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“Esquerita: The Other Originator” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley One would think that Little Richard was the originator of Rock and Roll. Surely nobody disputed his word, nor proclaimed it as much as he, but Little Richard would not have been Little Richard without inspiration from somewhere or someone. And part of that somewhere and someone [...]
How Resolute Are You About Your Resolutions?
Oh my! It's a shiny New Year! And coming with the year ahead are all those ambitious, dramatic—and myriad--promises we make. We fervently vow, "This year's gonna be different 'cause THIS TIME, I'm gonna stick to my New Year's Resolutions!" Just like glue. So, it would be rather nifty to explore the roots of this time-honored tradition and then [...]
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Trailblazer is the appropriate word to describe Ellis Haizlip, born on September 21, 1929, in Washington D.C. Details of his childhood are few and may consist of part fantasy, but it has been written that his father had once been an ambassador to Trinidad or a dignitary to the Court of St. James, Antigua. Other accounts state [...]
Give Those Holiday Blues A Royal Beatdown!
Ohhhhhhhhh, myyyyy gawd! It’s THAT time of the year. Again! You’re an LGBTQ+ brotha or sistah (or whatever the hell your race or ethnicity happens to be. LOL.) who’s really dreading THAT time of year. Soooooo, exactly what am I talkin’ ‘bout? The Holidays, dagnabbit! Why might you be in a major funk? Well, maybe you feel you can’t [...]
Resolute and Committed: Ugandan Activist Pushes Back Against Egregious Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
“I strongly believe that human beings must have an opportunity to be who they want and love the way they want.”—Mr. Kiggundu Ronald Reagan, Ugandan LGBTQ+ Activist. A moment of indulgence, please. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply. Get into a headspace where you can envision an alternate reality. Now, transport yourself to any city [...]
The Realness of “SHATTERED!”
Compelling. Instructive. Engaging. Insightful. Powerful These words describe my recent appearance on the podcast, 40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk., another stop on my ongoing Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—SHATTERED! book tour. 40 Plus: Gay Men. Gay Talk. is hosted by Rick Clemons, the celebrated certified life coach and TEDx speaker. Mr. Clemons has helped thousands of people in over 50 [...]
The IPV/A Chronicles, Part Sixteen: Making Your “Great Escape!”
I’ve made it my ongoing–and fervent–mission to shine a bright light on a certain insidious, demoralizing, and horrific behavior that continues to plague the LGBTQ+ Community—Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse, or IPV/A. This is Part 16 of an ongoing series that addresses this potentially life-threatening cycle of abuse. Within the LGBTQ+ community, Domestic Violence and [...]
The IPV/A Chronicles, Part Fifteen: The Month of the Purple Is Upon Us!
I’ve made it my ongoing–and fervent–mission to continue to shine a bright light on a certain insidious, demoralizing, and horrific behavior that continues to plague the LGBTQ Community—Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse, or IPV/A. This is Part 11 of the ongoing series that will address this potentially life-threatening cycle of abuse. October Is Purple Month! You [...]