Jerk chicken, fried fish, seasoned rice, plantain, dips, chips, lentil curry, wine, punch, boom box, rounders and a gazebo. ..a sprinkling of sunshine and TWO rainbows at once – these were the makings of a wonderful picnic, organised for the 1st birthday of Organik B.LU. (OB - Black Lesbians Unite).

Brockwell Park in south London was the place to be on Sunday 17th May. Sisters and brothers gathered in body and spirit. Our united laughter and love shone over and above the ever threatening wind and rain.

Somehow, 'weather permitting’ seemed to have lost its meaning at this event, for the party was destined to go ahead rain or shine.
 

When the first rainbow appeared the festivities immediately cut to freeze-frame . A hush descended over us as we looked up in awe. When the second one appeared (almost immediately) there came an instant buzz, rippling through the crowd, then a crescendo of laughter and complete adulation.

It is no coincidence that Biblically the rainbow signifies promise that all is well. And, for the LGBT community, the rainbow is a sign of diversity, inclusiveness, hope and yearning.

Well, we didn’t need any more confirmation than this to crank up the celebrations. Boy did we dance! And when the boom-box died we made our own music – thanks to Charlie and Lorna chatting lyrics. We also sang ‘Happy Birthday To Us’, holding hands in an unbroken circle of love and warmth.

Organik B.L.U. social networking website based on spirituality, has grown tremendously since launching in May 2008. It now boasts well over 1000 members who interact minute-by-minute, day-by-day, across the globe, through meaningful blogging and thought-provoking discussion.

Founders, Ms B.L.U, and wife, Spiritual Being, ooze humility, seeing the success of the site as a joint venture to be shared and enjoyed by the entire OB family.

Ms. B.L.U said: ‘I have found my first year on OB totally enriching and enlightening on many accounts. The growth and substance of OB continues to give me hope for our future. Change is happening right NOW!

‘I feel the 'Piknik' was an amazing opportunity for us all to come out together to share and celebrate something we have all helped to harvest together as one UNIT. Our first birthday is the beginning of many more birthdays. If we continue the way we have been during the last year, I can confidently say our future as a community is BRIGHT! The rainbows seem to agree.'

(Pictures courtesy of Andrew Prince)

We asked some Organik B.L.U. members about their first year and and how they felt about the birthday picnic:

Dee, south London
OB – Quite inciteful. It’s nice to have a portal to communicate with other black women
Picnic – It’s fun being with extended family.

LoveJoy, Kilburn, London
OB – Very exciting, very spiritual and uplifting
Picnic – Lovely!

BStar, Camberwell, south-east London
OB – Very supportive, encouraging and empowering.
Picnic – Brilliant!

Tasty, Streatham, south west London
OB – Inspirational, I’m so inspired!
Picnic – Growth. ..seeing young people – there’s room to groom them

Cash, south London
I’m a self-referral to OB – recruited today!
This thing needs to expand so that this park can be filled!

President & Joanne, south London
OB & Picnic – There should be more events like this throughout the year for the lesbian community to get together.

LB, London
OB – Interesting, motivating, informative
Picnic – I am happy that we are commemorating

Charlie, Camberwell, south London & Mary K, Angel, London
OB – Elightening, refreshing thought-provoking
Picnic – Warm although weather is cold, with a sense of togetherness

Andrew, north London (honourable member!)
OB – A fantastic group of sisters with loads of love
Picnic – Great! Good to see so many sisters I know. I love it!

Destiny, Islington, north London
OB – warm, welcoming, diverse, refreshing and loving
Picnic – Really happy with the turn out. Really nice.

Each colour of the rainbow is significant – check this out:

•    Red: stands for courage

•    Orange: offers the vision of possibilities

•    Yellow: represents the challenge that green has kindled

•    Green: indicates a challenge to co-operators to strive for growth of membership and of understanding of the aims and values of co-operation

•    Sky blue: suggests far horizons, the need to provide education and help less fortunate people and strive toward global unity

•    Dark blue: suggests pessimism: a reminder that less fortunate people have needs that may be met through the benefits of cooperation

•    Violet: is the colour of warmth, beauty, and friendship

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Find out more about Ms B.L.U and how it all began. Click here.

Join Organik B.L.U now: http://organikblu.ning.com