Some thoughts on the passing of Cheryl B.
Jun. 19th, 2011 03:41 pmCheryl Burke, aka Cheryl B., poet, performer, author, editor and organizer, passed away from complications from chemo for Hodgkin's Lymphoma this weekend. There's a nicely done memorial out on the Lambda Lit blog (though it does have the wrong date on it).
Awhile back, Cheryl accepted an essay of mine entitled "Strange, But Not a Stranger" for an anthology of bi women's writing that she was pulling together for Suspect Thoughts Press. We chatted online in various venues over the years in which the antho was delayed and delayed and then Suspect Thoughts folded and no one picked the book up. I enjoyed the interactions I had with her and was sorry that I never got to see her perform or meet her in person. And I'm sorry that the book never saw the light of day. I think she would have done some interesting things with it. On July 23, there'll be a benefit at Dixon Place to help out Cheryl's partner, comedian Kelli Dunham, and pay some of Cheryl's medical bills. I can't be there but once I know what the donation address is, I'll be posting that essay out here and asking for donations. I wish the weekend held better news. I don't think Cheryl was someone we could afford to lose.
Awhile back, Cheryl accepted an essay of mine entitled "Strange, But Not a Stranger" for an anthology of bi women's writing that she was pulling together for Suspect Thoughts Press. We chatted online in various venues over the years in which the antho was delayed and delayed and then Suspect Thoughts folded and no one picked the book up. I enjoyed the interactions I had with her and was sorry that I never got to see her perform or meet her in person. And I'm sorry that the book never saw the light of day. I think she would have done some interesting things with it. On July 23, there'll be a benefit at Dixon Place to help out Cheryl's partner, comedian Kelli Dunham, and pay some of Cheryl's medical bills. I can't be there but once I know what the donation address is, I'll be posting that essay out here and asking for donations. I wish the weekend held better news. I don't think Cheryl was someone we could afford to lose.