OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY For Colored Boys KEITH BOYKIN
EXCLUSIVE
MAKE YOUR LIFE A
CELEBRATION! *
My Favorite Places In The Country To Party Like A Rock Star
The 'MOST BEAUTIFULLEST' MAN ALIVE
Sex Like A Porn Star
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
+
The Best Of Them Share Their Sex Tips
Volume 2 Issue 2 Summer 2012 DBQMAG.COM Twitter Us @DBQMAG Photography by Troy Mattison
I
t's our one year anniversary, and we are celebrating it all over the country. Who would have thought that a bootleg magazine, created for a thousand people in Indianapolis, a year later, would be an award winning publication in 50 cities in the United States? No one at DBQ Magazine, thats for sure.
Here We Go!
CONT RIBU TORS
So this Summer I share my favorite places in the country to party, as well as my new favorite book “For Colored Boys,” by Keith Boykin, for which I contributed an essay. We have our first ever 'Most Beautifullest' man alive, Jussie Smollett. FYI, 'Most Beautifullest' is my favorite grammatically incorrect name I use for people I really really like. So every Summer starting now, I'll pick someone I think is EVERYTHING and they will have that title for the year. This year my heart beats for Jussie. Also, we have some of the hottest porn stars, sharing their tips on how to spice up your sex life this Summer. This is the time to celebrate your life, and the bright warm sun on your face. Make your sex better; read a good book, enjoy these moments. It's the largest party ever and you are invited.
DaShawn Usher is a native New Yorker. He focuses most of his time and talents in Public Relations, health and the nonprofit sector. His passion is creative writing. He is managing editor at DBQ.
Stanley Bennett Clay is an awardwinning filmmaker, novelist and playwright. He is currently writing and directing the documentary "You Are Not Along," which examines depression in black gay men. His new novel "Everybody Aught To Be in Love,:"part of his four-book "Dominican Heat" series, will be published in December by Ellora's Cave Publishers. Matthew Is an actor, singer, blogger, activist living in New York. For the past three years he has been a part of the hit web series ADTV. You can watch The Matthew Barrett Show on YouTube.
Kiara Peterson, editorial assistant for DBQ, majoring in Journalism at IUPUI in Indianapolis,Indiana. She has a passion for writing.
Editor-In-Chief / Publisher David A. Bridgeforth Jr. Senior Editor/ Executive Administrator Jacqui Tanner Contributing Editor Stanley Bennett Clay Consulting Cover Editor Reggie Wells Managing Editor/ Copy Editor
Dashawn Usher Entertainment Editor Matthew Barrett Makeup Fab Freddie Hair Martel Guinyard Photography/ Retouch Troy Mattison Editorial Assistant Kiara Peterson Videographer Terence Pleasent
DBQ Magazine is a nationally distributed quarterly lifestyle publication. published and printed in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information on advertisement, circulation, or articles please visit us at www.DBQMAG.com Or call 317.500.4327 or 908.656.6218.
DBQ David Bridgeforth Quarterly
EVERYWHERE ABOVE THE RAINBOW
2012
Summer
SEX LIKE A PORN STAR P.20
FOR COLORED BOYS P.14
5. Behind the Scene 6. News 9. The Love List /
13. The World According to
FIVE THINGS WE EMPHATICALLY ENDORSE 10. The 'MOST
BOYKIN 17. My Favorite Places To Party
BEAUTIFULLEST' Man Alive / Jussie Smollett Follow US @DBQMAG
Matthew 14. For Colored Boys/ KEITH
20. Sex Like A Porn Star 21. What I've Come To Know / Celebrate Your Life
Summer 2012 Contents THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MATTHEW P.13
JUSSIE SMOLLETT THE 'MOST BEAUTIFULLEST' MAN ALIVE P.10
MY FAVORITE PLACES IN THE COUNTRY TO PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR P.17
DBQMAG.COM | @DBQMAG
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
Page 4
Behind the Scene
WHAT I WAS REALLY THINKING...
SUMMER 2011 Our virgin cover, we had no idea what we were doing. The dress Tyrie was wearing was pinned on her. I was standing on a stool because I refused to be short on the cover. Not very many people know, but this cover was shot in my home office downtown Indianapolis.
FALL 2011 I was painted down and hot outside in a field in a custom designed vest by Berny Martin. It was pinned on me because it was way to big. You can see the frown on my face and the wrinkle on my forehead, we did have a retouch person at the time to fix that. Lastly, I never should have listened to the intern who said I should overlap the 'D' and 'B' in the logo like GQ Magazine does. It was a disaster.
SPRING 2012 This by far is our best work and my favorite cover. That shoot took a lot of work and I had a lot of help to look like that. I intended to make a loud statement with this issue. I wanted to show people that we all own the power to transform ourselves and our lives. Within a week this issue was out of stock in location across the country.
WINTER 2011 By this time I had Reggie Wells on my team and he made sure my make up was the right color and that my cover were retouched and done right as he has done for Oprah and Essence Magazine. This cover is so important and historical because never before have these two legendary black gay men been on a cover together, nor have black gay america seen images of a black gay family in this way. They are my fathers and I am their gay son. Reggie Wells forced me to smile.
David Bridgeforth and Robin Roberts, May 2012 at Good Morning America Studios in New York City.
