How a Brush With Death Fueled Dr. Leo Moore’s Guide to Men’s Health
After surviving a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a routine surgery, Los Angeles-based physician and wellness advocate Dr. Leo Moore emerged with a renewed mission to empower Black men to proactively manage their health. His new book serves as a practical guide to screenings, self-care, and breaking long-standing barriers between men and the healthcare system.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Redefining Black Boyhood
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s portrayal of Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show redefined Black boyhood on television. Through Warner’s work, generations of Black boys, from all backgrounds, found permission to be complex and unapologetically themselves.
From Layoff to Lift-Off
After being laid off, Everett Long navigates the uncertainty by reflecting on his values and focusing on personal growth. His journey highlights the importance of redefining success beyond traditional career paths.
The Ones Who Live: 'Noah’s Arc' Returns to Meditate on Loss
Noah’s Arc: The Movie revisits the groundbreaking Black gay series two decades later to deliver a searing meditation on aging and loss centering the seldom-told experiences of middle-aged Black gay men.
From Tumblr to X To BlueSky: Online Spaces as Archives of Sexual Autonomy
Freak Twitter, a hidden in plain sight, digital space where Black queer men explore their sexuality and build supportive connections is more than just an outlet for adult content. Dr. Deion Hawkins discusses how this overlooked corner of the internet offers a unique avenue for self-discovery and connection.
Dennis Rodman Was the Queer Icon the NBA Wasn't Ready For
Dennis Rodman was a rebounding king and a style icon. He bent gender norms in the macho NBA of the 90s, hanging with Madonna & wearing dresses. But did his flamboyance change the game for LGBTQIA+ athletes, or was it just another Rodman spectacle?
The Black Queer Brilliance of 'Wicked'
Wicked's Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, shined new light on the story of prejudice and self-acceptance. In this piece, Dr. Deion Hawkins discusses how this casting choice illuminates the Black queer experience.
When Are We Accountable in the Nuanced Debate of Gay-Baiting
When Plaqueboymax’s (a heterosexual streamer) playful moment sparked talk of gay-baiting on Black Twitter, it raised tough questions about boundaries, expression, and accountability for both queer and straight communities online.
Rethinking Condom Use in HIV Prevention
Condom use among young Black gay men is declining as fear of HIV fades, PrEP access lags, and risk is underestimated. This is raising concerns about rising HIV diagnoses and highlighting the urgent need for renewed dialogue and targeted prevention.
Serving The Black Gay Papers: My Collection at the Auburn Avenue Research Library
Craig Washington discusses his archive at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, which preserves Black queer history, honors untold stories, community, and courage.
The Trial of Kaytranada
When Grammy-winning producer Kaytranada faced online backlash over his dating preferences, it spotlighted the complex pressures Black men face regarding who they date. Writer, Joshua Alston examines how public policing of private lives not only flattens individual identity but also risks harming the very communities seeking greater representation.
Black Dandyism and the Crisis Among Black Men—A Call for Change Beyond Fashion
As Black dandyism takes center stage, writer Eric Paulk explores the tradition's roots while calling for real change to address the mental health, education, and economic struggles plaguing Black men today.
Bridging The Ivory Tower: Spotlighting Significant HIV Research
As an academic, I was aware of numerous groundbreaking studies and scientific advancements related to HIV. Yet, even those actively involved in HIV advocacy outside academia were largely unaware of this research. This urgency drives me to bridge the gap between research and practice, to ensure that the brilliance of research is not confined to the Ivory Tower.
Remembering the "Power" of Queer Characters in One of Black America’s Most Watched Shows
in the Power universe, multiple Black queer characters are not caricatures or void of complexity. Instead, they are the core drivers of the plot and prompt character development for others. Their queerness is as apparent as their Blackness.
An On-Court Kiss: Magic, Isiah and the Politics of Black Masculinity in the NBA
As their teammates traded pre-game handshakes at center court, Johnson, an auto plant worker’s son from Lansing, Michigan, and Thomas, a native of Chicago’s hardscrabble West Side, stepped toward one another.
The best friends shook hands. Then they kissed one another on the cheek.
Atlanta Therapist Launches Online Community To Promote Black Mental Health
Atlanta psychotherapist Dr. Ed Garnes wears more hats than a pub coat rack. Healer. Educator. Community activist. Writer. Podcaster.
Despite such varied, complex interests, Garnes says his professional goal is quite simple. He wants to demolish the trope that Black people — specifically, Black men — don’t look after their mental health. He wants to make therapy cool.
Intentional Storyteller Doug Jones on Real Estate and “The Fantasies of Future Things"
Despite decades spent honing his skills in New York City’s cutthroat housing and economic development arena, then taking on Atlanta’s booming housing market, Doug Jones considers himself an accidental real estate agent. He considers himself a storyteller who happens to sell real estate.
The Last Closet: Reflecting On My Experience Inside of the Football Locker Room
When I was about 11 years old, my parents suspected I might be gay, and they decided to do something about it.
Letter From Home
I do not want to disappoint God, Mississippi, or home with this letter, but I have to disappoint God, Mississippi, and home with this letter. I am currently succumbing to evil.
Creating Safe Spaces for Black Queer Youth in Schools: You Don’t Have to Do It All, But You Should Do Something
As a Black queer teacher with over 10+ years of teaching across various cultures, including in the Midwest, East Coast, Appalachia, and at an HBCU in the South, I wanted to provide a road map/examples of how teachers of all sorts can intentionally create spaces where Black queer students thrive.