The 2019 Unleashed Voice PRIDE Issue featuring Actor, Activist, and Author Julian J. Walker

JULY + AUG 2019 VISIT TUVMAG.COM

AN EMPOWERING CONVERSATION With TUV Editor‘s

TORI COOPER

TALKS RESPECT & PROTECT FOR TRANSWOMEN EXCLUSIVE!

JULIAN J. WALKER

Actor, Activist and Author

QUEER BLACK PRIDE EVENTS: ARE THEY NECESSARY?

Renae Taylor Transcends Memphis

Rayceen Pendarvis: EMPRESS OF PRIDE

Keziah Osei – Toronto, Canada Unleashed

PRIDE ISSUE PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

} Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you

have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems,

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

} Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-

counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

} This is only a brief summary of important information

} BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

MyDailyCharge.com

GET MORE INFORMATION about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

} Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. } If you need help paying for your medicine,

visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP PUSHING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0102 01/19

KEEP PUSHING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

Be part of TUV Magazine’s Next Issue SEPT | OCT 2019

Send all stories and articles to: info@tuvmag.com Advertising inquiries: ads@tuvmag.com Deadline for ALL ADS: August 10, 2019

PRIDE ISSUE

the

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

CONTENTS

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MSM Eddie Wiley U = U Undetectable = Untransmittable

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Julian J. Walker “A Year Without You” Cover Story

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Tori Cooper

Respect & Protect TransWomen

19

Rayceen Pendarvis Empress of Pride

Gwendolyn D. Clemons

07 Editor’s Letter PRIDE IS... BY Dr. Davin Clemons

12 & 13 Special Contributor Ami Dudley

Queer Pride Events: Are They Necessary?

15 TransNews Renae Taylor | I Ain’t Your Enemy

18 One to Watch Keziah Osei Toronto, Canada Unleashed

19 Washington, DC Correspondent Rayceen Pendarvis | Empress of Pride –

20 & 21 Where Are They Now? The Davis-Washington Talks Life After Marriage

22 & 23 Where Are They Now? The Life of M & M, Talks Life After Marriage

25 FASHION Poppin Creation | Gwendolyn Martin

26 & 27 Special Contributor Monika M. Pickett

Snap to Subscribe to TUV Magazine

Scan this code with your phone to subscribe to The Unleashed Voice Magazine Today! Take it everywhere you go, along

28 One to Watch

with the print edition. You’ll qualify to download each issue digitally through your IPhone, IPad, or Android devices.

Chef Kenneth J. McDuffie

29 Entertainment News SHORTY ROC

30 Entertainment News Anye Elite

31 Entertainment News Matthew Walker, LGBT Artist

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Page 06 Editor’s Letter

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Shawn M. Clemons Administration/ Fashion Director

Gregory Graphics Layout / Design

Eddie Wiley MSM | ATL Correspondent

Monick Monell Talent Director & New York Correspondent

Whitney Johnson

Renae Taylor

Ravell Slayton

Transgender

Project Manager

Chief Editor

Correspondent

| THE EDITOR’S LETTER

Happy

By Gwendolyn D. Clemons, MBA | Editor in Chief

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he month of June was chosen for LGBT PRIDE Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June in 1969. As a result, many PRIDE events are held during June and throughout the Summer months to recognize the impact LGBT people have had in the world.

This year June 2019 will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, for which New York City will host WorldPride. This is the first time WorldPride has been held in the United States (I wonder why, but I digress) and is expected to be the largest Pride celebration ever. It is expected that roughly 4.5 million people will line the streets of NY. Why is this important? It is important because the voices of the people are being “Unleashed” at a magnitude unseen before. Collectively, LGBT folks and allies will demonstrate that fighting and celebrating for

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LGBT humanity is an important and necessary cause.

author with his newly released poetry book “A Year Without You”.

How can you become an ally to the LGBT community? I am glad you asked. You can become an ally by becoming educated on matters that may differ from your normal, and by not allowing bias and prejudices to permeate around you. Become a listener. Be open minded. Be willing to admit you don’t know. Be inclusive and invite LGBT friends to hang out with you and your family. Don’t assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Watch antiLGBT comments and jokes because they are harmful. Confront your own biases and prejudices, even if it is uncomfortable. Defend your LGBT friends. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Special Contributors: Author Monika M. Pickett has become a fixture in TUV Magazine. Monika is a passionate writer who shares relatable lesbian stories for the grown women in us to enjoy. Rayceen Pendarvis HRH, TUV Magazine’s Washington, DC Ambassador has been dubbed the Empress of Pride. Read about all of the wonderful things Rayceen has been doing for her community.

This month we travel vicariously to Toronto, Canada to meet Keziah Osei originally from Ghana. Keziah is an outspoken advocate for women in her community and hosts Pleasure Her Toronto every year. We are excited to re-feature two amazing couples exactly one year after their weddings in our “Where Are They Now” series.

On the Cover: TUV Magazine obtained an exclusive interview with actor, activist, singer, and now author Julian J. Walker. Julian appeared in “Blackbird” in 2015, a gay coming of age tale written by Patrik-Ian Polk.

Julian is now ready to add another accomplishment to his resume as an

If you hear about PRIDE in your city, consider becoming a volunteer, and make sure you attend. If you are in the Memphis, TN area find out how to support Tri-State Black Pride at tsbpride@gmail.com.

THE EDITOR’S LETTER |

IS...

