More of the same

Hot damn its been 3 months since my last post. I haven't updated my blog in a while mainly because I wasn't really sure, how personal I still wanted this space to be. But you know what fuck it I got shit to say and this is my space to say it.

It's currently 2:31am and I just got back in from sitting in front of cops with my aunt waiting for answers about my little cousin who just got arrested. about an hour ago I was laying in my bed when I heard the too familiar sound of the police officer knock. All those who've had police come knocking at their door for one reason or another knows exactly what it sounds like. Anyway 2 female police officers come in asking for my aunt and tell me that my cousin just got arrested I later find out that its for possession with an intent to sell. So not only is it a felony, but apparently they're not going to let him out until his court date.

These are all the details and while they're important that's not what bothers me. If I'm being completely honest I knew my lil cousin was selling drugs. When you would ask him he would always say know, but my entire family recognized the signs. But, his mother isn't exactly the best example for not being involved in illegal activities considering her boyfriend is one of the biggest drug dealers in our neighborhood. I know the reasons why my cousin has fallen into gang life, dealing and using drugs, its largely due in part to my aunt being so messed up herself she hasn't really put in the time and love into raising her son, and no matter how much the rest of my family pours love into my nephew it can't compare to getting it from his mother. As I write this I find myself needing to justify and defend my nephew and his actions, but fuck all of that. He's my baby, I was one of the first people to watch him as a baby. I've grown up with him and seen him through so many different phases in his life. So despite all of his bad decisions he's still my man man. My little cousin who I hold near and dear to my heart and the idea of him sitting in prison scares the shit out of me, because he's my baby. I know he's no saint and was definitely in the wrong, but as I sit here all I'm wondering is, is he scared? Is he ok? Is he getting picked on and beat up? Why can't we go and get him? I was getting so hopeful about him lately. I've been seeing more of him and he wasn't looking as depressed as he has in the past. I was thinking finally he's coming around. He's going to be alright and then he gets arrested. We have a family reunion coming up in August and last night I had a dream about my whole entire family hanging out and having a good time and he was there. But now he's most likely not going to be at the reunion. He's most likely not going to get off with just probation he's going to do time and that scares me. Because despite his tough exterior my cousin is very sensitive, and I don't know if he's strong enough for jail.

It was just so surreal standing out there waiting on word with so many others similarly waiting for word. Some just nosey and some there for support, but what really pissed me off was just how common this scenario is. The crying mother, women in their nightgowns and head scarves, all arms crossed starring daggers at police who just view us more of the same.

Letter to my former friend on the anniversary of her mother’s death

Letter to my former friend on the anniversary of her mother’s death,

I don’t know what to say to you. We were really close and I trusted you more than I do most people. I let you in where I hadn’t anyone else; I took a chance with you and our group of friends and you more than others. We were friends, we were sisters I relied on you, and needed you. But, you couldn’t be there for me 100% . You wanted to pick and choose which parts of me you acknowledged and befriended and I can’t handle that, and it kills me. I really miss you, there are so many jokes no one else gets and so many times you helped me through that I could definitely use you for now in my life. But, a lot of those situations involve women, women who are Queer like me, who love other women like me, and I know you don’t want to be involved in those situations. I know you won’t go with me to a pride celebration or a random discussion or documentary. When I find the love of my life, we can’t express our love in front of you without you being uncomfortable. I wanted to be auntie to your kids, but will you allow your kids to come over my house? Can my partner and I sleep in the same bed at your house? I know that the answers to these questions aren’t the ones that I want to hear. Because of all these things we can’t be friends. I wish it was different, I wish I could talk to you about the girl I met that I think is hot, but I can’t. I know your faith comes above everything else and your faith does not permit you to “encourage” my lifestyle. So our friendship has to end.

Despite all this, I still love you like a sister and I loved your mother like she was my blood. I grieved when I first heard about her death, and I grieved even more when I saw the hurt on your face. So because I loved her so much I couldn’t let her day she died past another year without saying something to you, because I know she wanted us to look after each other. So that’s why I contacted you, but I just can’t handle dealing with our issues anymore. I can’t handle you saying you want to hear from me, because you can’t handle all of me.

