SEPTE MBER 2022 ISSUE #024
aword.
TamaraSanaaLeighEditor In Chief T w o y e a r s . I ' v e b e e n a w r i t e r a l l o f m y l i f e W h e n I w a s a k i d I u s e d t o d r e a m o f h a v i n g a c o l u m n i n a m a g a z i n e w h i l e l i v i n g i n h o t e l s & t r a v e l i n g P a r i s & N Y C l i k e C a r r i e B r a d s h a w d i d B u t I w a s a l s o t h i s p a s s i o n a t e f i g h t e r w h o w a n t e d t o d e f e n d D a v i d f r o m G o l i a t h . I w a s a p h o t o g r a p h e r w h o w a n t e d t o c a p t u r e t h e w o r l d i n m y l e n s I w a s a r g u m e n t a t i v e a s h e l l s o I t h o u g h t m a y b e I s h o u l d b e a l a w y e r . I l o v e d d o i n g a d v o c a c y a n d a c t i v i s m w o r k i n g o v e r n m e n t s o m a y b e I s h o u l d b e a p o l i t i c i a n . I l o v e d d o i n g m e d i a s o m a y b e I s h o u l d d o P R . I w a s b l e s s e d e n o u g h t o p l a y a t b e i n g m o s t o f t h o s e t h i n g s a s I m a d e m y w a y t h r o u g h m y m i d t w e n t i e s A n d i n m y l a s t 9 5 j o b I d i d a l o t o f t h o s e t h i n g s . I a l s o g o t t o w o r k o n a h i s t o r i c p u b l i c a t i o n a s e d i t o r a n d m a k e i t m i n e T h a t w a s r e a l i z i n g a d r e a m I d i d n ' t e v e n k n o w I h a d A n d s o m e w h e r e i n t h a t p r o c e s s I f i g u r e d o u t I w a s Q u e e r a n d r e a l l y s t a r t e d t o g e t t o k n o w w h o I w a s I t h o u g h t I w a s d o i n g m y d r e a m w o r k . I l e a r n e d i t w a s n ' t . A n d t h e n e v e r y t h i n g f e l l a p a r t . T h e r e w a s n o m o r e a g e n c y . N o m o r e m a g a z i n e N o m o r e " d r e a m j o b " a n d I w a s k i n d o f l o s t o n c e a g a i n B u t s o m e t i m e s l o s t i s f o u n d I ' m p r e t t y s u r e B r i t t a n H a r d g e r s w a s t h e f i r s t p e r s o n t o t e l l m e I s h o u l d c r e a t e m y o w n m a g a z i n e . I ' m a l s o p r e t t y s u r e t h a t I t o l d h i m i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e . I h a d m a d e a v e r y w h i t e m a g a z i n e d i v e r s e B u t I d i d n ' t h a v e a g i a n t a g e n c y b u d g e t t o m a k e a p r i n c i b l e i n t o a p u b l i c a t i o n E n o u g h p e o p l e s a i d i t u n t i l I f i g u r e d I w a s o n u n e m p l o y m e n t w i t h o u t s h i t e l s e t o d o , w h y n o t ? S o t w o y e a r s a g o w e e m b a r k e d o n t h i s j o u r n e y f r o m b e h i n d a c o m p u t e r s c r e e n i n R o c h e s t e r , N e w Y o r k i n t h e o n s e t o f a P a n d e m i c w e a t h e r j u s t l i k e t h i s h e a d e d t o w a r d s f a l l W e h a v e s i n c e m a d e 2 4 i s s u e s T w e n t y f o u r W e h a v e f e a t u r e d f o l k s o n c o v e r s a n d o n p a g e s f r o m a l l a r o u n d t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . Q u e e r , B l a c k E x c e l l e n c e . C e l e b r i t i e s , T r a i l B l a z e r s , P o l i t i c i a n s , A c t i v i s t s , A r t i s t s , P h o t o g r a p h e r s , M u s i c i a n s , E n t r e p r e n u e r s , t h e I n c a r c e r a t e d , I