David Bridgeforth and Beyonce's Stylist Ty Hunter at NYC and Harlem Pride 2012 (while on DBQ Magazine tour.)
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Dynasty Young tells Don Lemon, on CNN, that David Bridgeforth and DBQ Magazine are the reason he didn't commit suicide after extreme bullying for being boldly gay and flamboyant. Young faced being expelled for lifting a stun gun in the air during attempted gay bashing by 6 thugs on school property.
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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NEWS
Our Sizzling Topics By DaShawn Usher Obama Pride! President Obama supports gay marriage, becoming the first President in history to publicly support same sex marriage. In an interview with Robin Roberts (ABC) the President said “… it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” Additionally, President Obama declared June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month” for a fourth consecutive year making him the President with the most officially declared Pride Months. The first was President Bill Clinton on June 2, 2000.
Shocked! An Indianapolis teenager, Darnell “Dynasty” Young, was expelled from his High School after pulling out a stun gun on students that bullied him. His mother had purchased it for him to use in self-defense, since the school system had failed to protect her son from bullying. Although the school system felt that Dynasty violated their weapons policy, Dynasty still sent a clear message to bullies: that people have the right to defend themselves.
Love to Love You Baby: The ultimate queen of the dance floor pre-Beyoncé, LaDonna Adrian Gaines, widely known as Donna Summer, passed away from cancer. She was a legendary icon in the gay community with her music that was free-spirited, fun, and fresh providing outlets for gays across the world to release their inner “disco-queen.” DBQMAG.COM | @DBQMAG
DBQ Magazine
I do!
Almost a year after gay marriage was passed in New York, Christine Quinn (Right), Speaker of the New York City Council (and 2013 unofficial frontrunner for Mayor) got married to her partner, Kim Catullo (Left), of over 10 years. Summer 2012
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All for You: Janet Jackson signed on to executive produce a documentary about Transgender people around the world, which is titled “Truth.” In a statement, Jackson said "All people are very important to me. I've been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives. 'Truth' is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same. We want to stop the hate and find understanding." Jackson said she agreed to the project to help stop discrimination against the transgender community.
The Last Gay Jewish Holocaust Survivor: Gad Beck, a prominent gay activist, died at the age of 88. Beck has been cited as being the last known gay Jewish survivor of the Holocaust. When asked about being a gay Jew several years ago, Beck said “God doesn’t punish for a life of love.”
Not so Raven! Raven-Symoné is “outed” on blogs for dating America’s Next Top Model, AzMarie Livingston. Although it may just be a rumor Raven did not confirm or deny the relationship. On her twitter Raven stated “I am living my PERSONAL life the way I’m happiest. I’m not one, in my 25 year career to disclose who I’m dating. And I shall not start now. My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I’m dating to know. I’m not one for public display of my life. However that is my right as a HUMAN Being whether straight or gay. To tell or not to tell. As long as I’m not harming anyone. I am a light being made from love. And my career is the only thing I would like to put on display, not my personal life. Kisses!” There’s still a hope ladies. Gay Marriage becomes legal in NYC.
Gay marriage passed in NYC allowing lesbians across New York to wed and live their lives to the fullest.
Lorena X: A sunbeam of beauty at only 25, Lorena Escalera, who went by the stage name Lorena Xtravaganza, died in a fire in her Bushwick apartment in New York. Her death made the New York Times, but the article focused more on her gender expression than her death. I remember seeing her perform a few years ago at Splash for “Ocean Wednesdays” and I have yet to see a show that entertaining.
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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HOME DELIVERY
4 Autographed Issues For $12 MAILED TO YOUR DOOR! SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT DBQMAG.COM
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
Page 8
THE LOVE LIST
1
DBQMAG.COM
FOR MORE
FIVE THINGS WE EMPHATICALLY ENDORSE THIS QUARTER
Ballroom BALENCIAGA ROCKSTAR: AGA...AGA...
3 Freaky Boiz
The hip hop community is mainly catered for the heterosexual man, and his views on women, money and jewelry. Where is the view for the other side of the rap game? There has been much buzz on the openly gay rap duo Freaky Boiz. Straight out of Chicago, Terrance “TTgoTIT” Wilson and Pierre “PWeezy” Phipps are dominating the underground rap scene, with their sexual lyrics such as, “I’m a slut, I work for the nut”. They are redefining the views on hip hop music. Meeting at Southern Illinois University, the two boiz realize they shared the same common bond for hip hop. They begin free styling over the hottest rap single beats, and posting them on YouTube. One of their famous videos, “Girlz be Gagging” rapped over Nicki Minaj’s “Romans Revenge”, which oozes sexual and explicit lyrics, which is sure to grab your attention. The Freaky Boiz are definitely on the rise to stardom, and adding a new flavor to the rap industry. You can follow the boiz @TTgoTIT @PrinceCharmingP, and subscribe to their YouTube channel Freaky Boiz.
5 Page 9
2
Counter clockwise: Harold AGA with son Brian AGA , Harold with son Dante AGA, DeAnthony AGA, our favorite sex siren, in the middle of a battle.
