REALIZE THAT YOUR BELIEFS AND OPINIONS CAN BE WRONG.
MORE IMPORTANTLY JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GAY DOESN’T MEAN THEY DON’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THEY DON’T PRAY FOR THEIR SALVATION AND YOURS DAILY.
GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND STOP PLAYING SO HOLIER THAN THOU AND JOIN THE REST OF US ON OUR MISSION TOI BE MORE CHRIST-LIKE. YOU HAVE NO MORE INSIGHT THEN ANYONE ELSE. ITS ALL A CONSTANT STRUGGLE.
What is going on with our Black entertainers?
Bernie Mac…dead at 50, Michael Jackson…dead at 50, Luther Vandross….dead at 52, and now E. Lynn Harris at 54.
@83 pluz . . . You’re the one who needs to get real. HOMOSEXUALITY IS WRONG, IT IS NOT NATURAL. Christ himself condoned NOTHING that was wrong — including homosexuality. If you read you bible, when he went into the chambers and found the folks gambling, he turned the place out! Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Lord, you “so-called” Christians. Noboday’s saying E. Lynn died and is not roasting in hell. His lifestyle was wrong, what is stood for, promoted and perpetuatued (to an extent) has NOT been helpful in an already compromising society. PERIOD. THE END. May he RIP; however, to be Christ-like DOES NOT mean turning a blind eye. Forgiving is one thing … acceptance is another. WE DO NOT ACCEPT what the man stood for . . . and forgiving . . . well, not our jobs. Seek Him (i.e., God). Peace
YOUR APPROVAL OR ACCEPTANCE IS NEITHER REQUIRED OR DESIRED! WE HAVE HIS ( GOD’S) APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE! WE DON’T NEED YOURS. ONCE AGAIN THIS IS YOUR RENDITION OF THE BIBLE!
YOU PEOPLE ARE SO GOOD AT TWISTING CHRIST WORDS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.
OF COURSE BEING GAY IS NOT NATURAL TO YOU, JUST LIKE BEING STRAIGHT IS NOT NATURAL TO ME. BECAUSE YOU WERE NATURALLY BORN STARIGHT AND I WAS NATURALLY BORN GAY.
AND OF COURSE CHRIST DIDN’T CONDEMN ANYTHING WRONG, BECAUSE HE WAS A FISHER OF MEN, HE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE ALL ARE ON THE SAME JORNEY WITH DIFFERENT THINGS IN OUR WAY. HE IS A LOVING, GENTLE, AND FORGIVING GOD, IT IS YOU PEOPLE WHO MAKE HIM TO BE THIS TYRANT THAT WILL ONLY HEAR AND BLESS THE PEOPLE WHO YOU THINK HE WILL HEAR AND BLESS………. WRONG!
WE ALL ARE IS CHILDREN, SO TAKE YOUR CRUEL, EVIL, BITTER, TWISTED WORDS AND STUFF THEM FAR FROM MY EYES AND EARS AND SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHICH YOU DON’T.
I AM SO RELIVED THAT NONE OF YOU HOLD MY FATE IN YOUR HANDS, BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE ALREADY MAKE PLACES IN HELL FOR FOLKS AND IT AIN’T EVEN YALLS JOB!
IF I’M GOING TO HELL FOR BEING GAY, I GUESS I’LL MAKE A SPOT NEXT TO YOU FOR THIS HATE IN YOUR HEART.
@87
You’ll go to hell for not accepting Him as your Saviour. Your “choice” of being gay is what is preventing you from accepting Him completely and allowing Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness — and all sins follow under that category, homosexuality inclusive. You clearly are not “repentant” for your choice. You are trying to somehow “justify” in your own head that God in his loving-kindness (and all that you say He is — and you’re right!) will somehow overlook this no-no (abmination to use His words). It’s a no-no sweety. This is what will get you your seat in Hell — not just the fact that you are gay. But Seek Him — truly. He is able to bring you out of that, you know! I hope I”ve ministered to you in a great way — I truly love you and want to see you over there!
i couldnt get into his books…but the news is sad nonetheless…he was a good author as far i can see from my friends but i cant read the stuff he was writing about…too much for the kid….
I agree with all the people saying being gay is a choice. I went to sleep one night loving pussy and when I woke up I choose to be gay. It was real easy some of you should try it. In 6 months to about 10 years I will choose to be straight again. Can’t do it now cause dick is just to good for words. It may not take 10 years because I might die of aids before then. The best part of choosing to be gay is picking up little boys and turning them out yummy so much fun. Dick is the only enjoyment I have since I choose to live a unhappy lifestyle but hey it is what it is. I choose to live this lifestyle and for some reason I don’t wanna choose to go back yet. I should be sad and ashamed of myself since I chose this lifestyle I manage to break up families, cause a hurricane to hit New Orleans outer areas not the french quarter where all the money is, but all the neighborhoods where people lost there life and sense of self. What else horrible happened as the result of me choosing to be gay, oh Tyra making a whole cycle to animals (cycle 13), I’m sorry but that worse then Beyonce getting another acting gig. I’m sorry that my choice ruin most of ya’ll lives and made this world a worse place to live then it already was.