By: Dr. Davin D. Clemons

A

s I sit here and write about PRIDE in this July/August edition of the TUV, I am so pissed off due to all that is taking place in our American political System, such as: the immigrant children being separated from their parents, Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement announcement, and just living with the consequences of the election. How can I truly celebrate PRIDE, considering the jeopardy of losing marriage equality with this new Supreme Court appointment, and of my sisters losing the right to control their own bodies?

An intersectional perspective takes into account that an individual can experience discrimination in many forms, overlapping with multiple identities such as race, gender, class, sex and sexual orientation.

I have learned that we are all connected in life -- especially the oppressed, marginalized and rejected. So my liberation is predicated by your liberation.

This PRIDE is more than gay PRIDE. This PRIDE is about loving yourself unapologetically and accepting everything that God has bestowed within you. PRIDE is celebrating my Black history in America, which contains some of the most tragic, empowering and beautiful stories you will ever hear. We as Black Folks are some of

the most creative, intelligent, beautiful human beings that God has ever created.

PRIDE is about liberating LGBT individuals, to help motivate, validate, and strengthen lives within the LGBT community who have been overlooked, underserved, and frequently ostracized by the Church, family, and society.

Lastly PRIDE is Love -- never abstract, but always personal. Ultimately, love is not a smoldering glance across the dance floor, the clink of crystal, a leisurely picnic spread upon a sandy beach. It is the squeeze of a hand. It is saying: “I’m here.

I’ll be here no matter how long the struggle.

In an age of incredible suffering, we are personally joining God’s merciful angels in loving and caring and healing. Doing so will be a way of visiting the sick as Jesus commanded (Matthew 25:36). It will be discovering a “means of grace” as deeply spiritual and meaningful as partaking in Holy Communion or being baptized. It will be experiencing, anew, the splendor of God’s grace. As we bestow love upon “one of the least” of God’s children, we will also be showing love to Christ.

Let’s remember PRIDE is more than just PRIDE!!

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| MSM

U=U

Undetectable = Untransmitable Have you heard about the campaign U=U? the virus in their body is so low that standard lab tests cannot detect it.

Another term that is commonly used is “virally suppressed”. People that are virally suppressed cannot sexually transmit the virus to their partner(s).

How does a person become undetectable?

A person achieves an undetectable status when they take their HIV meds daily and have routine visits with their HIV care provider. HIV care providers typically do viral load testing about 2-4 times out of the year. After starting medication, it takes about 6 months to become undetectable and can be maintained as long as you’re taking your medication as prescribed.

How do we know this is real???

W

ell I’m going to break it down for ya’! Undetectable = Untransmittable is a message of hope for people with HIV. Science has proven that people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to an HIV-negative partner.

Now you’re probably asking “Well what is a viral load?!” A viral load is the amount of HIV present in the blood of a person living with HIV. The viral load is measured through a blood test. A person is considered undetectable if they are on antiretroviral therapy and

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U=U is based on #ScienceNotStigma.

There have been several major studies conducted with more than 100,000 condomless sex acts where ZERO transmissions took place between HIV-positive and HIVnegative individuals. This research has shown that U=U is a valid message and was even backed by the CDC in 2017!

Why is this so important?

This is important for people with HIV because it helps to decrease the stigma surrounding HIV. Although the virus has been around nearly 4

decades, there is much work to do in order to combat stigma. U=U is definitely one of the ways to debunk the myths about HIV transmission.

Gone should be the days where people with HIV feel like they have to avoid relationships and sex because of an HIV diagnosis. U=U aligns with sex positivity to show that people with HIV can be touched and loved.

HIV stigma still exists?

Yes… I see it all the time in memes, status updates and even random talks with people. There are still archaic beliefs surrounding HIV. People with HIV have also internalized some of the stigma. The feeling of being a “carrier” or feeling “dirty” should be beliefs of the past. Now people with HIV can feel more empowered with their sexual health and it will in turn help educate those that are misinformed. No one should feel entrapped into stigma that should not be there in the first place.

The message around U=U is truly one that is revolutionary in HIV prevention.

We have come a long way from the 1980’s, but we have a long way to go. U=U is changing the game and giving power back to those of us living with the virus. We can thank the Prevention Access Campaign for their continued work around U=U! For more information about U=U, check out PreventionAccess.org.

cdc.gov/StartTalking /StartTalkingHIV /StartTalkingHIV

| COVER FEATURE We know Julian J. Walker best from his breakout role as star of the 2015 film Blackbird and as the character Tyrone “Ty” Nicholas from Season 4 of Being Mary Jane — but most recently he’s been making literary waves with the release of his debut poetry book, A Year Without You.

Julian J. Walker Photographer Credit: Strxke

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COVER FEATURE |

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hat were your thoughts on the series finale for Being Mary Jane?

I thought the finale was really awesome, a perfect ending to the story for the main character Mary Jane and those around her - it was beautifully written.

Actress Lisa Vidal, who plays Kara, did phenomenal during the finale. It was raw and real, just absolutely amazing.

How long have you been writing poetry, and what inspired your book, A Year Without You? This book is my first creation of poetry, a process that took about two years. In the beginning of this journey, journaling was my release and it helped me understand my mental health. I learned you have to find a positive release of handling thoughts because that stuff can corrupt you, corrupt your mind, corrupt your energy, and turn you into a person you don’t recognize. Surprisingly, A Year Without You was crafted from my journal in 2015 during my last spring semester at the University of Southern Mississippi.

I always include dates (and sometimes times) in my journals, which helped create the chapter titles - termed after the four seasons beginning with fall. Most times when I experience battles it feels like they’ll last forever, but crafting this book helped me realize I’m just experiencing a season.

