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Mused Magazine Recognizes the "2013 Game Changers"

This is fantastic. MUSED Magazine and its editor/publisher Drew-Shane Daniels have recognized their first annual "Game Changers" ... described as "the successes of the everyday people–activists, artists, and advocates whose work on the ground often goes unseen [and] unacknowledged."

The freshman class includes many of my favorite people, places and things: The talented young brothas behind Morehouse College Safe Space — seen above — who helped to fight homophobia and violence on campus and lead the effort for the Morehouse's first Black LGBT-themed course; writer, activist and filmmaker Antoine Craigwell; Center for American Progress policy analyst, writer and Georgetown Univ visiting professor (yesss!) Preston D. Mitchum; the amazing Wade A. Davis II and Darnell L. Moore's LGBT sports advocacy program You Belong; Daniel D Driffin, the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition, Venton Jones, Ernest Hopkins, Cornelius Baker, David Malebranche, Meico Whitlock, Anthony Roberts Jr., Christopher Watson and the many amazing people behind the Young Black Gay Men's Leadership Initiative; South African writer and social justice activist Eddie Ndopu; Broadway actor Lamar Baylor; fashion photographer Ahmad Tamir Barber ... and yours truly.

The "2013 Game Changers" are an amazing cross selection of the excellence found within our communities. I'm honored and humbled to be included in the freshman class. Thanks to Drew and Mused Magazine for recognizing these many talented men. Congratulations to all of these amazing "2013 Game Changers." Looking forward to more brilliance from each of them and so many others in 2014!

"For Colored Boys" Nominated for 25th Lambda Literary Awards

This is fantastic. It was barely one month ago when the American Library Association announced that  For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough won the ALA Stonewall Book Award-Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award. The critically acclaimed anthology was released in August and edited by New York Times bestselling author/television commentator Keith Boykin.

For Colored Boys has been nominated as a finalist of the 25th Annual Lambda Literary Awards. The Lambda Literary Awards were announced today by the Lambda Literary Foundation in Los Angeles.

Other nominees in the LGBT Anthology category include: Here Come the Brides!: Reflections on Lesbian Love and Marriage, No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics and Why Are Faggots So Afraid of Faggots? Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification, and the Desire to Conform.

This year's nominees faced fierce competition. The Lambda Literary Foundation "set a new record in 2013 for both the number of LGBT books submitted for Lammy consideration, 687, and the number of publishers participating, 332," said LLF's Tony Valenzuela.

For Colored Boys collects the writings of more than three dozen Black LGBT writers—read the full list and bios—media personalities, activists, scholars and other thought leaders. The book was launched in the wake of numerous "young Black men literally committing suicide in the silence of their own communities" such as  Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Raymond Chase, Joseph Jefferson and others reported on Rod 2.0,  Boykin announced in 2011.

The reception to the book continues to be "fantastic", editor Keith Boykin told Rod 2.0 this afternoon.

"I continue to be inspired by the words and stories of the 40+ contributors in the book," said Boykin, the MSNBC/CNBC contributor and former aide to President Bill Clinton. "This award nomination reaffirms my faith that our stories do have meaning and deserve to be told. I hope more people—and especially more young people—will pick up the book, read some of these amazing stories, and realize they are not alone."

The young authors included in For Colored Boys have said that it was important for them to speak out. “I've been open about my life for nearly a decade and each day is an opportunity to come out,” 26-year-old White House Special Assistant Jamal Brown told EBONY last August in my review and preview of the ground-breaking anthology. The Dartmouth grad was named to the OUT 100 in 2008. "Hopefully I can inspire someone who is being shamed by their peers and doesn't have the space to live their life truly free."

"Hopefully Black gay youth can see themselves in my story or any other story in this book," 24-year-old David Bridgeforth told EBONY. Bridgeforth is the editor and publisher of DBQ Magazine."It’s important for them to know that they are celebrated, loved and valued."

For Colored Boys includes 44 contributions from 42 authors. "The contributors' ages range from 23 to 63. We have at least 5 writers in their 20s," added Boykin.

Many of the names should be familiar to R20 readers. For Colored Boys includes contributions from myself, Darian Aaron, Phill Branch, Jamal Brown, Topher Campbell, Wade Davis, Kenyon Farrow, L. Michael Gipson, Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano, James Earl Hardy, G. Winston James, Jonathan Kidd, DeMarco Majors, David Malebranche, Alphonso Morgan,  B. Scott, Will Sheridan, Rob Smith, José David Sierra aka Jessica Wild, Ron Simmons, Charles Stephens, André St Clair, Kevin E. Tayor, Craig Washington, Tim'm West, Nathan H. Williams,  Emanuel Xavier, Victor Yates and others. In addition to Keith Boykin, the editors include La Marr Jurelle Bruce, Clay Cane, Mark Corece and Frank Leon Roberts.