GENTies BOWTies
I have a confession to make; I've always wanted to marry a man who was a Balenciaga. Baby, the boys that Harold is raising, are fine, and smart. The DC Awards Ball, thrown by living ballroom legend Harold Balenciaga, was eventful, and filled with stars, statements, and legends. My favorite moments of the night was when DeAnthony Balenciaga almost snatched sex siren up, and when Brian Aga got his everlasting life, and vogue his ass off battling a Garçon. I was happy to see my friends Pony Zion, who is very selective on what Balls he attends at this stage in his life. Michael Roberson, who I call father of all ballroom, and the lovely, sophisticated Ayana Christian, who had me as a guest at her table. I had a ball at the ball! If you missed Harold Balenciaga's DC Award Ball for any reason, you missed a piece of Ballroom history. - David Bridgeforth
The very brilliant and sophisticated Antoine Anderson, creator of the Washington, DC modeling group, 'Models Envied', has launched a creative and very simple Bowtie line called, 'GENTies'. As a guest to the launch party, not only did I find his event well attended and full of beautiful people, I found his ties interesting and creative. For more info on his colorful and unique Bowties go to DBQMAG.com.
4 The Morning Wood Show
Donte Morison's play, "The Battle" is a infusion of truth, laughter, youth, and life changing moments that make the audience want to lead more aware lives. The message that runs through this work of art is the importance of loving yourself and how it enables you to be more loving to others. The drama and reality of urban youth dealing daily with HIV, death, love, and pain is a story that ends in triumph.
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
Hilarious, sexy, and sophisticated, Demond Maurice Bouvier, and Richie Skye, hosts of “The Morning Wood Show”. A new YouTube talk show, created this year with changing lives, and entertaining people in mind. When Richie Skye was asked why the show was called 'Morning Wood, he said,"because it's the first thing that excites you in the morning." Proactive, informative, and entertaining, this show adds a little spice in your life. For more info: www.DBQMAG.com
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THE 'MOST BEAUTIFULLEST'
MAN ALIVE
Interview by David Bridgeforth / Edited by Stanley Bennett Clay
Handsome as he is sensitive, sexy as he is smart, actor-musician Jussie Smollet is currently heating up the screen in his starring role as a hot gay college co-ed navigating romance and friendship in “The Skinny,” the latest feature film from “Noah’s Arc” auteur Patrik-Ian Polk. One of six acting siblings—he starred with his three brothers and two sisters in the TV series “On Our Own,” and his sister Jurnee made cinematic waves in the feature film “Eve’s Bayou”—twenty-nine-year-old Jussie’s been doing his thing on screen for nearly two decades, including appearances in such feature films as “The Mighty Ducks” and “North.” Had a chance to sit down with the Hollywood-based actor recently after a screening of his latest flick. DBQ Magazine Summer 2012 Page 10 DBQMAG.COM | @DBQMAG
THE 'MOST BEAUTIFULLEST' MAN ALIVE
DBQ: What statement were you trying to make as an artist/actor playing Magnus, the gay lead character in the film “The Skinny?” JS: I don’t think that there’s necessarily a particular statement that I was trying to make. Sure, some people are calling “The Skinny” the hottest gay film of the summer, but I call it simply a good film that represents so many different kinds of people you don’t often see on the screen. And for me it was a good role. I felt like I could add something to it, and that I could take something from it. That’s why I did it. Once I made the film, I saw all that it really meant.
DBQ: What was the filming experience like for you on this project? JS: It was a great experience. This was gorilla film making at its core, but [Director] Patrik [-Ian Polk] is really good at creating a family environment. [Fellow actors] Anthony, Jeffrey, Blake, Shanika, and myself really did become a family. This is what I took most from the experience of working on “The Skinny”—four extremely incredible people who most likely would be friends. And that’s no bullshit. I didn’t know them at all before the film, but now, these are now my friends. I can’t praise my cast mates enough. I truly truly love them; the film was a wonderful experience. We even shot on a float in the New York Gay Pride Parade. I have never been on a float or been a part of New York Pride or anything like it before, but I believe it was a day or two after New York State legalized gay marriage. So to be on that float and see signs that say “30 Years Engaged To Just Married,” well that’s when it really hit me. It meant something, and it was amazing to be a part of that type of experience. I will remember it forever.
DBQ: How do you feel you’re similar to your character Magnus? JS: Magnus is very protective of his friends, and I’m kind of a lion in that sense. I’m extremely protective of the ones I love and care about. I got so close to Blake-Young Fountain, who played Sebastian. During the shoot I always say that he is literally the most capable, most intelligent human being that I have ever met in my life, but I still find myself extremely protective of Blake the person, the way Magnus was of Sebastian the character, because Blake is such a genuine spirit, and such a beautiful soul that you just want to protect him. I’m like that with many of my friends. I’m that guy that you would come and talk to. Also I like being that guy that my friends know they can count on. That’s really important to me. I’m also like Magnus in the sense of being a Gemini/Cancer. But I’m more of a Cancer because I do wear my heart on my sleeve. I feel like I’m getting better as I get older at recognizing, and accepting that I can recognize the bullshit. There are definitely parts of me that are like Magnus.
