Black Gay Writer Jonathan W. Jones Profiled in British Magazine "AXM"

There is an interesting surprise on the pages of the current issue of AXM, the glossy British homostyle magazine. There is a full-page profile (PDF) of up-and-coming Jonathan W. Jones, the New Jersey-based 20-year-old motivational speaker and author of Get By: A Survival Guide for Black Gay Youth. Jones was in London to promote his new book and our friends across the pond were obviously impressed with the handsome and "socially and politically engaged young man."

At just 20, he's writing about black gay history, safe sex and religion and Get By is already a set text at Rutgers University in Newark. His breezy but steely confidence makes it easy to see why he's so well-placed to advise young gay black people. "I knew for sure I was gay at 15. At 16, I started not to care who knew because my philosophy is that I never have to hid anything if I can justify it. To hide it would be to admit there is something wrong with it."

On the lighter side, the young prodigy dishes his eclectic fashion aesthetic and describes the difficulties in breaking into the corporate world with dreadlocks. That may or may not have factored into his recent decision to cut them off. "I just think it was time," he explains at JonathanWJones.com. "I feel like I'm growing up, and losing the playful hairstyle will help me shed some of the bad youthful habits I have. It's a step in the right direction."

Make sure you read the end, where the author is asked to describe what "gives him the bone." This is very interesting. "I love the military look because like to be dominated," Jonathan Jones reveals. "I like law enforcement types." There is a little more text on a recent shopping trip to a British military surplus store. You can fill in the blanks.

Some Background ...
Simon Webbe Covers AXM [R20]
Amerie's Vibe [R20]
Amerie Comes Out Against Homophobia in Hip-Hop [R20]
John Legend & Cornel West vs Homophobia [R20]
Kanye on Gay Bashing [R20]
Kanye: "My Own Homophobia" [R20]
Hip-Hop and Homophobia [R20]
Pharrell Sets the Record, umm, Straight [R20]

Comments

[Mel Smith]

Wow, this is such a positive story. Thanks for sharing info about this great young man. I will buy his book and visit his website.

[John Ira]

What a great young man. I thank God for him.