BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE Oct 2024

OCTOBER 2024 ISSUE #049

NEW ORLEANS, LA 2024

EXPLORING THE ALEX

WISE SERIES W/ AUTHOR, TERRY J. BENTON-WALKER

INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE

TERRY J. BENTON-WALKER CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED BLACK QUEER SCI-FI AUTHOR BLACK QUEER PEDIATRICIAN & TRANS RIGHTS ADVOCATE

DR. LULU

M A G A Z I N E

The Womyn’s Health Study PrEP, Pleasure and partners Study purpose: to explore sexual health perspectives among Black and Hispanic women of the trans experience (BHT).

For eligibility click: https://redcap.link/ Womenhealthstudy1 For more info. Contact: ROC_WomenHealthStudy @URMC.Rochester.edu

Participants would identify as:

Black and/or Hispanic/Latine a woman of the trans experience (male at birth) sexually active 18 years or older Lives in New York State or S. Florida

COMPENSATION CAN BE UP TO $185

GET

INVOLVED

TAMARA S. LEIGH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CONTENTS BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE IS A MONTHLY DIGITAL PUBLICATION CENTERED FIRMLY IN BLACK & BROWN QUEER QULTURE. BLAQUE/OUT FEATURES WRITERS, ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, CREATIVES AND INFLUENCERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. WE ARE WORDS. WE ARE ART. WE ARE FASHION. WE ARE CULTURE. WE ARE MUSIC. WE ARE PROTEST. WE ARE WHERE BLAQUE QUEER CULTURE LIVES. FIND US ON FACEBOOK, IG, TIKTOK. TO SUBSCRIBE TO BLAQUE MAGAZINE, VISIT: HTTPS://ISSUU.COM/STORE/PUBLISHERS/BLAQUEOUTMAG/ SUBSCRIBE

FOR ADVERTISING, EMAIL ADVERTISING@BLAQUEOUTMAG.COM FOR SUBMISSIONS, EMAIL TAMARALEIGH@BLAQUEOUTMAG.COM

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WWW.ISSUU.COM/BLAQUEOUTMAG WWW.BLAQUEOUT.COM

INTERVIEW WITH TERRY J. BENTON-WALKER

07 OLD MAN’S CORNER E.L. WINSTON

17

CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR KIKI WILSON

VIVID VOICES INTERVIEW W/ DR. LULU

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: DEREK BLANK, CROWDMGT

TITTY CONFESSIONS

49

WHOSOEVER PROTESTS

21

VICTORIA VON BLAQUE

RONI WINSTON

PHOTOS FROM THE BLK IN THE SOUTH SUMMIT & USCHA 2024 CONFERENCE, NEW ORLEANS, LA COPY EDITOR: RONI WINSTON ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER: DOREEN SCANLAN

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OCT 2024 | ISSUE# 049

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a word.

Ending the summer with a trip to New Orleans was a perfect close. There Is something about the vibe, the culture, the food, and the way that Black Queerness lingers In the air that makes It always feel like home somehow. There was a hurricane while we we were there which was unexpected but somehow felt right too. Coming back home I stepped Into my birthday and then another hurricane that was the strongest that I had ever experienced since living In the South. All of those things, even just the change of season felt like they held both dramatic endings and new beginnings. All at once sad and scary and refreshing. Things end and new things grow. The country Itself also feels at the breaking point In many ways. The world feels like It Is In great transition, struggling to find Its way through seeing more clearly what It has been, to who It dares to be. Also sad, scary and a chance at newness. The Irony of a country that persecutes Queerness forever seeking beyond the ordinary and tries to destroy Transness but Is Itself In the most volitile of transition. Humans seem to always equally hate who we are and fear who we aren’t. As the election grows nearer, one can only hope that people show up. For themselves, for each other, for new beginnings.- as sad and as scary as that can be.

