Yeah I said it. I hate being a sissy! No matter how much we sugar coat it, glamorize it, mesmerize it and fantasize it, it is still the worst. I've grown to accept who I am, as much as I have tried time and time again to change myself to something more mainstream, but it never works. Its like fixing a leaky pipe with a band aid. It's a temporary fix. But at the end of the day, I am still gay!
I can't live my true self out in the open without residing in a major gay city and even then, it is limited to certain areas. The world doesn't want homosexuals in it. While, there would be a huge missing if we weren't. Who would do the hair and make up? Who would decide on the latest fashion trends and fads? Who would come up with the most creative ad campaigns and music videos? What a great portion of the world doesn't know is that there is likely a homo making decisions that shape their world. Yet their ignorance allows them to hate.
While I embrace individuality, I hate when gay men do outrageous things drawing attention to themselves making it harder for the rest of the population to breathe easy. Drag queens, I will never understand. There is this hunger to dress and act like a woman, but it still gets trapped within a community of misfits who sit around heckling at their bafooned antics. What's the point?
And then there is that fucked up STD that there is no cure for, yeah HIV that's it. Whoever created that virus knew that they would soon infect and erradicate a good portion of the gay community. Little did they know that two timing men, who like a bit more than the traditional vagina monologue every now and then, would dip or be dipped into an infected man and pass it along to his lady friend. Its all fucked up. People just don't care.
Cornelius reflects on MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOR THE EMPIRE STATE
Love and fairness wins the day for all New Yorkers, our families, and allies! I remember going to Albany (in 2009) with my friend Angel to rally for Marriage Equality, Anti-Bullying in Schools, and GendaRights...meeting the many faces, advocates, activists, politicians, young&old supporting Empire State Pride Agenda...and the day has come NY Legislators approve same-sex marriage. Awesome Victory...
My journey was to support Angel, he had been with his partner for over 6 years, sharing a home in Long Island, but not able to obtain rights as other legally married couples. While, at the time, I was totally jaded and cynical to the idea of same sex marriage (mainly because I had not experienced a meaningful and mature partnership). I knew this was really important to him. I needed to support and to be educated. While in Albany, my ideals shifted. I was awakened and more educated. Everyone deserves equal rights, especially in marriage, if one chooses to go that route, regardless of how long or short the marriage lasts. While I, myself, stood more in favor for Anti-Bullying and Safe schools (having been bullied and harassed throughout elementary, middle,and high school), being in Albany opened my eyes to HUMAN RIGHTS/HUMAN NEEDS. I was also exposed to GendaRights (equal rights for my transgendered brothers and sisters). We don't know why we feel, think, or act a certain way or do have the answers to every question or adversity in life, but I feel we are ultimately individuals who aspire to live peacefully, safely, and harmoniously and we all deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully.
Oh yes, the tide has turned in the east and may this victory be infectious and effective to all states across our country, until everyone is granted the freedom to love, live, and be joyous.
Mrs. Knowles(Carter) has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue since her beginning Diva days with one of the Best Selling All Girl groups Destiny’s Child.But lately the Press has been all over her. With all the controversy from her leaving her Dad’s Management ties to the upcoming release(leaked) album from the Queen B herself.You may have started to doubt our Down-South Maven but as always, the Queen never disappoints her true die hard Fans.
The epic “4” starts off with a Beautiful Ballad where B teaches us all little about the Arithematics of Love in the song titled “1+1”. Ne-Yo was there to lend a helping pen on this one. Next up on the Ballad train is “I Care” which quite frankly my Dear, I do. B shows us why she may still be Dangerously in Love as she belts outs notes and riffs to confess how she really feels. Not only does she give us new music styles and beats but we also get a Duo with the ATLien himself Andre 3000. The catchy bass thumping “Party” is actually the only song on the Album that is not a repeat on the Playlist. We travel back to the 80’s with the mellow tempo of “Rather Die Young”. Another favorite is “Start Over” because love should never die.