After the release of the book on January 1st, 2019 it became a required reading for two intermediate reading courses at my alma mater, The University of Southern Mississippi, so talk about full circle moment. My education journey was difficult for me. During grade school, many times I was taken out of the classroom for tutoring and reading recovery. It wasn’t until after I graduated from college that I found out I suffer from dyslexia. So to have all of those roadblocks in front of me and still overcome was inspiring for me. If I had allowed my insecurities to overtake me, I know I wouldn’t be where I am in this moment.

Within these pages, I revealed a level of vulnerability that I was nervous to share with the world. It took some time for me to truly believe my experiences are bigger than me, but who knows - if I can show my scars, they might just help heal yours. I hope people take away the values of self worth, self compassion, self love, and seeing vulnerability as a great superpower rather than as a weakness, believing that sometimes our deepest

sorrows and our worst situations can become our biggest testimonies for encouragement.

What is/was your relationship to the “you” referenced in the book’s title?

The infamous “you” is transitional as the book goes on. When I first created the book “you” was a person.

Towards the later stages of crafting the book, that “you” became myself and that’s when my reflection was questioned.

I realized I’d been placing too much energy and attention on people, and I forgot about self love and being a better friend to myself. I was seeking much validation within my relationships

(whether romantic relationships, friendship relationships, or family relationships) when I needed to seek that validation within myself. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have a support system, but we shouldn’t rely on our support systems to constantly gas us up every single day. So it really became a journey to self-love.

Lastly, the “you” was God by the final stages of crafting the book. I’d placed much emphasis on others and myself, but when did I pause to ask God, “Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? Am I on the right track?” So altogether, it’s growth

(continued on page 16)

| SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

Queer Black Pride Events:

Are They Necessary?

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By Ami Dudley (Reprinted)

W

ith inclusion being the paramount destination of the queer’s journey today, many queers find the existence of a queer persons of color event, like Atlanta Black Pride, to be counteractive, citing what they perceive as voluntary exclusion. This is largely false.

Excluding those queers who are antiassimilationists, the queer community has been knocking on the door of the dominant hetero-culture for decades, trying to get into the party. However, there is a thick lather of hypocrisy smeared on the queer community’s demand for solidarity when our own community is divided. In this context, such black gay pride events are seemingly counteractive. What is disregarded or unnoticed, however, is why these events came to exist. In this origin lies a buried truth that, when unearthed, makes evident that this isolation of queer persons of color was actually forcible, not voluntary.

The seemingly great strides our society made in race-relations and the once presence of a president of color often cloaks the fact that just over 50 years ago, segregation was the law of the land. Until The Civil Rights Act of 1964, blacks and whites were much like oil and vinegar, coexisting but never actually mixing.

It is comforting for many to advertise, in conversation, the great leap that we have taken in such a short period of time. While this leap should be celebrated, it should not dilute the still permeable prejudices that exist today.

These prejudices are a continuation of an unyielding temperament. This is a temperament of “other” where the dominant culture views differing cultures as a lesser “other.”

While many may see this assessment as a sentimental one, the presence of segregation both in law and in practice was and still is a fact. Today, separate establishments based on race exist for the governing reason of a lack of diversity in the dominant [white] establishments. The most exemplary of establishments birthed from exclusion are in the entertainment industry, like the BET

Awards which, when created, provided a stage for black artists who felt they would never see the curtain open on the white stages of other music award ceremonies. The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite have continuously flooded our social media timelines because of the lack of persons of color represented in the Oscar nominations.

Basically, any industry, including politics and corporate America, that has a hand in architecting our societal landscape is largely white.

As a result, the “colored voices” go unheard. Likewise, queer media largely lacks diversity. Queer film, T.V., music, and press consist of predominately white faces and voices.

So, the majority of experiences shared and portrayed are white queer experiences. This blueprint is the archetype for queer prides as well.

Parallel to the plight of the Black American’s struggle for recognition and inclusion into society is that of the queer Black American. Queer persons of color pride events are essentially the Negro Leagues of queer pride

events. Pride should not only be a time to celebrate our queerness but to also discuss and find solutions to the problems that result because of it. The intersection of race and queerness breeds numerous problems and should therefore be discussed, but it is largely overlooked. As a queer person of color, I walk a different path in society, so the map you use may not be helpful to me.

The queer Black American or any queer person of color has had to work doubly hard for inclusion because they are seeking solidarity with both the dominant white hetero-culture and the dominant white queer culture. They are knocking on the door of society, only to enter the home and find that the door to queer society’s room is locked.

This struggle has inevitably led to the creation of black queer pride events. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, we stopped knocking on the doors, our knuckles raw, and began to build our own homes. These “homes” welcome familiar faces and

shared experiences. These “homes” provide long-awaited platforms for voices that grew hoarse from crying out to covered ears. We now look into a mirror instead of the window of the dominant white queer culture. To find fault in us for creating a mirror so that we can finally be able to see ourselves is simply selfish.

The question now is: “Is it necessary to maintain these queer persons of color events?” Because these establishments were birthed from exclusion, the answer to this question depends on the expiration of exclusion. These establishments are nourishing to queer people of color.

So, if you are going to remove them, then you must replace this source of nourishment with another that is just as nourishing, if not more. The only source that qualifies for this is the absolute understanding of the queer person of color’s experience as different and therefore warranting of both recognition and advocacy.

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| FEATURE STORY

Respect and Protect Trans Women

By Tori Cooper Unleashed

1. As we celebrate PRIDE around the world for the LGBTQ community. What meaning does PRIDE have for you?

I am a proud Black, transgender woman and that’s Black with a capital “B”. I am proud because society sees and says that someone like me is “less than”, “weird”, and deserving of every societal problem that comes my way.

