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"Greet the Press", NYC Pride Event on Black Gays and New Media

Pride week kicks off in New York City with "Greet the Press", a panel discussion on the lack of black gay, traditional media outlets—and how many new media and social networking platforms are filling the void. The event was produced by Dwight O'Neal, Cornelius Jones and Nathan Scott (right), who also hosted, the New York City-based promoter and co-host of The AND Show, the popular black LGBT YouTube channel.

Panelists included: Derrick L Briggs, co-star of the new independent film Finding Me and host of ADTV on YouTube (bottom photo, black shirt); Sheldon DeSouza of the Black Gay Network; GBMNews.com's Antonie Craigwell; Dex Star G, photographer and blogger; blogger Maurice Runea; and DJ Baker, host of the popular Da Doo-Dirty Show podcast.

Baker, seen above with the microphone, tells Rod 2.0 that last night's event was "great" opportunity to network "but we needed more youth in the building, some new faces." Baker adds: "Our community has yet to [determine] how to gauge youths' needs. We know they are out there working on [media] projects. We need to stop talking about working together and start doing."

Author and activist Nathan James also attended the event. James tells Rod 2.0: "The exploration of new forms of media communication and its relationship to the LGBT community of color is crucial to an understanding of who we are. Kudos to 'Greet The Press' for raising our awareness."

One of the standout discussions was lead by Sheldon DeSouza, above, who calls attention to a disturbing exchange on Wendy Williams' radio show. A 23-year-old black gay man called last month and asked radio personality Wendy Williams for "advice" on how to deal with a male love interest who is HIV positive. DeSouza explains: "Wendy said, 'You're 23, you don't need to be dealing with that. If I were 23 years old ... you have your whole future ahead of you. You don't want to deal with that." DeSouza says Williams laughed and conducted a random poll of her staff and asked if they would ever date someone HIV positive. DeSouza called into the show and was reprimanded on-air for challenging the radio personality's "advice." Listen to that "advice" here.

AFTER THE JUMP, video of Sheldon DeSouza describing the outrageous "advice" on HIV and relationships given by Wendy Williams, nominated by LOGO for their NewNowNext Awards. Why so many black gay men idolize this hateful woman escapes me.

Top Two Photos: "Greet the Press" on Facebook
Last Two Photos: Dex Star G

Go-Go Gods on the "Horizon"

Several of New York City's finest go-go gods are seen in the current issue of Horizon, the glossy Barcelona-based homostyle magazine. (Free PDF here.) The editorial was lensed by fashion and entertainment photographer Ernest Montgomery and his production team at LeeStudios NYC.

Matrix celebrated his birthday last night at Nathan Scott and Nathan Williams' Ocean Party at Splash. The short-n-stacked Dominican stunna is actually even more stunning in person and actually one of the sweetest and all-around nice boys. (= Long story, we'll explain later.) Not sure why he didn't get the cover on Horizon, but, there is always the next one. Next up is Ron (forget his stage name), who started with Matrix back in the days of the old Stella's.

More go-go gods below.

"Clik" Model Maurice Murrell on Self-Esteem and Being "Flawless"

New Jersey-based Maurice Murrell—the ridiculously hot model who brought the now legendary "Gay or Rapper?" aesthetic to life in the cover shoot for Clik seen here—reveals a side of his personality that you may have never known. Despite having appeared in numerous magazines, calendars, two coffee table books and an independent film production, Maurice says he has always wrestled with the same body image and self-esteem issues that affect so many gay men.

Nathan "Seven" Scott at 7 Magazine has the interview.

On self-esteem: "I hated the way I looked. I mean truly hated. This year, that stopped through various reasons. Its been a beautiful transition mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I know I would get the question, 'But if you hate the way you look, how could you do all those things?' For me it was easy to separate the two, because modeling is based on a projected perception."

On gay "pride": "Being DL and "Straight-acting" makes you more desirable in our community. Gay pride is about so much more. It's about loving all and everyone in any aspect of being masculine, feminine, open, flamboyant, and reserved."

Maurice Murrell's January 2006 cover for Clik was voted a reader favorite and will appear in another editorial. In addition, Maurice is in the process of becoming a single parent and is adopting a child.

More on that and tomorrow night's Flawless Party at 7 Magazine.

Interview with Maurice Murrell [7 Magazine]
Clik Magazine

Some Background ....

January Clik [R20]
For Your Consideration [R20]
Clik Preview [R20]
John: "Flawless" [R20]
Jermaine: "Flawless" [R20]
Clarence: "Flawless" [R20]
Jamar: "Flawless" [R20]

John: "Flawless"

TGIF, no? Let's end the week with a few smiles, courtesy of Nathan "Seven" Scott and The Seven Magazine. The latest discovery to his procession of "flawless" New Yorkers is John San Juan, the dancer and nightlife personality. In case you're wondering about the exotic look ...

"My father is half Puerto Rican from Ponce. My mother is full Filipina. You have to give it up to mixed race Asian babies these days—Nicole from Pussycat Dolls, Cassie, Amerie, Will Demps—the genetic mix is off the chain!"

John San Juan's interview and sexy "urban eskimo" editorial—complete with Dolce & Gabbana shorty shorts, so you know we're happy!—was published just days before recent news developments. The interview is very timely because he speaks out against the unfortunate trend of internalized homophobia within our community.

"To me, it doesn't matter if you compete in 'sex siren' or if you're part of a gay book club, you are still a potential Michael Sandy victim. You can be a muscle head circuit boy or a femme voguer, but you still are denied the right to legalized marriage. The ignorance that divides us is saddening because at the end of the day, we are all still gay men—of color!"

More Flawless Boys:

Jermaine: "Flawless" (Rod 2.0)

Clarence: "Flawless" (Rod 2.0)

Jamar: "Flawless" (Rod 2.0)

Jamar: "Flawless"

A few readers have emailed and asked why this week's content was so light on the iCandy. Don't worry, we're not beta-testing a new low-calorie menu, it was just the mood. But our sweet tooth is kinda aching after the new photo essay and profile of bubble-licious Jamar at the Seven Magazine.

Nathan "Seven' Scott interviews the model-slash-personal trainer (our! favorite! type!) who admits his own sweet tooth for "French toast but made with crossiants instead of regular bread, trust me its off the hook."

While you're at the Seven Magazine, look up the Sky Saturdays party. It's been a few years since Harlem had a truly hot weekend jump-off and this one is getting great reviews. If you're in the tri-state and are looking for someone something to do tomorrow night, consider it as an option.