The Club banging “Countdown” will be one of the songs for the Summer. It gets the crowd bouncing all the way down to number 1 and is very Ala Destiny’s Child. The funky Brazilian bass sparking from “End of Time” makes it the number one Favorite of all time. This one pays a keen tribute to the late great King of Pop Himself. “I Was Here” goes deep into the Real life of the Queen as she soulfully expresses how she has left her footprints in the Sand of Life. “The Best Thing I Never Had” is said to be Irreplaceable Part II. This tune lets the X Factor know that it sucks to be in his Timbs right now. “Love On Top” is an Old-School feel with an All-time Classic Boy band groups. It makes you want to snap and two step all while clapping and hand swaying. Rounding out the bottom is none other than “Girls Who Run The World”. This Girl Anthem was the first release of the Album with a Premiere of a new transformed Shasha Fierce and her girl posse as they let Us all know that they are women hear them roar. Overall the new album “4” is one of the Moth’s best. Bey embarks on new territory as we are exposed to eclectic sounds and techno beats mixed with Jazz and smooth Caribbean tones. Rated Grade A, Gays Approved. LOVE IT!!
There is always a time in our lives when we would look at something and feel like turning the other way without thinking about trying whatever it is in the beginning. For some of us, we feel like we are over it. Then later on we realize that it is an ongoing battle that we have to face for a very long time. The only difference is that now it has become a moment instead of an ongoing lifestyle problem.
One day, I went over to visit my grandmother. I have an incredibly busy schedule that orginally took a toll on me visiting my grandmother before. She called me one time wondering why I haven't been visiting her because I used to visit her every weekend. But now, it hasn't become a problem and I now visit my grandmother every weekend.
She told me she made some stew if I would like to try some. She didn't even have to ask me. When my grandmother offers me her cooking, I am in the kitchen the next second. Everybody knows there is a current debate between your own mother and your grandmother's cooking. You be the judge.
I opened the pot and there I stumbled upon a stew I have never seen before. It was a combination of baked patatoes, mixed vegetables, ground meat, and spaghetti all together in one. I seriously wanted to burn all of it. I thought it was ugly and I thought it was going to be a disgusting dish. The good thing about me is that I am one of those people that loves trying new things. I am the experimental type. I like to keep my life fresh.
Even though I still had those tiny judgments about grandma's stew, I grabbed a plate and put some in microwave. I put it in my mouth and guess what? It was the most delicious stew I have ever had in my life. I felt so embarrassed that I dismissed the whole thing without willing to try.
This is something that I want everyone to do. Don't jump to conclusions and ignore a dish. Grab a plate and try it out. Who knows? It might be an amazing dish.
Lately, I've been so consumed with completing my first novel that I have neglected my duties with The Future Forward. When Richard, Cornelius, Dwight and myself started this website, we had a vision. Our vision was to create a platform. This platform was not only for us to express our creative selves, but for you the reader to share your comments, suggestions and concerns. The website thrives because of you. We continue to do things in the community to make a difference. We want to thank you for your continued support and hope that you will continue to tell your friends and family about the website.
We want to hear from you, send us an email to thefutureforward@gmail.com!
P.S. - The novel is almost done. I wanted to make it perfect because it's rumored to be the next best seller. Stay tuned...
2011 FLAVAMEN BLATINO AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN he third annual award show honors gay ethnic porn stars, websites, companies and more!
MIAMI, FL (June 20, 2011) FlavaMen® Magazine announces the nomination process has opened for the third annual gay ethnic awards, the Blatino Awards (BlatinoAwards.com). These awards honor ethnic clubs, adult performers, and websites in a variety of categories and will be administered by Flava Works.
"Three times is always a charm and the Third Annual FlavaMen Blatino Awards are going to be bigger and better than ever," said Dwight Allen O'Neal, Event Organizer. "Last year was incredible and this year will be even better, we are adding more categories, hosting at a larger venue, and bringing another celebrity host to really upgrade the event and make it bigger and better."
Nominations for the various categories are now open and nominations close July 10, 2011 while the voting process will last from July 11, 2011 until August 7, 2011. The Third Annual FlavaMen BlatinoAwards Ceremony will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, during Atlanta Gay Black Pride on September 2nd, 2011.
Some of the new categories added include: Best Black Club Midwest, Best Black Club - East Coast Best Black Club - West Coast, Best Black Club South, Best Club DJ, Best YouTube Channel and Best Gay Artist (singer, actor, personality, etc.). Last year's hosts and presenters included Fantasia, Kelly Rowland, Dondria, Wendy Williams, Raz-B, Shanell aka SnL, CJ Wright and D-Woods. This year's hosts and presenters will be announced in late August.