Tamara Sanaa Leigh Editor-In-Chief

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BlaqueOUT columnists & contributors Javannah J. Davis (she/her) resides in Rochester, NY where she has worked in healthcare for 19 years, is a self-published author, Founder/President of W.A.V.E Women Inc & CEO/Owner of Linjé Enterprises LLC. Javannah is passionate about healing, self-love, self actualization & helping others to live the best of their lives in a healthy way.

E.L. Winston of Fayetteville, NC (He,Him, His) Trans Community Advocate, CoFounder of Lambda Gamma Omega Nu Fraternity. Just your everyday introspective old man and 1 half of Team Winston

Ashanti S. Taylor-Alexander (she/her) is a life educated poet who believes in riding each wave of this world to the fullest. She is passionate about writing poems people can truly feel. Have a subject throw it at her and she'll make a master piece! Founder of Pulse Poetry Magazine.

Tina Marie Jones (she/her/hers) Founder of Uncover, LLC, mother of 4, activist, motivator, and columnist.

Lade Breez (He/Her/Them) is an award winning 3x published author, publisher, philanthropist, humanitarian, motivational speaker, life coach, event host, youth tutor, artist developer & spoken word artist. Owner & founder of Express Me Poetry Business Services & Events, & Educated Blessyns LLC, improving this world one stage at a time.

ExpressMePoetry.com

Roni Winston aka The Mrs. aka Pastor Roni (She/Her/Hers) Fayettevlle, NC. Minister, educator, entrepreneur, couples' coach, writer, mom, and grandma. Half . of Team Winston.

Immani Love, (she/her) A Lesbian Erotic Poet, Author, Ordained Minister, Freelance Writer, Real Estate Agent, and overall witty, seductress with the voice of a Siren. An educated Vixen in sunny St. Pete, Florida.

Mel Howard (he/him) Resides in Newport News, Virginia where he worked in finance industry for over 5years, is a columnists for BlaqueOUT Magazine and Founder/President of THRIVING TRANSMEN OF COLOR. Mel is passionate about community, self acceptance and forgiveness.

Courtney L (she/her) designer, developer, business owner, who loves to travel. When she is not doing that she loves to write poetry, a bit of a nerd, spend time with family and friends and help people learn technology. She lives in Los Angeles, with her dog.

Victoria Von Blaque, NYC (she/her/hers) A seductive, alluring, Black non-binary Trans femme. An Influential speaker on Equity, Inclusion, & LGBTQ competency. Author of Titty-Confessions.

THE OLD MAN'S CORNER E.L. WINSTON I need us to make more noise, express more anger, and stand up more. The thought that one human life could possibly be taken is disturbing enough, but another Black life being taken because of the powers that be who hold office. This is that crucial need for us to vote.

Guilty Even When Proven Innocent By the time you read this, an innocent man may or may not be alive. Marcellus Williams is scheduled to be executed on Sept 24th (I’m writing this before). The Innocence Project reports that there is no reliable evidence to prove that he committed the crime, that the state destroyed or corrupted the evidence that could prove his innocence conclusively and that the DNA evidence that’s available does not match him. Marcellus is a Black man and the state of Missouri has decided to overlook all of the evidence that proves that he is innocent and execute this innocent man anyway.

The correctional system in the United States needs to be overhauled, hell, the entire legal system pipeline needs to be dismantled. If you're Black, there is no such thing as a fair shake in our legal system. I’m not going to say that we don't commit crimes or that every Black person who steps inside of a jail cell or courtroom doesn't get a fair shake. Let's be clear though, if we are looking at the rate of Black people being incarcerated under questionable circumstances, it is at an alarming rate. The Sentencing Project has discovered that 1 in 5 Black men is likely to experience incarceration in their lifetime. The mass incarceration of African American people is not by accident or happenstance, we are in a war that is slated against us.

If we don’t stand up when it matters, then we allow others to make decisions for our lives. We have the opportunity to change things for ourselves by using our voices and the power of our vote. Truthout.org states that over 100 people die in Missouri prisons each year. Now, ask yourself how many other correctional facilities in the US have the same numbers or worse, how are our brothers, sons, fathers, daughters, sisters and mothers locked up in these places being treated? How many are innocent and have been framed or railroaded into convictions or confessions?