n M e m o r i a m , i n o u r w i l d e s t i m a g i n a t i o n s I n f r e e d o m , i n t r u t h , i n A U T H E N T I C I T Y T h e t r u t h i s , I d o n ' t k n o w h o w l o n g w e w i l l b e a b l e t o k e e p t h i s t h i n g g o i n g . I t t a k e s H O U R S a n d H O U R S a n d H O U R S t o c r e a t e e a c h m o n t h A g r o u p o f p h e n o m e n a l c r e a t o r s t h a t g i v e o f t h e i r t i m e , t a l e n t a n d e n e r g y f o r f r e e W e m a k e n o t h i n g o f f o f t h i s , I ' m p r o b a b l y a c t u a l l y l o s i n g m o n e y b u t i t f e e l s s o i n c r e d i b l y i m p o r t a n t w e w i l l c r e a t e u n t i l w e c a n c r e a t e n o m o r e . H o w e v e r l o n g t h a t i s , I ' l l b e p r o u d o f w h a t w e h a v e c r e a t e d h e r e t o g e t h e r f o r t h e r e s t o f m y l i f e I h a v e t o e s p e c i a l l y t h a n k m y f a m i l y f o r s t i l l l o v i n g m e a f t e r n o t l e a v i n g t h e c o m p u t e r f o r a w e e k e v e r y m o n t h g e t t i n g t h e m a g a z i n e r e a d y f o r p r i n t . J a v a n n a h D a v i s , A s h a n t i T a y l o r A l e x a n d e r , a n d M a r s h a y D o m i n i q u e w h o w e r e w i t h u s f r o m t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g O u r h a n d f u l o f s p o n s o r s w h o k e e p t h e l i g h t s o n a n d p a g e s t u r n i n g e a c h m o n t h . T h e p e o p l e w h o h a v e t r u s t e d u s w i t h t h e i r s t o r i e s f o r t w o y e a r s w h o a r e t h e r e a s o n w e e x i s t B u t m o s t o f a l l , I h a v e t o t h a n k B r i t t . H e i s t h e o n e w h o a l w a y s f i g u r e s i t o u t w i t h m e w h e n m y c r e a t i v i t y i s s t i f l e d H e m a k e s t h e c o v e r s p o p e a c h m o n t h a n d i n s p i r e s t h e m i f n o t j u s t c o m p l e t e l y t a k e s o v e r a n d d o e s t h e m w h e n I ' m j u s t t o o b o g g e d d o w n i n a l l t h e o t h e r w o r d s a n d p a g e s . H e i s t h e c o n s t a n t r e m i n d e r t h a t I c a n d o t h i s a n d t h a t i f I c a n ' t , w e c a n H e h a s a l s o u s e d t h e s e p a g e s t o s h a r e h i s o w n p e r s o n a l j o u r n e y w i t h o u r r e a d e r s i n a n i n c r e d i b l y o p e n a n d h o n e s t w a y a n d t h a t s n o t e a s y I k n o w y o u h a v e h e l p e d t h o u s a n d s a n d t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e j u s t f r o m t h e r e a c h o f t h e s e p a g e s . A n d t h a t s a r e a l l y b i g d e a l T h a n k f o r a l l o f t h e a b o v e A n d t h a n k y o u t o o u r r e a d e r s f o r r o c k i n g w i t h u s a l l o f t h i s t i m e W e s t a r t e d o u t w i t h A W F U L g r a p h i c s a n d n o t e x a c t l y s u r e w h a t w e w a n t e d t h i s t h i n g t o b e o r w h a t w e w e r e t r y i n g t o s a y . O v e r t h e c o u r s e o f t w o y e a r s w e ' v e e v o l v e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g s o i n c r e d i b l y b e a u t i f u l a n d I a m e n d l e s s l y g r a t e f u l f o r e a c h o f y o u t h a t h a v e c o m e o n t h i s j o u n e y w i t h u s .