Taylor you will be missed and it was really nice to get that email from you just last week saying that you loved me brother and the words I shared with you were truly from my heart! You were a huge inspiration for the Christopher Street TV series and were on set as a background player for our pilot, which meant so much to me… I have great memories or brunch in the Village and hearing stories on how you support me even when the community was not on my side... Thank you for not judging me and being there in that time of need. It meant a lot to me.
I know you are still blogging up there in heaven… Love you!!!
The one thing that I really do love about myself is that I am a friendship person. I love having a lot of friends. I actually have more friends than I had when it comes to relationships. My relationships are not even in the double digits yet. I love meeting new people that could possibly develop into a friendship. There is no limit for me. I love anyone that I can have an amazing conversation with. I will admit that there are times when it can get a little out of control. You're wondering what this person is doing because you haven't heard from them in a long time, but I do my best to keep it together.
I will admit one thing. You can't become my friend easily. Even though I have many friends they will tell you it took some time for me to fully trust them. I had that smile on my face all the time but I did not let it go that far. There are some people in this world who pretends to be a friend, and ends up hurting you in the process. So I make my friends carefully. Also, I will only be your friend unless you want me to. I know I can't please everyone. A simple confession that you don't want to be friends is enough for me.
One day, I was sitting at the computer, getting some work done as usual. I looked around my office and started to feel very lonely. I am always by myself in my office, but it really dawned on me during this particular night. I browsed on Facebook and saw some familiar faces along with old friends. I haven't heard from some in days, weeks, months, and years.
Here I am with these large groups of friends, but I was still alone at the end of the day.
I finally summed up the courage to email a couple of them, just asking how they are and what they've been doing lately. Some of them didn't respond back, which made me a little sad. However, there were a group of people that responded to my emails. They said what they were doing and they were happy that I contacted them. A few of them missed the charm that I brought into their lives and wished that they could hang out with me again.
All of those responses brought happiness into my heart. I truly missed them, but I was afraid they didn't miss me and moved on with their lives. From the way it looked, I received mixed responses. Some of them didn't respond, showing that they moved on and I've been removed from their lives. But there are some that miss me, just as much as I miss them.
I want this to be a message to everyone who reads me. We can't wait all the time for the other person to get in contact with you. Sometimes you have to send an email or dial a number to hear from them. I have a large group of friends and I wouldn't trade them for any person in the world. Even if I make new friends they will always be a part of life. I'll just have to find a way to slow down time.
So to everyone that reads this there comes a time in your life when you have to make the call. If you truly care about that person, instead of wondering how they're feeling, get in contact with them. Show them that you care. Let them hear your voice again.
If you are in the Austin, TX area this Thursday make sure you check out my dear friend Tim'm T. West's debut of his one-man show Ready, Set, Grow (which is co-directed by me!)
"Ready, Set, Grow" is a one-man show by critically acclaimed rapper and Spoken Word Artist Tim'm T. West that speaks to the question: What becomes of little black boys who've considered suicide robbed of any rites of passage? Inspired by the works of James Baldwin and his mentors Ntozake Shange and Carl Hancock Rux, Tim'm offers a coming of age story, through spoken word, rap, and song, that suggests an inalienable right to these rites. Moving through the complex maze of American poverty, racism, sexism, and sexuality, "Ready, Set, Grow" suggests that "waiting for superman" may not be as sensible as becoming a super man. How do we save ourselves? How do we respect the diversity and complexity of black male experience when so many young men, objectified and stigmatized at birth, are sucked into a system recycling defeatist and hopeless futures. One man, through his own transparent, vulnerable, experiences offers one way he strives in spite of racism, poverty, homophobia, HIV/AIDS... so surely there are other ways. Ready. Set. Let's Grow.
If you are not in the Austin area, no worries, Ready, Set, Grow will be playing a city near you soon (NYC'ers keep your eyes and ears open!). For updates and info just check out Tim's's website: www.reddirt.biz
Following a successful performance during last year's Inaugural DC Black Theatre Festival with "Aesthetics", Brave Soul Collective (BSC) returns with "Smoke Screens: The Lies We Tell Ourselves (& Everyone Else)" On Saturday June 18th , BSC will present an evening of theatre, & spoken word performances that examine the many complexities of life & how we as human beings deal with, avoid, & manipulate the elements of TRUTH & HONESTY.
