V8I1 DBQ Magazine Summer 2018 Issue

DBQ DAVID BRIDGEFORTH QUARTERLY

DADDY

WARBUCKS NOTES FROM MY FATHER ON MANHOOD

SUMMER

ART BOOK WITH

SELECTED POEMS

BY BRIDGEFORTH

SUMMER 18

5

PEOPLE

WHO TURN ME ON

THE PRIDE LIST

SPEEDOS

BOOKS MUSIC BEACH MUST HAVES

“By managing you, HIV, I can devote all my time and energy to my son.”

Malina - Bronx, NY Living with HIV since 2010.

HIV

TREATMENT

WORKS

Yes, I am living with HIV, but it does not define me. I was able to move forward after my diagnosis with the support of my family and a great network of friends. They gave me the strength to start treatment right away and focus on my health. Taking those steps has made all the difference. Today, I’m living well with an undetectable viral load.

My continued success inspires me to give back to my community by helping break HIV stigma every chance I get.

Get in care. Stay in care. Live well. cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks

HARMONICA SUNBEAM - COHOST

MORGAN ROYEL - COHOST

GENOVIS ALBRIGHT

DAVE BRIDGEFORTH - HOST

BRY’NT

PYONCÉ

KAMAU KENYATTE

DJ ANDRE COLLINS

DJ SCOTTY ROX

JROME ANDRE

AMANDA HOLLEY NIA & NESS

ALICIA KELLY

KID LIT

NICK AUDAIN

PUNK ADAMS

THE ALLIYANCE

PRINCE AIRICK

REJIO RYCH

NEEMO

RAYSHAWN WARE

SAT

HARLEM PRIDE

JUNE 23RD

2018

12 - 6PM

STAGE SHOW

FAMILY TIME

12-2 PM NOON - Face Painting for Kids 1PM - Drag Queen STORY HOUR

By Harmonica Sunbeam

Enjoy What the NY Times Called, Harmonica’s Delightful, Amusing and Inclusionary Storytelling of Children’s Tales!

STAGE SHOW HOSTED BY DAVE BRIDEFORTH CELEBRATION OF DJS

1-2PM

FEATURE DJ SCOTTY ROX OFFICIAL DJ ANDRE COLLINS

COMMUNITY SHOW

2-4PM

COHOSTED BY HARMONICA SUNBEAM GENOVIS ALBRIGHT JROME ANDRE AMANDA HOLLEY PYONCE REIJO RYCH THE ALLIYANCE RAYSHAWN WARE PRINCE AIRICK ALICIA KELLY

HEADLINER SHOW

4-6PM

COHOSTED BY MORGAN ROYEL KID LIT NICK AUDAIN PUNK ADAMS KAMAU KENYATTE NIA & NESS NEMO BRYNT 1.

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: 19

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SUMMER ART BOOK PG 17.

DADDY WARBUCKS PG 47.

08

2 0 2

THE QUEER BLACK PANTHER PG 13.

LAVISH JUNKIE SUMMER FASHION PG 6.

5 PEOPLE WHO TURN ME ON PG 23.

DBQ MAGAZINE 2 .

Publisher / Editor in Chief ————————————————————————— Copy Editor 21 Contributing Editor 1 1. 0 Assistant Editor 2 8 21 Cover Photographer RONI JEANETTE

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THE LOVE LIST -

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FENDI BEACH BAG MULTICOLOR CANVAS BAG $1,980

VERSACE GRECA SWIM BRIEF $150

VERSACE PALAZZO MEDUSA POOL SLIDES $295

VERSACE ICONIC GRECA MEDUSA SWIM SHORTS $250

FENDI SNEAKERS $750

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FENDI SLIDES BROWN TPU FUSSBETT SANDALS $590

GUCCI ELTON JOHN LARGE TOTE $ 3,400 #GUCCIHALLUCINATION PRINT T-SHIRT $ 790

#GUCCIHALLUCINATION #GUCCIHALLUCINATION PRINT T-SHIRT PRINT T-SHIRT $ 790 $ 790

DBQ MAGAZINE

Nathan James is a prolific author, journalist, playwright, and radio personality. Nathan is a Contributing Writer for NBCNews/NBC OUT, Political Editor at DBQ Magazine, and the Executive Editor of GBM News.

Quentin Marcellis is a fashion, runway, and print model from Tulsa Oklahoma. He released his debut mixtape “Days In The Midwest” on August 26th on SoundCloud.