Heathen

Its Sunday and I'm home, not going to church just like I haven't gone in the past few months. I didn't even go to church on Easter Sunday. That's the first time in many many years that I haven't even gone to church on Easter and I wonder how did I get to this point. I used to be such a super Christian, I used to be in Church more often than not, Church was my life. Now here I am a few years later and I'm not going to church at all. I miss going to church I really do, but the fact is that church is no longer a place to find peace for me, its just another place on the long list of places that give me anxiety.

I guess that's what happens when you're so deeply entrenched in the Christian community and you see all the homophobia and then you come out. Because no matter what anyone says I was there, I know what people say behind closed doors. I know that I could walk into most churches and I would be greeted graciously, but they'd be praying for my deliverance from homosexuality. Hell, some of my friends right now are praying for me to be delivered. So yeah, I've become a heathen. I'm not afraid to learn and respect other faiths even :gasp: ones with multiple deities. I don't know if I'll ever go back to church, but I want to, only time will tell.

Friday Lustfulness

Its been a while since I've featured a beautiful woman on my site. So to set your weekend off right, here's someone I've been lusting after for a while. None other than the beautiful and intelligent Melissa Harris-Lacewell.

She first came to my attention when she murdered Gloria Steinem in a debate on Democracy Now! It was so beautiful she definitely represented for Black feminists everywhere. She's since been on Rachel Maddow and a million other places spreading her knowledge and beauty. You can catch her on her blog or follow her on Twitter, which I highly suggest...she's funny too! ::swoon::

The Other Side of Paradise

I just finished Staceyann Chin's memoir and it was amazing, as donyea would say that's the most beautifulest story I've ever read. After finishing it I want to give her a hug and not out of a sense of pity but I think I want the hug more for me. She makes me feel like everything is going to be alright, like I can do this crazy thing called life. I don't even know what to say, I don't know how to accurately capture the way I'm feeling. While I was reading much of her story I just couldn't believe that one person could go through so much and still be so amazing. When I saw her at the reading she oozed poise, confidence sexiness and so much more. I sat there in awe of her as a human being and a black lesbian and a survivor. She's just so fucking amazing (which I realize I've said 10 times before). While I've never been abandoned by both parents her story speaks to me. I don't even think it's her story as much as it's her voice. Reading her words and thoughts I got it, I understood her, I saw me.

Her book only goes up to her leaving Jamaica, and I wanna say that I understood or sympathized with her feelings about leaving home and taking control over her life but I more than I understood I felt her words as much as I felt my own when I finally left home. I don't know how to talk about it anymore than I already have but I really want to hug her, for me to know that she's real and she really made it.

So run don't walk and get the book, it's amazing!

Why I still get Starstruck

Friday my wonderful new friend invited me to this Queer party, and I said sign me up lol. What she didn't tell me was that Olive and Hanifah were going to be there, and you all know how star struck I get. I know, I know they're normal people and my friend has confirmed this to me since she actually knows them, but I still can't help it. The party in general was really good for me in more than just fulfilling the need to get out.

When I got there one of the first people I saw was Hanifah and, I couldn't speak (typical of me). I wasn't prepared to see Hanifah right outside the door or run into Olive inside. It's hard to put it all into words but that night was great on so many levels so much about that party felt right and running into 2 of the people who literally helped me through it all was a little too much to handle. Olive didn't make it any better by complimenting me on my gap, which I actually hate, but she made me feel good about it which is rare, because have I mentioned I absolutely hate my gap. I started to think about why I still get starstruck by them, and I realized that its going to be a while until I'm not completely starstruck by them.

When I was in KY I was so lonely and I was trying to figure out what it means to be Black gay and female. I literally was coming out while I was in Kentucky to almost everyone in my life. When I got there, there were only about 2 people who knew that I was gay. In hindsight coming out in Kentucky wasn't the best idea since I had no support system down there and the friends I made, while all Queer friendly were all straight. I had no one to talk about what I was through with that could really understand. So like any woman in the 21st century I relied on the Internet , I watched vlogs and read blogs for my sense of community and direction. They were my lifeline and hope that there was something out there beyond my small world in KY. So I soaked it all in , I learned about my community from vlogs the most important being UPeople. I consumed everything they put out and sighed with a deep yes, it felt right. In my crazy time in KY so little felt right and made sense but when I was alone in my apt feeling like a freak I could go online and find some sense of self, and community.