The theatrical pieces performed as part of "Smoke Screens" will touch on a variety of topics & hot button issues such as love, sex, relationships, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, gender, & identity.
BSC, which celebrates its 5 year anniversary this month is honored to be one of the few LGBTQ performing arts organizations participating in the second annual DC Black Theatre Festival.
"Smoke Screens" will feature original works written by playwrights Dyron Holmes, Rashad Moody, Jared Shamberger as well as the premiere of a new piece written by DC Black Theatre Festival Executive Director Glenn Alan which is directed by Alan Sharpe (ACT).
On Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:30pm, Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur Rodney Chester comes to The Big Apple from Hollywoodand shares an intimate night with fans and supporters of his work on both television & the silver screen. There are so many unanswered questions from the last season of the Noah’s Arc TV series and fans want to know what Rodney has been up to for the last four years. Rodney and his friend & television host, Lloyd Boston come together during NYC Pride week this June to interact and share Rodney’s untold stories at the Faison Fire House Theater, 6 Hancock Place (at 124th Street & St. Nicholas Blvd), Harlem, NY 10027.
His latest project entitled An Evening with Rodney Chester: This Ain’t A Game!Produced and directed by Nathan Hale Williams, co-written by Craig Rose and managed by Richard E. Pelzer II, & Chrissy Dorey promises to be a SMASH hit and the talk of the town. Through anecdotes, vignettes, never before seen clips and behind the scene stories, Rodney will entertain you all the while giving you the inside "T! “ In this in your face one man show, Rodney strips down all of the layers and is more transparent than ever about his life, career and his experiences as a star on the hit show Noah's Arc. And, you know a Rodney Chester performance won't be complete without a two step - he loves to dance. So, join us for a fun filled, irreverent night with your favorite character from the groundbreaking series.
For every ticket purchased on RodneyChester.com, you will receive access to our VIP Belvedere RED pre-reception from 6:30pm -7:15pm at The Faison Firehouse Theater (please note: you must be 21 or older and ID’s are required to enter). Seating is limited for this special performance with Rodney so get your ticket in advance. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Black AIDS Institute.
For those of you who have not gotten enough of Marck Angel and Bry'NT I have great news they are at it again! Marck Angel has recently released his new song "Deep" which will be featured in the new film "Finding Me Truth" and it has already started a great buzz around the film. I give the music video 2 thumbs up and it is giving me some old school Jackson flava!
I am so proud of all the work our community is doing and Marck is on the Dwight Allen O'Neal list of top GayLebrities to follow!!! Go DEEP MARCK ANGEL... Deeper, Deeper, Deeper LOL
Often times in our adult life, many of us have created "comfort zones". It is within these zones that we feel safe away from any unnecessary discomfort and drama. We know where we live, we know where we work, we go to the same grocery store, we talk to the same people and life is pretty much the same old thing.
So I ask "what are u afraid of?"What if u went to a different grocery store for a new experience? What if u made a new friend on your morning commute to work?Does your comfort zone keep you from living a more fulfilled life? Have you thrown in the towel when it comes to new relationships? Are u scared to talk to strangers? What are you afraid of?
Don't continue to allow these online portals to make you socially handicapped. Get out there and meet new people. The only thing keeping you from a social life is YOU!Wake up!
So I just received some great news about a book release from my dear friend Lee Hayes. I would like to share Lee's note with you all today:
Dear Friends,
At long last, The Bad Seed is here! I want you to share my excitement. This novel is a hot, sticky and fast-paced summer read that is sure to get your pulse racing!
Help me send this book to the top of the NY Times Bestseller's list by purchasing a copy and forwarding this email to everyone you know and encouraging them purchase a copy or two!
Click the link below to purchase your autographedcopy from me!
Sincerely,
Lee Hayes
"Lee Hayes has done a remarkable job, once again, of bringing vivid, powerful characters to life in The Bad Seed."
"A dangerously vivid story of love, lust, sex and lies. I was so shocked by the boldness of the characters; had me looking behind closed doors and uttering to myself. Wow!"
