 Since the 2019 debut of his album, A Man Born Black, Mykal Kilgore has swooned into the hearts of thousands of fans across the world. The award-winning Broadway performer, who is proud to be both Black and gay, is using his voice to share his truths to any listening ear and an open heart. Nominated “Outstanding New Artist” for the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Kilgore is compared to such artists as Billie Holiday, Donnie Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, and others. His single, “Let Me Go,” delivers a soulful, relatable ballad, creating an anthem for many in the world. The single landed on five Billboard charts and #2 on iTunes. “This album was my opportunity to be transparent, unapologetic, and intentional about the life that I live,” shared Kilgore. “I am very thankful to those who have welcomed me and my music.”
Kilgore announced his 2020 Born Black tour - a seven-city tour that will stop in New York, Atlanta, Annapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati. During this time, fans will witness this powerhouse performer who has worked under the tutelage of GRAMMY®, Emmy, and Tony award winner, Billy Porter. Kilgore is becoming a shining star in the theater world as well, taking part in such productions as Motown the Musical, Book of Mormon, Hair, NBC’s The Wiz Live, and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. Kilgore is known for his viral video, inspired by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, “Reclaiming My Time.” For more information on Mykal Kilgore, his music, and tour, visit www.mykalkilgore.com.
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 Circus of Books The three-decades-long bookstore, Circus of Books, an LGBTQ space where people could go to socialize and celebrate, is about to close. The real story behind this 35+-year-old business is the people who run it. Karen and Barry Mason, a straight married couple with three children, made Circus of Books a staple in Los Angeles and America’s biggest distributors of gay porn. Artist and daughter, Rachel Mason, in her debut documentary, discovered more about the parents she thought she knew and about the business her family refused to disclose the nature of for years. Circus of Books is a moving, thought-provoking film that not only talks about the rise and fall of a family business but what it did for a community and how it caused a family to experience different situations in the LGBTQ community.  The Surrogate Jess Harris, a 29 year old web designer for a nonprofit in Brooklyn, is ecstatic to be the surrogate and egg-donor for her best friend, Josh, and his husband Aaron. Twelve weeks into the pregnancy, a prenatal test comes back with unexpected results that pose a moral dilemma. As they all consider the best course of action, the relationship between the three friends is put to the test.  The Second Life of Jamie P
Sometimes we discover who we are later in life. For Jamie Peebles, it came at age 63, when she realized she was living life in the wrong body. Refusing to live in fear, Jamie decided to share her truth and be the person she was meant to be. The Second Life of Jamie P follows her emotional, revelatory, and sometimes funny year-long transition with her friend, Director Roger Sherman.  Michael Alago is a prime example of a gay person of color living the American dream. The man who signed Metallica released his new book, “I am Michael Alago: Breathing Music, Signing Metallica, Beating Death.” The autobiography takes a look into his life and his passion for music. It also shares how he consistently beat the odds. Alago survived the AIDS epidemic and overcame addiction. He is one of the music industry’s celebrated success stories. Alago is also the feature topic in the Netflix documentary, “Who The F**K Is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago.” He’s proven to be a role model for those in the LGBTQ community and is a proud example of strength - following his dreams despite all the obstacles. Building a music career with such artists as Cyndi Lauper and Nina Simone, Alago left it all behind to pursue his other love: photography. “I am Michael Alago: Breathing Music, Signing Metallica, Beating Death” is an inspiring telling of a man who continues to live life to the fullest and takes stock on how it came to be. Paperback: 261 pages Publisher: Backbeat Books https://www.amazon.com P&E Must Reads
 Visibility. Merriam and Webster's Dictionary define it as “the capability of being readily noticed.” To be seen - Now, more than ever, the LGBTQ+ community is rallying the battle cry of being seen. Seen in our places of business and employment. Seen in spaces of cis-gendered, hetero normality. Seen in our own families. While we are making tremendous progress in this mission, we are still sometimes missing the mark within our community. Through generational conditioning, we have created sects and different subgroups within the community to offer a sense of identity and belonging. From “bears” to “otters” and “twinks” to “muscle daddies,” affiliations have long been a way to solidify a sense of self in a community with so many beautiful colors. But it is in these groups that we also cultivate a sense exclusivity and exclusion rather than inclusion.
In my lifetime, I have been to many a bar that wasn’t the most welcoming to me because I didn’t fit the usual clientele. Furthermore, being rendered as invisible because of the color of my skin. One would think, that in 2020, ideas of racism in a community fighting for the same liberties their cis-gendered counterparts receive, would jettison any notion of non-acceptance of any group of people. But, sadly, that’s not the case. From profiles on dating apps that display preferences of no fems, blacks, or chubs. To a myriad of micro-aggressive behaviors that litter our community. We are letting the very poison that is being slung at us to be an ever-present way of life. Social media has perpetuated these behaviors. Anyone with a smartphone, internet, and a keyboard can hide under a banner of anonymity - spewing hate and vitriol relentlessly, with often a curated audience, to reinforce the said activity. I get it. You like what you like. More times than not, like attracts like. As humans, we find comfort in the familiar and similar. The attraction is not immune to that basic human instinct. But we have to try our best to see and embrace our differences. We are all trying to survive, like when The Avengers assembled to fight Thanos. Heroes of different strengths and powers came together for the greater good - to fight a greater evil. Together, they were stronger. The same goes for our community. We are fighting for our lives - literally. We are more alike than we like to think. How can we ask for acceptance and be “seen” when we chose not to see our brothers and sisters?” When we turn a blind eye to our trans brothers and sisters, or shame one of our own because he “doesn’t have a summer body?” Or when we discount the voices of our black brothers and sisters and other people of color. I write this not to point a finger at anyone, but as a reminder to myself and others. When we heal and move forward with love and true authentic acceptance, regardless of socio-economic class, body type, background, and life path, we can be "seen" in a powerful light - seen standing in our power as a community. Generations fought hard and gave their lives for our community to be as brilliant as we are today. Resilient, unmovable, and steadfast are words that come to mind when I think of the magnificent qualities of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we will continue to fight for what is rightfully ours. Together - stay safe and be well. Jason J. Carter is a Host, Producer, Journalist, and Television Personality. He is the creator of JasonUnleashed and appears on such shows as ET Live, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and The Young Turks. Learn more at JasonUnleashed.net. |
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