Why You Should Cancel Your Andrew Christian Subscription

It is officially Pride season, and we're all ready to show off our summer bodies, but if you're a gay male shopping for your next swimsuit, you may want to consider your options, as the leading gay apparel line, Andrew Christian, is once again facing online backlash for insensitive advertising. Specializing in underwear, swimwear, and sportswear, Andrew Christian has remained one of the best-known brands for gay men across the globe since the company was founded in 1997. As a company within the LGBTQ community, there is an expected level of diversity for the brand, so when its newest campaign was launched with a contradictory photo, many took issue with the lack of diversity among the models.      

Featuring six men, the ad was intended to promote the business's recognition and inclusion of larger-than-average-bodied men. While the brand should be applauded for a step towards inclusiveness and body positivity, based on the models featured, many were quick to call out the brand for numerous issues in the ad. One Twitter user surmised, "Where do we start? The lack of any actual diversity? The four gym-fit guys in this ad of all ads? No, actually, let's start with the fact that they put the one big guy in a jock that doesn't even fit. Flop." 

 

Aside from this, there are also multiple racial issues. First, the only nude models featured are men of color. This subliminal messaging plays into fetishism, a significant problem for men of color. Fetishism uses a person's race to fulfill sexual fantasies and implies sexual stereotypes. For example, the media has perpetuated the stereotype of Black men as hypersexualized and aggressive through the mandingo reference. Secondly is the issue of colorism, with many believing the campaign's use of AAVE could have been complemented by the inclusion of darker-skinned models from the African-American community. Despite featuring three men of color, they all fall onto the lighter side of their respective races, prompting many to question the choice of models. Thanks to colonialism, colorism has impacted all communities of color with the belief that individuals of darker complexions are less desirable. Colorism perpetuates harmful stereotypes and can lead to discrimination and self-esteem issues among individuals with darker skin tones. The only way to combat colorism is for companies and businesses to begin and continue to feature people of darker shades from all races and ethnicities. 

An Uncomfortable Outing w/ Daniel Bellomy

The subject of sexuality remains a hot-button issue for many, especially in Hollywood. In the age of the unapologetic gay celebrity, there now seems to be a presumed sexual comfort that everyone on the LGBT spectrum must exude at all times. A perfect example of this gross understanding can be seen with actor Daniel Bellomy's recent interview with Flip the Script Podcast. 

Recently, the Power actor visited the podcast to discuss his newfound fame and stardom. With his meme-worthy character portrayal and becoming a household name, everyone wants to know about the young actor and what may be next on his career path. A typical, albeit messy, interview question that is often asked is, "Are you dating or seeing anyone?" However, host QueenzFlip rubbed many viewers the wrong way with his line of questioning,

Watching the video made me feel like I was back in middle school when a male family member would ask, "You have a girlfriend? "No? Why not? What's wrong with you?" As an out and proud member of the LGBT community, even I have my moments of regression, so I relate with Bellomy all too well.

I'm sorry Bellomy had to experience this moment and public outing before he was ready. Since the clip emerged, the host has defended the segment, arguing that viewers are overreacting since Bellomy never felt disrespected. Despite Bellomy's verbal reassurance, the actor is visibly uncomfortable in the video. Thankfully, since the interview, Bellomy has been met with a wave of love and online support.

Chucky Kills in Onscreen Diversity

When it comes to diverse characters, there is always room for more, and who knew the next great addition to television royalty would come from a television series based on a movie franchise from the 80s. Despite being a horror fan when I heard the news "Child's Play" was rebooted as a television series, I was skeptical of its potential success. However, after the core four episodes, my faith in horror television is restored. From its inception, "Child's Play" has always had a way of resonating with queer viewers, with fans finally being rewarded with LGBT characters such as Glenda and Nica from the movie series. And now, thanks to the series, America is seeing one of the first portrayals of an adolescent Black LGBT character.