I am proud because people who walk this same walk are living their best lives in the face of a government that seeks to erase our very existence.

I am proud because my sisters and brothers choose to be visible and vocal when folks like us are being murdered and beaten and discriminated against all across this country and across the world. I am proud that

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pioneers paved the way for me to live and navigate in this world as my most authentic self.

2. Tell me what are you most passionate about and why?

I am passionate about improving the lives of the Trans community, especially my sisters. It’s one thing to see a 5 foot 2 man. But it’s another to see a 6 foot 2 woman. We have to navigate this world among people who don’t understand us and even some who mistreat us. I don’t think people hate us as much as we believe. I think it’s often a lack of understanding that leads to discrimination and anti-trans thoughts and actions. When I tell a cis woman that I am also a woman, for her to believe me, that means she has to rethink what she believes a woman is.

I think it is one of my purposes in life to help people understand, as Maya Angelou wrote, that we are more alike than we are unalike.

I am also passionate about ensuring that my sisters have access to every success in life that is afforded our cis counterparts. That means living long and healthy lives, having mutually fulfilling relationships, and economic opportunities. Also I am passionate about love and learning how to give and receive love.

3. What would the legacy of Tori Cooper look like?

My legacy is love. I love all of the communities that I represent. I live by the scripture that to whom much is given, much is required. This is the ultimate act of love in my opinion. It is important for all humankind to share all of our gifts and talents with the world.

As Trans people, we have the rare gift of embodying both masculine and feminine energy and thoughts. This duality gives us greater empathy and compassion and insight when we use these gifts to help others.

FEATURE STORY |

I Aint Your Enemy

By Renae Taylor, TUV Transgender Correspondent

T

his year has started out as a peculiarly deadly year for the trans community, in which we have already seen 700 trans women murdered. Most of them are black trans Women, at that, all under the age of 30.

The life expectancy of a black trans woman is 35 years old. No person should have an expiration date! Trans rights are human rights. The right to express your gender identity is a human right. The right to be your unapologetic self is a human right. The right to be able to live without threats of violence is a human right. But rarely are these crimes prosecuted as hate crimes based on gender identity or gender expression.

lives and to be gainfully employed with equal access to the so-Called American Dream. I will not stereotype all trans people as sex workers, but sometimes you have to do things to survive. Considering that trans people are more likely to experience homelessness and domestic abuse from partners and family members, survival sex work may feel like the only option for many who are worried about where their next meal will come from or how to pay for the shelter of a hotel room.

We are anxiously waiting to see if The Equality Act is going to pass, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under Federal Civil Rights Laws. Introduced on March 13th by Nancy Pelosi, these protections would afford a more equitable future for trans people.

Trans people are also more likely to experience structural violence, including systemic and institutional discrimination.

For instance, the process of obtaining proper Identification should be easier since it can be difficult to secure or maintain employment when an ID doesn’t match Gender Expression. I believe the process should be free. One of the main reasons trans people don’t have IDs that match their expression is the cost of the ID. How can you afford a proper ID when you are struggling to survive?

We aren’t asking for any special rights -- only the rights of being able to live full

Many times, the best work we can secure is to serve as volunteers for

organizations that won’t hire us to work for them, or we are being paid with gift cards. If they do hire us, they are often tokenizing us to seem diverse and inclusive when neither are true, despite the abundance of black and brown trans people who are talented, don’t mind working hard to obtain our goals, and worthy of being employed as more than mere tokens.

Here we are, approaching the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an expression of people who were fed up with being treated as third class citizens. Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans femme, threw the first brick that started the modern gay rights movement.

Yet we are still dealing with the same marginalization of a group of people.

Sometimes I feel as if trans people have been thrown under the bus for the gay movement. Black and brown trans people have sacrificed so much for the movement devoted to allowing so many others to live freely. Can we get the same support? I ain’t your enemy. I ain’t your enemy.

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(Continued from page 11)

“Rejoice in the imperfections and the wrongs that are so damn right.”

-Beyoncé (Homecoming documentary)

turning your attention from another person, to yourself, and to your faith.

Finding joy within your pain is one theme that arises throughout your writing — what has that looked like for you?

This quote sums up the book - when we make a mistake, mess up, and waste time, those might be the stepping stones needed to push you farther in your journey.

Every situation we go through molds us into the people we are, and without those situations, without those mistakes, we wouldn’t be who we are. We have the pen over our lives; we’re writing our stories out each and every day. Regardless of what we go through, we have control as to how to use that information and those experiences. Are we going to allow them to turn us into negative people, or will we allow it help us grow?

Feeling like second best is another theme that arises — what advice do you have for overcoming that feeling?

As a wise and inspiring leader once told me, run your own race. Sometimes while

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you’re running, you’re looking to your left and your right to see how far ahead or how far behind you are. But you’ve got to run your own race. You can’t compare yourself to everybody. Considering what the next person has, you don’t know what they had to go through in order to get that - so how can you compare your life to somebody else’s? I couldn’t really learn my self-value until I began to truly just ask God, “If this is for me, let it be for me. If it’s not for me, please guide me into where I need to be.”

How have you learned to tell the difference between when to give up and when to persist?

In the final chapter, Summer, the poems speak on releasing certain things in order to find my truth. I’m speaking on giving up or removing the mold others have for me, and those things that people want me to be, is when my best self is found. So that idea of giving up isn’t in a negative sense.

It’s just understanding that, “I’m letting this go. I know who I want to be, and I know who I don’t want to be. So I have to give up some things.”