It is past time for us to mobilize, to keep shining lights on the injustice system that is beyond need of dismantling and repair.

Do an old man a favor, research Marcellus Williams’ story and get involved. I pray that when you read this, Marcellus is still amongst us. *Editor’s Note: Marcellus Williams was executed by the state of Missouri on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

A Straight Trans-Masc Man & A Queer CisWoman LIVE! talking about life, love, relationships, politics & all the tea , y a d ...for Sun t.

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OCTOBER 2024

CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

BY PROFESSOR KIKI M. WILSON KIKI WILSON Kiki Wilson works for Fortis Institute as

Cogar (2023) states, “Conscious communication is the ability to shape

an online communications professor at the moment. Walden University

your verbal and nonverbal communications style to more effectively

awarded her a master's degree in communication. She graduated with an

influence others. By using conscious communication, you can make sure your

undergraduate degree from Finger Lakes Community College and SUNY Brockport. Kiki has written, produced, and directed a short film as well as a documentary that addresses controversial issues such as discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community and rejection by parents and religious institutions. Over the last three years, Kiki has been giving presentations on her current research, which is part of a series titled "Conscious Communication," at conferences, companies, educational institutions, and other organizations as a guest educator. Kiki's current research focuses on providing helpful information on a range of subjects, such as adult bullying in the workplace, the LGBTQ+ community, managing faculty and student conflict in digital classrooms, and communication leadership. She was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus award by her alma mater, Finger Lakes Community College, in September 2024 during their Hall of Fame ceremony. Kiki is deeply passionate about utilizing the arts and education to support the Black LGBTQ+ community in a positive way. Kiki might also look familiar because Blaque Out Magazine awarded her Activist of the Year in January.

audience is more receptive to your ideas.”

Regarding my research, I prefer to concentrate on the following four strategies for becoming an adept conscious communicator: 1. Being self-aware. Show up as your best self and lead with a positive and effective presence. This indicates that you have an in-depth understanding of your own personality, thoughts and emotions. Remember this is a purposeful act in itself.

2. Being present. This indicates that we are focused on the conversation at hand and who we are engaging with in the present moment. It also indicates effective mindfulness of the people we are sharing the dialogue with, as well as showing how important the dialogue is that is being exchanged between all parties involved.

3. Being inquisitive and showing compassion. This indicates that we are asking appropriate questions using our empathetic skills in order to gain a better understanding and clarity of one another. We need to make sure we are seeking connection on a more personal level using our emotional intelligence.

4. Being an active and empathetic listener. This indicates that we are listening with attentiveness, the intent to understand and learn the same perspective or a different one, to reflect on what is being said and then to properly respond.

It is important to keep in mind that there are certain linguistic and cultural barriers that must be taken into account when speaking with members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Racial disparities are the first barrier I want to mention and emphasize. People of color, particularly those who are black, who identify as LGBTQ+ experience greater rates of discrimination because of their skin color and sexual orientation/gender identity.

In the article Black LGBTQ Individuals Experience Heightened Levels of Discrimination: Mahowald (2021), “A recent analysis of data from a 2020 Center for American Progress survey shows that 33 percent of Black LGBTQ individuals reported experiencing discrimination in the last year and that this had a significant impact on their lives and everyday experiences. Black LGBTQ individuals regularly alter their behavior to avoid potentially harmful experiences: Nearly 1 in 3 report avoiding public spaces such as stores or restaurants to avoid experiencing discrimination; 2 in 5 have moved away from family to prevent discriminatory experience and 1 in 5 avoid travel. They are also more likely than their white counterparts to experience discrimination within LGBTQ spaces.”

The second barrier I want to point out and address is the disparity in terminology between the generations. We must recognize the variations in our lingo over time as we intentionally communicate.

Human evolution is a lifelong process, and language plays a significant role in this evolution. Some terms that were offensive and discriminatory to one generation may now be used and accepted by another.