His single #CarefreeBlackBoy is now available on iTunes.

When you think of the word “creative” it’s usually an adjective use to describe someone.

When it comes to Roni Jeannette, creative is a noun. It’s who she is. At the age of 4, the right side of her brain introduced her to dance at the Harlem School of the Arts. There is where she began her journey that would lead her into a life of performing. Even with the setback of having to undergo spinal surgery due to scoliosis, she continued to follow her first love without knowing a new one was close behind.

After graduating Lehman High School, she decided to attend a traditional college and realized that what she really wanted to do she couldn't learn there. Enrolling in Hair Design Institute, allowed her to turn a natural born skill into a career. Her talent was immediately recognized by Keith Campbell becoming his assistant. Which allowed her to learn the true art of haircutting. Roni went on to work with Harlem Fashion Row 3 times during their annual shows and also becoming the makeup designer for The Nightingale-Bamford School.

Last year she took a huge leap of faith betting on herself, moving to London for 4 months.

Here she took classes with Tsia Stewart at the Atelier Wig Master, London’s leading wig making education studio. She is currently a stylist at Salon 84, where she continues to use the right side of her brain.

THE LOVE LIST

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HARLEM PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECORS

MICHAEL HODGES WHY HARLEM PRIDE?

JOHN REDDICK

CARMEN NEELY

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRIDE MEMORY?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRIDE MEMORY?

Harlem Pride is unique and special. There is no other PRIDE celebration like it.

With the grand history of the Harlem Renaissance and its Same Gender Loving players as a backdrop, Harlem Pride continues that legacy with today's SGL/LGBT community here in Harlem, which continues to be a major player not, only in Harlem and NYC, but on the global stage.

Our first year's celebration which was basically a LGBT "Block Party" on 118th Street, showed us there was a need and appreciation for a Harlem PRIDE event!

DAVE BRIDGEFORTH WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT HARLEM PRIDE?

Seeing elders cry at our very first Harlem Pride and thinking that they had somehow been harmed, but learning that they were shedding tears of joy because they thought they'd never see such a celebration of PRIDE in Harlem. This was the moment that I knew we had to keep going and make Harlem Pride an annual event and not just a one time gathering.

MARK OTTO WHAT MAKES YOU MOST PROUD DURING PRIDE SEASON?

Seeing my LGBT community show out. It’s an amazing time where the word PRIDE really comes to life in each and every person. It’s a time where I actually feel like nothing can stop us. We are a strong, talented, loving community of individuals.

The black gay culture that lives in Harlem, being half naked, handsome men with swagg, and most of all the parties with great friends.

THE LOVE LIST

LARON HICKERSON If you want to get the attention you deserve, NoRal Apparel creatively integrates bold fabrication, a strong sense of individuality, and pop culture elements.

Innovative design and ingenious structure give NoRal Apparel a custom look, and the clothing feels amazing to wear.

A native of Kentucky, LaRon Hickerson aka Ron DuWayne - the designer and creator of all of that is NoRal Apparel — graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design.

NORALAPPAREL.COM NORALAPPAREL (INSTAGRAM) RON DUWAYNE (FACEBOOK) NORALAPPAREL@GMAIL.COM

NoRal Apparel achievements include product placement in the Zane Original Cinemax Series The Jump Off, So You Think You Can Dance (Choreographer Brian Friedman) The stage adaptation of the James Earl Hardy best selling book B Boy Blues. (Character Raheim) Men's Fashion Week Los Angeles, BET Awards Experience and more. From May 2012 to the present, NoRal Apparel continues to headline as the featured fashion show for Blatino Oasis in Palm Springs, CA

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NORAL APPAREL ROSE CROP SLING (LEFT, $50) NORAL APPAREL ROSE BOXER (RIGHT, $50) *PHOTOGRAPHER FRANK WISE, MODELS ALLANTE & DEVON

NORAL APPAREL LUXE MESH BRIEF. ($40) PHOTOGRAPHER MARK HENDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY MODEL KYLE GOFFNEY