OUR 1ST BLAQUE/ OUT COVER MODEL AZIZA BIJOU CATCHING UP WITH TWO YEARS AGO WE STARTED ON THIS BLAQUEOUT JOURNEY AND THE VERY FIRST FACE OF IT WAS AZIZA BIJOU SO WE TRACKED HER DOWN LIVING HER VERY BEST LIFE OUT IN L A TO TALK ABOUT THEN AND SEE WHAT SHE'S UP TO TWO YEARS LATER B O: YOU WERE THE VERY FIRST BLAQUEOUT MAGAZINE COVER SEPTEMBER 2020... WHERE WERE YOU THEN AND WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE? AND TWO YEARS LATER WHERE IS AZIZA BIJOU IN THE WORLD AND IN YOUR LIFE? A B: BACK IN 2020, I WAS DOING ALOT OF SELF DISCOVERY AS I WAS STEPPING INTO MY POWER AS A BLACK, TRANS WOMAN BACK THEN, I HAD ALLOWED SO MANY OF THE SOURCES AROUND ME INFLUENCE ME IN WAYS THAT DID NOT COINCIDE WITH WHO I WAS BEGINNING TO SEE MYSELF AS DURING THIS TIME
I WOULD ALSO BECOME A LOT CLOSER TO CERTAIN PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT REALLY SUPPORTED ME AND PUSHED ME TO REACH MY HIGHEST POTENTIAL AND THAT WOULD REALLY HELP OUT A LOT AS I WAS PLANNING ON MAKING A HUGE MOVE FROM ROCHESTER TO LOS ANGELES TWO YEARS LATER, I’M LIVING IN LOS ANGELES AROUND TONS OF OTHER EXTREMELY POWER BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE OF TRANS EXPERIENCE. BUILDING COMMUNITY AND SLAYING THE DRAG SCENE HERE IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE FOLX I GREW CLOSE TO DURING THE MARCHES IN 2020, I WOULDN’T HAVE AS MUCH OF THE CAPACITY OR THE KNOWLEDGE TO DISCERN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT/PEOPLE TO ALIGN WITH DON’T GET ME WRONG, IT’S STILL A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE; BUT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD WITH OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME STRUGGLES AND THAT’S HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE BC I FINALLY FEEL LIKE I’M NOT ALONE B.0.: WHERE WAS THE COVER PHOTO TAKEN? A B: THE ORIGINAL PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARK IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER, NY WHEN I WAS PERFORMING AT AN ABLM EVENT
Thrivingtransmenofcolor@gmail.com MEL HOWARD
When we harness our power, we create room for others to harness theirs As we embody our voices, we create opportunities for our community to glow. See when we embrace our glow we give others the motivation to shine their light. We do notstirawayfromfearsorfailures,we face them head on with eminent drive As we acknowledge our delays in life andencompassthere’sanotherforce driving our lives, we experience blessings beyond a life we could ever dream of. We are ALL destined for greatnessandsometimeswehaveto change up to find our path. We walk together glorious in remembrance of our shortcomings, failed attempts and we unlock our true potential as we soar for happiness We are all capable when we start believing we can be more when we do more for ourcommunity.
U P D A T E
We previously reported on Brittney Griner’s false imprisonment Brittney, a 31 year old, two time Olympic Gold Medalist, professional basketball player for WNBA team Phoenix Mercury, (like many others) also plays for the UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia for the past seven years In February, Brittney was detained at the Sheremetyevo International Airport accused of smuggling ‘large amounts of” paraphernalia ” The WNBA and their representatives say they have kept close and constant contact with Brittney, but how can they? On February 10, 2022, all WNBA representatives and the over 12 American basketball players that were in both Russia and Ukraine left thereafter.
FREE BRITTNEY GRINER E M A I L : M I S S T M A R I E J O N E S 1 @ G M A I L C O M I N S T A G R A M : L O V E L Y T M A R I E T I N A M A R I E J O N E S
Brittney played in Russia most recently on January 29, 2022, the league took a two week break prior to the FIBA World Cup Tournaments
In 2004, Russia decriminalized drug use and possession of a small weight of drugs
An American Citizen is being held without a trial from February until May, and we are just waiting to see what happens?
“We are very disappointed by the verdict. As legal professionals, we believe that the court should be fair to everyone regardless of nationality. The court completely ignored all the evidence of the defense, and most importantly, the guilty plea,” they said in the statement. “This contradicts the existing legal practice. Considering the amount of the substance (not to mention the defects of the expertise) and the plea, the verdict is unreasonable. We will certainly file an appeal.”
LET’S REVISIT THE FACTS OF THE CASE:
Griner “is not doing fine today,” said Blagovolina, a partner at Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Partners law firm. The defense team is hopeful that Griner will be able to talk to her family next week. Blagovolina added that Griner will return to the detention center where she is being held. This harsh sentence is outrageous! It is apparent that it is directly related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the US involvement. President Joe Biden and the US State Department reports they believe she is being falsely imprisoned and has offered to do a prisoner swap. Russia has yet to respond to this proposal. This request is for the release of both Brittney Griner and another US citizen who has been held in Russia for espionage since 2018. We will remain connected to this story. We hope and pray that Brittney is released from prison and returns safely to the United States. Our heart goes out to Brittney’s wife. Please keep the family and loved ones of Brittney Griner in your prayers.