BLAQUE/OUT MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2024

In the blog Speaking of Generations (Leard, 2016), “Generations are different because of the events and external pressures experienced in their formative childhood and teen years and how they adapted to such

Next, our tone of voice also determines how other people are receiving our messages. By what we are saying and how we are saying it, our tone of voice determines how people are perceiving us and their

influences.” Leard (2016) also stated “If we fail to appreciate the ways in which every generation is different, we deny ourselves some valuable resources for

willingness to listen to us. If our tone is coming off as too harsh/abrasive, it causes unnecessary chaos and conflict in communication. Inappropriate

expanding our understanding of what it means to be a human being –– of any age.”

Maintaining current knowledge and education about

conflict resolution may also result from this.

Because we lack those nonverbal clues when it comes to conscious communication in the digital environment, this can lead to misunderstandings

appropriate language and terminology is crucial when it comes to these two conscious communication barriers.

We should constantly be asking the right questions to

or confusion. Until that nonverbal communication is absent, we are unaware of how much we depend on it. On the other hand, as conscientious

make sure those around us are comfortable with the words, language, and terminology we are using when we are entering these spaces, as well as to get clarification

communicators, one of the main advantages of the digital environment is that it allows us to respond slowly if we use that to our advantage. We have the

on how someone would like to be addressed or identified. As conscious communicators, we really need to encourage fair treatment and behavior by implementing positive morale, being flexible towards others, valuing our own experiences as well as others (understand there will be similarities and differences) and using affirming responses with empathy in order for everyone to be heard and valued.

ability to evaluate and decode a message before we send a response. This aids by enabling a more appropriate and successful response. Additionally, we can instruct and learn from people worldwide in conscious communication.

Moving forward as we go about our lives and as we implement these positive benefits of conscious communication, they are going to allow all of us a trajectory in which we can properly manage conflict when it arises, use our empathetic skills without judgment and show up in spaces to be our true authentic selves.

Conscious communication also takes place in both faceto-face interactions as well as interactions in the digital environment. When we are using conscious communication face to face or in real time, it is important that we are using our mindfulness when it comes to our non-verbal communication. When we enter conversations, our nonverbal cues often convey more information than our words. People can tell right away from our outward appearance how we are feeling at any given time. Using our nonverbal communication in a negative manner transmits outwardly on our behalf.

With a negative attitude and mindset, this makes you appear to be more closed off which causes fear, worry, and doubt leading to higher increases of miscommunication for all parties involved.

REFERENCE LIST: BLACK LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF DISCRIMINATION. (2022, AUGUST 22).

CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS. HTTPS://WWW.AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG/ARTICLE/BLACK-LGBTQINDIVIDUALS-EXPERIENCE-HEIGHTENED-LEVELS-DISCRIMINATION/ JOSHUA COGAR. (2023, MAY 17). CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION: WHAT IS IT & EXAMPLES. MANAGEMENT CONSULTED. HTTPS://MANAGEMENTCONSULTED.COM/CONSCIOUS-COMMUNICATION/ LEARDI, J. C. C. (2016, DECEMBER 23). SPEAKING OF GENERATIONS. . .. CHANGINGAGING. HTTPS://CHANGINGAGING.ORG/BLOG/SPEAKING-OF-GENERATIONS/

BOOK therapy B O O K

R E V I E W S

B Y

E L

W I N S T O N

Terry J. Benton-Walker continues to amaze me and keep me on my toes. The Alex Wise series is about a 12 year old boy named Alex and his friends who have to save the world from the apocalypse.

In the first book, Alex Wise vs. The End Of The World, Alex has to deal with some heavy internal things like his self-esteem, his sexuality, issues with his father, his father’s new wife and his step-brother on top of the Four Horsemen. The leader of the Four Horsemen, Death, possesses Alex's little sister Mags and in order to save the world and his sister he has to learn to love himself.

When I say even though this is a middle grades read, it is easily relatable for all reading ages, I can’t say enough that these are the books I needed as a child growing up.

