Forgive me for what I am about to do. I will be discussing multiple topics in one post…but for me there is a method in the chaos which was caused by one question pertaining to my race and my homosexuality...
“Why should I support black businesses if the black community does not support me?”
I will somewhat take you through the synapses in my brain that were firing thousands of times per second that lead me to my conclusion. If you be patient with me, I promise I will tie up all the loose ends in my thought process.
First Thought
Black people are not respected in the United States and in many places around the globe. Without going too deep into the litany of reasons why this is, let me focus on one…Lack of Economic Power and Unity.
Second Thought
Racism has become institutionalized in the US and blacks (both gay and straight) suffer from it's affects.
However, since President Obama was elected, overt racism has returned front and center. From emails, to Twitter messages, to bumper stickers, to Facebook posts, to cartoons, billboards, feedback on websites, etc., the examples are many. Depictions of this President as a Muslim chimpanzee, chicken and watermelon eating coon have shown up everywhere. Along with jokes and overall nasty sentiments spewed by everyday citizens, judges, columnists, policeman and politicians.
This has recently escalated with the Republican primaries taking place and the murder of Trayvon Martin.
The 2012 Geneva Motor Show is over and as promised, some auto makers showcased their most extravageant and also unleashed some hot new concepts.
 Lamborghini Aventador J
One big difference between this Lamborghini and others is that with this one you will need a helmet.
That is because the Aventador J only has a low widescreen that protects you from the elements.
The J has a 6.5 liter V12 pushing it to 691 hp paired with a seven-speed automated manual gearbox. Yes it's hot!
 The above is a cartoon from editorial cartoonist and columnist David Horsey concerning the killing of teenager Trayvon Martin. The cartoon and column was featured in the March 23, 2012 edition of the LA Times. Read the full op ed here. I second Horsey's closing statement in his column..."Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, told a rally in New York City that this tragedy was not a matter of white and black, but a matter of right and wrong. That's generous. But it's hard to believe Trayvon Martin would be dead today if he had been just a white kid on his way home in the rain."
-Octavius
We're continuing our big changes here at Discreet City. Last week we launched our first of many INTERVIEWS, we unveiled our New Logo (featured at the top of the page) and added new Menu Bar Categories to make the content you're most interested in even easier to find. Today we're debuting DISCREET CITY TV! Here you'll find video interviews, reviews, films, debates and more! Our first video features an exclusive interview and performances by talented openly gay rapper Lasto, who we've featured before. Let us know what you think and if you'd be interested in more video content like this. DISCREET CITY TV
- Nick D
Celebrating Long Term Gay Relationships – Yes They are Possible!Discreet City | By Octavius Williams Well being honest there are not many representations or examples that we can refer too. Mainly for many reasons that have been discussed in the posts above; however they are out there. For example, well known film makers and creators of the "DL Chronicles" Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear who have been together for well over 10 years. Also there is ESPN sports writer and CNN contributor LZ Granderson who is currently in a long term relationship with his partner. My main objective of this post, future posts and interviews to come, is to celebrate long term homosexual relationships concerning men of color. I touched on this previously in my post “Looking for a Healthy Long Term Relationship” I would like to continue with this theme by sharing my own personal experience on the subject.
The Lesser Discussed Abominations of the BibleDiscreet City | By Octavius Williams
We all know the usual scripture quoted and drilled into our minds and consciousness; Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
But for some strange reasons (sarcasm) religious folk never talk about the other abominations in the Bible. Most likely because these lesser discussed and quoted abominations directly affect them. So below is a short list of a few that are never discussed on voting ballots as potential new constitutional amendments.
Leviticus 11:10 "But anything in the seas or the rivers that has not fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is an abomination to you. They shall remain an abomination to you; of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall have in abomination. Everything in the waters that has not fins and scales is an abomination to you."
"And these you shall have in abomination among the birds, they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, the kite, the falcon according to its kind, every raven according to its kind, the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk according to its kind, the owl, the cormorant, the ibis, the water hen, the pelican, the carrion vulture, the stork, the heron according to its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat."
(Yeah you can’t eat shrimp, lobster, calamari, chicken, turkey, or duck. Good bye Red Lobster and KFC)
HIV and Oral SexDiscreet City | By Octavius Williams
There is an ongoing lingering question amongst us and our readers and that question is if HIV can be spread through oral sex.
