Several weeks ago we chatted up the latest chapter in the life of Jonathan Plummer—the ex-husband of novelist Terry McMillan came out as gay two years ago during acrimonious divorce proceedings. Plummer has become a novelist in his own right and this weekend begins his book tour for Balancing Act.
Plummer tells Southern Voice his story of a young Jamaican man swept away by a powerful black American woman is "fiction with a purpose, and it’s a funny and sexy story. It mirrors my life and it mirrors my coming out process, but the main character Justin Blakeman is a hero, and I don’t really consider myself a hero.”
The main character’s acceptance of his sexual orientation is more immediate and honest than Plummer’s real-life experience, which is why the author considers his protagonist a hero. Having transitioned from an icon of love to the epitome of deception, Plummer wants readers to know that while he’s no angel, he’s not the backstabbing, villainous liar McMillan has made him out to be.
“It really caught me off guard the way she responded and how bitter she is,” Plummer says. “I came out, I wasn’t found out, and I want people to know that. She’s been telling a lot of people she caught me, but that’s definitely not true—I decided to be truthful to her.”
If you have several minutes, make sure you catch the SoVo interview. Jonathan comes across as multi-dimensional—warm, sympathetic, and, as having some depth. Some of these qualities have been lacking in Plummer's media appearances; he literally is coming into his own. “I’m a good, loving person, I think, and so hopefully people are ready to see me for who I am." How Jonathan Got His Groove Back [SoVo]
Balancing Act [Amazon]
Some Background ...
Terry McMillan's Ex-Husband Becomes a Novelist [R20]
Terry McMillan Sues Ex-Husband for $40 Million
[R20]
Coming to a Megaplex Near You [R20]
How Jonathan Got His Groove Back [R20]
Couldn't I See the Signs? [R20]
How Do You Not Know That You Are Gay? [R20]
Exclusive: The Terry McMillan Interview [R20]
On the Next Oprah [R20]
Clik on Jonathan [R20]
The "Invisible" Man Returns
[R20]
I'm looking forward to the reading...
Posted by: Waddie Grant | 31 August 2007 at 23:52
Interesting stuff. I seem to remember lots of buzz about his sexuality while they were still married.
Posted by: phil_in_ny | 01 September 2007 at 07:12
Well, this should be interesting. The question is can the buzz that was generated by him off the page can be rechanneled into his new book?
Posted by: Kevin | 01 September 2007 at 11:41
Way too much makeup on to be taken serious. And how can he not be a liar when he lied to this woman knowing he liked men, and wanted a green card? Just a creep out for a few coins and a step above trade. Both he and his old lady need to lay low for a while, because her bitterness is amazing.
Posted by: Andy | 01 September 2007 at 17:47
Actually, you can not blame Johnathan for her choosing not to see him as being a prettier than she is. I mean come on! Dick Sicking Lips and those eyes! She's not just bitter -she's fucking blind!
Posted by: Brokeassnigga | 02 September 2007 at 21:35