Terry’s books have definitely spoke to the inner child and teen in me and I can’t wait to see what's next out of the pipeline. Book 2 in the Alex Wise series is Alex Wise vs. The Cosmic Shift. It picks up where the first book leaves off and let me tell you this book is going to keep you on your toes. There will be times you’re going to want to yell at Alex and times you’re going to want to hug him but isn't that truly how life goes for us all?

We get to follow along as Alex continues to try to navigate the multi-layered relationships in his life with his parents, his best friend Loren and his sometimes confusing relationship with a young man named Liam. We get to see them asking themselves, ‘how do you handle it when things don’t turn out the way you would like them to?’.

One thing I love about Terry’s characters is that they are flawed human beings trying to figure out life and all its challenges. In Book 1, Alex learned how to love himself, but in Book 2 Alex still has doubts and negative self-talk that he has to work through. His friendships are tested and he often questions if he is enough for the job of saving the world and what it will mean if he's not. There are no easy answers to the questions that plague Alex but that’s life right? Never any easy answers.

This series will pull you in and have you fully invested in Alex’s story. You are anxiously waiting to see If Alex and his friends are going to be able to save the world, will Alex make peace with his dad, and will he be able to accept himself. I truly can’t wait to find out. Yep, you guessed it, this series is a trilogy and we're going to have a little bit of a wait to see what happens to Alex and company, but I, for one, am here for it. Do me a favor and grab the series. You won’t be sorry and let me know what you think.

book therapy

W I T H

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T H E

T E R R Y

J .

B O O K

B A N G E R Z

B O O K

C L U B

B E N T O N - W A L K E R

WELCOME BACK TO THE TJ-VERSE! AS I SIT DOWN WITH TERRY J BENTON WALKER TO DISCUSS HIS LATEST BOOK RELEASE IN THE ALEX WISE SERIES, ALEX WISE VS. THE COSMIC SHIFT, ENJOY. TERRY SHARES ALEX’S JOURNEY FROM SELF-LOVE, PARENTAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY AROUND YOU. SO PULL UP A SEAT AND ENJOY YOUR TIME IN THE TJ-VERSE!!!

LET’S BE PRIVY TO A NEW GENERATION OF BLAQUE QUEER QULTURE.

book

therapy

book therapy W I T H

E . L .

&

T H E

B O O K

B A N G E R Z

B O O K

C L U B

JOIN US FOR CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR BOOK OF THE MONTH ON THE 15TH OF EVERY MONTH ON FB & IG LIVE @BLAQUEOUTMAG & @BOOKTHERAPYWITHEL

oct 15th 7pm

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E D I R P wn, lack & Bro B e h t it f es, o Bene Proceeds t rans Writers, Creativ Queer & T rs & Contributors of he Photograp UT Magazine Blaque/O

The Blaqu Colle e/OUT ction

Blaque/O UT Cornersto re CAFEPRESS.COM/SHOP/BLAQUEOUT

It comes a time in a person's life when they get tired of the games Tired of living year after year the exact same And, baby, I've made it to that time All I want is you and it's not just for the night I just want you for the rest of my life Sweet lady You drive me crazy in all the right ways And I promise I'll be there for you day after day Sweet Lady You’re mine for the taking And these feelings I'm not faking Your style has me memorized and I want you So sweet lady Can you be mine You’re in a “for now” relationship But I'm a lifetime kinda woman Sweet Lady ashanti taylor-alexander

***Inspired by tyrese “sweet lady”

VIVID DR.

LULU

INTERVIEW SERIES W/ TEE DOUGLAS

JIn this exclusive Vivid Voices interview for BlaqueOut Magazine, we are thrilled to introduce Dr. Lulu, affectionately known as the Momatrician. As a proud queer pediatrician from Nigeria, she is not only a devoted mother to a transgender daughter but also a former Lieutenant Colonel and Disabled U.S. Air Force Veteran. As a TEDx speaker and a certified life and parenting coach, Dr. Lulu passionately advocates for preventing youth suicide, focusing particularly on LGBTQ+ youth, especially those who are Black and gender-diverse, and their families. With seven bestselling books, Dr. Lulu is a highly sought-after speaker who highlights the importance of intersectionality and allyship within the LGBTQ+ community. As the host of the “Moms for Trans Kids Podcast,” she empowers families to support and affirm Black transgender children, one family at a time. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey and her unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive world for all children.

