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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Four years ago this month I began an amazing journey when I wrote my very first blog entry on Living Out Loud with Darian. At the time I had no idea what the blog would eventually become, the number of people it would impact, and the level of importance it would have in my own life. However, I did know that I was frustrated by the absence of LGBT people of color in the mainstream and gay media; so I decided to use my voice and create a platform where our lives were not just tolerated but celebrated.
The objective of this blog has always been to uplift, empower, inform, and entertain same gender loving people of color and with this in mind I unknowingly began to build a brand that would separate this blog from the rest.
Living Out Loud with Darian has been a labor of love and an integral part of my daily life that will truly be missed. So why am I bringing it to a close? The easy answer: It's simply time. The hard answer is much longer and more melodramatic than I'd like to be perceived right now. Those of you who know me personally will be privy to that conversation.
The good news is that I'm bringing the blog to a CLOSE and not an END. This is simply the beginning of a new chapter in my life and career. While the blog will not be updated daily going forward the archives will remain online and there may be an occasional new post and guest blogging on other sites across the web. In addition to returning to school to complete my journalism degree this down time will hopefully birth the book I've been quietly working on for a year.
My commitment to the LGBT community is unwavering. My work doesn't end here but begins anew.
I'd like to thank every one who has supported me and this blog during the good and bad times. To every person who has sent me an e-mail, Facebook message, Myspace message, tweet, just to say how much this blog has meant to them I'm truly grateful.
I would be remiss not to publicly thank a few special people who have inspired, motivated, and encouraged me along the way. Please forgive me if I omit anyone...you know who you are.
Keith Boykin
Rod McCullom
Pam Spaulding
Gyant
Bishop Terry Angel Mason
DJ Baker
The late E. Lynn Harris
Rev. Tommie L. Watkins Jr.
Craig Washington
Drama Dupree
Tron Majette
Andre Allen
Ryan Lee
Dwight Powell
Tonex'
Lonnell Williams
Adolph Arromand
Bernie Tarver
Thanks for four incredible years! Always live out loud!
22 Comments:
First Oprah now Darian!
It seems like all of my inspirations are closing chapters in their careers. Darian I haven't known you for long and I have never met you in person but you and your blog have truly had an impact on me. I can remember the first time I found your blog I remember literally spending an entire day going back through the archives devouring everything I could from this gay man who had used his talent in the service of his own vision. Your posts were affirming to me in my journey as a blossoming gay man who wanted to live my life authentically and openly. I checked your blog every day and enjoyed the many posts. Thanks to your support I even started my own blog that you have generously gave your blessing too. I wish you the best in all your new chapters. I think its a beautiful thing to continue with your education and I look forward to the book. Thank you for your dedication to the black gay community and humanity! You will truly be missed by me.
<3 Derrick M.
May 03, 2010 11:59 AM
I agree with Anti-Intellect. Your blog has been so inspirational to me throughout my college years, and helped me so much to accept myself as gay man. I'll miss the daily posts, as they've definitely become a part of my morning ritual. I admire your passion as well as your courage to be the change you wanted to see in the black LGBT community.
Good look on finishing your journalism degree. From one aspiring journalist to another, it ain't easy finding a job right now lol!
May 03, 2010 12:17 PM
Sad news! We need MORE black LGBT voices,not fewer. :(
But blogging is hard, and you really need to do what is best.
May 03, 2010 1:23 PM
Man thanks for the years that you have given us! I check your blog out daily and I wish you well on your new adventures! I will be the first to purchase your book and be looking for you and your book tour. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK and getting the news out to us! I will really miss the "couple blog". God Bless!
May 03, 2010 1:31 PM
Darian, you are heaven-sent. Thank you for all you have given me and the rest of your followers since you started this website. You have been so dedicated to us over the years.
Thanks to you, many LGBT men & women who may have had their spirits broken have found healing and reassurance. You have certainly helped me a great deal.
This website will truly be missed, but you seem to have thought everything through. I'm sure great things lie ahead for you.
I wish you much success with your journalism degree and it's great to know that you have been working on a book. I'll definitely buy it as soon as it's released.
I don't know you personally but I hold you in the highest regard.
Thank you Darian.
May 03, 2010 2:21 PM
While I'm sad to see you go, I truly understand. I wish you will in what's next. Thanks for the inspiration, the informativeness, and your labor on our behalf. The blogosphere will miss you....
Be well,
May 03, 2010 2:26 PM
I wish you luck on completing your degree.
You will definitely be missed. I can't count the many times I would pull up your blog when I was supposed to be finishing an assignment. LOL.
May 03, 2010 5:14 PM
Thanks for everything you've done for the Black same gender loving community Darien and good luck with the next chapter of your life. Your presence here will be missed.
May 03, 2010 7:15 PM
Hello Darian
First time commentor long time reader of your fantastic blog. I stumbled across your blog at 15 when I was still coming to terms with my S/O. The Passion and emotion in each one of your posts made me stronger and more aware of what was happening in the LGBTQ community. I'm now 17 and i'm appreciating you and your blog posts even more now. I'm sad to see it end but I'm happy that you are moving on to bigger and better things. And when your book comes out I want a autograph lol.