Are there any upcoming projects we should be looking out for in the realm of acting, more writing, or anything else?

I’m on my book tour right now called, “covers & a year without you”. During the reads, I sing songs to transitions through the seasons (chapters). This creates a space of vulnerability for those that enjoy music more so than just listening to poetry.

For more details on tour stops visit www. julianjwalker.com .

Along with auditioning, I’m also the Celebrity Ambassador for Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative(MOBI), which creates spaces for queer and gay men of color to see their holistic selves, feel comfortable and feel inspired. We host events called MOBItalks, inviting speakers from film, television, fashion, art, music, and literature to share their stories in a TED Talk type of conversation. We also just wrapped MOBIfest, a three day event celebrating our culture within art, fashion, music, ballroom, and drag, with performances by OV Boys, Sonic, Davi, BMAJR, Kenneth Kyrell, DJ King Day, Sampson McCormick, Alex English, Harmonica Sunbeam, Jay Saint, Nevi Brandan, Bry’Nt, Honey Davenport, Super Bitch, Twiggy Garcon, and headlined by Sevyn Streeter. With roughly 1,200 total attendees at this year’s festival, MOBIfest is around to stay!

IF YOU WANT A SINGING CAREER, STAY AWAY FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE. Ellie’s severe asthma attacks were triggered by secondhand smoke at work. She and her partner have to live with its effects forever. If you or someone you know wants free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. #CDCTips

Ellie, Age 57 Her partner, Karen Florida

| COMMUNITY NEWS

Toronto Canada D E H S A

E L UN

Keziah Osei from and pretend through, just to get by and maintain my position in the workforce.

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his July/August edition is about Pride, so let me tell you how much pride I have within my work and using my skills to help others reach their dreams.

My name is Keziah Osei. I am a female in the trades. A little over a year ago, I started my own business called Keys To Your Home Renovations, focusing on contract work within the city of Toronto, Canada. Being a black woman in the trades, I had to go above and beyond to prove that I was extremely competent in every task and project.

Identifying as a masculine presenting woman comes with even more challenges, especially when it comes to breaking traditions in workplace gender roles all by yourself. This is my life and my torch, which I am using to pave the way for other young women to also have a place in this world.

Furthermore, this year marks 400 since the first Atlantic slave trade.

75% of those slaves where African, and as a minority from the motherland Ghana, I am proud of how far I have come. Some day, I aspire to have an allwomen’s team.

As an advocate for women, I reach out to schools in Toronto, speaking to all ages about my obstacles and journeys, giving them not just a

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Aside from having my own general contracting company, I am the owner of an entertainment company called PleasureHerToronto, a new and refreshing all girls entertainment team based out of Toronto that thrives on presenting an array of sexy, sophisticated, and premier events for women who love women. Our team is set to bring elements that plush and trendy party goers will appreciate.

dream but a reality by offering job opportunities to them as well. With five years of experience, I share my journey through the trades as a black woman experiencing the good, the bad, and the ugly. I talk about the barriers I had to break through in order to receive opportunities to run jobs and projects that are considered to be more male-dominated. I speak about the things I had to turn my face away

Giving women a platform for showcasing their talents, skills, and business, I also work for No Filter Toronto, a Canadian based online talk show and podcast hosted by four successful women with different career paths and opinions, featuring guests and performers such as Kim Kelly, Rygin King, and Rochelle Clarke.

You can’t find anything like it in Canada speaking about politics and life in general while pushing the buttons on how we perceive things.

You can find me on social media.

Instagram: Ashanti.Goldcoast, Keyzreno, and NoFilterToronto. For booking purposes and speaking events, please email me: Pleasure.Her. Toronto@gmail.com.

WASHINGTON, DC CORRESPONDENT |

Rayceen Pendarvis: Empress of Pride P

world, and I have made a difference in my community.

Not all cities and states have as many Pride celebrations as we have in the DC area, which also includes Asian and Pacific Islander Pride, Northern Virginia Pride, and several other regional pride celebrations in Virginia and Maryland. Some are new and others have been celebrated annually for decades. What they all have in common is the need for funding, volunteers, and a dedicated team of visionaries to make it happen.

When you enjoy your local Pride celebrations, please remember there are dozens of people who work hard throughout the year to make it happen. Please thank them in person, on social media, or send them an email to acknowledge their efforts. Consider making a donation or being a volunteer. We can all contribute in some way.

ride Season starts in Washington, DC with Youth Pride, which I co-hosted this year. That annual event is soon followed by several others, including Silver Pride, Capital Trans Pride, DC Black Pride, and DC Latinx Pride – and I was honored to serve as an emcee at all of them in 2019. I was also part of Capital Pride and was invited to make a special appearance at the second annual District of Pride. Yes, I am the Empress of Pride.

I earned the moniker Empress of Pride by going where I was needed and volunteering my time as an emcee, beginning in 1991 with what would later become known as DC Black Pride.

In the nearly 30 years since, I have served on various boards and planning committees; I have worked long hours under a hot sun with little to no compensation; I have encountered disorga-

Do you want to be a Princess, Prince, or Princex of Pride? You will have to put in the work. Help a fledgling event near you or create something new. Figure out what you have to offer; this may be on stage as a performer or behind the scenes. Perhaps your employer or your own business can be a sponsor. Maybe you can secure a venue or help with promotion. We all can do something, no matter how big or small.

nization, miscommunication, technical difficulties, and fistfights. There have been good and bad experiences, and I’ve taken them all in stride. The positive far outweighs the negative. I have met wonderful people from around the

Rayceen Pendarvis – known as the Empress of Pride, Queen of the Shameless Plug, High Priestess of Love, and Goddess of DC – is an emcee, community advocate, and host of numerous events, including The Ask Rayceen Show in Washington, DC. For more info, please visit AskRayceen. com and Rayceen.com.