Loves lives In Us.... the Winstons and we want to share a little bit of it with you. Old school vows included the line, “in sickness and in health”. People repeating those words for generations, but in this day and age, have we dropped those traditional vows along with the meaning behind the words?

Are we the kind of people who can only enjoy a life of adventure and good times or do we realize that not all of our days will be so carefree and easy?

The Mrs. Winston had Covid! Almost 5 years after the original pandemic, my spouse came down with the dreaded monster. During the height of Covid, he was an essential worker and I worried daily about the possibility of him being infected because of his diabetes. Thankfully, he stayed clear and even this episode was fairly light in comparison. He primarily struggled with exhaustion.

I already had Winston in quarantine before the diagnosis because I have abided by the rules of trying to avoid cross-infection pre-Covid. This being the arrangement, my spouse was holed up in the room for a little over a week. By day 3, I realized I missed him terribly. It was quite difficult to be without the comfort of touching his hand, the snuggle of laying my head on his shoulder, and the simple quiet of just being in the same room.

Loving my best friend means that in health, we get to hang out in bookstores, walk the streets of DC, and visit off the beaten path sites. Loving my best friend also means that I bring him Gatorade, pick up prescriptions, and wash his sheets. I am happy on either side of the equation because my love is not rooted in the pretty, shiny stuff. It is made up of loving Winston during the good, the bad, and the Covid!

LOVE LIVES IN US...

The Winstons WINSTON AND THE MRS. (E.L. AND RONI)

Winston Anybody who knows me knows that when The Mrs. is sick I’m like a lost puppy (lol), but it's in those times that I lock in to make sure she's got everything she's going to need to get better and that I'm going to handle all the other stuff. In sickness and in health is not a vow taken lightly and I'm so blessed to have a partner that feels the same. Let me tell you, I don't think I would have made it through Covid without the care and love of The Mrs. I missed her like crazy being held up in that room.

Isn't it crazy how you can miss the simplest of things? Just being able to be in the same room together…. The rough times, the sick times make the good times, the healthy times that much sweeter because I know the value in the good times versus the bad times.

It makes me happy to feel her head on my shoulder and to just be in the same room doing whatever it is we’re doing. She’s my ride or die, my best friend and I wouldn't want to weather the storms of sickness and enjoy the benefits of health with anyone else.

Thoughts toLeave You The vows of today may have changed, but the hope of love in sickness and in health hasn’t. Consider who you are in times of difficulty. Talk about the needs of each person during times of illness. Recognize that today it may be Covid, but one day it may be the long-term journey of ongoing illness.

These bodies don’t go on forever, so find what makes your love true and sustaining.

You each deserve to know that the darkest of days will still be filled with love and a caring hand.

the Cover series Proceeds to Benefit the Black & Brown, Queer & Trans Writers, Creatives, Photographers & Contributors of Blaque/OUT Magazine

COMING WINTER 2024 EMAIL TAMARALEIGH@BLAQUEOUTMAG.COM TO PREORDER

In September, Blaque/out traveled to new orleans to take part In the blk In the south summit and the nmac us conference on hiv/aids, “southern joy”. the day blk In the south was scheduled, hurricane francine made landfall In Louisiana forcing several pivots but the work continued. participants from around the country met, learned & networked under a common purpose. both organizing teams did a commendable job making their events work despite cancelations, weather risk & flight delays. new orleans Is a magical city and even under difficult circumstances, Is unmatched on community, charm & culture. due to the unusual circumstances we were unable to provide the Interviews we typically would bring you but here are some of the sites and sounds that made both events Incredibly Important and a special experience. one of the opening speakers of uscha powerfully said, “joy Is not weak, joy Is not massive, It Is not meek. joy Is resistance. but joy Is ours!” and that sentiment carried through the week of plenaries, meetings, speakers & community. zeeno.ny

As I mentioned in my previous article “Payment & Pleasure”, I have unlocked my newest fetish/realization. I’m not interested in any form of sexual relations without some form of transaction.