When one reads threads like this, you can see why the black woman has the highest rate of A!DS, lol. It has nothing to do with “h*mophobia” in the black community. It has to do with the fact that most black women are advocates of h*mosexuality because they are advocates of anything that will destroy the strong male image. This is why their children grow up to be drug-dealers and whores. It is what it is.
@KATZ
I love you h*mos that claim “Christ”, and say that you only “believe Christ’s words”, lmao. Christ himself said that you cannot believe on him, unless you believe on Moses (John 5:45-47). We know what the Lord said through Moses about h*mosexuals (Lev 20:13)
So very sad. He was an accomplished and talented individual. Reading “Invisible Life” helped me to understand the life and plight of one of my very best friends who is also gay. May he rest in peace.
not a day goes by was pretty good. bebe moore campbell really moved me with her book about a child with mental illness and the mother’s efforts to protect her.
Sorry to hear that. I never read his books, but I do know he was well respected author. R.I.P.
@ 93 TIMIKA: Did you know that Bebe Moore Campbell’s book was autobiographical and about her struggle with her own drug addicted daughter (actress Maia Campbell)??? It was a very good and moving book. Just thought I’d share that.
Okay, so I say let’s start judging all the blessed straight men that have sex before marriage. Or the straight women that have sex before marriage. Or the straight people that lie, rape, murder, adulter, steal, bash and hold prejudice. Let’s start picking out their sins each and everyday. I’m sure all of their skeletons in the closet outweigh outs. Oh but wait, then we wouldn’t be any bettter than them. I welcome thier hate and criticism because in the end they are only hurting themselves. I judge no one, it is not my place. If you are bot spreading the word with love but twisting the bible with your own hate you are only added fuel to your own fire. And another thing, sin, no matter what form is the only normal things we as the human race have in common. We’re all born into it. Just because your vice isn’t homosexuality doesn’t make you wholesome. Get over yourself. We are all SINNERS of some sort. The bible says so bitches!
Lots of misspellings in my post. Not my fault. Damn iPhone and it auto word correct. But I did mean to call you ignorant people BITCHES.
Oh and to #52 who said “good riddance”. Are you mad he exposed you doing the down low, low down? Probably so, don’t be mad because he hipped your wife to you dipping in the cookie jar. Closet case!
Also I can almost guarantee that most of you who posted those negative things about the author or only “judge” (uhh i hate that word) homosexual sin and not the others, are fat or even OBESE. If you think God is gonna let some fat person in heaven, you are seriously delusional. Whats sad is that ya’ll don’t wanna change your unhealthy lifestyle. Yall like being fat losers and thats ok, wells its really not. Lets make a deal let gay people do them and yall fat asses can eat all the meatloaf, 5 piece manager specials, Lan bow chinese buffets to your hearts desire.
Other then that RIP Mr. Harris. It doesn’t matter how you died, just know people may have hated you, but many people loved you and your work, so never forget that.
We can all go on about homosexuality being right or wrong but the fact of the matter is that another human being has died and left the world. Whether he made a impact on the world or not, my prayers are with his family.
Brother E Lynn Harris!I pray your soul rest in peace!Talented.
And this “programmed religion” got you all messed up in the head.I don’t know what kind of God your worship, but the I God I worship accepts all people.
agree totally with #70
couldnt have said it better. his life or death matters not much to me because i wasnt a fan or foe. he wasnt even on my radar. . .
i just found it odd that an article talked about how he had JUST penned a project that would turn his books into movies and then died the next day.
having homosexual characters on showtime or other movies (there is even gay depiction in ICE AGE with the two rhinos) is one thing but to have it on the big screen is another thing completely.
now i dont know if his death would put a stop to those plans but if it does. . .just maybe thats why he died.
JUST A THOUGHT
. . .because its gotten so crazy that what WAS good is now bad and what once was bad is now good.
and why do we have to “haters” if we dont follow these things? that goes for lifestyles and the garbage they play over the airwaves. its amazing how many people overlook any sin, nothing makes us flinch anymore. just today, an 87 yr old man killed his 12yr old grandson, his 85 year old wife, and then himself on their 50something wedding anniversary while family was inside.
the world has just GONE MAD
What’s going on ( LIFE)…..R.I.P E. LYNN HARRIS
Drayton you talk to much and much of what you say don’t make sense. “Having homosexual characters on showtime or other movies (there is even gay depiction in ICE AGE with the two rhinos) is one thing but to have it on the big screen is another thing completely.” Ice Age was on the big screen you moron.
I’m not saying that MAN on MAN sex is not wrong in the bible because it clearly is. I still til this day don’t understand why gays even deal with the church but hey I can say the same for blacks that was force and beaten to follow this religion. But to insinuate that he died because he was going to get a movie deal is ludicrous, really triflin and shows what kind of low life loser you and the rest who feel the same way really are. When you have plenty of men living fruitful lives (no pun intended) on the dl or closet that are still alive painting the town white
while still married or dealing with women.
If you spent more time worrying about education and being a better human being or “christian” then worrying about gays, your life would be so much better.
