Discovering My Pride On My Own Terms
Drones from every major news affiliate descended upon me capturing footage to relay back to family, friends, and my employer. As I nervously kept looked over my shoulder while walking up Christopher Street, I could see suspicious men dressed in all black immediately...
How Janet Jackson Taught Me How To Live And Break The Rules
If I see Todd Bridges on the streets, he’ll catch these hands for sure. That’s right, I’m still holding a grudge against the iconic 80’s sitcom actor from Different Strokes. Why do you ask? He put his grubby hands on my life long crush Charlene. For those of you who...
Dying From Within, Finding My Power, And Discovering I Am Not Fixed: My Journey Of Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable – Part 3
There is power in truth. That power introduced me to something I never knew was possible, Freedom. It is after all, what is responsible for allowing me to begin speaking on all aspects of my life with family and friends. It also gave me the courage to be vocal about...
Vampires, Social Media, Compassion, and The Road Less Traveled: My Journey Of Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable – Part 2
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been obsessed with the Vampire movie genre. Interview with the Vampire is one of my all time favorite films. An ex boyfriend once asked me, why do you love such wild stories about the undead so much? Although I could not provide an...
How I Came Out To My African American Father From The Rural South In An Old Payphone Booth In New York City: My Journey Of Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable – Part 1
On a hot summer day in June 2013, I stood in an old pay phone booth in New York City. I was to have a conversation that I would remember for the rest of my life. It was on this day that I told my African American father from the rural south that I was gay. I didn’t...
From the Closet to the Grave
There is a culture that exists between many men in which remaining closeted is preferred. I’m not speaking of the teenaged boy fearful of being thrown out the house for being gay, or individuals living in countries where laws forbid same gender loving people to live...
Harlem: The Ultimate Side Piece
Over the summer, I met with friends in Harlem for brunch on a beautiful, late summer, Sunday afternoon. I’ve had a growing love affair with this part of the city and feel so much energy each time I walk those streets. As Harlem still continues to change its cultural...
Are You Fit Enough for Vacation?
Are you fit enough for vacation? If you’re shuffling off to the most recent circuit event with the crew, it’s a legitimate question you’ve asked yourself a million times.