This path of self discovery and being comfortable with myself definitely isn't finished, especially since I feel like everything about Kentucky inhibited me from embracing myself completely. So when I moved back and subsequently to Brooklyn, I began to soak up everything I could in Black Queer life, and its been great so far. So when I see Olive and Hanifah out or at one of their events, I know they're regular people that you can just go up and say hi to. I have once in the past (the only time I've had the courage), but its still hard. I was so excited just from the whole night and especially seeing Olive and Hanifah, that I was giddy. My brother thought I was drunk when I came in. After when he realized I wasn't and was talking about it. He had a perfect analogy for it. He said it was like a young MC and just me Jay Z lol, and he's right.

So yeah its really hard for me to just be all laid back and casual when I see people, who literally helped me get through the hell known as Kentucky. Also how do you say this someone without sounding all overdramatic and crazy. So yes, I will absolutely still get starstruck, because that's just not something you get over too quickly.

Oh and have I mentioned that they are two of the most beautiful women I've EVER seen. I'm just saying so in this spirit you should also vote for them for AfterEllen's Hot 100 and 10 Hottest Women of Color.

I'm Going On

Damn its been almost 2 months since my last post. So sorry my dear blog friends. A lot has been going on with me these past few months, and I'm in the mood to share lol. You're going to have to forgive me, but I can already see that this is setting up to be an extreme stream of consciousness post, so bare with me.

About a month ago, I finally got tired of being miserable and depressed all the time and decided to do something about it. I entered therapy and I have to say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Its really helping. I searched for a nice Black Queer therapist and found an amazing one that I really get along with. Because nothing sucks more than going to a therapist that annoys the hell out of you. My therapist is fucking HOT I'm just saying lol. But, I stopped crushing on her about 2 weeks ago lol. Anyway therapy is a completely new experience for me, because I get to go in a room for an hour every week and talk about myself, and its good but also so weird. Its a rare occasion that WOC allow ourselves the time and the space to be vulnerable and feel everything we're feeling. So I go into the little room and I talk and I'm affirmed and its a fuckin' crazy experience. Today as I left therapy I realized that I was feeling lighter than I was when I walked in. I'm happy that I bit the bullet and got some help and you know what I think that I might actually be alright.... some day lol.

Ladies and gentlemen I finally made a Queer friend that lives near me, I know I know Amazing right. I met her at this training for Community Organizers at the Audre Lorde Project (which side note they're amazing!) and we've been chilling and she's great. Its great to be able to talk to someone who just gets a lot of shit you're going through. We're complex people so not everyone is going to get you all the time, but I feel like my Queer side has been a little neglected and I feel like its getting the necessary attention now.

I have so many posts that aren't completed up here on my dashboard, so I've been thinking of posting, but now I'm finally getting to it. Don't worry I'll be lusting more soon to share with you all, but I just needed to write and get this out. I'm remembering more why I started this blog I needed a place where I can get out a lot of the thoughts in my mind, and I've missed this so I'm going to be blogging more. So stay tuned.

Here's Gnarls Barkley's video for Going On, why? Because its a great song, video and listening to them got me to finally complete a post

Gnarls Barkley - Going On
Uploaded by zegonzag

oh p.s. I'm 25 now !!! Watch out now! lol

Reconnecting

Hey look a real post!

I grew up with two sisters and an older brother. My mom has four kids so technically I'm not a middle child, but among my sisters I'm in the middle. But, my father had another daughter about a year and a half after my younger sister was born. The first time I met her, I was 7 and she was 3. We took pictures in the hallway of her mother's apartment and then we left. That was also the first time I heard about her. The next time I saw her she was 12 and all about N'Sync and the Backstreet boys. Now that I'm older I decided to look her up and I found her on facebook (who says facebook is pointless). I sent her message after she added me and we've been talking back and forth trying to get to know eachother, and I feel good about it. She's so young and just cute she tells me about her day and her plans for the weekend.