Catching up with other FCB contributors: Wade Davis is interviewed at SALON and appeared on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" ... Dr. David J. Malebranche now practices at the University of Pennsylvania ... James Earl Hardy is adapting bestselling novel B-Boy Blues into a March 16 stage production directed by Stanley Bennett Clay that will co-star DeMarco Majors ... Tim'm West is profiled at the Chicago Reader and TheBody.com.

The Lambda Literary Awards will be presented on June 3 in New York City. The American Library Association Awards will be presented later that month in Chicago. So proud to be a contributor to this game-changing anthology. Bravo and congratulations to everyone involved!

You May Have Missed:
"For Colored Boys" Wins Prestigious ALA Award
Required Reading: "For Colored Boys [EBONY]
"For Colored Boys" To Be Released August 8
VIDEO: "For Colored Boys" Trailer
"For Colored Boys" Website, Publication Details

"For Colored Boys" Wins Prestigious American Library Assn Award

This is brilliant. For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough has won the American Library Association's Stonewall Book Award-Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award. The critically acclaimed anthology was released in August and edited by New York Times bestselling author/television commentator Keith Boykin. The award winners were announced this morning.

The ALA's Stonewall Book Awards were founded in 1971 and are the nation's "[oldest] and most enduring awards" for LGBT literature. The awards are quite prestigious. Recent winners of the Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award include The Fabulous Sylvester by Joshua Gamson, Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin by John D'Emilio and A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski.

For Colored Boys collects the writings of more than three dozen Black LGBT writers—read the full list and bios—media personalities, activists, scholars and other thought leaders. The book was launched in the wake of numerous "young Black men literally committing suicide in the silence of their own communities" such as  Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Raymond Chase, Joseph Jefferson and others reported on Rod 2.0,  Boykin announced in 2011.

The reception to the book has been "fantastic", Boykin told Rod 2.0 this afternoon.

"In the past 6 months, I've heard from Black gay men, college students, parents and suicide prevention counselors," said MSNBC/CNBC contributor Boykin, a former aide to President Bill Clinton. "And they almost all say the same thing: 'I wish this book had been around when I was younger.' I'm glad this book is out there now."

For Colored Boys is "going to make a huge difference for many people," Boykin told R20 last August when the book was released. "So much has happened [in 2012]. President Obama endorsing same-sex marriage, Frank Ocean's new CD and many other news stories fit right into the themes of the book."

For Colored Boys includes 44 contributions from 42 authors. "The contributors' ages range from 23 to 63. We have at least 5 writers in their 20s," added Boykin.

Many of the names should be familiar to R20 readers. For Colored Boys includes contributions from myself, Darian Aaron, Jamal Brown, Topher Campbell, Wade Davis, Kenyon Farrow, L. Michael Gipson, Lorenzo Herrera y Lozano, James Earl Hardy, DeMarco Majors, David Malebranche, Alphonso Morgan,  B. Scott, Will Sheridan, Rob Smith, André St Clair, Kevin E. Tayor, Craig Washington, Tim'm West, Nathan H. Williams,  Emanuel Xavier, Victor Yates and others. In addition to Keith Boykin, the editors include La Marr Jurelle Bruce, Clay Cane, Mark Corece and Frank Leon Roberts.

The award will be presented in June at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. So proud to be a contributor to this game-changing anthology. Bravo and congratulations to everyone involved!

You May Have Missed:
"Required Reading: "For Colored Boys [EBONY]
"For Colored Boys" To Be Released August 8
VIDEO: "For Colored Boys" Trailer
"For Colored Boys" Website, Publication Details

New Anthology "For Colored Boys" To Be Released August 8

The wait is over. For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough will be released next week. The much-anticipated new anthology is edited by New York Times bestselling author and television commentator Keith Boykin.

"For Colored Boys will be available online on August 8 and in bookstores on August 13," Boykin told Rod 2.0. "It will also be available as an e-book once it's released."

For Colored Boys collects the writings of more than three dozen Black LGBT writers—read the full list and bios—media personalities, activists, scholars and other thought leaders. The book was launched in the wake of numerous "young Black men literally committing suicide in the silence of their own communities" such as  Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Raymond Chase, Joseph Jefferson and others reported on Rod 2.0,  Boykin announced last summer.

"It's been a long process but I'm finally glad that it's done," Boykin told R20 on Monday. "I am very excited about the book. It's going to make a huge difference for many people. So much has happened this year. President Obama endorsing same-sex marriage, Frank Ocean's new CD and many other news stories fit right into the themes of the book."