NORAL APPAREL BLACK GOLD THONG ($50) *PHOTOGRAPHER FRANK WISE, MODEL ALLANTE

NORAL APPAREL OPEN SIDED RETRO BRIEF ($50) *PHOTOGRAPHER FRANK WISE, MODEL DEVON

THE LOVE LIST

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SUMMER READS

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THE LOVE LIST

THE QUEER BLACK PANTHER

THE LOVE LIST

THE QUEER BLACK PANTHER By now most of us have taken a first class trip to the fictional African Nation of “Wakanda” and witnessed the greatness that is Marvels new epic cultural phenomenon “Black Panther” released appropriately in black history month, on February 16th. On opening day, and on the weekend that it premiered, African Americans across the country and Africans across the World celebrated what many have dubbed the first “black superhero” by adorning themselves proudly in traditional African garb, and posing with the now famous Wakanda Forever salute. Black Panther has become more than just a movie, but a movement, and represents a new kind of superhero, one that represents the African American community, and the continent of Africa, in a more positive, new light that is breaking ground in Hollywood for people of color. With a predominately all-black cast featuring Hollywood legends such as Angela Basset, Forest Whittaker, and new Hollywood heavy hitters Michael B. Jordan, and Howard University graduate, Chadwick Boseman, another piece of black excellence is that it’s directed by an African American man “Ryan Coogler” director of movies Creed, and Fruitvale Station. Black Panther has earned a whopping 659.5 million domestically, at least 500 million overseas, and a grand total of nearly 910 million worldwide, easily becoming the third highest grossing superhero film in cinema history, topping big movie franchises such as “Star Wars” and “Titanic.” Far too often in the media, and in Hollywood, we have been fed the same repetitive negative images, and or stereotypes of black men, and women. Whether we are depicted as slaves struggling for freedom, living in, or coming from struggling impoverished ghettos, or seeing images of starving black children in Africa, “Black Panther” is an empowering refreshing, and very needed movie for the Black Culture featuring a fictional African Country uncolonized, or affected by real realities of exploitation, and war. But the movie is largely based on inspiration from authentic African tribes, traditions, and past untold stories of wealth, and

Kingship. A prominent impact that I’ve noticed that “Black Panther” has had on the Black diaspora is the bridge its provided between the black community and African heritage. As a black man myself, rising out of my seat for the fourth time, as the credits rolled, I’ve never felt so much pride for my blackness, and a desire to learn more about my lost African heritage. But just like any movie, “Black Panther” was met with some criticism of its lack of LGBT representation. In the comic books that the movie is largely based around, many fans pointed out left out romances between character “Okoye” general of the all-female, special forces unit in Wakanda the “Dora Milaje” with a fellow female counterpart.

As black LGBT people of color, seeing ourselves in this sprawled out African Diaspora is just as important. When will our community get the recognition that we deserve in fantasy, and science fiction films, and pop culture? I walked away wanting to see black gay men in this movie and wondering what effects would be seeing such images have on the gay community. A screenwriter of Black Panther, even revealed the fact that certain scenes with LGBT flirtation were left on the chopping block when the movie was in its editing process, but why? Would Hollywood be ready to see our images in black culture? As much as I enjoyed that this movie validated my blackness, I couldn’t help but wonder how empowered I would be if my Queerness were celebrated as well. It is up to our community, to raise our voices, and demand to be seen, heard, and represented just like any other minority group. It is very healthy for us to continue to have these types of conversations in our communities, in press, and media. We can’t sit back and expect others to tell our stores and direct our narratives. We have to get behind the camera lens and be the filmmakers, producers, and creators of our stories. I think of successful movies like “Moonlight” which won an Oscar for best picture for its portrayal of young black men discovering who they are, and coming to terms with their sexuality, is an example of the possibilities that can happen when our diverse stories are told in mainstream Hollywood. Let us move forward by stepping up to tell our own stories by our own talented, and currently unknown queer filmmakers, and entertainment artist. Let us hope that “Black Panther” stays faithful to the comics, and honors LGBT representation in the storyline moving forward

THE LOVE LIST

A LIFE, IN THREE EASY INSTALLMENTS

Meet Dale Guy Madison

THE LOVE LIST

By Nathan James

What happens when a bold, brash, funny gay Black man sallies forth into the world of home-shopping television?

Why, you get a story like no other, of course! Meet Dale Guy Madison, an accomplished actor, writer, advocate and educator from Los Angeles, who is about to stir things up with his brandnew “docucomedy” Life after QVC, which showcases his experiences on the well-known retail network.