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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DBQ: What are some of your other aspiration? JS: Beside acting and my music, I want to get involved in philanthropy and social justice issues. That’s something I’m passionate about, something my family has been involved in. My mother was a leader in the civil rights movement. One of my godparents is Angela Davis. This is someone that my mother really grew up knowing, and spending time with. She also met Huey P. Newton and Ben Davis, and Dr. King. There’s history there, it’s something that my family, my siblings and I feel deeply about; social causes. Many have gone before us doing the right and righteous thing, working their asses off to make this a better world. It’s now our responsibility to pick up the torch and continue the effort. The fight against HIV/AIDS is something that I have been passionate about since I was a little kid. We worked with HIV/AIDS organizations in South Africa and I’ve been working with the Black Aids Institute here since I was 15. That’s one of the most important things in my life. So don’t be surprised if you see me speaking out on Capitol Hill one day.
DBQ: You seem like a conscientious guy. JS: I try to be. DBG: What is the foundation of your consciousness? JS: Love, pure and simple. DBQ: What is the greatest thing that you’ve learned about love? JS: Love is the most important thing on the face of this planet. Love is the root of our happiness. The opposite of love is usually the root of unhappiness. You see when you test love, fuck with love, that’s when you have a problem that goes from something as simple as a kid being bullied to something as earth-shattering as World War II. I know for certain that I love love more than anything in the world; I had my share of falling in love, and falling out of love, and being forced out of love.
DBQ: How many times have you truly been in love, relationship-wise? JS: Twice DBQ: What have you learned about relationships? JS: That without loyalty and honesty there’s nothing. DBQ: Are you in one now? JS: I will say this. I am happy. I am truly a happy man. Whatever you want to take from that, it is what it is. DBQ- So what have you learned about life? JS: I think the most important thing is something that B. Scott actually said to me a long time ago: “Walk in your truth.” I think that whatever your truth is; make sure that it’s your truth, not bullshit. When I heard that, I felt like something clicked in me. It made me realize that life is about steps and stages, and everything is meant to be temporary. But you have to be smart and follow your gut, and know that nobody can tell you how to live your life, who to live your life with, who to love, and who not to love. You can’t even tell yourself that. Within this thing called life, the most important thing to honor and cherish is love, because it’s the only thing that matters. Photo by Chia Ferguson
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
Page 12
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO
Mat!ew
DBQ's Entertainment Editor shares what he's crazy about this quarter. I was excited when I heard...
I'm having a ball doing...
President Obama was on our side for marriage equality...it's about time. Also when I heard Mariah Carey was back in the studio working on an album that is expected to drop in the fall...can't wait! So make sure you Vote November 6, 2012 and keep a look out for new music from Mariah.
"The Matthew Show" -You can watch my new show, "Matthew Barrett Show" at YouTube.com/ LambByMatthew
THE MATTHEW SHOW
I went GaGa for... I laughed til I cried... When I watched "Jackie's Back", with Jenifer Lewis and the 1994 movie, "Serial Mom", with Kathleen Turner. No matter how many times I watch these two movies, I die laughing every time. Do yourself a favor by getting some friends together for a movie night with Jackie's Back and Serial Mom. I just know you'll have a good time
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Skullcandy Aviator Headphones are music to my ears. Some of the best looking headphones I've ever seen. Check them out at Skullcandy.com.
My album of the Summer... is Lianne La Havas "Is Your Love Big Enough?"
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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BOOKS CONTEMPLATING
COLORED
BOYS As DBQ's new favorite book goes to press we sent contributing editor Stanley Bennett Clay to an exclusive interview at the New York home of author Keith Boykin. Editor: Stanley Bennett Clay
F
or someone who has accomplished so much over the years—special assistant to the president, the highest-ranking openly gay person in the Clinton White House, working at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue years before his Harvard Law schoolmate Barack Obama landed a job there: author of three best-selling books: special presidential delegate to Zimbabwe; syndicated columnist; on-air news, culture and political commentator for CNN, MSNBC and BET; —Keith Boykin is a rather unassuming fellow.
Criss-crossing the country annually fulfilling dozens of speaking engagements, and jetting back and forth between residences in Florida and New York does not uncalm the cool and collected intellectual and professional thinker, who greets me at the door of his 5th floor Harlem flat in jeans, a sweater, and barefooted, looking more like a college co-ed on Spring Break, than the Black LGBT community icon he is knows as.
He greets me with a big brotherly hug and ushers me into his living room where huge picture windows generously provide entrée to a bright winter sun. Like the master of the house, the apartment—walls lined with bookcases filled with well-worn classics, academic volumes, and contemporary fiction, photos of him with his friend the late author E. Lynn Harris, a glass case filled with awards and honorariums, and African artwork tastefully
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DBQ Magazine
dotted here and there—is both classy and relaxing, a study of effortless elegance and a laid back bachelor pad.
Although Keith and I have known each other for many years, our paths crossed too infrequently. But we did manage to run into each other at conventions and community event, the occasional retreat and a few social affairs when we were in the same city. So I was glad to have the chance to interview him again. We had not actually sat down for an interview since our first meeting in 1995, at the offices of the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum in Los Angeles, where he had just been hired as Executive Director.
Today we would discuss his latest project, a new book, “For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Still Not Enough.” This nod to the Shange classic is a collection of essays by gay men of color addressing everything from the tragedy of suicide to the triumph of self-love.