Brittney was detained during a time of discord between Russia and USA as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Biden has not issued a specific example as to how he is planning on rescuing Brittney from Russia’s custody Russia has not released the specific amount of vape cartridges that were confiscated from Brittney’s luggage
One vape at most holds 1ml which is 1gram The math is, then is simple; a few cartridges of oil are exactly a few grams
Boykov spoke to reporters outside the courthouse and said that the average time in jail for this type of crime is five years, adding that almost a third of those convicted get parole.
Anyone who is found with drugs in their system is released from their team FIBA Basketball League published their Anti Doping (Anti Drug Policy) January 1, 2022. They share a very similar approach to intolerance to drugs for their players
The WNBA and the NBA share the same Anti Drug Use Policy for their players The players submit to random drug test 4 times a season. The last test is done at the end of the season
The Russian law says, “Possession without intent to supply in amounts exceeding .5 grams of heroin, opium, or morphine (as these are most prominently overdosed in Russia )
After hearing all the witnesses in the case, the court found Brittney guilty and sentenced her to 9 years in prison. According to CNN, “Griner’s lawyers, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, said in a written statement they will appeal the decision and criticized the court for ignoring their evidence. They have 10 days to appeal.
FACTS After 6 months of being in jail, Brittney had her day in court. During the trial, Brittney was allowed to address the court She said, “I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put the Russian population in jeopardy, I never meant to break any laws here I made an honest mistake and I hope that your ruling doesn’t end my life here I know everybody keeps talking about being a political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom. I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws I had no intent I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime,” she added.
WHAT IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF PARAPHERNALIA?
Whosoeverheals means that you canbring yourbroken pieces to the One take them and create wholeness. This month’s Blaque/Out theme reflects thela years ’ of a safe spacefor our community. With that in mind, we need to talk a churchhurt. Whatdoes it mean? Why are so many of our people walking away the Church? Well,if we allfeellike Zayveon Paster and their editorialfrom M then it is that Christianityis the mostdiscriminatory of all world religions. I have to saythat when the rubber meets the road that I respectfullydisagree churchhurt would seem to support Paster’s take. Unfortunately,it is the rela with people thathurt us, not the time we spend in relationshipwith God. Psalm 34:22 says,“[t]he Lord redeemeth the soul ofhis servants: an of them that trust inhim shallbedesolate”. God’s gives thehealingbecau are not meant tobe in a state ofbleak anddismal emptiness.
WHOSOEVER