Dale has penned several volumes about his life and times in and out of the entertainment industry, is also an outspoken LGBTQ advocate, working to raise AIDS awareness, address substance abuse, and combat homophobia, which is once again on the rise in the age of Trump. “I have always been passionate about our community,” Dale says, “and my art is an extension of my advocacy”. His storied career began with a bit part in the campy classic To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar, which set him on a coast-to-coast journey to New York City, where he emerged as FREEda Slave, a sassy and popular drag performer.

The road back to Hollywood wound its way through Manhattan, with Dale’s drag persona starring in a one-queen show called FREEda Slave: Mask Of A Diva, written by Darryl-Wharton-Rigby of TV’s award-winning Homicide: Life On The Street series. Returning to LA, Dale was ready to become a trailblazer at the QVC network. “I was the first Black man to have a show on QVC,” Dale recalls, “and I had the first African American shopping hour”. Dale’s work with the network is chronicled in a short-subject memoir, Dreamboy: My Life as A QVC Host, which is an unabashedly honest send-up of Dale’s exploits on the small screen. “I wanted to bring that behind-the scenes realness to people that might not have seen me on QVC,” Dale notes. “This

was a real highlight in my life, but I talk about other, darker times, too.” Dale shares his stories of a heterosexual marriage, struggles with sexuality, and a mental breakdown, which brought him to an extended hospital stay on the border between wanting to live, and wishing to die.

Dale recovered, and engaged his creative spirit once more, writing Sissy Sammy In The Land Of WeHo 90069, about a bullied fem boy who escapes the hood to subsume himself in an allgay village.

Through his production company, DamnGoodMan Productions, Dale has emerged as a “positive, culturally relevant” entertainer, uplifting the LGBTQ community around the country.

For Life After QVC, Dale takes us on an anecdotal tour of his lived experiences, in a short film that was selected for a worldwide premiere at the 26th Annual Independent Filmmakers’ Showcase, which ran from May 9-20. “I was so excited about this,” Dale rhapsodizes, “being part of the film festival is awesome!” In Life After QVC, Dale spills all, on such luminaries as Emmy-winning soap opera legend Susan Lucci, movie star Wesley Snipes, DJ “Shangela” Pierce from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and even the notorious Joey Buttafuoco of the infamous Long Island Lolita caper involving scorned mistress Amy Fisher.

That’s high tea!

Looking ahead, you can find Dale hard at work on the revival of his acclaimed one-man show, My Life In 3 Easy Payments”, which opens during Pride Month this year at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Keep up with Dale at his website, damngoodman.com, where he is giving sash, shay, pomp, and all his dreams come true.

SUMMER ART BOOK ARTIST STATEMENT

RYAN WILLIAMS @RYANTHEARTIST Growing up in Houston, Texas I was influenced a lot by my southern culture, a blend of urban and rural life. In my artwork I like to exaggerate on moments in time and the way that they have affected me. Each piece that I create is associated with a person, or a moment that left such an impact on me that I felt the need to capture through painting or sketching.

This is how I journal and make a moment tangible and visible to more than just myself.

Ryan Williams was born In Houston, Texas. He graduated from the University of Houston in 2014 with a Bachelors Degree in Studio and a minor in Art History. He currently lives in New York where he works as an art instructor.

THE LOVE LIST

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PLAYLIST SUMMER 18

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SUMMER ART BOOK ARTIST STATEMENT

I’m Kalon Justice, and I’m a 22-year-old artist who was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. I went to performing arts school pretty much all my life. I graduated from Detroit school of performing arts high school. Now I’m currently enrolled in The prestigious Morehouse College studying architecture studio arts, here in Atlanta Georgia. Moving to Atlanta was a huge step for me. I was a very sheltered child growing up and protect from all of the crime and violence many teens encounter in Detroit. So finally being on my own and making my own decision was huge for me. I took full advantage in every opportunity that came my way and still currently does.

I am a multimedia artist who employs drawing portraits, paintings, and Sculptures to create some deep pieces of work that explores how notions of identity are disrupted by strength and pain. My creative process begins through the self-medicate process to heal ... after being a sexually molested victim, my mother seeks help from a Therapist to help me express myself forward my negative energy elsewhere, during this process I learned To let out my emotions on paper and perfect my talent. I now use emotions as my entry point into producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

When painting I like to capture moments, almost like a photograph but an expression of my imagination sometimes it opens the door to my emotions. I tend to paint landscapes. I find it amazing how with a stroke of a brush you sense movement or feeling in a scenery.

With my expression in sculpting, It's different from anything else I've done. It doesn't have to be perfect it, it doesn't always have to be complete.

