Harris was found unconscious on July 23, 2009 at a hotel in peninsula in Beverly Hills, California. He was declared dead when taken to hospital. He was on a tour to promote his latest book Basketball Jones. He was just 54.

E. Lynn Harris was born on June 20, 1955 in Flint, Michigan city. He had three sisters. He studied in University of Arkansas at Fayette ville. He started working since the age of 13. He worked in IBM for three years in sales department. The mind of Harris was sharp since childhood. But his dreams came true when his first book Invisible Life was published in 1991. After his first book got published, he never looked behind. His next book Just As I Am was published in 1995 which was followed by

And This Too Shall Pass in 1996

If This World Were Mine in 1997

Abide With Me in 1999

Not a Day Goes By in 2000

A Love of My Own in 2002

Freedom in this village in 2005

I Say a Little Prayer – 2007

Love Is Stronger Than Pride in 2009

Basketball Jones – Latest.

Harris considered his first book most important. According to him, his first book helped him to know that his life is valuable and he should not hide his real identity that he is a gay.

His books  like “Invisible Life,” “A Love of My Own,”, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” he depicted how black gay men are living double lives. They hide their feelings and real identity because of lack of confidence.

Harris once said “We have a don’t ask, don’t Tell” policy in the black community.” These worads of him encouraged people to ask and tell. He encouraged his community open up n speak for themselves.

Harris portrayed lives of gay men in a better way. Since then people didn’t know much about black gay men. His most of the readers were young black girls and professional women. They were shocked to know that the men with whom they are living may get attracted to other men.

He introduced a phenomenon known as low down. For many years Harris didn’t get any help. But his phenomenon exploded in 2004; almost after one decade of first publish.

He also faced criticism many times. He was deeply heart when some of the black gay men said that he is not able to depict the actual conditions of black gay men in right manner while some of them said that he is writing too much about them.

Taking all the criticism and praise, Harris left the world on July 23, 2009 and is no more with us. May his soul rest in peace!