There are rave reviews for When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color, the new book by Atlanta-based blogger and activist Darian Aaron. The book profiles 18 Black same sex couples who are in long-term relationships. It is based on the popular "Coupled Up" series at LOLDarian.
When Love Takes Over began as a response to the lack of positive images of Black same-sex couples, the author tells the GA Voice.
"I was frequently frustrated with the images I saw. I never saw a couple that looked like Joe and me," he said of his boyfriend. "When I did see an African American man, he was paired with a white guy. And I wanted to see healthy examples of our relationships. ... I wanted people to have some role models to look up to," he adds. "And one thing I learned is that we are in long-term relationships. They are making it work."
Aaron said he knew long-term relationships for black gay couples was attainable — he has friends who represent this very well. "But for some reason they are not in magazines. We are kind of sight unseen."
Darian expands on the inspiration behind When Love Takes Over in a new interview with Lonnell Williams, host of the popular 3LWTV vlog. "The book gives visibility and a voice to those because we don't see them in the mainstream press," says the author. "We don't even see them in the LGBT press. And I really wanted to provide a platform for Black gay men in long term relationships."
The couples profiled include Seanmichael Rodgers and Damien Ramsey aka singer-songwriter Dy'Ari—seen on the cover—first seen on R20 at the National Equality March and later in AOL/BlackVoices. Seanmichael and Damien were joined in a beautiful wedding ceremony in New York City in March 2010.
Bravo and congratulations to Darian Aaron. And a personal thank you for the acknowledgment in the book.
Watch the interview with Darian and Lonnell AFTER THE JUMP ...
When Love Takes Over is available at Amazon, Borders.com and more locations. Details at LOLDarian.com.
BRAVO! Great piece Rod and I love that this young brother is busy doing his THING! I got my copy of the book and it's great to see love, this rich and sweet and familiar.
I had the pleasure of marrying SeanMichael and Damian, who grace the cover, and it's a sweet love indeed. You can feel it jumping off the pages!
Bravo Darian! WAY TO GO!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 06 July 2011 at 23:07
This is very very nice. I do not know Mr. Darian Aaron personally but feel that I have watched him mature and grow into his own voice. Thank you and congratulations!
Posted by: Former COGIC | 06 July 2011 at 23:13
I really enjoyed that interview with Lonnell Williams.
It's about time someone put together a book like this. Good on you, Darian.
Posted by: Jim | 07 July 2011 at 00:33
Thank you, Darian.
Posted by: Jai | 07 July 2011 at 00:55
Finally!!! I was VERY tired of being swamped by the images of black-white male coupling and being asked over and over again to embrace and support this imagery. It was as though black and white males were the absolute epitome of a relationship that SGL black males could look at, look up to, and look forward to!
Finally, someone took the initiative to do something for us!
A breath of (MUCH needed!) fresh air.
Thanks Darian!
Posted by: Occam's Razor | 07 July 2011 at 09:11
Awesome news. Congrats to Mr. Aaron
Posted by: Mel Smith | 07 July 2011 at 12:10
Only 5 comments? Something that looks at Black gay men from a healthy perspective....pales comparison into the many numerous comments about D-List celebrities and what not.
LOL, I had to say it....
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 July 2011 at 13:33
I have to agree w/Kevin Perez. Kind of sad, actually. On a ligher note, I'm ecstatic about the book and will look for it--- particulary since I've been in one of these rarely seen and/or discussed relationships for the past 18 years.
Posted by: Steve B | 07 July 2011 at 14:00