Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009    Text size: 

Earlier this summer, FlavaMen Magazine announced its inaugural slate of FlavaMen Blatino Awards nominees, recognizing ethnic clubs and promoters, adult stars and studios, films and websites by and for men of color.

The Blatino Erotica Awards, honoring the contributions of black and Latino men in gay adult as well as mainstream entertainment, announced their 2009 honorees at the end of May.

Joe Hawkins, the latter show’s founder and producer, said he has "no objections" to another gay-adult awards program honoring men of color, and instead takes issue with what he perceives as a potentially damaging overlap in how the shows are identified and perceived by fans and industry members.

"As a man of color, the very reason behind my creating the Blatino Erotica Awards three years ago was to ensure that more of these men be recognized for their contributions," he said.

"I only wish Flava Works would have been more creative with the naming of their event and show me and my organization some professional respect."

Hawkins said similarities between the two shows is "causing confusion in the industry and among fans about who is producing what."

Warren Bullock, director of the FlavaMen Blatino Awards, told XBIZ that awards ceremonies "have been around for thousands of years. To think we got the idea from Joe Hawkins are simply delusions of grandeur and to get press for himself and his circuit party."

"If anything we look up to XBIZ Awards, even the Oscars, not some person no one has ever heard about."

Bullock stressed the need in gay adult entertainment for increased exposure and recognition of black and Latino performers and studios.

"The Flavamen Blatino Awards is not a pool circuit party with awards given to a select few but an awards show that honors many different ethnic groups voted for by fans," he said.