Like any good piece of art,Rihanna'scontroversial "Man Down" videohas elicited a wide variety of opinions, running the gamut from condemnation for its bloodshed to praise for its attempt to grapple with the complex issue of violence against women
"It strikes me first and foremost that she is working out personal issues through her art," said Terry O'Neill, national president of the National Organization for Women, who lauded the singer's talent and stressed that she did not find the video exploitive at all.
A number of groups slammed the clip after its premiere, taking issue with the opening scene, in which a hidden Rihanna is shown shooting an unarmed man in the back of the head in the middle of a crowded train station. Viewers later learn that the act was in retaliation for a previous sexual assault.
" 'Man Down' is an inexcusable, shock-only, shoot-and-kill theme song," said Industry Ears co-founder Paul Porter, a former programming director at BET, where the video debuted earlier this week and remains in rotation.
But O'Neill said that like Rihanna's collaboration with Eminem on the "Love the Way You Lie" video — which also tackled issues of domestic abuse — "Man Down" is another example of Rihanna "trying to grapple with the multifaceted nature of violence against women as an artist. Obviously violence is not the way to solve anything and both videos depict violence. In one, it's a man who feels justified in committing violence against a woman and in the other a woman who feels instantly very remorseful in her killing." For O'Neill, "Man Down" does not cross the line into portraying violence in an effort to titillate.
"One of the main messages it leaves you with is violence breeds more violence and everyone can see that and also detect some problems with that," said Stephanie Nilva, Executive Director of Day One, New York's leading teen relationship abuse-focused organization. "I respect the fact that Rihanna is trying to draw attention to these issues, but I don't think viewers are necessarily getting healthy messages from it."
Another concern for Nilva, given the implied sexual abuse in the clip, is the underlying impression that young women who dress a certain way or go dancing in clubs are naive or should feel at risk. That too, she said, sends a muddled message about sexual assault. "What it doesn't do is open up a discussion about how men's violence is frequently about controlling women and not about violence they've experienced at that person's hands," she said.
After posting adefenseof the clip, Rihanna got plenty of support from her fans onTwitter, where the comments included such sentiments as "it's really ironic how women r always exploited n videos ... we watch women be raped & murdered. Now a woman flips the coin & look!"
Another fan wrote, "You opened the eyes of all women living under a dark cloud that needed a voice. 'Man Down' is the voice. I love you." Others called it "inspiring" and praised Rihanna for tackling the issue of sexual abuse, writing, " 'Man Down' video portrays REAL situations that can happen to ANYONE! Do yoo thing ri!" Rihanna also pleaded with her fans to stop making threats against members of the PTC, writing, "We love it, they don't ... that is all, and the world keeps turning."
Given the message of empowerment some of Rihanna's fans appear to have taken from the video, Nilva noted that one of the messages Day One imparts to young people is that violence is never appropriate. "I wouldn't say that perpetrating violence against someone is a form of empowerment, just like you wouldn't say a man raping a woman is a form of empowerment," she said. "It's a complicated message to get young people to absorb that — what it means to be an empowered person — and it would be nice to see more images of strength that are not about exercising violence or power over other people."
As a survivor of relationship violence at the hands ofher ex, Chris Brown, Nilva said the singer is clearly under the microscope when it comes to this topic. But given that people are likely to pay more attention to what she has to say about it because of her fame and the notoriety surrounding Brown's 2009 assault, Nilva said it would be preferable to see a more positive message from Rihanna on the topic.
O'Neill said she's confident that Rihanna's fans will understand the message of the clip because any woman who has experienced violence from a partner or acquaintance knows that among the emotions you feel in addition to anger and rage are humiliation and fear and a desire for revenge.
"Many women who have experienced violence, of course, have those feelings and this video seems to be a fictional portrayal of those feelings and is not intended to be instructional," O'Neill said, calling it a kind of catharsis for viewers. "The other aspect that is part of the message is the fact that if you act on your desire to kill this rapist, you will then throw yourself down the rabbit hole of remorse and criminal accountability and be sent to prison. There are repercussions and the video clearly says that."
At press time, MTV'sFacebook pollasking whether the video goes too far had the "no" votes leading the "yes" votes by a margin of three-to-one.
Do you think Rihanna's "Man Down" video goes too far? Cast your vote in ourFacebook polland share your thoughts in the comments below.