The series introduces the character Devon, portrayed by actor Bjorgvun Arnarson, as a potential love interest to the series protagonist. His introduction offers an authentic look into a struggle many LGBT youths face with realizing and accepting their sexuality. Many of us remember how difficult it was to navigate family expectations while also seeking to be our true selves. Unfortunately, there weren't many Black LGBT characters displayed on television twenty years ago, and it was rarer for a character to be under the age of 18. While the depiction of black male LGBTQ characters on television has grown over the years, a large majority of these characters are always adults who are either dealing with: hypersexuality, bisexuality, repressed sexuality, or family drama because of the character's sexuality with no further exploration beyond. Notable examples include the character Curtis from the CW series Arrow, the Black cisgender men from FX's Pose (Ricky, Pray to Tell, and Damon), and the character Ambrose from the Netflix series the Misadventures of Sabrina.

Seeing a character who happens to be black, gay, and a fan of horror on television resonated with my inner child. The character positively sets a precedent on television as a first. Hopefully, this will help lead to a new wave of diverse characters and series. The series is certified 96% fresh by Rotten Tomatoes and is quickly gaining more fans with every new episode. Now that Halloween has passed, the true test of the show's creativity to keep viewers invested begins.

Who are some other Black LGBT characters that you feel have been presented authentically throughout the years?

Christian Keyes Is An Artist Not Ally.

While it's no secret that Hollywood loves casting heterosexuals to portray homosexual characters, one would think that most, if not all, actors who take on these roles would be 100% secure with their sexuality. Unfortunately, even in 2019 the male heterosexual ego remains fragile as ever, as showcased by actor Christian Keyes recent rant on Instagram where he addressed the unwelcomed attention he receives from gay men on his social media accounts. Link to video below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br9tD4UgBMR/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=3kgpgytmez4e

 Aside from respecting his sexual preference, Keyes rant is damaging as it only further demonstrates the issues of casting non homosexuals to portray homosexual roles in film and television. As much as these actors respect others truths and appreciate the support the truth is often very few are allies of the LGBT Community. Surely Keyes knows he is not the first heterosexual male to be ogled and hit on by fans of the same sex. Heterosexual stars like actor Ryan Reynolds and R&B singer Tank are well known for embracing gay fans without taking offense to flirtatious behavior. Instead of ignoring male advances, or being flattered to receive them, Keys has to defend his fragile sexuality and in turn only alienates his fans and showcases a degree of homophobia.

The best thing Keyes could have done in this situation was to just ignore any and all messages received by males after all, at this point in his career any interesting opportunities wouldn't and shouldn't be presented via his inbox. Given that Keyes portrays a gay man on the CW series Legends of Tomorrow, one doesn't know how his comments will effect his work going forward considering Hollywood's low tolerance for any type of homophobia, no matter how blanketed they may be.

All About Pretty Boys

Growing up gay always comes with a set of unique problems, especially in small towns like Ashford, North Carolina. Homophobia and harassment at the hands of parents, peers, teachers, and residents were only tips of icebergs, and for years Jeffrey Booth encountered and endured such issues alone until it took an irreparable toll on him; his life. Pretty Boys is the beginning to a series of books chronicling the lives of four ordinary young high school boys whose worlds are disrupted after the death of their respective friend, classmate, lover, and neighbor, whose death begins a tumultuous search for the truth about his passing and the events that led to it. Considered a local tragedy, the only thing that is certain to almost everyone in town is Jeffrey’s sexuality brought on his circumstances.

             A coming of age novel, Pretty Boys focuses on many of the issues individuals in the gay community face daily at the hands of strangers, friends and family alike and the consequences they can produce. Issues of bullying, homophobia, violence, coming out, and learning self-acceptance and love are prevalent throughout the novel as the four protagonists each deal with their grief and the growth that follows. Soon they are faced with making the decision whether to allow Jeffrey to become a cautionary tale for the small quiet town, or to allow his passing to actually stand for something.