Love, Pierce
May 03, 2010 10:32 PM
Thank you for being such a strong voice in the fight for equality. Your blog will truly be missed.
May 03, 2010 11:00 PM
YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!
May 04, 2010 12:24 AM
Darian, you have given so much to our community until merely saying "Thank You!" will never be enough and certainly never adequate! Change is never easy because it is human nature to want to hold on to what is comfortable and familiar, but the reality is that everything must change! Change has prospering power because it allows God to take us to even higher heights in Him and achieve masterful things. Many times we are resistant to change and this resistance hinders the Holy Spirit, slows down our progress, and can even prevent God’s perfect will from manifesting in our lives.
You have been through many days of triumph, some days where you were frustrated, and even some days where you were crushed and felt all alone. But Darian, God shall not forget your labor of love and neither shall we! YOUR PAY DAY IS COMING!!! (Hebrews 6:9-10)
What I have learned is that even though we have an obligation to stand up for truth and justice we also have an obligation to take care of ourselves! God wants Darian's dreams to come true as well. This is very important because care-givers have a tendency to make other’s needs a priority and sacrifice their own dreams and needs on the altar of life. But there is a voice speaking from Heaven and it is declaring to each of us: "I have come that YOU might have life and life more abundantly! God, your Father, wants all of your dreams to come true – every one of them!
"YOU SURVIVED THE WORST OF TIMES. GOD WAS ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE! STAKE YOUR CLAIM. WRITE YOUR NAME! THE WAIT IS OVER -- WALK INTO YOUR SEASON!
I will always be here to pray for you, encourage you, and to remind you that God has called you to greatness and given you a deep love for humanity but your dreams are never to be sacrificed on the altar of life and go unfulfilled; for they are the blue print to the Master Plan of your life.
How dearly you are loved my precious brother! You have been on the battlefield a long time and the whole world is a better place as a result of the countless battles you have courageously fought (on our behalf) and won and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
I am honored that your light of love, truth, integrity, courageous spirit, and genuine concern for humanity will continue to shine through the pages of my new book: “They Say That I Am Broken,” for the entire world to see for decades to come – and yes, even at His appearing! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-19)
Bishop Terry Angel Mason, Global Author
WWW.TERRYANGELMASON.COM
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:23 NIV)
May 04, 2010 3:06 AM
I'm sad to see you go, but excited what the future hold for you!!! I got a little misty but I only hope the best for you, you have inspired me beyond what I could express here. YOu have challenged some of my assumptions.
Take care God Bless
May 04, 2010 3:17 AM
Oh my goodness. I remember how people in DC felt when news of Lambda Rising closing was first announced, or how people in NYC felt when learning about Oscar Wilde closing. LOLDARIAN is yet another icon, staple, that is gone from our midst. :-(
It did serve a great purpose and I hope the old archives will remain. There is some excellent content in these pages and although future content will stop, the old pages should continue on. Best wishes to you and may your next endeavors bring you much success and joy.
May 04, 2010 8:42 AM
Dear Darian,
Thanks for your tireless work to promote lgbt visibility and equality, especially in the Black lgbt community. I'm going to miss your coverage, but you must follow your path and pursue your goals. All the best to you.
Otis
Lavenderpop Greeting Cards
May 04, 2010 12:46 PM
The world, and particularly the black LGBT world, is a better place because of your contributions.
I wish the very best for you, Darian. I know that you will succeed in whatever you set out to do.
May 04, 2010 1:45 PM
Darian you've certainly made a great difference in our lives. Thank you.
May 04, 2010 5:22 PM
We will miss you words, your sentiment, your encouragement and your spirit in this platform. I know you're going to do bigger and better things and I will follow you every step of the road. Thanks again Living Out Loud with Darian!
May 05, 2010 6:45 AM
WOW
I found your blog and always found it uplifting and inspiring. I hope you will update often more than you say.
May 05, 2010 8:35 AM
I thank you so much for your blog. I found it late, but was so glad that I did. Goodluck on the book, school and everything else that you do. And maybe you'll come back, but in the format of an actual magazine, but there really needs to be one; a gay JET :)
May 07, 2010 11:02 AM
I extend my congratulations on a job well done, a work now completed, and a life well lived. Continue to live out loud and walk forward full pace ahead into the destiny that God has waiting for you, you have now completed your phase of prepration for the next stage of your life, I am looking forward to hearing the great news about all that God will be up to in your life, trust me, you'll be updating very soon. Alwalys remember, to do all the good you can, for as long as you can, to and for as many as you can, and then your labor will not be in vain. Blessings Rodrigo
ps. I have enjoyed being privy to your journey with you for some of the four years, and this I know for sure: The road ahead will not be easy, but you have not been given permission to throw in the towel, nor have you been given permission to give up on everything God has planted inside of you, in other words don't abort what God has planted inside of you before you see the harvest. Praying for you alwalys, Rodrigo
May 19, 2010 6:29 PM
Also, I meant to add, that I'm proud of you, you made it and for that I'm thankful. Congratulations!!! :) :) U have so much to look forward to as you walk into your destiny! Blessings Rodrigo
May 19, 2010 6:30 PM
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