BishopMal McFarleydid an interview with Javannah Davisfor“Livingin the Light: C in November 2020 andhedid an excellent job of sharinghis story of ma faithduring a time when so manywouldhave probably given up. Bishop closest thathe came to slippinginto what wouldhave amounted to chur j stbeforehe came outbecause of the concern overbeing ostracized. T y are unable to seebeyond man into theheart o f those wh
HEALS -PastorRoni P H O T O B Y : P R E S T I G E P O R T R A I T S
A R T I C L E F R O M B L A Q U E / O U T M A G N O V 2 0 2 0
T R U E R E S I L I E N C E A G A I N S T N E G A T I V E S T E R E O T Y P E S BRITTAN HARDGERS I HAD TO TAKE A BREAK Y’ALL, LISTEN A REAL LIFE BREAK FROM EVERYTHING I HAD TO SAY NO! I HAD TO UNPLUG FOLKS FROM MY CIRCUIT BREAKER I HAD NO IDEA MY GENERATOR HAD BEEN DEAD FOR MONTHS NOW I SHOULD’VE KNOWN THOUGH, IT STARTED TO GET REAL DARK ON THE INSIDE I BEGAN TO SURVIVE FROM THE FLICKER OF THE ONE LIGHT BULB LEFT, I WONDER IF THAT IS HOW I FOUND MY WAY TO THE BREAK ROOM I COULD FEEL MYSELF LOSING STRENGTH IN MY LIMBS, I WOULD SQUEEZE MY EYES TIGHT FORCING THE DARKNESS TO BECOME A STATE OF MIND I STARTED SEEING QUESTION MARKS BOUNCING OFF MY NEUROLOGICAL WAVE PATTERNS I QUESTIONED… “HOW DOES MY HAPPINESS BRING SO MANY OTHERS EMOTIONAL PAIN?” I QUESTIONED “WHAT DOES SELF CARE VISUALLY LOOK LIKE USING TUNNEL VISION?” I QUESTIONED.. WHEN WILL YOU LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ABILITY VS CAPACITY? I OPENED MY EYES; (FLICKER, FLICKER, FLICKER…… FLASH) I HAD TO TAKE A BREAK Y’ALL, LISTEN A REAL LIFE BREAK FROM EVERYTHING I STOOD UP, NEVER REALIZING I WAS LAYING FACE DOWN I FOUND ENOUGH ENERGY TO SHIFT THE DEAD LIMBS, AFFIRMING POWERFUL DELIVERANCE I THOUGHT TO SELF… I WILL MAKE IT OUT I WILL REACH THE POWER SOURCE … AND AGAIN (FLICKER, FLICKER, FLICKER…… FLASH) DARKNESS I REACHED FORWARD I GRABBED THE KNOB I TURNED THE KNOB, SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT.. I PUSHED FORWARD I STUMBLED I WALKED INTO THE BREAK ROOM (FLICKER, FLICKER, FLICKER…… FLASH) THERE WAS LIGHT… I HEARD THE DOOR SLAM BEHIND ME.. I LOOKED TO THE LEFT I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT I LOOKED IN FRONT OF ME I LOOKED BEHIND ME I FOUND NO OUTLETS! I FELT DEFEATED! I WAS CONFUSED! I SLID ONTO THE GROUND I THOUGHT I MADE IT I SAT UPON THE FLOOR I SHOULD’VE KNOWN THOUGH, IT STARTED TO GET REAL DARK ON THE INSIDE I JUST NEEDED AN OUTLET TO RECHARGE MY GENERATOR I TOLD MYSELF, “I WILL MAKE IT OUT, YOU ARE THE POWER SOURCE” (FLICKER, FLICKER, FLICKER…… FLASH) MY GENERATOR BEGAN TO RECHARGE I BEGAN TO SEE.. I BEGAN TO HEAR I BEGAN TO FEEL I BEGAN TO SPEAK I BEGAN TO SMELL I HAD TO TAKE A BREAK Y’ALL, LISTEN A REAL LIFE BREAK FROM EVERYTHING I JUST HAD TO SIT DOWN & REMIND MYSELF I AM THE POWER SOURCE
Spreadthewordthatweareheretostay,weareheretogrow,weareheretoremindfolksthatyourvoiceisapartofthishistoricmovement!
OnekeywaytostandonourexistenceistoBlaqueOut!!
growninjusttwoyears!Icanremember tellingTam,"don'tletyourpassionforthemagazinediebecausetheOutAllianceclosed.Hell,let'sjuststartamagazine!"ThevisibilityandauthentictransparencythatwasbirthedwithinBlaqueQueerQulturehasonceagainbeenrealigned.BlaqueOutMagazinehascreatedaspaceforallBlack,Queerfolkstocomelive,breatheandgrowtoyourownbeatoffreedom!
WowBlaqueOut,lookhowyouhave
forthtravelopportunitiestocontinuallyeducateandintroducesuchapowerfulmovementinBlaqueOutQueerCulture.
