Over the years, I’ve queried LGBTQ folks of various ages and stripes about criticisms they may have of Pride Month in general and their particular Pride celebrations. Frequent comments include “Pride Month is way too commercial. It doesn’t adequately reflect its true meaning. Prides are not serious enough; you know, too much glam and glitter and too many parties.” So exactly [...]
“L. S. Alexander Gumby: The Dapper Archivist of Harlem’s Renaissance” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley When people think of the Harlem Renaissance, names like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington often come to mind. Yet among the era’s vibrant personalities was L. S. Alexander Gumby — a man whose life blended artistry, social flair, and a deep commitment [...]
Aww, Sookie Sookie Now! “RUTHLESS!”--the new installment in my “Nothing Can Tear Us Apart” series of novels--drops on Tuesday, August 18! “RUTHLESS!” is an explosive, sexy, erotic psychological thriller. It’s the continuing story of Wesley and Antonio — two masculine, muscular, and openly Gay/SGL men fighting against the odds to keep their monogamous relationship alive and thriving. And today is the Cover Reveal for “RUTHLESS!” It embodies what the [...]
Mark The Date: August 18! That’s when Rainbow Advocacy Press releases my new novel, RUTHLESS!, the latest installment in my Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series. I’m proud and excited! Rainbow Advocacy Press was created to publish books and written works focused on LGBTQ+ history, identity, human rights, and culture. To prepare you for the RUTHLESS! experience, I’m posting excerpts from SHATTERED!, the current installment in the Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series. As Bette [...]
Mark The Date: August 18! That’s when Rainbow Advocacy Press releases my new novel, RUTHLESS!, the latest installment in my Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series. I’m proud and excited! Rainbow Advocacy Press was created to publish books and written works focused on LGBTQ+ history, identity, human rights, and culture. To prepare you for the RUTHLESS! experience, I’m posting excerpts from SHATTERED!, the current installment in the Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series. As [...]
April 16 is the birthday of Essex Hemphill, arguably the most critically acclaimed and best-known contemporary openly Gay/SGL African American poet, author, performance artist, and activist. He helped shatter the silence surrounding Gay/SGL Black experiences and empowered other Gay/SGL Black men to find their voices. This ahead-of-his-time creative’s literary impact is still felt today; he’s opened the doors for myriad authors—including myself. Moreover, [...]
I’m soooooooo excited—and I just can’t hide it!” Those lyrics, sung by the Pointer Sisters, the celebrated and mega pop vocal group, fit me to a tee. Why? Well, because I’m one of the honorees of the 2026 PrideIndex.com Esteem Awards! The in-person ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 18, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. My award [...]
“Nothing Can Tear Us Apart—SHATTERED!” is still servin’ up the Heat, the Passion, the Power, and the Hawtness! And this August, its sequel, “RUTHLESS!”, drops like an atomic bomb! Check out this FIVE-Star Amazon Review of “SHATTERED!” 5.0 out of 5 stars Relationship-focused, thrilling, provocative Where do I begin? "Nothing Can Tear Us Apart--SHATTERED!" is a spellbinding tour de force that had me completely [...]
Today is “V-Day”—Valentine’s Day! In recognition of this special day of L-U-V, I decided to answer the following question: “Is there a particular recipe for nurturing and preserving a successful, lasting LGBTQ+ relationship?” To find out, I consulted an expert: certified personal love coach Brian Rzepczynski, columnist for The Gay Love Coach. His answer? “No.” Then he explains, “One of the beauties of being gay [...]
I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by Eddie Pierce, Jr., an author and founder of Rainbow Room Publishing (RRP), for his podcast, “RRP Live!” Among other topics, we discussed my path as a journalist and an author, my experience as an Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A) survivor/subject matter expert/ advocate/speaker, and why IPV/A is a major theme in my [...]
Greetings, Y’all! I’m proud to announce that I just signed a publishing deal with Rainbow Advocacy Press to publish my upcoming novel, “RUTHLESS!”, the new installment in my “Nothing Can Tear Us Apart” (NCTUA) series (Gay/Ethnic/Psychological Thriller). The release date for “RUTHLESS!” is Tuesday, August 18, 2026. “SHATTERED!” is the current installment in the “NCTUA” series. Rainbow Advocacy Press is a global publisher of books, podcasts, and Substack content. The company “publishes and stewards works that advance human [...]
Ahh, Grindr! That "Portal to Pleasure." When Grindr debuted in March 2009, it was one of the first geosocial apps for LGBTQ+ individuals. It has become the largest and most popular mobile app for our community. So, for countless Gay/SGL men, Grindr is their go-to way of "reaching out and touching" each other. (And I ain't talkin' about anything related to [...]
