Black Don't Crack!

Mel Melcon / LAT

The Los Angeles Times has an article about 1973 Mr. America Jim Morris, a 72-year old Black, gay bodybuilder who still lifts weights 6 days a week. It's not exactly clear why the article by Staff Reporter Carla Hall was published on Monday, but it was definitely heartening to see black, gay visibility in my hometown newspaper, an explicit acknolwdgement of bodybuilding's homoeroticism and the pervasive nature of racism.

But Morris' Mr. America win in 1973 propelled him into the Hollywood whirl. "I was living by the Hollywood sign, I was known in the gay community, I was invited to all the A-list parties," he said.

Morris, who worked as a Carnation food company sales representative until 1974, went on to do a variety of jobs: He was a bodyguard for Elton John; he had a small movie career (his various characters include a gymnast in the Mae West movie "Sextette"); and he opened his own gym with his companion of 20 years, Jimmy Brown.

The gym closed in 1985. His partner died of AIDS 15 years ago. And Morris has been a personal trainer since the mid-'80s, working at World Gym in the Marina for years. After its recent closure, he found a new home at Boditron.

There are multiple pictures prominently displayed on the Times website and the article was on the front page of the popular California section. Mad Professah is curious about the motivation of the editors in carrying this story, but happy to see it.