I mean we probably don’t know of anyone who uses a condom to get head and we never ever see condoms used in porn when it concerns oral sex. So of course the question prevails…"Can HIV be spread through Oral Sex"?
Well let me start with the information from the CDC…
Yes, it is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex, though it is a less common mode of transmission than other sexual behaviors (anal and vaginal sex). There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex. (Read more about risk percentages at the bottom).
Over the last two years the Greater Than AIDS organization has aggressively been promoting not only HIV testing, but also prevention and awareness amongst people of color as well. They've released countless television, print, billboard and online public service advertisements featuring everyone from everyday people to high profile celebrities. Excerpt from their website, GreatThan.Org: | The Greater Than AIDS movement responds to the AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular the severe and disproportionate epidemic among Black Americans. Through a national media campaign and community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to elevate the public’s knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.
Greater Than AIDS is about the power of individuals acting together to achieve a greater goal – in this case, reducing the spread of HIV. By stressing unity, hope and empowerment, Greater Than AIDS inspires each and every one of us – in our relationships, families and communities – to do our part to stem HIV/AIDS.
| | While the organization has highlighted testimonials from a wide range of Black and Latino men and women, the most "home hitting" ads for me featured MASCULINE MEN OF COLOR (both HIV positive and negative) briefly telling their stories of how HIV and being Gay has affected their lives.
These videos demonstrate not only that, for many masculine gay men, there is no definitive way to tell they are Gay and/or HIV positive...they also show that we all have very different stories, paths and complicated lives to lead.
| CHRIS
25 Years Old
Brooklyn, NY
Freelance Game Developer
HIV Negative
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| | DUANE
San Francisco, CA
Photographer/Business Consultant
HIV Positive
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This is totally a selfish post right here. I've always had a man-crush for singer John Legend. The home-schooled nerd is not only very attractive, he's also a talented singer, a fellow mid-westerner, the same age as me, bearded, very intelligent, very successful, charitable and seemingly has a great, humble personality. So when I (finally) had a chance to see the video for his new 'baby making' song, "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)", One thought ran through my mind: John Can Get It...Repeatedly.
My home could had been on fire but it wouldn't have mattered because I was mesmerized watching the video as he crooned: So what we gon' do now
Fuck it, round two now
Work it out, then we cool down
Cool down
Baby, tonight you need that
Tonight believe that
Tonight I'll be the best you've ever had
I don’t want to brag
I’ll be the best you’ve ever had As far as he's shown us, John Legend is very heterosexual with a preference for Caucasian women. However, when I see him in interviews, my Gay Spidey-Sense always starts tingling (in the crotch area, of course). So wishful thinking says he's bisexual at the least. I'd heard that Mr. John Roger Stephens had been putting time in the gym...his progress (and confidence) definitely shows as he gives us his first shirtless music video visuals. Hard to imagine this hotel-piano-lounge singer becoming a "sex symbol" but if this is the beginning I look forward to what the future holds. - Nick DCheck out the Music Video in question and see select screenshots of John Legend, In Just One Click.
THE DISCREET CITY MUSIC SERIES
A series of posts showcasing music by masculine Gay/Bisexual artists that we dig for one reason or another. We may give reviews of their work and occasional interviews but this is mainly just for awareness since many of you don't even know these musicians exist.  BONE INTELL
Originally from Buffalo, NY, but currently residing New Jersey openly Gay masculine hip hop artist Bone Intell has been persistent in his hustle to become a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop game.
Bone channels his tri-state rap forefathers with a distinctively east coast sound in both his lyrics and rhyme flow. I have to admit that you can't help but see a lot of potential in this young artist. In my research on Bone Intell, there was apparently a major label deal in the works that evaporated which caused him to consider marketing himself independently as a Gay artist to attract a niche fan base.
That was a courageous choice but in all honesty you'd be hard pressed to tell that he was gay by both his appearance and/or his music. Unfortunately, I feel that this is simultaneously an asset and a detriment to the artist.
Without the Gay angle, he risks coming across to the masses as just another "Myspace" indie rapper slinging mixtapes. This is less of a swipe at him but more of a result of the shear over saturation of internet musicians out there that sound too much alike.
To read my review and download Bone Intell's free mixtape, Click Here.
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