T R U E R E S I L I E N C E A G A I N S T N E G A T I V E S T E R E O T Y P E S BRITTAN HARDGERS
Tobeapartofsuchahistoricmovementcreatedduringaworldpandemic....WearetheQulture!!Wearedefinedbythefreedomwecreate.Ihaveassistedwithsomanyissuesitshardtonarrowdownafavorite-soIwon't.WhatIwillsayisfrommyexperienceinassistingwiththecoversofthemagazine,Ihavebegantoliveinasecretpassionofmyownwhichisphotography.Theabilitytoshowfolkstrueauthenticitythroughtheworkwealldodaily.Iforseethatthenextyearwillbring
Dear
I S E E Y O U B E C A U S E I S E E M E I N Y O U A S W E C E L E B R A T E T H E 2 Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y O F B L A Q U E / O U T M A G A Z I N E T H E C O N T R I B U T O R S W E R E A S K E D T O P R O D U C E S O M E T H I N G T H A T R E F L E C T S O N T H E M A G A Z I N E F R O M T H E Y E A R S O F I T S E X I S T E N C E A S A N E W W R I T E R F O R T H E P U B L I C A T I O N , I T G A V E M E T H E O P P O R T U N I ( A N D T O B E H O N E S T , G R E A T P L E A S U R E ) T O L O O K B A C K O N P R E V I O U S I S F O R I N S P I R A T I O N . O N E C O V E R P H O T O T H A T R E A L L Y G R A B B E D M Y A T T E W A S T H E M A R C H 2 0 2 1 I S S U E , “ B E S E E N ” W I T H T H E C O V E R M O D E L B E I N G O T H E R T H A N T H E F O U N D E R A N D E D I T O R , T A M A R A S A N A A L E I G H ! T H E P F I R S T C A U G H T M Y A T T E N T I O N B E C A U S E I T W A S O F H E R E Y E , W I T H T W O T H A T H A D T H E W O R D S “ B E ” A N D “ S E E N ” O N T H E M A S I D E F R O M T H E I M P I N K N A I L S , I T W A S T H E C R E A T I V I T Y O F T H E S H O T T H A T G O T M E T H E L A Y E R S O F M E A N I N G B E H I N D T H E P H O T O M A D E M E W A N T T O R E A D T H E A N D I S N ’ T T H A T T H E I D E A ? T O D R A W Y O U I N W I T H A D R A M A T I C I M A G E O R C A T C H Y P H R A S E ? B U T T H I S P I C T U R E H A D B O T H . I L O O K E D I N T O T H A T B E A U T I F U L H A Z E L E Y E W I T H I T S T I N Y G O L D E N F L E C K S A N D W A S M E S M E R I Z E D T R Y I N G T O S E E E V E R Y T H I N G T H A T E Y E W A S S A Y I N G T O M E U N T I L I H A D T O P U L L M Y S E L F A W A Y T O A C T U A L L Y R E A D T H E A R T I C L E T H E A R T I C L E S T A R T E D O U T A S A P I E C E A B O U T T R A N S D A Y O F V I S I B I L I T Y B U T A S Y O U R E A D F U R T H E R Y O U W E R E I N V I T E D I N T O T H E L I F E A N D M I N D O F T H E W R I T E R S H E W R O T E W I T H S U C H T R A N S P A R E N C Y A N D S U C H S E L F A W A R E N E S S I T S P O K E T O M E I T W A S L I K E W A T C H I N G A C O M I N G O F A G E S T O R Y I N I N K . S H E S P O K E O F H E R D A Y S O F Y O U T H A N D I S A W H E R I N C U R L Y P O N Y T A I L S , Y A W N I N G I N T H A T S C H O O L H A L L W A Y . S H E S P O K E O F H E R G R O W T H A S A P E R S O N , A N D I S A W H E R I N A B U S I N E S S S U I T , I N A M E E T I N G , N A V I G A T I N G O F F I C E P O L I T I C S S H E S P O K E O F H E R G R O W T H A S A P R O F E S S I O N A L , A N D I W A T C H E D A S S H E M I G R A T E D H E R C A R E E R I N T O A C T I V I S M A N D A D V O C A C Y A N D A S S H E S P O K E O F H E R R E L A T I O N S H I P W I T H L O V E A N D S E L F L O V E , I S A W H E R E N G A G E D I N A D E E P C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H H E R P A R T N E R A N D T H E M L O O K I N G I N T O T H O S E H A Z E L E Y E S A N D P E R H A P S N O T S E E I N G T H E D E P T H O F T H E M A N D H E R R E A L I Z I N G H O W T O G I V E H E R S E L F M O R E O F W H A T S H E N E E D E D T O F E E L L O V E . T H E R A W N E S S A N D V U L N E R A B I L I T Y R E S O N A T E D W I T H M E B E C A U S E I F E L T E V E R Y W O R D F R O M M Y O W N P E R S O N A L E X P E R I E N C E S A N D J O U R N E Y I T W A S R E F R E S H I N G T O S E E S O M E O N E B E A R T H E M