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| COMMUNITY FEATURE

Where Are They Now? The Davis-Washingtons Talk Life After Marriage

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e are the Davis-Washingtons, and we were married on June 1, 2017 in Houston, TX at Chateau Crystale.

We chose the first day of the month to place emphasis on the importance of doing things right the first time, and because June 1st kicks off Pride Month.

It is amazing how fast time flies. We recently celebrated our first two years of marriage, and throughout the past two years we have both learned a lot and grown together.

PURPOSE - Marriage is not just

something that you do. Tying the knot increases the value of your emotions and the connection that you have with your partner. Your purpose for committing should bleed through whatever you do.

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COMMUNICATION - While

you think that you are an expert at communicating with your partner, things do change after marriage. We like to call them “invisible changes” because you don’t really see the changes until they just hit you. You learn to control your thoughts and delivery. We learned that we have to decipher between what is important and what is not.

LEARNING - A common

misconception when dating someone is that, by the time you marry them, you know everything about them. We both found out that there was more to the story. You will learn something new about your partner every single day.

Some things you may not be keen on, but you will also discover new things that make you love even harder.

PRIORITIZE - If setting priorities

never mattered before, they definitely took their rightful place after we wed. Spending time with your spouse becomes super important. Due to the busy schedules and other sacrifices that you make after marriage, it becomes much more important to prioritize together and make the best use of the time that you do get to spend together.

SPACE - As much as you love to be under and around your spouse, it is important to give each other space.

Remember that you are your own individual at the end of the day, and you have to remain true to yourself. Not only could it create a stale relationship, but you also wind up losing yourself in the process if you find your sole

purpose is too wrapped up in the idea being “one”, rather than two entities that have come together.

FRIENDSHIPS - Everyone who

cheers on the sidelines isn’t cheering for you. After marriage, we learned that a lot of friendships we had weren’t healthy for our marriage once they began creating toxic vibes and bringing negativity into our household.

Respecting your union by making sure that you leave behind people you have outgrown is both beneficial and essential.

PRIVACY - One thing that we have

learned is keeping other people out of our business. We have been careful about choosing what to allow people in on, which protects our space and our vibe by keeping our relationship to just

ourselves instead of everyone else.

KINDNESS - As you or your spouse have stresses that are adding up, you can forget to be kind. One thing we have agreed on together is that we will be kind to each other and bring out the positives of any situation.

TEAMWORK - Build up your

partner and your empire. Work together to accomplish all of the goals that were set. We make annual goals and post them on a white board to erase as we accomplish them. Some of the goals are personal, and some are for us as a couple. As a couple, we hold each other accountable for all of the goals and the efforts that are put forth to check them off.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT - Have

fun. Enjoy each other. Life is too short to focus on the negatives or to bring down any joyous moments in your marriage. Lift each other up, and push each other to greater heights.

We are excited to embark on year three and see what it has to offer. As for now, we are focused on building our family empire, loving each other fully, leaving a legacy, and living our piece of the American Dream.

Britton Davis-Washington IG- @B_Jdwash JaCarlos Davis-Washington IG- @Rephined06 Photography- Complete Weddings (Wedding Photos) Bleu Print Photography (Anniversary Photos)

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| COMMUNITY FEATURE

Where Are They Now? The Life of M & M, Talks Life After Marriage M

egan and I met on a popular dating website – Plenty of Fish.

We talked via text and phone for 3 months before deciding to meet face to face. Our first date consisted of having lunch on Cinco de Mayo at a popular Atlanta Mexican restaurant and sharing frozen yogurt for dessert immediately after. Fast forward to 4 years later and we are so excited to share that we are officially Mrs. And Mrs. Mason! We exchanged vows on September 1, 2018 at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. Our wedding was an absolute dream come true! From the very beginning, we envisioned a day that was elegant and whimsical. We were so proud to share our love and unity with our closest friends and family. After our big day we went on an amazing honeymoon to Santorini, Rome and Barcelona. That trip was an amazing opportunity for us to relax and reconnect after almost two years of planning.

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Before tying the knot, we made it a priority to attend marriage counseling with our officiant as we are big

advocates for therapy and maintaining a strong foundation. We spent those sessions focusing on what we wanted our marriage to look and feel like, the goals for building our family in the future and the importance of preserving individuality. We also decided that it would be important for us to continue our sessions throughout our marriage.

The best part of our marriage is our friendship. Being best friends with the person you are married to is the sweetest feeling. Because of our close friendship, things just come easy and natural for us. We are also very thankful for our ability to meet each other where we are and push one another out of our comfort zones.

We often asked married couples if things change in a relationship after marriage and most people responded “yes” but they could never articulate what that “change” was. Thankfully we were already settled into our home and routine prior to getting married so the continuity of our relationship remains the same. We have yet to

COMMUNITY FEATURE |

experience a noticeable change and for us it works. There is reassurance in knowing that we will remain partners through the good and bad for a lifetime.

After nine months of marriage we have found that communication, active listening and understanding goes a long way. When we are faced with conflict, we sit down and talk

through it. It may be immediately after a conflict, or we may choose to take a minute, but nonetheless we talk about it. We never allow our conflicts to linger because that only causes more uneasiness and tension.

It’s also important to set boundaries, compromise when possible and focus on the root of the issue.