My highest form of artistic talent would have to be drawing. I can capture any still life form in front of me. I catch myself being a perfectionist and sometimes that interferes with my best work, but it also helps me push myself to produce higher quality projects. I work best with portraits I feel ever face has a story.

Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. I discovered my gift after a traumatic period in my life. My mother was seeking help for me and found the best therapist on earth. She gave me some art materials, placed me in a room to let out my problems and emotions.

At that moment she unlocked a monster, I couldn’t stop being creative. Whenever I'm in my feelings or just need to vent, I always turn to art to help it’s very therapeutic. I’m happy I was blessed with the talent God had placed within me.

KALON JUSTICE @BADDESTBLASIAN

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TURN ME ON

BRY’NT TOP 3 SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER?

1

Medino Green - “Good Dick” featuring Bry’Nt Beyoncé & Jay-Z “APESH*T” Tory Lanez - “Leaning” featuring PartyNextDoor

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PERSONAL FAVORITE PRIDE TO ATTEND? It’s a Tie Between D.C. And Detroit Pride, Which Have Been the Most Turnt up Prides That I’ve Attended. A Close Runner-Up Is New York Pride Because It Was my First One. Honorable Mention Goes to Dominican Republic’s Inferno.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE BEACH? Lay out With a Cold One

SWIMMING POOL OR OCEAN ?

Pool POETRY OR A NOVEL ?

Novel

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? It’s the Product of Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

COCKTAIL OR A JOINT?

WHEN WAS THE BEST SEX OF YOUR LIFE THIS FAR?

Cocktail

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ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BY THE END OF THE SUMMER?

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

I want to release my album “Bry’Nt Park” along with more visuals.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? Amusement parks, puppies, and sunny days.

LAY ON THE BEACH OR LAY BY THE POOL? Beach

Anyone That Is Truly Invested in the Betterment of Humanity. Is Barack Obama an Option or Nah? WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD? I’m proud of the man I am today.

TURN ME ON

&NIA NESS THE SPOKEN WORD DANCE DUO THAT EXUDES A RIVER OF PASSION

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TOP 3 SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER? Miss Me

By Leikei47 Sex Money Feelings Die By Lykke Li She Bad

By Cardi B Ft Yg PERSONAL FAVORITE PRIDE TO ATTEND?

3

Brooklyn Pride.

Though, We Havent Been to Harlem Pride Yet! (Wink!)

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE BEACH? Frolick Together and Cuddle in the Water SWIMMING POOL OR OCEAN ?

Ocean POETRY OR A NOVEL ?

2 NIA& NESS

ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BY THE END OF THE SUMMER? We want to start going out more and really taking in NYC. We are such lesbians! What we mean by that is we love staying home with wine and our cats, ordering food in and catching up on/ binge watching our shows. If we have the time, we want to start going out at least once a week even if it's just grabbing a drink during happy hour.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? We make each other smile everyday LAY ON THE BEACH OR LAY BY THE POOL? Beach

Poetry COCKTAIL OR A JOINT? Cocktail

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? Our Work Is Extremely Honest, Heartfelt and Vulnerable. Feel About It

WHEN WAS THE BEST SEX OF YOUR LIFE THIS FAR? 2018-06-17 WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT? Oprah 2020!! Because Need a Black Woman in the Oval Office and Michelle Obama Needs a Break From DC! WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD? Each other! Living together and working together, we get to see and experience the daily growth that others might not get to see and its such a beautiful thing. We have been a couple for over 5 years and working together professionally for over 2 years, and seeing how far we have come individually and as a unit is incredible.

SUMMER ART BOOK RYAN WILLIAMS

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SUMMER ART BOOK KALON JUSTICE

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TURN ME ON

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RYAN WILLIAMS TOP 3 SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER? Ape Shit- Beyonce & Jay At Your Best- Frank Ocean R.A.N.- Miguel

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PERSONAL FAVORITE PRIDE TO ATTEND? Houston Because It’s the Only One I’ve Been Too Lol WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE BEACH? Skim Board SWIMMING POOL OR OCEAN ?