S E L V E S F O R T H E W O R L D T O S E E A N D T O W A T C H T H E M B E U N A P O L O G E T I C A L L Y F R E E I N T H E I R E X P R E S S I O N O F S E L F W H I L E E N C O U R A G I N G T H E R E A D E R T O F I N D T H E M S E L V E S I N T H E I R W O R D S A N D T H E N T O T O P T H I N G S O F F T H I S T A L E N T E D W R I T E R B R O U G H T T H E W H O L E P I E C E F U L L C I R C L E T O R E M I N D T H E R E A D E R O F T H E I N T E N T O F T H E P I E C E , T R A N S D A Y O F V I S I B I L I T Y , T H E E P I T O M E O F B E I N G S E E N . B R A V O ! T H E M A G I C O F W R I T I N G I S T H A T I T T A K E S T H E R E A D E R O N A J O U R N E Y , T H E P E A K S A N D V A L L E Y S O F T H E I R T H O U G H T S , T H E S I D E T R I P S D O W N M E M O R Y L A N E , U N T I L Y O U F I N A L L Y A R R I V E T O T H E O V E R A L L S U B J E C T O F T H E P I E C E T H E G I F T O F G O O D W R I T I N G A L L O W S Y O U T O F E E L N O T O N L Y T H E A U T H O R S E M O T I O N S , B U T Y O U R O W N T H I S A R T I C L E D I D T H A T , A N D I W A S H O N O R E D T O T A K E T H A T P A R T I C U L A R J O U R N E Y W I T H S U C H A N I N C R E D I B L E V I S I O N A R Y , A C T I V I S T , A D V O C A T E , O R A T O R , A U T H O R , A R T I S T , P H O T O G R A P H E R , C O M M U N I T Y O R G A N I Z E R , E D I T O R , M O T H E R , S I S T E R , F R I E N D , A N D B U S I N E S S P E R S O N . D O Y O U R S E L F A F A V O R A N D R E L I V E P R E V I O U S I S S U E S O F B L A Q U E / O U T M A G A Z I N E A N D T H E B E A U T Y T H A T I S T H E L A B O R O F L O V E F O R I T S C O N T R I B U T O R S , A D V E R T I S E R S , A N D T H E I N C R E D I B L E F O R C E T H A T I S T A M A R A S A N A A L E I G H Y O U O W E I T T O Y O U R S E L F C O N T R I B U T E D B Y : I M M A N I L O V E R E A D T H E O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E O N T H E N E X T P A G E .
ARTICLE FROM BLAQUE/OUT MAG MARCH 2021
haveseenthelegalityofmarriagefor ourcommunitywhichmeantthatIwas abletomarrymywifein2015.Icangive mypronounsatworkandhavethem acknowledgedevenifsomeperson wouldrathernot.Therewasatime whenIwouldn’thaveevenbeenableto findorkeepajobwhilelivingmytruth aloud.Allthesethingshaveshiftedfrom whattheyoncewere,sotherehasbeen somewaythattheworldrecognizes thatmyrightsasahumanbeing.Ican beheardandseen,butwearen’tallthe waythereyet. AsItakeanothertriparoundthesun,I believethatmyvoicewillcontinueto get louder, and my presence will continuetodemandthatIbeseenand respected.Mydesireformybrothers andsistersisthatwecontinuetostand andthatwecontinuetoshowupasour authentic selves no matter how uncomfortableitmaybeforothers.Just likethenameofJavannahDaviscolumn I’mplanningtocontinueLivinginThe Light!!!Y'all,doanOldManafavor,stay livingandlovinginyourauthenticselves andhaveadanceformeinthe sunshine. onthenextpage
THE OLD MAN'S CORNER
E.L. WINSTON Rochelle J Photography
ReadJavannahDavis'March2021article
With that being said, I must also acknowledge the things that have changed in our society throughout the years. Without some celebration or else we will be too worn out to continue fighting. We
Happy 2 year Anniversary Blaque/Out Magazine! I will be referencing an article from March 2021 I’m Here by Javannah Davis. Shortly after this edition comes out, I will be celebrating my 51st birthday (God willing) and this age makes you reflective just like this month’s theme. Javannah Davis’ “I’m Here” from March 2021 shares a sentiment that I can relate to. She said, “It’s frustrating that we are in the 21st century and people are still fighting to be seen and treated as human beings”. Such truth! This last year has felt like a battle. A battle to be seen and a battle to be respected that is not designed for me to be free. At every turn it feels like I have been screaming from the top of my lungs, “Living in the Light: I’m Here”!!!!