Even with varying and sometimes

hectic schedules Megan and I consistently make time for volunteering, date nights and opportunities to travel the world together. We also take pride in the growth we have experienced with our YouTube channel, “Inside the Life of M and M”. As we look toward the future, we look forward to sharing our love for one another for many years to come.

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6/7/18

9:31 AM

Team Rayceen presents

THE ASK

RAYCEEN

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FREE and open to the public

SHOW Y

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The Eighth Season CY

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@AskRayceen #AskRayceen AskRayceen.com

FASHION |

“GIFTED HANDS FOR ALL OF YOUR DEMANDS”

By Gwendolyn Martin

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orn and raised in Washington DC, where I was taught to soar and go after my dreams, I’ve always felt a freedom to explore and to embrace my creativity. As a teenager, I found myself drawing and painting on shoes, shirts, and whatever article of clothing I could stylize with my own mark. It’s been more than 30 years since then, and I am fortunate to have rediscovered my gift, my knack for bringing simple things to life.

My ability to see the beauty in what some would consider unappealing propels me.

I find pleasure and peace in designing, creating, painting, tweaking, fixing, customizing, and personalizing new and old attire. I see the beauty in most everything, so I love turning blank canvases into something amazing. As a creative soul who loves to enhance what seems ordinary to the necked eye, having the autonomy to create fulfills me.

Poppin’ Creations Inc. is a one stop shop for one-of-a-kind unique and custom designs. I specialize in creating eye-catching designs that POP. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends or to make a statement at an event or party, I can turn your personal items into a trendy and original canvas, passionately transforming your new and old items into works of art.

“Gifted Hands for All Your Demands” www.poppincreations.org

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| SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

But God

By Monika M. Pickett, Author, Activist, Writer

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I

remember my mother teaching me to say the Lord’s Prayer when I was a little girl. I would get on my knees at night and repeat her words: Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. As I matured, I struggled to differentiate between religion and spirituality. I always considered myself to be more spiritual than religious. I am more concerned with fulfilling God’s will versus my own. A mental filmstrip of memories – trauma, bullying, rejection and grief – rushes to the forefront of my mind. Those life experiences brought me to who I am today. As I approached my fifty-second birthday, I realized that my life has come full circle and it is nothing but God.

If I had to do it all over again, I would.

It would be worth the pain because it all makes sense now. I had to grow through those experiences to become who I am becoming. I reminisce about my dreams of becoming a journalist as a freshman at Norfolk State University, when I had dreams of writing for a big city newspaper. Yet, I was often saddened as I turned the glossy pages of African-American-targeted magazines.

I never saw articles about women like me, women who loved like me. African American Lesbians were not highlighted in those pages. I wondered if they existed. Didn’t they have the same

hopes and dreams as heterosexual women? Why weren’t their stories shared? I wanted to become a writer who could give the heterosexual world a glimpse into mine. My world was no different than that of my straight sister’s. I also had hopes and dreams.

I wanted a family and children, just as she did. The only difference was that my sister wanted a husband and I wanted a wife.

When I did not see women like me, I didn’t think they existed. You cannot become what you do not see. I envied my heterosexual counterparts for being able to move through the world without having to repress their

I am ashamed to admit that I did not know God until I knew God.

existence. I began to doubt myself. I didn’t think I was good enough, smart enough. As a result, I dropped out of college. Life happened. Working entry-level jobs was a sobering wake-up call as I quickly learned how difficult it was trying to maintain a decent livelihood without an education. That was not the life I wanted for myself. Enlisting in the United States Army gave me the discipline, confidence and determination that I lacked. I vowed to have it all: an education, a wife, a child and a family. In time, I obtained all those dreams. Yet, they came with a price.

When I became the first woman in my circle of lesbian friends to become a mother, I was actually shunned. I lost friends who questioned my sexuality: Are you straight now? Oh, so now you’re representing the “B” (Bisexual) in LGBTQ and not the “L” (Lesbian)?

I am grateful that at a very early age, God gave me a healthy sense of self-awareness. I never allowed myself

to be labeled or put into a box. I wanted to become a mother and I did not have to seek anyone’s approval. Period. End of story.

I began a pattern of entering unhealthy relationships with women where I dimmed my light in exchange for adulation. My spirit diminished the longer I stood in their shadows. I realized that I was the common dominator in all those failed relationships. I had lost myself.

And yet … I’m still standing. The diagnosis of an incurable brain disorder gave me an indomitable will to survive.

The grief from a devastating divorce fueled my determination to succeed.

Emotionally, I felt like Uma Thurman in the movie Kill Bill, slashing demons with a Samurai sword. I could hear the sound of the sword each time I slew a demon: ”Swing … Swing … Swing!”

My faith has never wavered. In three short years, God has allowed me re-

discover myself. I rejoice in recreating myself as my second novel is released this month. I find strength in knowing that I am creating a legacy, not only for myself but for my grandchildren. I am empowered as I learn to love myself as I have loved others. I will not be distracted in becoming who I think God wants me to become.

Recently, a friend asked me if I’m dating anyone. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Girl, please, I’m dating my damned credit score! How about that?”

Finding humor in trying times makes things less daunting.

Now when I review that imaginary filmstrip of my life, I smile when I realize that I have survived things that should have shattered my hopes and dreams.

Not only could things be worse but they have been worse … But God.

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| ONE TO WATCH

K

enneth J. McDuffie, a Philadelphia native, is an independent, motivated, and full of life man of God. With a big personality and an even larger heart, Kenneth is a giver of his time, energy, love, and passion for cooking. His motto and mission is to encourage youth to know that all things are possible if you believe, remain humble, and stay faithful.

