Living Out Loud with Darian

It's that time of the week again. There's a lot of interesting stories in the news and here are a few that I think are must reads.

CNN Presents: Black In America - CNN



CNN Presents: Black in America continues with "The Black Woman & Family." Soledad O'Brien explores the varied experiences of black women and families and investigates the disturbing statistics of single parenthood, racial disparities between students and the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS. O'Brien reports on the progress of black women in the workplace and the status of the black middle class.

I'm saving my thoughts on this highly anticipated series until it has come to an end. I must say that I was overjoyed that the usual gay bashing didn't occur when the topic of HIV/AIDS among black women and the increasingly high rate of unmarried black women well into their 40's was discussed.

Tonight the series will examine black men. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.

Black, Gay Group Bridging Divide - Queerty



Racism and homophobia, some believe, are so completely and utterly different that drawing a comparison between the two amounts to a mortal political sin. That’s a perfectly reasonable argument. Race and sexuality have exceedingly divergent histories in the United States, and thus result in entirely different emotional experiences. White people can’t understand anti-black sentiment anymore than straight people can comprehend homophobia.

Black, gay people have felt both, of course, which puts the National Black Justice Coalition in a precarious position.

Straddling the civil and gay divide, the DC-based non-profit hopes to bridge the divide between the respective rights movements. And, in many ways, they are succeeding.


Robaire Watson: gay, black and served openly under DADT - Pam's House Blend



Robaire Watson seemed to have designed his own personal freedom by sheer willpower and personality. During the early 1990s, it also helped that there was an expectation in the military that President Clinton would issue an executive order allowing gay and lesbian patriots to serve openly. It did not happen, but in many commands there had been a preparedness to enable those who did their jobs well to be able to serve without discrimination.

Petty Officer Watson and many others benefited from that brief bubble in time when some commands demonstrated that they could make it happen without difficulty. When the Don't Ask Don't Tell law was passed, his shipmates told him, "Watson, we don't have to ask and we don't have to tell."

..."I'm very fortunate that I was able to be openly gay and live my life accordingly during active duty," he said, "I want other men and women who enter the armed forces who are gay to be able to live their lives just as openly as their straight counterparts and when they become veterans to be treated with dignity and respect."

South has 52 percent of HIV cases - The Montgomery Advertiser



Kathie Hiers, the director of AIDS Alabama, said that the South always has been the part of the nation hardest hit by sexually transmitted diseases for a variety of reasons.

"Our states are often financially poor, with less than adequate Medicaid programs; our educational systems are not up to par; the South has more poverty than an y other regions; we have more rural areas, which causes transportation problems; and stigma is more pronounced," she said.

"Our churches need to become more involved, rather than just preaching abstinence and sticking their heads in the sands," she said. "We need to do a lot of HIV testing, so that people who have the disease can learn how to take care of their bodies and how not to transmit the disease."

Sherri Shepard talks about multiple abortions - The Daily Voice



Sherri Shepherd, a co-host on ABC's "The View," opened up today to reveal that she has had several abortions. The comment came in response to an interview published in a black Christian magazine called Precious Times.

Prompted by co-host Whoopi Goldberg, Shepherd explained her quote that "I've had more abortions than I can count." She said "Jesus had forgiven me," and wasn't being "flippant" about abortions and wasn't "glamorizing" it. "I wanted people to know that not everybody's perfect," Shepherd said.

Shepherd also caused a bit of controversy after the magazine quoted her in a statement that suggested that her boss, Barbara Walters, could be saved by evangelicals. "Oh sometimes I say, 'Lord, Juanita Bynum or Joyce Myers would be so good at this table.' They could lay hands on Barbara Walters and get her saved," Shepherd told the magazine.

Speaking on "The View" today, Shepherd said she had spoken to Barbara Walters and Walters laughed.

Do you think Sherri's days are numbered on The View after her latest embarrassing statements?