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July 24, 2009 Author E. Lynn Harries Dies at 54
Author E. Lynn Harris passed away earlier today at the age of 54.
Long before the secret world of closeted black gay men came to light in America, bestselling author E. Lynn Harris introduced a generation of black women to the phenomenon known as the “down low.”
Harris endeared such characters to readers who were otherwise unfamiliar with them, using themes and backdrops familiar to urban professionals, conditioned by their upbringings, their church leaders or their friends to condemn and criticize homosexuality in the African-American community. A proud Razorback cheerleader at the University of Arkansas who struggled with his own sexuality before becoming a pioneer of gay black fiction, Harris died Thursday at age 54 while promoting his latest book in Los Angeles.
Publicist Laura Gilmore said Harris died Thursday night after being stricken at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, and a cause of death had not been determined. She said Harris, who lived in Atlanta, fell ill on a train to Los Angeles a few days ago and blacked out for a few minutes, but seemed fine after that.
[source]
My heart and prayers go out to his family.
dee
July 24, 2009 at 8:03 pm
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww. this is crazy. So many people are pasing away it leaves you to wonder what the hell s going on. E .Lyn did amazing work and opened the eyes of many people. Sorry to hear he passed.
Century
July 24, 2009 at 8:43 pm
This is such a shock and tragic loss. 9 years ago I discovered his first best seller Invisible Life and was fortunate enough to have him autograph it for me while attending school at Howard University. That same year I came out of the closet and I have read every single novel this man has ever written. He had a beautiful spirit and he definitely be missed.
halleberryfan
July 24, 2009 at 9:10 pm
WHAT!!? OMG I was IN LOVE with his books, wow, i really am in shock, what a loss:(
Trish
July 24, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I read his books. I am surprised. My condolences.
Heather
July 24, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I am so saddened to learn of his passing! I loved E. Lynn’s writing and his books were awesome! RIP E. Lynn….
bagpoor.com
July 24, 2009 at 10:53 pm
omg…he will be missed! i just finished “and this too shall pass” last week.
Elle.Ghee
July 25, 2009 at 12:01 am
It is so sad to hear this news, I was a really big fan of his books. Hw will be missed….
Roxie
July 25, 2009 at 12:10 am
R.I.P.
TAUR3AN
July 25, 2009 at 1:51 am
So sad! “Basketball Jones” is an amazing book, I read it from cover to cover in 48 hours, thats how good it is. I was so looking forward to his next novel. We have definitely lost a great in the Black LGBT community.
Omari aka Poshchocolate Superstar
July 25, 2009 at 5:13 am
OMG I can’t believe he’s gone too now. This becoming way too spooky people. Wake it up and make that change! Make a change to be a difference in your own lives and the lives of others. OMG…I’m a budding out and proud masculine Gay Black Male screenwriter who really wanted to work on some projects with brutha Harris and sadly I will not be able to.
But I promise to continue that torch in written form and on screen. WE STILL SHALL BE VISIBLE!
-Omari
Dre
July 25, 2009 at 5:54 am
I absolutely cannot believe this!!!
I just read basketball jones like 2 weeks ago and was really anticipating his next project….
He has become so huge a part of my life…like really!
When i was just a teenager I went to the library trying to discover myself searching for books about black gay men….and i found his treasures and it really changed my life. gave me hope….took me to another place…..this is tragic.
Spicy Goddess
July 25, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Are u SERIOUS??????????? WHY are all these 50+ ppl dying????? This is scary… I betta lose some weight and start eating right for real!
May he R.I.P. I loved his books!!!!!!!!!!!
sean
July 25, 2009 at 4:57 pm
i can’t believe this, i loved his work.. and I think he came into this world to awaken alot of us who are so blind to our own sight.. my favorite moment in his books was in invisable life: when he called his mother to tell her and he cryed and she said baby i love u and he reply ” mom there are times when you need someone other than your mama to say they love u..” what a moment for me in writing, i wrote him a email concerning that and he replyed to it