Kenneth was raised by his greatgrandmother, the late Esther A. Smith, who taught him everything he needed to know about cooking. With cooking in his DNA, Kenneth took his passion and skills for cooking to Hawaii, where he moved and accepted a job with Norwegian Cruise Line. Prior to moving to Hawaii, Kenneth had already started his own catering business, A Taste of Soul, which he revamped in 2016 to Young and Hungry Catering. An award-winning chef, Kennth is Chapter President of the National Black Chefs Association and has also been a Men of Distinction honoree, Chef of the Year honoree, and Philadelphia Black Expo recipient.

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Kenneth began making noise in the entertainment world when he was honored to cook for hip hop artist Juelz Santana, and has since then also been honored to please the palates of Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Lewis, Claudia Jordan, Jackie Christie, Vivica A Fox, The Philadelphia Eagles, and many others. Kenneth has also served as a sponsor for Philadelphia Fashion Weekend, and has been featured on Fox 29 Good Day with Mike Jerrick and Alex Holley, WDAS with the legendary Patty Jackson, We Talk Weekly, BOOM Philly, Praise Philly, PQ1 Radio, CBS Philly, SWERV Magazine, The Wendy Williams Show, and The Chew.

ONE TO WATCH |

T

SHORTY ROC

he LGBT Community has been breaking grounds lately in the mainstream industry with the success of productions like POSE, Rupaul’s Drag Race and now it’s time for Hip Hop music to join the wave. Talented artist across the world have been showcasing their talent through music while living in their truth but have yet to make a major breakthrough in the mainstream. Shorty Roc who has become a pioneer and prominent figure in the OUT Music industry has made the first ever official LGBT Hip Hop Artist compilation.

Shorty Roc started his career in 2003 performing at legendary NY clubs like the Warehouse, The Lab, and Langston’s which led to his first release “Jackin’ Beats: The Mixtape “ in 2004. He later began taking his music across the country by performing at various Pride Festivals and the first ever LGBT Hip Hop Tour, Homorevolution as well as launching his own Summer Pride Tour in 2010.

Throughout his tenure, Shorty has released 3 Full Length Projects and 3 singles which is available on all music streaming circuits. He also participated in various documentaries some of which have aired in London, Holland and Germany. Shorty Roc starred in PBS’ “In The Life” episode “I Am What I Am” which focused on the rise of gay rappers, which aired nationally in 2008 and 2010. He is also known for his feature on Foxx Jazell’s, “Ride or Die Boy” Pride Remix, (http://youtu.be/lZHMhZ9r4KQ). On December 4, 2010 he received an award for Outstanding Supporter from “Our Youth”, an organization geared toward helping and supporting LGBT youth. In 2013, Shorty Roc was nominated for an OUT Music award for Best Hip Hop song for Blue Flames and was honored at the Legendary Stonewall with a tribute to his contributions to LGBT music.

Now set to release his fourth project, “All Stars,” which will be available on

all streaming services April 18th 2019, Shorty collaborates with some of the hottest LGBT musicians out to date. This album will be compiled with beats by various producers and engineered by Swanny River for SRMG. The artists featured on the album are Anye Elite, Billy Hood, Booder, Bugz Gutta, Damien Crawford, EarthTone, IKP, Kevin Kaoz, Kin 4 Life, Kiing Most, Pretty Boy Rich and Tavares TV. An Album Release Party will be held at Kinanm Lounge on April 24th, 2019, 856 Atlantic Ave, 7pm in Brooklyn, NY. Shorty roc believes that unity within the community will have a bigger impact on the mainstream industry, which is needed for the success for all LGBT Artists.

For interviews and other inquiries please reply to this email (19.

Srocmedia@gmail.com.)

Thank you for your consideration

Shorty Roc Entertainment.

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| ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

A

nye Elite is a singer-songwriter, rapper and LGBT activist. He is best known for his contributions to Atlanta, Georgia’s gay community. Elite’s is passionate about writing songs and lyrics that addresses the dichotomy between gay black Americans and the larger community. In 2016, Anye made the G Listed list of 100 Outstanding LGBT People of Color.

Presently, Elite continues to work with the community to foster education and to empower gay people to live independent and fulfilling lives. His most recent work has included aiding in finding and establishing quality care for GLBT youth.

His most recent song “Clock In” is available on all musical outlets.

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS |

M

atthew James is an LGBTQ+ independent artist based out of Los Angeles, California. Spending his formative years in Morocco and Minnesota, Matthew fell in love with music as a young boy and focuses his art on empowering his community and those around him.

Matthew James

In celebration of Pride Month, Matthew James has released his debut single, Right Now, a suicide awareness anthem focused on raising awareness globally, but more specifically towards the LGBTQ+ community.

According to a national study: LGBTQ+ youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost 3x the rate of heterosexual youth.

40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.

1 out of 6 students nationwide (grades 9-12) seriously considered suicide in the past year. Each episode of LGBTQ+ victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increased the likelihood of selfharming behavior by 2.5 times on average.

Matthew hopes that this anthem raises awareness for our community and empowers our LGBTQ+ family to understand that suicide is never the 31 answer.

TUV SUPPORTS

TUV MISSION

The Unleashed Voice Magazine will cultivate the stories of LGBTQ people with engaging and empowering conversation to people of the world about the multicultural LGBTQ Community.

TUV VISION

The Unleashed Voice Magazine (TUV Magazine) will aid the LGBTQ Community and its allies in redefining how the diverse LGBTQ person wishes to be viewed or spoken about.

TUV Magazine will be the optimal print and media hub for the affluent LGBTQ consumer and those who want to be included in the “Unleashing� movement.