Don, in an interview with the New York Times, voiced his truth about being black gay man and how difficult it is to come out as such, considering how negatively the African-American community views homosexuality:

“People are going to say: ‘Oh, he was molested as a kid and now he is coming out.’ I get it.[...]I’m scared. I’m talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for.”

“It’s quite different for an African-American male. It’s about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You’re taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away.[...]You’re afraid that black women will say the same things they do about how black men should be dating black women. I guess this makes me a double minority now.”

“I think it would be great if everybody could be out, but it’s such a personal choice. People have to do it at their own speed. I respect that. I do have to say that the more people who come out, the better it is for everyone, certainly for the Tyler Clementis [the Rutgers student who committed suicide after being outed on the internet] of the world.[...]I abhor hypocrisy. I think if you’re going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you’ve got to be honest. You’ve got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else.[...]I think if I had seen more people like me who are out and proud, it wouldn’t have taken me 45 years to say it ….to walk in the truth.”

This is friggin’ awesome!! Now, I don’t wanna be that guy who walks around saying “more black gay celebrities NEED to come out and be an example for the rest of us”– the weight of that flag-waving responsibility should not fall on any one person. However, to Don’s point, IT CERTAINLY HELPS!! The black community has a long way to go when it comes to accepting, or even tolerating, their gay brothers and sisters. In my opinion, this is largely due to religious beliefs, but also because of the stereotypes that are continuously perpetuated in the media about black gay men (and women). We’re either limp-wristed, feminine sissies, or down low adulterers. I don’t know about you, but I’m NEITHER one of those stereotypes. And neither is Don; which makes this particular “celebrity outing” all the more important and impactful. Don is an intelligent, sophisticated, well-spoken, and, dammit, phyne! black man who just happens to be gay.

I can’t even begin to tell you how happy this news makes me! As more black men and women come out, the definition of who we are expands; which will in turn foster understanding, acceptance, and, eventually, appreciation among our own people. In my opinion, Don Lemon’s coming out is a HUGE step in that direction.

Thank you, Don, for voicing your truth. I know it was a difficult choice, and there are now concerns about how this news will be taken by the masses; but from the bottom of my heart–and I’d imagine thousands of young black gay men across the country–THANK YOU!

Don’s memoir titled “Transparent” will be available for purchase in June. You can read his coming out letter at Monsters & Critics.

Beyonce teams up with the always fresh and exciting Lady Gaga for the remix to her newest single, “Video Phone.” I’m loving the departure from the black and white, and rather subdued nature of the previous video releases for the “I Am” album. She serves up a lot more color, attitude and flare in this one- giving us a bit of old school (“Check Up On It”) Beyonce as well as dishing out something new.

Not sure if Matthew Knowles had anything to do with this, but the “nobody outshines Beyonce” code of conduct memo seems to have been delivered to Gaga as well. In comparison to the artist we see in her videos, and on the red carpet, she was toned down like nobody’s business in this video. [Apparently, Lady Gaga will be doing her own video for "Telephone" so I can't be too mad. KILL IT, GAGA!!] Aside from that (oh, and the almost seizure-inducing flashing), I enjoyed it.

I’m no dancer, but trust… at some point, I will be attempting that roll out of the chair on to the ground move from the dance break. Where’s my wig? Oh, and I LOVED the video heads on the dancers. That was a great touch!

Good job, ladies!

i have to say, i’m getting really excited for and about diddy’s upcoming album, “last train to paris.” he’s been talking about it on making the band this season, and we’ve gotten to hear little of what could possibly be on the album in some of the scenes. i’ve been feeling what i’ve been hearing… it’s got a pretty sweet european sound which i love. he calls it “train music.”

anyway, i just read an interview on bossip with dawn richard, formerly of danity kane, in which she revealed that diddy has created a “movement” around the album called the “dirty money crew.” a group of which she is a apart. y’all know i gots love for dawn; so that just boosted my interest to, like, a bazillion!

about her work [on the album] and the “dirty money crew,” dawn had this to say in her bossip interview:

Dawn: The album (Last Train to Paris) is a group Puff’s working with called Dirty Money Crew. Puff described on MTV that he was working with a group and he had two girls on the side – I’m one of those girls. I’m so excited to be apart of it.

i’m getting pumped for this album, y’all! on twitter diddy and dawn, amongst many others, have been tweeting posts of inspiration in what is now becoming a positivity movement. i fully believe that “last train to paris” is diddy’s musical expression of positivity. positivity in the the world and in ourselves. and errybody can use some positivity. it’s just what we need right now!

lately, i’ve been focusing all my efforts and attention on being…well, just being! reading “a new earth” has really got me on a new level of consciousness and awareness. life is starting to feel amazing again, and all the positive energy everyone’s releasing these days is definitely helping out. so i’m getting my shit together and packin’ my bags. ‘cuz i ain’t missin’ that train!

as diddy or puff (i like that name much better) would say, “let’s go, people!!”

[sidenote: i can only IMAGINE the kind of parties he will have for this album. it could get very interesting!"]

… i’d want this WHOLE! DAMN! ENSENBLE!

beyonce rocked this stunning blue dress and gold coat ensenble as she arrived at “the david letterman show” earlier today. upon seeing this picture i could have sworn i stopped breathing. all i could think was, “if i was a girl…” work, bey!

this was bow wow last night at the release party for his new album, “new jack city 2.” say what you will about those of us rockin “bird chests;” brotha is phyne and looks hawt. yum! he’s definitely giving me something to work for (sans all the tats). i wonder what his workout routine and diet regimen are.

one of my goals of success for 2009 is getting my pec and ab game together. i put this picture on my vision board for inspiration…

there are so many things that i would like to say about this picture; but the one thing i absolutely MUST get out, it’s: best! side-eye! ever!

columbus short

it’s been a really long time since i’ve seen anyone move like columbus did in this movie! maybe it’s a result of me being disconnected to practically anything going on in the streets, but his dance moves were nothing like i’ve ever seen! i would love to take dance lessons from him! like in some gay remake of “save the last dance” or some shit. in “stomp the yard” megan good won his affection; however if this were my movie, columbus would have fallen in love with me- the quiet, but sexy bandsman that just happened to catch his fraternity-stompin’ eye.

his acting was good and, like i said, his dancing was amazing, but what also caught my eye (and warmed my little hot pocket) were the many times he appeared shirtless on screen:

*swoon!* there were times during the movie i could hardly contain myself. and the boy is funny and sweet, too! a cutie pie, a great dancer, and a good man! oh, what blissful heaven it would be to have a man like that by my side!

once, in bed bath and beyond, i was mistaken for columbus by one of the checkout girls. i greatly accepted the compliment (it was a really good one), but secretly wished that when she stared in my direction calling his name, columbus was actually there. i probably wouldn’t have been balsy enough to say something to him, but i definitely would have made some use of the situation, lol.

oh, columbus i heart you. for your dancing, your swagger, your smile, your sweat glistening body in this movie, and of course, your sexiness. you’ve made boy-crazy people such as myself swoon with delight the world over!

good job, jesus! can you send one of him to my doorstep, please?

happy 27th birthday, bey!

somebody please tell whitney houston to mail amy some coughdrops!

how. u. doin’?

i’m sorry. really, i am. i didn’t want to do it! i heart ne-yo and his music- and i know he’s got that whole bachelor persona/image going on; but “how u doin’?” was the first thing that came to my mind when i saw this pic.

i’m not sayin’… but i’m just sayin’!

i tried not to write this post, man. real talk. i came across and saved the image almost 5 hours ago; and decided not to post it immediately due to the fact that i’m a fan- and plan on picking up the “year of the gentleman” album on day 1 of it’s release. however, in purging today’s desktop-saved images, i once again came across the many pixels of “aaaooooouuuwwww” that you’re giving me in this picture, and i just couldn’t resist sharing it with the masses.

please tell me… this is the work of ninja photoshop, right?

damn if i’m not tryin to get that body, though. i see many [many] more wii fit sessions in my future!