Living Out Loud with Darian

By Guest Writer L.T. Dinwiddie of O1LT.com

While the D.L. Chronicles has been successfully creating a strong buzz with the black gay community at local film festivals and pride weekends, as well as garnering national critical acclaim. There are still a lot of people who have yet to have the opportunity to take in the fantastic work of Creator, Director, and Producers Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett's, compelling stories of what its like to live on the DL. Well, now you’re wait is over as the “DL Chronicles” Season One comes to DVD in the very near future.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that the DL Chronicles is a series about men who live sexually duplicitous lifestyles. This remarkable sequence of episodes share with us four multi-dimensional characters Wes, Robert, Boo, and Mark as they struggle with their inner demons to live a “straight life” while trying to balance their attraction and desire to be with the same gender.

While the mainstream media has introduced the DL lifestyle as a man who just sleeps around with other married men, Quincy and Deondray successfully display the multiple layers that go into one’s decision to try and balance duo lifestyles.

As sensational as the storyline is this brand new DVD reminds us that these stories are human experiences and a human story that many, particularly in the African American Community, deal with on a daily basis.

In the first episode of [Chronicles] they tell the story of Wes Thomas (Darren Schnase), an upwardly mobile real estate banker who soon finds himself overwhelmed by the demands of his marriage, career, and closeted attraction to men. When Wes' sexy but ambivalent brother-in-law (Ty Vincent) stops in for an unexpected stay, he is faced with temptation and ultimately falls for the forbidden fruit.

The second episode delves into the story of Robert. A closeted talent agent (Terrell Tilford) falls for a hot health food store manager (Kareem Ferguson), 20 years his junior. What Robert fails to share is that he has a daughter, he convinces his lover to be a "client" of his. When Robert's new lover grows suspicious about his many secrets, a game of cat and mouse ensues.

Another episode tells the gripping story of Boo. Boo is an ex-convict, a mooch, and a player who lives his life on the DL. His girlfriend is fed up with Boo's cheating and kicks him to the curb. Boo's mother tells him it's time to settle down, but Boo is unfazed and continues having sex with multiple partners, including an unprotected romp with Deron, his neighborhood friend. But when shocking news rattles Boo, he is forced to reconsider his reckless life on the DL.

And the last one is the all too familiar story of Mark and Donte, a loving couple who have been living on the DL, are jolted by the unexpected arrival of Mark’s thuggish cousin, Terrell, who shows up at their house needing a place to crash. Desperate to keep their relationship a secret, Mark asks his boyfriend to pretend he’s straight. When Donte reluctantly agrees to play the part of Mark’s “roommate” for their new houseguest, a chain of humorous events unfolds, and Mark eventually comes to realize the ridiculous nature of living on the DL in their own home.

The DL Chronicles exhibits an accurate portrayal of the dynamics that men, particularly African American, are forced to deal with in our society. And while the term “DL “ draws passionate feelings from all walks of life. It’s great that we all finally get to see this part of the world as it truly.

The DL Chronicles, along with Here! is bringing these fantastic stories to DVD on February 5th. Make sure to go out and get your copy soon.

Check out this interview with the directors Quincy & Deondray courtesy of Jengo TV here.