And although the many contributors, some neophyte and some noted, are diverse in age—ranging from their early twenties to their sixties—and represent voices of the Black AfricanDescended, Latinos and Asians, Boykin notes that “they all wrote from the perspective of what it was like to be very young and facing their sexual reality.” The following is an excerpt from our conversation:
Summer 2012
Page 14
CONTEMPLATING
COLORED BOYS STANLEY BENNETT CLAY: Was creating “For Colored Boys…” an epiphany, or was it something you had contemplated over a long period of time?
KEITH BOYKIN: I think every book I’ve written happened by accident. Maybe accident is not the right word for it, but none of them were anything I did by design. It was always something that just came to me. The first book, “One More River To Cross,” came about because E. Lynn Harris read an essay that I wrote for a totally different book, and someone at Doubleday (Publishers) showed it to him, and, on his recommendation, they suggested that I write a book. The second book, “Respecting The Soul,” came about because I remembered Iyanla Vanzant had one of those little acts-of-faith books out, and someone said to me, ‘we need something like that for the Black LGBT community,’ and I said ‘yeah, you’re right.’ The third book, “Beyond The Down Low,” was because—I had no desire or interest in writing a book about the down low—but it came about because J. L. King’s book (“On The Down Low”) came out, and at first I just ignored it until he started getting media attention. Oprah and the New York Times started taking him seriously for claims that were absolutely and patently false. So I contacted my editor and said ‘somebody should challenge this guy, and my editor said, ‘yeah, why don’t you do it?’ So I ended up writing that book. “For Colored Boys…” came about after the huge number of suicides among Black GBLT youth back in 2010.
SBC: Does it give you a sense of personal history when you look back at some of your early writings?
KB: Oh yeah, I think so. There is a sense of personal history and growth for both positive and negative reasons. I look back at “One More River To Cross” and I honestly can’t believe I had the insight to write some of those things, when I was twenty-five years old. It was shocking to me. And then when I
Page 15
look back at “Respecting The Soul,” which is not my favorite book, there’s a different sense of history for me, but a lot of people really like that book. I’m shocked that I even wrote that because it doesn’t seem like anything that I would ever write. It’s so weird, so different for me. It doesn’t seem like anything I would even want to write. Yet, it’s had such an amazing impact on so many people. It’s kind of baffling to me. I think when you go through the writing process, your spirit, your body is inhabited by some other presence that helps you translate these thoughts that are somewhere in your head from the jumbled garb that they are, helping you to put words on paper that make sense. Sometimes I look down at something I’ve written and I cringe, and sometimes I’m shocked that it’s so good. Sometimes it’s great and sometimes it’s horrible. You never know until you look back in hindsight. I remember once I looked back at my college application essay—I just happened to have had it around in my files—and I read through it and I thought, ‘Oh, My God! This is horrible! I would never write anything so badly today.
SBC: But it got you in school. KB: I guess so. And it did give me some sort of empathy with some of the college students I used to teach.
SBC: Speaking of your college days, as well as what you’ve done and what you have been doing over the years, there seems to be a unique connection between you, actor/activist Hill Harper, and President Obama, all attending Harvard Law School at the same time. Three black men who could have all had lucrative careers as Wall Street lawyers, but each of you chose community activism, a sense of community obligation, on one level or another. What was in the water?
KB: I don’t know. And I don’t know if any of it had to do with a sense of community obligation. Elite institutions tend to attract people who are very ambitious, whether they’re ambitious about making a lot of money, being the best lawyer they want to be, or saving the world.
SBC: The reason why I ask is because, having spent many years in show business, I understand the vanity element of the acting world, and sometimes actors become very selfish and very self-centered. But when I look at Hill Harper, someone who is very talented, very attractive—
KB: —and very smart. He graduated from Brown before he graduated from Harvard Law School Cum Laude.
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
SBC: He’s someone who could have done just like Meryl Streep—and I have the utmost respect for Meryl Streep—who graduated from Yale, pursued her acting career, and has not stepped out of that. I know what it takes to maintain an acting career. Yet Hill has devoted so much time to community activism, writing books of encouragement to our young brothers and sisters, the speaking engagements, the charities. President Obama, who could have retired a very wealthy man just from his book royalties, chose the rigors of community activism and public service. And you, Keith, considering your tenure in the Clinton White House, the political connections, your Directorship of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, and your media presence, all which could have lead to many lucrative opportunities, not the least being a position as a rich and powerful Washington Lobbyist. Yet you devote your time to “For Colored Boys…” a project, noble as it is, will not buy you that beach house in Malibu.
KB: You know, Stanley, this is a very interesting observation, and to be honest, I literally began today writing about it; thinking about a book about Barack Obama, but didn’t know exactly what to write. I originally wanted to write about my connection with him, not like how I know him, but more about how our lives have paralleled in many ways and how our lives have differed. Barack, Hill and I were well known on campus for different reasons. Barack was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, which happened in February 1990. And Hill was a well-known actor even in law school. He had done plays in Boston, he had done plays on campus, and I was his biggest fan. I was actually in love with Hill at that point. I went to see all of his plays. There was one performance he did; he played Miss Raj, the drag Queen in “The Colored Museum,” and I sat in the front row with my best friend Doris and we watched the whole thing, and he came off the stage and sat on my lap, and of course that made me so excited. I became famous on campus, or infamous, because I was one of the big leaders of the Diversity Movement on campus. So even when we were in law school we were all doing our thing. We weren’t necessarily following the traditional path that you were supposed to follow. Barack came and spoke at one of our Diversity rallies when Professor Derrick Bell, the first black professor at Harvard Law School, left the school out of protest, and Barack came and spoke in support of him. I think there was a sense then of the admonition ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’ We all felt that we had been given enormous opportunities in life, and we had the responsibility to give something back.