The publication For Colored Boys is very timely. A new survey was released last month that found a shocking 43 percent of Black gay youth have considered or attempted suicide as a result of issues related to their sexual orientation. Almost one in ten have been sexually or physically abused.

The publication also comes as new data released last week at AIDS 2012 revealed that Black gay men have been more affected by HIV/AIDS than any "other population in the world." The trend has been particularly “alarming” among young Black gay men aged 13 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Controls. New infections have increased by almost half between 2006 and 2009.

For Colored Boys includes 44 contributions from 42 authors, "including 37 African-Americans, 3 Latinos, 1 Asian-American, 1 Canadian and 1 British writer," Keith Boykin told R20. "The contributors' ages range from 23 to 63. We have at least 5 writers in their 20s."

Many of the names should be familiar to R20 readers. For Colored Boys includes contributions from myself, Darian Aaron, Jamal Brown, Topher Campbell, Wade Davis, Kenyon Farrow, L. Michael Gipson, James Earl Hardy, DeMarco Majors, David Malebranche, B. Scott, Rob Smith, Kevin E. Tayor, Craig Washington, Tim'm West, Nathan H. Williams and Emanuel Xavier. The anthology will include nine poems. In addition to Keith Boykin, the editors include young filmmaker Mark Corece and author/scholar Frank Leon Roberts.

Stay tuned for more details on publication, the book tour and more. The Twitter hahtags are #ForColoredBoys and #ColoredBoys.

New Anthology "For Colored Boys" Debuts Website, Publication Details

The wait is over.  An exciting new multimedia website has been launched to support For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough, the much-anticipated new anthology edited by New York Times bestselling author and television commentator Keith Boykin. The new website includes a soundtrack  and additional editorial content. The book is scheduled for a July release.

For Colored Boys collects writings of more than three dozen Black LGBT writers—read the full list and bios—media personalities, activists, scholars and other thought leaders. The book was launched in the wake of numerous "young Black men literally committing suicide in the silence of their own communities" such as  Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jaheem Herrera, Raymond Chase, Joseph Jefferson and others reported  on Rod 2.0, says Boykin.

The publication of the book is timely.  A new survey was released this week that found a shocking 43 percent of Black gay youth have considered or attempted suicide as a result of issues related to their sexual orientation. More than a quarter of Black gay youth say they have experienced anti-gay bullying. Almost one in ten have been  sexually or physically abused.

"There are 44 pieces from 42 authors, including 37 African-Americans, 3 Latinos, 1 Asian-American, 1 Canadian and 1 British writer," Keith Boykin told R20. "The contributors' ages range from 23 to 63. We have at least 5 writers in their 20s."

Many of the names should be familiar to R20 readers. For Colored Boys includes contributions from myself, Darian Aaron, Jamal Brown, Topher Campbell, Wade Davis, Kenyon Farrow, L. Michael Gipson, James Earl Hardy, DeMarco Majors, David Malebranche, B. Scott, Rob Smith, Kevin E. Tayor, Craig Washington, Tim'm West, Nathan H. Williams and Emanuel Xavier. The anthology will include nine poems. In addition to Keith Boykin, the editors include young filmmaker Mark Corece and author/scholar Frank Leon Roberts.

"I'm really happy with the finished product," Boykin told R20. "It represents the hard work and dedication of a lot of people."

Stay tuned for more details on publication, the book tour and more. The Twitter hashtags are #ForColoredBoys and #ColoredBoys.

Reversing the Alarming HIV Increase Among Black Gay Men Pt2

The second of our two-part series for the Black AIDS Institute that is being syndicated across Black owned newspapers and magazines, as well as HIV/AIDS resources such as TheBody.com.

As viral loads continue to be "off the charts" among Black gay and bisexual men, the Centers for Disease Controls has launched a new social-media campaign to reverse the trend. The report analyzes data that show new HIV infections among young Black gay/bi men have increased by almost half. Read HERE.

Thanks to Phill Wilson, Cornelius Baker, David Malebranche,Harlem United, Kali Lindsey, NBGMAC, Venton Jones, NAESM, Daniel Driffin, Centers for Disease Controls, Kevin Fenton and many others.

Reversing the Alarming HIV Increase Among Black Gay Men

The first of our two-part series for the Black AIDS Institute that is being syndicated across Black owned newspapers , magazines and websites.

As HIV viral loads continue to be "off the charts" among urban and rural networks of Black gay/bi men, the Centers for Disease Controls has launched a new social-marketing campaign to reverse the trend. The report analyzes data that show new HIV infections among young Black gay and bisexual men have increased by almost half. Read HERE. Part Two will drop next week.