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Novel

COCKTAIL OR A JOINT? Joint ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BY THE END OF THE SUMMER? I Want To Find a Residency Program for Painters WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? Sincerity LAY ON THE BEACH OR LAY BY THE POOL? Beach WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? That I’m Being Vulnerable

WHEN WAS THE BEST SEX OF YOUR LIFE THIS FAR? 5/5/2010 WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT? Can We Bring Obama Back WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD? Following my Own Beliefs

TURN ME ON

KID LIT 4

THE VIBRANT MUSICAL TALENT WHOSE ENERGY IS CONTAGIOUS

TURN ME ON

TOP 3 SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER? City Girls “Where the bag At?” Drake “Nice for What?”

Kid Lit Music “100 Grand” PERSONAL FAVORITE PRIDE TO ATTEND?

4 KID LIT

Dc Pride Is by Far the Greatest. Cute and Messy WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE BEACH? Tan This Black Body to its Raisin Core SWIMMING POOL OR OCEAN ?

Ocean POETRY OR A NOVEL ?

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Novel

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COCKTAIL OR A JOINT? Neither ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BY THE END OF THE SUMMER? I would like to get signed as a music producer

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? Everything in life that feels right LAY ON THE BEACH OR LAY BY THE POOL? Beach WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? Nothing. Mind Your Business Unless I Share It, Which I Often Do !!!

WHEN WAS THE BEST SEX OF YOUR LIFE THIS FAR? 1988-08-12 WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT? Unsure WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD? My Tobagonian and Guyanese heritage

SUMMER ART BOOK RYAN WILLIAMS

“SEARCHING FOR BLISS” 20X20 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

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SUMMER ART BOOK KALON JUSTICE

GRAND SOUL 36X48 ACRYLIC PAINTING

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TURN ME ON

THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO ONLY CAPTURES BEAUTY

5

LAQUANN DAWSON

TURN ME ON

1

TOP 3 SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST THIS SUMMER? Apeshit, Nasty Girl, Everybody Mad

2

PERSONAL FAVORITE PRIDE TO ATTEND? Brooklyn WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE BEACH?

3

Swim SWIMMING POOL OR OCEAN ?

ONE THING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BY THE END OF THE SUMMER? Financial stability, an apartment on my own, to be booked for the fall WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE? My sister, my boyfriend, Beyonce

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT? Beyoncé WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD? Imagining a life for myself and watching it flourish and come to be outside of my head. It’s like a superpower.

LAY ON THE BEACH OR LAY BY THE POOL? Beach

Pool POETRY OR A NOVEL ?

Poetry COCKTAIL OR A JOINT? Cocktail

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? Nothing, I Want People To Approach It With Their Own Eyes, No Biased or Personal Information To Tell Them How To Feel About It WHEN WAS THE BEST SEX OF YOUR LIFE THIS FAR? 2017-12-10

5 LAQUANN DAWSON

SUMMER ART BOOK RYAN WILLIAMS

“RECIPROCITY” 40X40 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

SUMMER ART BOOK RYAN WILLIAMS

“SANS SOUCI” 8X11 ACRYLIC ON WOOD

SUMMER ART BOOK KALON JUSTICE

QUEEN 36X48 ACRYLIC PAINTING

SUMMER ART BOOK KALON JUSTICE

FREEDOMS CAPTURE 38X20 ACRYLIC PAINTING

WHAT I’VE COME TO KNOW

DADDY

WARBUCKS

NOTES FROM MY FATHER ON MANHOOD

BY DAVE BRIDGEFORTH

As a kid my memories of my father were striking, I remember him clean cut in tailored suits always about business. Daddy had a gift that appeared as magic because as a kid I could only identify it as a feeling that was experienced when you were in his presence. He exuded an energy that excited you and his words brought you closer. As I grew up into the role of the son who bared my father's name I was met with my father’s reputation for it had proceeded him in our community. When people found out that I was Dave Jr. their faces would light up, kind of in the same way Daddy caused people to glow when he was in their presence.

SUMMER ART BOOK KALON JUSTICE

GRAND SOUL 18X24 ACRYLIC PAINTING

WHAT I’VE COME TO KNOW There was a crucial time in my life as a preteen where I harnessed much bitterness for my father because of the ideas I had about who my father was supposed to be and what he was supposed to do. It wasn't until I was a young adult that I realized though my father was a flawed man, who wasn't? And despite his flaws, he was able to inject into me seeds that have carried my life forward.

For years I told myself I wasn't important because there were times when my little brother, Jon, and I waited by the front door — eyeballing cars driving past the house because it was Daddy's weekend. I feened to go to Daddy's on the weekends because I could feel the magic in every room of his big house. My father lived his life with a particular kind of freedom and that translated into the energy embedded in his surroundings.