Pretty Boys features a variety of distinct characters who showcase the range within LGBT communities and the differences we each encounter growing up and dealing with our own sexuality. Terry the town’s newest resident, August the ostentatious socialite, Darrin the most popular kid in his class, and Demi the breakout star of the basketball team each are at different stages of realizing their sexuality. For some of us, we realize and embrace our uniqueness early in life, while others may take years to realize and accept. Ultimately there is a character for every reader, gay or straight, to relate to as the characters embark on their individual and collective journeys.

          Pretty Boys was originally featured on www.wattpad.com to help garner attention and an audience, but upon completion was removed for sales and distribution. The novel was self-published through www.lulu.com, and is also featured on Amazon.com and on Amazon kindle.

Breaking the Bond

The bond between a father and a child is a bond that is difficult to understand. Whereas a mother has 9 months to bond with a child and build a connection from conception, fathers must work a little harder at it. It is like a stranger meeting someone else’s child for the first time and accepting the responsibility to be their provider. The intent is there, but the bond must be forged. It is a difficult bond to understand and one that must be built over time with hard work and dedication. This was the case with Danny and Jason.

Danny had great dreams for Jason from the moment his son was born, and there was hardly ever an occasion where you would see one without the other. He planned to instill in him all the things a man should be and teach him important lessons such as never pick a battle but never run from a fight, treat women with respect but never be their doormat, repay all his debts, never make a promise he couldn’t keep and above all else be a man of his word. Unfortunately for Danny, the father's dreams are often unrealized by the child. His son, Jason, was a quiet and meek child. Short and thin in stature, he couldn’t catch a ball when it was thrown to him and had horrible hand-to-eye coordination. When he was ten, where most boys his age were outside running and tackling each other in a game of football, Jason spent his time indoors drawing, coloring, and keeping to himself. The only friends he cared to have were his two younger sisters.

Danny tried his best to understand his son but at times it became frustrating seeing him not fit in with the other boys around the neighborhood. He reached the height of his frustration one summer day when he convinced Jason to go outside with him to throw a baseball back and forth. Every ball he threw Jason missed or let slip away in such a way that to Danny it seemed like Jason wasn’t even trying.

“Come on Jason concentrate!” Danny yelled sternly.

“I’m trying!” Jason shouted back on the verge of tears.

“Stop that crying boy!” Danny snapped. “Now we gonna stay out here until you catch at least one ball.” Angrily, Danny pulled back, tightening his grip on the ball and releasing it nearly full forcefully striking Jason in the chin. No sooner than he released the ball did Danny realize what he had done and rushed to comfort his son. Quickly rushing him into the house and examining the bruise. After that day he never asked Jason to play baseball again.

The next time Danny’s anger caught him off guard and caused him to hurt his son occurred when Jason was twelve. Coming home from work he found Jason playing dress-up with the girls, wearing clip-on earrings and makeup smeared across his face. It was all fun for Jason, making it harder for him to understand when Danny whopped him uncontrollably. After that night Jason made sure to never let his father catch him playing dress-up ever again.

When Jason was fifteen he had a best friend by the name of Glover, whom he did everything with. Danny was ecstatic to see his son bond with another male and have a genuine friend. He encouraged the two to always be together until one night when Glover was sleeping over and Danny caught the two closely sleeping together in the same bed. Danny kicked Glover out of the house, telling him never to come back, and once again whopped Jason. Jason swore to never spend the night with another male ever again.

Once Jason turned eighteen, he moved out of his parent’s house and went away to school. When he was twenty-two he moved back home, worked to save money, and buy his own house. At twenty-five, he met a girl, dated her for six months, and by twenty-six he was married with his first child on the way.

Danny couldn’t be more proud of Jason, never knowing that his son dressed in women’s clothing and slept with men at night but lacked the courage to tell his father. To this day Jason still cannot catch a baseball.