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SBC: What do you think about the fact that the publishing industry is pulling back on gay and black gay and lesbian books?
BK: This conversation is relatively new to me, even though the idea is not new. Part of it may be the reflection of the success of those of us who are actually in the Black LGBT community, integrating our lives into the larger society. There’s no longer as much of a need, I think, as there was once for the ghettoization of our literature, for the ghettoization of our culture. I think people feel that they can be out now, much more so than fifteen-twenty years ago, so they don’t feel that they have to have a book to affirm them as much as they did in the past. I know that’s not true for everybody, but I believe that there are leaps and bounds that have been achieved over the years. The fact that we have a President of the United States, who is African American, who says in his speeches—who just said on World AIDS Day—‘we have to do more to protect black gay men,’ speaks volumes. I think people are just getting more comfortable with who they are. And we also have Facebook and Twitter and social networking venues today that make it easier to be open about who they are. It’s also easier, I think, because people can go online and see videos of same sex attractions, same sex couples, and same sex relationships on U-tube. If they want to access same sex porn, they can do so in the privacy of their homes, and not have to go out to a store and buy it. I feel that the technology and the societal changes have made it almost unnecessary for us to create the kinds of literature we created in the past. That doesn’t mean that there’s not a space for gay literature, but it means that it has to fit into our lives in a different way. I just think about when I came out in 1991, and almost twenty-one years since that time I feel like the world is a totally different place. We didn’t have presidents that talked about issues surrounding sexuality. We didn’t have policies in place in government that enabled people to be who they are. There were still sodomy laws on the books in a number of states. And now, the very idea that I live in a state where I’m free (as a gay man) to get married if I wanted to, reflects a key change in the way the world is.
SBC: Back to “For Colored Boys…” What anxieties, what hopes, and what feelings did
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you identify as you went through the different essays that compile the book?
KB: One of the things that stuck with me, Stanley, is that I was surprised—almost shocked—how much abuse there was in our community. So many people sent in essays about being abused, molested by an uncle or a family member, about having some sort of traumatic experience with their family. We
Keith BoyKin as a 8 year old colored boys.
could have filled this book simply with those stories alone. But I didn’t want it to be that kind of book. I wanted it to be honest and raw, to some respect, but I also wanted it to be inspiring and uplifting. I think what impressed my most was the diversity of the stories. I didn’t choose all of the essays on my own. We had a committee of four editors who read every essay and they recommended to me which ones to pick. So I read those, and all the others and decided which ones were going to go in. Certain things came to me as I was reading, and the book sort of grew organically. Initially, when we called for submissions, we proposed the writers submit essays in four categories: faith, family, love and work. It was kind of presumptuous of us to think we would categorize all these different ideas in four boxes, so we added more boxes.
SBC: Like what? KB: Well it starts off with a section called “Growing Pains” which includes coming-ofage stories. For example, we have a story by Craig Washington from Atlanta who talks about an experience as a child when he first realized that his family reinforced his masculinity, specifically his father. And then we have a whole section about molestation, “The Family That Preys.” We have a section about coming out, which
DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
includes a story by (DBQ Editor-Publisher) David Bridgeforth. Also in this section is the story of an NFL player who comes out for the first time, which will be interesting when it’s revealed who he is. It’s kind of interesting to me as to how all of this developed. So much of it plays into the title. There’s a section about suicide; specifically about people who thought about and attempted suicide. And then we have a section called “When the Rainbow is Not Enough” where people discuss how they don’t necessarily fit into the whole LGBT thing. One of my favorite essays is very funny and very sad, written by an Asian writer, Indie Harper, and it’s called “No Asians, Blacks, Fats or Fems” which deals with discrimination within the gay community. I am most proud of the fact that, although most of the contributors are African American, we have significant contributions from Asians and Latinos, including a piece by Jose David Vieira, better known as Jessica Wilde, one of the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The contributors are just amazing. We have James Earl Hardy, Alphonso Morgan, G. Winston James, Kenyan Farrow, Clay Cane, filmmaker Topher Campbell from Great Britain, Darian Aaron, B Scott, Ron Simmons, to name a few. There are so many interesting people in here representing so many different perspectives. It really reflects the diversity of our community. I am very proud of this book, but I don’t think of it as my book. It’s a book that belongs to the community, much along the lines of (Joseph Beam’s) “Brother to Brother.”
SBC: So what do you expect the reading audience, primarily our community, to get out of it?
KB: That’s always a troubling question to answer, because for any book I’ve written I never know how the audience is going to react. Usually when I create a book it’s because I feel there’s a vacuum, and I feel a need to say something that hasn’t been said, and so I write books that I would like to read. What I get out of it is inspiration. I feel motivated knowing that there is hope for our community, that there are people who are doing great things, who are overcoming obstacles, who have suffered through some of the same things that I have suffered through, and experienced some of the challenges that I’ve experienced, and are still managing to try and survive.
Look for “For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Still Not Enough” in stores and online June 13, 2012.—ed.