Thanks to Phill Wilson, Cornelius Baker, David Malebranche,Harlem United, Kali Lindsey, NBGMAC, Venton Jones, NAESM, Daniel Driffin, Centers for Disease Controls, Kevin Fenton and many others.

STUDY: Higher Young Black Gay/Bi HIV Rates Linked to Preference for "Masculine" Partners

This is fascinating. Young Black gay and bisexual men—or men who have sex with men (MSM) in public health jargon—are up to five times more likely to contract HIV than other MSM. This is despite Centers for Disease Control data that suggests they don't necessarily have more unprotected sex.

A new study by investigators at Johns Hopkins and Emory Uniiversities—which we previewed last month at the Black Diaspora MSM Conference in the Dominican Republic—offers a possible explanation. Young Black MSM have a strong preference for "dominant" "masculine" partners and perceive "masculine" men as having much less HIV risk than "feminine" men.

Jonathan Ellen, M.D., a pediatrician and teen health expert at Johns Hopkins presented the findings of their study at the 2011 Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in Denver. The study results are based on semi-structured interviews with 35 black men MSM ages 18 to 24 in NYC and upstate New York, and Atlanta.

The research noted these young black MSM select partners and judge these partners' HIV status in a specific way. The most notable findings include an overwhelming preference for masculine partners, accepting masculine partners as dominant in the sex act and leaving to them decisions about condom use, perceiving masculine men as low risk for HIV and feminine men as high risk. The researchers say this dynamic of preferring masculine men, while also equating masculinity with lower HIV risk helps explain why young black MSM contract HIV more often than their counterparts from other races.

"There may be no difference in HIV prevalence between masculine-looking and feminine-looking men, but because black MSM perceive masculine men as lower risk, their sexual encounters with such men may make HIV infection more likely," said Dr. Ellen.

The study is entitled "Young Black Males’ Conflict between Masculinity and Homosexuality: Implications for HIV Risk." The researchers include Dr. David J. Malebranche of the Emory University School of Medicine. The sample is not large but it provides some qualitative and empirical findings that confirms what many in the Black LGBT community have suspected all along: Black gay men have a have very strong cultural and sexual preference for aggressve "masculine"  men. More in weeks to come on R20 and an interview with the study authors.

A recent Centers for Disease Control study of more than 8,100 MSM found almost one in three Black MSM are HIV positive, compared to only 16 percent of white gay/ and bisexual men. The numbers were even higher in some cities. Black poz MSM were least likely to be aware of their status—59 percent unaware vs.  26 percent for white MSM. The numbers for younger Black MSM are even more startling: 71 percent were unaware of their infection.

Some Background:
HIV a Rite of Passage for Young Black Gay Men?
1 in 3 Black Gay Men HIV Positive; 60% Unaware
"Alarming" HIV Rates Young Blk Gay Men in Miss.
CDC: 42% Black Gay Men in Milwaukee are HIV+
What PrEP Could Mean for Black Gay Men
Yolo Akili:"Are You the Kind of Man You Want?" HIV "Epidemic" Among Black Gay Chicago Men
CDC: Young Black Gays Hit Hardest by HIV Infections

READ: Is the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Good for Black America?

The second in our new four-part series for the Black AIDS Institute. How will health care reform and cutbacks in the AIDS Drugs Assistance Program impact Black, HIV positive gay/bisexual men and the Black community?

When the Obama administration released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) in July, it was described it as "one of the most anticipated moments" in the domestic fight against HIV/AIDS. The four-part plan re-focuses resources on the domestic epidemic and prioritizes Blacks and Black men who have sex with men. That means that Black people—especially Black gay/bi men, who have been decimated by the epidemic—stand to gain a lot.

For the series, we interview a cross-section of Black leaders on HIV/AIDS, including the Center for Disease Control's Dr. Kevin Fenton, Dr. David Malebrance, former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and more. Read the first part HERE. Read the second part HERE.

READ: Is the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Good for Black America?

The first in our new four-part series for the Black AIDS Institute.

When the Obama administration released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) in July, it was described it as "one of the most anticipated moments" in the domestic fight against HIV/AIDS. The four-part plan re-focuses resources on the domestic epidemic and prioritizes Blacks and Black men who have sex with men. That means that Black people—especially Black gay/bi men, who have been decimated by the epidemic—stand to gain a lot.

For the series, we interview a cross-section of Black leaders on HIV/AIDS, including the Center for Disease Control's Dr. Kevin Fenton, Dr. David Malebrance, former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Robin Stanback Stevens and many more. Read the first part HERE.