HE HAD TEN BOOKS ON THE NY TIMES BEST SELLER LIST. I ENJOYED HIS BOOKS.
R.I.P. so sad when someone dies. Hope he’s in a better place.
OMG!!! I LOVED E Lynn Harris!! He is one of my favorite authors. RIP Mr Harris, condolences to his family!
ever heard of playing devils advocate CAJIVA?
and although ice age was on the big screen, not everyone caught on that the characters were a couple. . .thats completely different from a movie being about THE LIFESTYLE.
and as far as education-i have a masters and will soon have a doctorate but i dont see how thats relevant. i dont spend my time “worrying about gay people”. its their choice and i dont bombard them with “youre going to hell” speeches. as far as im concerned, all sins are created equal.
you seem so angry and i notice that you just KEEP COMING BACK to reply to the comments you dont agree with or like.
you sound so angry honey. i hope things get better for you soon.
GOD BLESS
Lynn, we will miss you!
Drayton first the whole “you angry” thing don’t work with me honey. Second we posted the same amount of post. Thirdly You said he died because they were turning his books into movies. How is that different then condemning someone to hell, cause I know you don’t think he is going to heaven. Also the way you portray yourself in these post insinuates that you worry a little to much about gay people. If you don’t care that much, you wouldn’t have made up all that mumbo jumbo you conjugated up. But that’s cool they more you worry and think about us, the more we destroy the world HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!
OKAY, LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD, GOD SAYS A MAN SHOULD NOT SLEEP WITH ANOTHER MAN AND A WOMAN SHOULD NOT SLEEP WITH ANOTHER WOMEN, THE PROOF CAN BE READ IN THE BIBLE VERSE LEVITUS 20:13
your words: “its wrong for a man to sleep with a man. . .we destroy the world”
WOW
the difference between our posts? yours have an angry undertone.
go ahead and IGNORE the words that say (to quote myself) “JUST MAYBE”
and i see youre a mindreader. . .but you got this one wrong. dont know where he currently resides and i dont care one way or the other. aside from being concerned about my loved ones, the only soul i really have to be concerned about is
MY OWN. as we both know, i dont have a heaven or hell to put him in.
and in regards to that topic, if i am to believe the religion i follow, i know that there are instances where people are punished. and this has nothing to do with homosexuality. sin is sin and i do not profess to free of that. no one is perfect. now, i do not revel in my sin, and that is a difference from most people. not that sin isnt enjoyable. but what happened to controlling ourselves rather than doing whatever our bodies and minds want to do?
and to end this i have TWO more things to say.
to sound cliche, i have gay friends and treat them no differently than others and
thanks for coming back AGAIN to talk to me. i feel flattered.
PEACE AND BLESSINGS
Get real and stop twisting the scriptures to suit your lifestyle. Homosexuality is an abomination-not my words but scripture. The scriptures say homosexuals as well as other non-repentant sinners will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. I can’t judge you and I do not have a hell to send you too, but if I call myself a Christian I can not knowingly turn a blind eye if I care about your soul.
I have a few homosexual relatives. So I could care less about PC!!! One, a lesbian even asked my pops to marry her and her girlfriend. My dad an old fashioned baptist preacher of course responded no…but she knew this before hand.
My relatives have admitted to this being their choice….and they know their behavior is not according to scriptures…but even though they know my dad’s convictions they can and do still come to him with prayers. Why? because some day if the communication lines are left open, just maybe they will seek GOD for to change their lifestyle.
I never heard of E. Lynn Harris or his books, but I wonder if there was evidence in his writtings that he was an heir of God through Christ? I mean, did he ever profess Christ in his books? Was he filled with the spirit or was his writings worldly? I only ask the question, because there is no condemnation to those who are in Chirst Jesus. You can’t serve two masters. Did he liberate or did he seek to entitle?
And without judging, I believe that a persons fate is sealed when they die. There’s nothing that anyone can say now to change Harris’s eternal resting place. He’s already arrived at his final destination! God judged the merits of his works on the day he died.
Now, I believe that God can do anything. Including, save a worldly man. He’s God! However, I believe He made it very clear that there would be no interaction between the great divide…”eternal comfort or eternal torment”. People on earth can’t add or take away from the room temperature of the dead.
I know some of you think that its too soon to bring up his lifestyle, but how long should we wait until we realize that its “homophobic” to keep quiet about God’s message to man. I’m trying not to be harsh, but Harris, Robert Reed, Marx Robinson, Hines, Vandross and countless others have gone too soon!
When a person goes to heaven, they rejoice forever, but if they are eternally tormented, trust me, they would want to warn other people on earth. They could cry out, “change your lifestyle and don’t come here”. Problem is…sickness and pain is nothing compared to eternal torment. So, rather than writting books about the immoral choices, writters, singers and actors, keep quiet and fade away to keep from hurting their fans.
Now, here’s one answer to life’s eternal riddle: We can’t ignore God and expect to be carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bossom. If we live for Christ, we must deny ourselves and not endulge. So, to those of you who read his books and knew Harris’s message, I have only one question: Was there evidence in his words that he was a child of God? If so, then his dying should be about celebration and not sadness.
Simple math!