I'm hopeful about our relationship, but what scares me is I'm not out to anyone on my father's side. I practically never see them and the only one I really care about is my grandmother and she's old and very catholic and I don't want to risk being disowned in her final years. So now I'm wondering how to proceed with my sister, you can begin to assume that I'm gay from my facebook page, and I want to have an open honest relationship with her, but I don't want to be out to my father's side who she's closer with. So I'm not sure how to proceed, but for now I'm enjoying being reconnected with my sister.

Monday lust on Wednesday again

Late again, but this week I get my inspiration from Top Chef and no I'm not lusting after Carla, even though she has won over my heart. I'm lusting after the beautiful Padma Lakshmi.

Monday lust on Wednesday

Okay so as some of you may know my niece was born on Friday, so I haven't been able to post like I wanted to. Anyway so who am I lusting after on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and pretty much any day of the week. The beautiful Rosario Dawson.... let the drooling commence.

Monday lust

So in honor of her getting an Oscar nomination the subject of my monday lustfulness is the beautiful Tarajii P. Henson. She's soo fine! Has anyone seen The Curious case of Benjamin Button? It's definitely on my to see list.

Serious Post

Okay its time for a very serious post! Me and my brother are in a very heated argument about who is hotter Angela or Vanessa Simmons.

I strongly believe Angela is a million times hotter than her sister Vanessa, but my brother thinks Vanessa is hotter and he says the world agrees with him. So world tell me your opinion Angela or Vanessa

Angela

or Vanessa

More Angela

and More Vanessa

Monday lust

Another Monday lust, I don't know if this is going to be a regular thing, but let's try, even though this is a late monday post but my Monday lust of this week is none other than the beautiful Zoe Saldana.

Monday lust

Because Laura Luna and QQ got me thinking about all these beautiful women I decided to post pictures, of one of the many loves of my life lol Michelle Rodriguez.

Dear Mr. President

With everyone asking Obama some serious questions I want to ask him so random, questions. So here's my list.

1. What would you do if aliens landed on US soil?
2. How do you feel about the name Baracka and Barackaniqua?
3. White, wheat or potato bread?
4. favorite alcoholic beverage?
5. What do you call Michelle when no one's listening?
6. How do you REALLY feel about Dubya?
7. Halle Berry or Sanaa Lathan?
8. Do you eat pork?
9. If you could curse out any political pundit who would it be?
10. who would you go gay for?
    

Me and the Church

I was not raised in the church. I started going to church in my early teens, and at the time it was exactly what I needed. I really go into church and got saved when I was 15 years old. At that time I was dealing with an abusive drug addicted step father that brought chaos with him wherever he went. The church was my sanctuary truly, I would go to church and just feel God there and feel safe. I was committed to reading my bible everyday, praying for every one's salvation and preparing for the rapture. I felt so safe and secure and it really steadied me in a lot of ways. But, with my involvement in Church came a lot of shame about everything about me. I was so ashamed that I lusted after women and didn't after men. I would pray all the time for God to take these evil feelings away from me. I active tried to pursue the man that I felt God had planned on me even when I felt absolutely nothing for them. I felt completely numb around them and I constantly questioned what was wrong with me, but I just didn't see any other options.

While I was in college I was very involved in the evangelical student group and put up with a lot of shit from them because we were all God fearing Christians. But, college also exposed me to all different types of people and the hardest to deal with were the few out and proud Queer people on campus, because they were a constant reminder of the lie that I was living. So during my senior year I struggled greatly with my faith, I was starting to feel disconnected because everything I had learned while in church was that God hated homosexuality, oh he loved homosexuals but hated the evil behavior, and I was terrified. I've been to so many different church services where the preacher preached so vehemently against queer people, did altar calls, calling for queer people to come up and be delivered from their wicked ways. So as I was dealing with my sexuality all of this came back to me just telling me that God didn't love me and I was evil.