The home was large and set up for comfort and a good time. From as early as I can remember, there was always a full bar in the house along with TVs and dedicated space for his friends to drink, dance, and be merry.

I realized that my father's gift to me was his life as an example, as possibilities for me. It was as if his life was an example to me and the contrast therein aided me in the decisions of who I would strive to be in the future.

As I witnessed my father evolve and show up for me, I understood that he was perhaps a poor father to small children but became the greatest Dad his young adult sons could have asked for. As I look over my experiences with my father, I take note of five things he was sure to make me know.

Be your fucking self I was 18 and in my senior year of high school when I decided to stand in the truth of who I was and come out of the closet. I wrote a number of letters mapping out my feelings for my same-sex attractions and my plans for the future. My father was one of the first people to receive one.

I remember his commanding voice over the phone as he called in response to my correspondence. "Be your fucking self, son. if you are gay then that's who you are, and I love you, and there is not a damn thing in the world you can do about it.”

Over the years people inquire about my ability to accept anyone for who they are. I now know my father exemplified this for me in my most vulnerable state. My father being a very open and accepting person until I came out wasn't a big fan of the gays, though he respected the community, they tended to chase him because of his handsomeness. Knowing this, to see my father evolve his former feelings about gay folks because the love he had for his son was more important taught me the value of people and how they are to be treated.

Take care of business, so you have reason to play For the longest time, I only knew that my father was a respected playboy. Not only could he party but was the life of that party. I knew my friend's parents at school knew where I lived because they had attended my father's social gatherings at our home on several occasions. It wasn't until I was older that I was able to see how hard Pops worked and the ambition he cultivates within. My father spoke highly of achievement and took pride in the ability and

process of creating something and building it up. I watched Pops start businesses, build homes, and develop new skills without any notice. My father had the ability to look at a situation and gain the confidence he needed to go and learn whatever he needed to overcome, achieve or to find solutions for the situation.

Diversify yourself My father had all kind of friends, and because of these relationships, I was exposed to people from different walks of life. Pops toasted with those who grossed more money than he did just like he watched the game with those who were pressed to drink the free beers in our home bar. He took his time with his disabled friends as he did his elders. I learned of the great privilege it is to be careful with people from witnessing my father care for old folks, stranger, and longtime friends. I learn that respect is golden and it makes room for you in the world.

He who toots not his own horn, horn goes untooted My father was a shameless plugger of all things self. He believed that if you were given a horn, it was to be tooted and if you do not toot your horn, then no one will experience what you have, and what a waste that would be of what you were given. My father showed me the importance of always tooting my horn. The countless shameless plugs, the proud bragging inserted into irrelevant stories showed not only how proud he was of me but how firmly he believed in me. It was evident from the force in which he shoved any new venture or idea of mine down everybody’s throat as if all my ambitions were just and tasted good.

Work for yourself My father found me my first job when I was 15, a couple months from my 16 birthday. I was a suit salesman in a mall and was working a hard 25 hours a week. Around the same time Dad had bought a new home for the family to live in, but this time the house needed renovation and we the family had been recruited to do the heavy lifting. My father had given my siblings and I the responsibility of building our own bedrooms. I can remember the aggravation over the work I had to invest just to get my room livable for myself, not to mention the hours I was putting in at the mall, especially, when I only spent the money on Starbucks. It wasn't until I had successfully learned to hang drywall, tape, mud, sand, and paint the walls of my bedroom, as well as dream up things I wanted for myself that required money, did I realize the seeds my father had planted within me.

He was conditioning me to work and for that work to be all to my own benefit. I expected my father to want to free his children from work because I thought that the whole point of the hardship of those who came before was to liberate the next generation from work. I was wrong, my brilliant father had blessed me with one of the greatest gifts a Father could give a son, he gave me freedom in my work so that all of the work I do isn't experienced as slavery to and for another, but as work for and in the benefit of my own self.

What my father taught me inevitably was the anatomy of manhood, one not caught up on dick size, though we Bridgeforth men are blessed, nor masculinity though I learned what it means to be assertive. Quite simply put, I learned from Pops of my own power and how to will that power after any of my own bliss.

SUMMER ART BOOK RYAN WILLIAMS

“FATIMA” 8X10 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

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OUR GUIDE TO LGBT PRIDE

BE PROUD OF YOUR SELF!

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