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My Favorite Places To Party Like
A ROCK STAR
When I party, I don't follow the crowd, or go where it's cool to be. I go where I am celebrated, and where I feel most at home. These clubs are the places in the country where I go to have good time.
LOVE - And Everything Darryl Wilson I've only know of Darryl Wilson, and his fun Friday nights, at Club Love in Washington, DC for about 5 months now. And most recently attended his event at the Stadium, for DC's Black Pride, and was wowed and thrilled, by his ability to produce such a large scale event, with thousands of people attending, and to keep the production first class. Professionalism, and quality service is what I experienced when I attended Club Love, and also at his Stadium event. People weren't rude as they platted me down, or when they took my money. (Though I am not a VIP card hold for Darryl Wilson's events, and it is known publicly that I strongly dislike waiting in a line, I waited.) The service was so great at the stadium party, that when they put my wrist band on, they excused themselves before touching me. Darryl's event venues are spacious and lavish. There is always great music, and a good drink, for a decent price, and even though I don't pay for clubs or wait in lines, when I do want to go out in DC, and have a great time, I'll pay and wait in line for a Darryl Wilson event, because it's a quality production. I don't care what his rumored past reputation is.
From left to right: Cim ( DJ Vanilla Soul and part owner of the 10), David Sneed, Cherly(2nd part owner of the club. I've thrown more parties in this club than any other place in the country. The 10 nightclub in Indianapolis, Indiana was the first club to throw a release party for DBQ Magazine. I've thrown my infamous lesbian party there, packing the club full of women, and the celebrated 'Pride Awards', where I awarded LGBT people, for injecting a sense of pride in our community. But here is why I party religiously at the 10 bar, besides the fact that I am a VIP card holder; they make sure you feel at home. You can dance however you wish, the drinks that Cheryl or Debbie makes, take you exactly where you need to be, and Cim (DJ Vanilla Soul) will play whatever you request, no matter how old and out dated it is. They are open all weekend, But Sunday nights are my favorites because of their open stage show. You get to experience some of the A- list queens in the Midwest perform, like Sizzlin Sondra, Chablis Onassis Dupree, and Nevaeh Beagoddess, after you can dance your ass off til 3 a.m. You will enjoy yourself no matter if your black, white, latino, gay, or straight, old or young, because the 10 make sure everyone feels welcome and safe. Even though you might have to stand back if the lights come on, because a fight broke out (laughter). If you’re in Indianapolis, and really want a perfect drink, and freedom to dance and lose yourself, head over to the 10, that's where I go.
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DBQ Magazine
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SECRET LOUNGE I've been to a lot of clubs in New York City. My close friend Pony Zion is always taking me somewhere new. But the one place I go back every weekend when I'm in New York is Secret Lounge. It's a small club tucked away on west 29th street, between 10th and 11th avenue. I've spent hundreds of dollars there, because they have something that you can't find anywhere else in NYC, gorgeous black and Latino gay men strippers, with big juicy booties who are 98% undressed on the bar tops. And yes you can feel and touch, and if you’re lucky, you can get their number and get your life. In addition to the gay men strippers who I absolutely adore, you can get a nice cocktail for a good New York price. It always annoys me and messes up my mood, when I have to spend close to twenty dollars on a watered-down drink, but at Secret Lounge that's not the case, they do you justice. So when you’re in NYC, make sure you stop by. You might see me there tipping the strippers. Who doesn't love a naked gorgeous built masculine black gay man with equipment and assets? (Laughter)
TASTE
*
When the magazine first was distributed in Atlanta, GA, I went to the XS Lounge to see Miss Sophia host their Thursday night show. I had never laughed so hard in a club in my life, and I had never seen so many attractive black men. I didn't know if it was because I was in the south, or because of the club, but the men were everywhere. Not to mentions the drinks were perfect. Most importantly the environment and energy in the club was enjoyable. The interior was sophisticated, and sexy, and the staff was professional, and kind. Since then, every time I am in Atlanta, I party first at the XS Lounge.
Trina Tru Love
I love ladies, lesbian ladies even more, I love to party with them, because women have so much more fun. When I come to Chicago, IL I may call RuffNStuff to see where she is, so I can come and see her perform, but where I go for sure is to hang with my girls. The clubs for men in Chicago can be iffy at times, but one club that has never disappointed is Taste on Friday night, with one of the funniest black women I've witness, Trina Tru Love. This show is worth whatever they charge at the door, you feel as if you are amongst friends, because you really are.
TALBOTT STREET When I’m in Indianapolis, my hometown, and I have time to let my hair down, and see a stellar drag show, I run to Talbott Street. I remember being at Talbott years ago for the first time, and seeing the great CoCo Van Cartier perform, and being amazed at how well put together she was. She was captivating. I also was so shocked at how tall and glamorous Asia La Bouche was. Since then, whenever I have free Friday night in Indianapolis, I make sure to give the lovely Vivian a call, to let her know I will be coming; she always takes care of me, and makes sure I have a grand time. For more information go to Talbottstreet.com
CoCo Van Cartier
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
Page 18
Strawbella Bea'Goddess Feb 23,1982 - May 23, 2012 UnconďŹ rmed sources say the multi title holding transgendered woman entertainer, Strawbella Bea'Goddess passed away due to complications from corrective cosmetic surgery. She was 30 years old.