Clearly I have come to embrace and accept me, wholly and completely, but I still have issues. I have been to queer churches and I know that the words of a many preachers don't accurately reflect God's word. I'm sure that God still loves me, but it's hard when you're constantly being bombarded by gay hating preachers. I realized at the Kwanzaa celebration church is no longer a safe space for me anymore, and that makes me sad. I miss church I want to go back a lot of times, but I feel like I've grown and changed so much and I'm not sure that I fit anymore. When I was hard in to the church I didn't want to hear about any other faith systems because mine was the only one. But, now I respect so many other faiths and have no problem integrating aspects of them into my own life. I have friends that are pagan and I don't see them burning in a fiery hell. Before in church I was taught that anything that isn't exactly in line with Christianity is the work of the devil. But its hard for me now, because I find myself uncomfortable in some Christian situations, not like before, and it honestly makes me worried sometimes. But, I don't know I just don't feel safe anymore in these situations. I don't feel that unconditional love I used to. I know this has a lot to do with me because not all churches are anti gay and homophobic, but just on the everyday its hard.
So this is where I'm at, and I don't know where I'm going but I just needed to get this out.

All trolls be warned your comments will be deleted. You know who you are.

Gay, straight songs

Have you ever heard a song that was written by a hetero for a hetero audience but it just sounded like a gay song? The first time I heard Amos Lee's in the arms of a woman, I just thought it sounded really gay (in the best way of course). Anyway judge for yourself





Really gay right? Can't you picture a lesbian singing this at Michfest?

Kwanzaa with the Community

So last night I went to the Kwanzaa celebration at the gay and lesbian center in NYC. I wasn't sure if I was going to go at first. I didn't have the back up of one of my friends at first, but I decided that it was a chance to get out and be among other LGBT POC, and maybe meet a nice lady but that was secondary ;-) . Anyway when I got there it was absolutely packed and I got one of the most awkward spots in the whole place, right in the middle of an aisle. But, as I sit down I look up and I see Olive and Hanifah and damn near passed out. Hanifah was one of the first performers and not only did she tear the place up but she looked absolutely gorgeous. I was almost drooling. Then Olive talked about Kujichagulia, and I'm not gonna lie I was a little over zealous in my clapping i felt when she came on, so I was a little more subdued when she went off. But they seriously have to be the most beautiful couple ever. It's very rare that you think both people in the couple are hot, but that's besides the point, back to the celebration. The performers were amazing, but what I loved more than anything is that I know that when Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa his idea of African people celebrating Kwanzaa didn't included LGBT people, but during the whole celebration the presenters continued to affirm us as Black people and as queer people and it was beautiful. It was so refreshing.

My only complaint was that it seemed a very Christian influenced program. I'm a Christian and I don't really have a problem with people talking about Jesus, but not everyone is Christian and that should be respected also. But actually the Christian presence actually really worked for me and made me feel comfortable. I've found myself uncomfortable lately in heavily Christian situations, and even in church and I couldn't figure out why. Last night made me realize that church wasn't a safe space for me anymore. It used to be I used to love being in church, but after I came out that went away because a lot of the negativity I heard and always feeling like an outsider. Then last night when I was the ultimate insider I felt completely safe. So its definitely a step forward for me. So all in all it was a great night, and I'm glad I went.

My escape

It's 4:30 in the morning, and I'm still up, and I have no good reason why. The truth is that I just finished a book that I just started. It's the fourth book in the Anita Blake series, what can I say I'm hooked. My mother is getting concerned that I like reading so many sci-fi novels. She thinks I'm on my way to becoming a pagan. Now I would like to tell her that I've met many a nice pagan and being pagan is not like what you hear about it, but I figure that wouldn't make her feel any better, so she can just keep on thinking I'm on my way to becoming a witch. A lesbian and a witch, it's a little cliche isn't it? Anyway, what my mom doesn't get is that I'd much rather read a book that centers around something so far out of our everyday reality where the good guys always win, because who wants to be reminded about how shitty this world is all the time. So instead of that I read books about our current time, but the majority of the issues come from the fact that we've got vampires, zombies, ghouls and other supernatural creatures running around, not because George W. Bush has been our president for the past 8 years. These novels are my escape from reality, what's yours?

Late night vanity

I just finished retwisting my hair and I'm feeling hot so I decided to share a pic of my locs. I'm really happy about they're progress.