Earlier this month, I attended the Sex Down South Conference (I'll write about that next month), and I learned that some people actually have sex without expecting anything in return. They give themselves freely to someone without any expectations, and that’s mind-boggling to me. Maybe it’s just my trauma, and I haven’t reached that part of healing yet, but I don’t see the point in having sex with someone if you’re not getting anything in return. Don’t get me wrong; it doesn't always have to be financial. I know there are some people who screw their faces up at the idea of sex work, yet Susan from accounting just got fucked in the ass because someone bought her a burger.

That’s an example of transactional sex,

even if we don’t want to acknowledge it.

Whenever I feel myself even slightly getting horny, all I have to do is get online, go on one of my friendly meetup apps, and allow people to talk. This act will dry my moisture up faster than Trump’s unblended beats. I’ve always known I was on the asexual spectrum (ace spectrum), at least for the last 15 years. Dating is almost a prerequisite if you’re not.trying to pay outright, but interestingly enough, I can now go to a strip club, pay for the services of a professional, and have an awesome time. Just the other night, after my award ceremony, I went to my new favorite strip club, got a few private dances, and even did some population control with my throat. Those

TiTTY Victoria Von Blaque CONFESSIONS

experiences had me so hot that I just went home, whipped out my fuck machine, and had an intense session. I think I’ve just reached the point where I’m sick and tired of the games and feeling stupid for giving someone access to me who doesn’t care about me or whether I’m having a good time.

I truly believe that I deserve to be poured into, to be excited, and to be cared for that nourishes my spirit.

Recognizing that it can feel selfish to seek fulfillment without mutual support, I’ve made the empowering choice to focus on my own happiness and selfcare. This is my way of standing up for myself and embracing a life that prioritizes my well-being. From now on, I'm keeping my hole and time

... .for those who genuinely appreciate and value what I have to offer as an act of radical love.

TiTTY Victoria Von Blaque CONFESSIONS

Whosoever Protests...

think its current state, we may begin to in rld wo the at und aro k loo we When e might hope for what is to happen next. Som that there could not possibly be any . God I see endless possibilities for change but st, imi opt ss ele hop a as me think of on for our easy, but it is Him that we can rely reminds us that it won’t always be me ngs I have spoken unto you, that in thi ese “Th , 33 16: n Joh to ing ord hope. Acc tion: but be of good cheer; I ula trib e hav ll sha ye rld wo the In ye might have peace. trouble are present, but whosoever and tion ula Trib ” rld. wo the me have overco has already overcome. protests can be assured that God many are and we are still in the place where The election is quickly approaching ep of ugh cannot just stop at the doorst tho n cer con The . ure fut ir the for concerned ion to speak for those we don’t act to l cal a be st mu It ds. nee our own desires and the se whose voices are yet to arrive on tho for and ak, spe ’t can o wh se know, tho h grace, is to leave a better environment wit scene. The legacy we should want do that from a place of silence. mercy, and acceptance. We cannot

month when it goes beyond yourself. This is ple peo ’s God ve ser to ty uni ort Your opp current VP y are a living protest. We look to our we honor our men in business. The nt of protest. Blaque Out Magazine ime bod em the is She ). ent sid Pre (future t. Every protest looks different, but gives voice to the existence of protes for change. The status quo does not each one represents the possibility g back does. produce change. Protest does. Pushin rdinary. It th, He was doing something extrao When God decided to create the Ear that your niche for change. Break out of d fin st mu You . ent fer dif ing eth was som ’ve never e. You’ve never marched, march. You status quo. You’ve never voted, vot whom He loves are not those who written a word, write. God’s people the ones with the winds of watch idly as others suffer. We are r protests honors God. Be strong i change in our command. Whosoeve action. n your faith and find your call to

- Pastor Ro

ni

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