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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Sex Like A
Porn Star
The Hottest Porn stars Share Their Best Sex Tips Trapp Boy: Be a
Cuban Michaels:
little more spontaneous, take risk as far as where you choose to have sex, just be sure not to get caught by the Police lol.
Have sex blind folded. The intensity of not knowing what's next, and the hot intimacy, should make for a great sexual experience.
Daddy Cream:
Angyl: For deep throat oral sex, extend your tongue as far as it goes, and open your throat, squeeze your thumbs with the rest of your hand, as you go down on the penis. Trust me it works. Also to keep your anus muscle tight, practice your kegel exercises consistently. Google it if you aren't familiar.
Lil Jody: Try to share eye to eye with your partner. Understanding the movement of both partners, has a major impact, on rather the sex was good or terrible.
Hotrod: Learn
Do some role playing; also do whatever your partner asks. Make it romantic, kissing is a must. There are no limits in the bedroom, “Do It All” and make it nasty.
your partner's body; find his spots inside and out, what he likes, how he likes it, and where he likes it. It'll benefit you both.
Remy Mars: Some of the tips I can give for great sex are, number one: a bottom must first be properly cleansed out, and mentally prepared to take the penis. Nothing is worse than receiving penis, with the feeling of having to go to the bathroom. Number two: don’t over exhaust yourself before sex, sex should never feel like a job, or something on a "to do list”. I personally like to go days, and weeks without masturbating, so when I do ejaculate, it will be explosive. Lastly, you have to know how to keep sex festive and exciting. When having sex with the same person, not saying you need to go as far as inviting people in your sex life, but a little spice never hurts, whether its toys, kinks, fetishes, role playing or watching porn to mimic the actors. Sex is about adventure and exploration. Most importantly, “GREAT SEX” comes with knowing your body, and knowing how to work a penis properly. You can be tight as a virgin, or loose like a mother who birth three kids, but as long as you know how to work that booty, and pleasure a penis, you’ll have nothing to worry about. For sex to be good, you have to be in the mind set for it, otherwise you’re not having sex, and sex is having you.
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DBQ Magazine
Prince T:
Multitasking during sex is the best way to make your partner enjoy the passion. For example, tops should lick, suck, and bite sensitive areas such as, the neck, and nipples, while at the same time penetrating the bottom. This will help the receiver relax more, and allow you to go deeper and harder. On the contrary, the bottom should do the same, while riding the penetrator. Never get too comfortable in one position.
Summer 2012
Mr. Saukei: The area rights under the testicles, before you get to the anus, are extra sensitive when licked, or pressed on, this drives the boys insane.
Page 20
What I've Come To
Know
I
n the past year I've learned the true meaning of celebration. David with his first cover girl, Tyrie Rudolph (One year ago). This photo of them almost made it on the very first cover of DBQ
DBQ has been so successful that I feel like the rapper Drake when he said in one of his songs, "Drinking every night because we drink to my accomplishments." Over this year I've signed so many magazines, for so many people thrilled in line at so many parties thrown for DBQ. All this time I thought I was being celebrated.
Making your life a celebration is choosing to be your greatest self and honoring that choice on a daily bases. It's harboring the love, respect,
True celebration isn't drinking to get wasted, faded, or even fucked up. It isn't allowing yourself to be in the space of false friends as I regrettably did this year. Like the friend who talked about me behind my back and demeaned me to my face, or this Summer when I was in the car of a so called new friend, quietly watching him and other miscellaneous pretty boys key cocaine, because they couldn't find a straw. I could tell then that this wasn't a celebration of greatness, it was a pitiful party of lovelessness, and I was watching from the center of it. Even last month when I was depressed for a week because this ballroom butch queen with nice teeth and an expensive car, who I liked, didn't want to go on a second date with me. In that moment of depression, I wasn't celebrating who I was.
and admiration for the divinity within until it overflows into your world. When you are celebrating yourself in that space, you won't attract people in your life that subtract from you, or requires the silence of your song, or the dimming of your light. But as long as you never shine the light you own on yourself first, and hum yourself a love song, you will alway draw near people who will put you in harms way, belittle you, and never pick you for their team.
If our very lives are a gift, then we are at the largest party known to mankind, and we don't even know it. What I've come to know is that the same stuff that holds the clouds in the sky is the same stuff that we are, and if we don't protect it at all cost and revere it as the divine... If we don't honor it in all of its forms, those beautiful and those not so
All of these experiences showed up in order to help me see where I wasn't standing robustly in my truth. These are moments where I forgot who I was because if I had been clear of who I really was in those moments I wouldn't need to associate myself with jealous vicious 'face kids', who don't know how to celebrate themselves let alone a true friend. I wouldn't have made myself subject to witnessing illegal drugs and loveless self abuse, just because I thought the person was a sweet
attractive... If we don't fall it love with it moment by moment, and value it more than all the riches in the world... If we don't advocate with all that we've ever known for this wonder of a gift that we are, then we have failed to celebrate the single greatest miracle that ever lived in our lives... OURSELVES.
mature guy. Nor would I have made the Benz-driving ballroom kid's lack of interest in me, about me. Him not wanting me doesn't devalue who I
Tweet Me @DBRIDGEFORTH
am because there isn't anything wrong with me. That's his issues, not mine.
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DBQ Magazine
Summer 2012
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