F R O M T H E B L A Q U E / O U T M A R C H 2 0 2 1 I S S U E
LoveLivesInUs...TheWinstons
Alexander’spoemremindedmeofthe commitmentwemadewaybeforethe‘Ido’ whenshesaid,“weofferuptheI’sforUs”.I cameintoarelationshipwithawomanwho had3grown
TheMrs: Alexander’spoemreferstoallthe conflictingemotionsthatgointolove. Allofthatcontradictionbetweenfear andbraveryaswellastrustand trepidationarerootedinthefactthat relationshipsareameldingoflivesto makeonelifeanditcanfeellikea rollercoaster.Inordertoeffectively accomplishthismeldmeansthatas individualswehavetohaveputinthe hardwork,sothatweknowhowtobe partofsomethingwithoutgivingup whoweare.Howardquestionsthe abilitytoshareyourscars.Truelove takesthatvulnerability.Inorderto effectivelyreachthatlevelmeans thatyouhavetohavetreatedyour scars.Thescarsofyourchildhoodand yourpastrelationshipsshouldhave beengiventhebalmtheyneed whetheritbetherapy,me time, reflectivewriting,etc.Takethetimeto knowhowyoudefineloveforyourself .
W I N S T O N A N D T H E M R S ( E L A N D R O N I )
Lovelivesinus…theWinstons.We wanttosharealittlebitofthislove withyou.InhonorofBlaque/Out’s2yearanniversary,wewillbe referencingapoemfromNovember 2021,“LoveIs”byAshantiTaylor AlexanderandapiecebyMelHoward inApril2022titled“LoveisanArtthat Grows”.
Winston: Melsaid,“wearetheproductofeverything thatwe’vebeenthrough”.Ittakesmeback towhen wefirstgottogether,andwebothknewthat ifwehadofgottentogethersoonerthanwe did,thenwewouldhavemessedupbecause wewerestillattachedtothosebroken things.ThanktheLordfordeliverance,but alsothankyou,Lord,forthosebrokenthings. Withoutthemwewouldn’thaverecognized ahealedandhappylove.Wecansaythat thisisthethingthatweare“wakingup[to] everymorning”andwewanttoshareitwith theworld.Lovedpeoplelovepeople.
R o c h e l l e J P h o t o g r a p h y
childrenandoneteenager.Itwas definitelyalittlescary!LOL…whew!I hadtowrapmyheadaroundbeinga parenttokidswhoweren’treallykids, butIknewthatthejoiningofourtwo selvesmeantthatwhatbelongstoyou belongstome.Ultimately,ithasbeen themostfulfillingandpure demonstrationoflovethatI’veever experienced,andIhadtoletgooftheI togetit.Lovehastaughtustobe present,bekind,andmostofall..team workmakesthedreamwork! ThoughtstoLeaveYou: Forus,thetimewetooktogettoknow ourselvesasindividualsmadeiteasierfor ustotransitionintosharingourlives.We wereabletohonestlyandopenlyshare whowewereandwhatweneeded.We continuetoputintheworktoshare ourselveswitheachotherinaneverendingprocessthatalsomeansthatwe havegreathopes,dreams,and encouragementforoneanother.Love trulydoesliveinus! . A S H A N T I T A Y L O R A L E X A N D E R B L A Q U E / O U T M A G N O V 2 0 2 1 I S S U E
I've Got Your Number
Keyword; Share 3 Birthpath:
What are you going to dedicate your “passion” time to this month? If you are really passionate about one thing , consider diversifying to a couple more. If you are really passionate about anything try finding ways to make the things you do more exciting. Bring some passion into even the mundane things you do. Turn on loud music when you do your chores. Dance with the broom. Have some fun. This would be a great month to reconnect with a childhood friend or activity. Make some new memories. Stop making everything a competition and enjoy the process. Take that extra step you have been avoiding. Bring your true self to everything you do.
Keyword: This month be ready to take a leap of faith. You may find that something you want to do draws a number of opinions from a lot of people. You owe it to yourself to listen to your inner guidance even if it conflicts with other people’s opinions. Unfortunately , you may ruffle some feathers in the process but that is okay. You have to be true to yourself and in the process you will find out who really has your best interests at heart. Following this way of thinking will empower you to make good decisions for yourself moving forward. Loving yourself above all else is what matters. Don’t overthink things. Follow your heart.
Example : If I was born on April 5 2002 I would find it this way. April is the 4th month so 4 + 5+ 2+0+0+2 = 13 then you reduce that to a single digit 1+3 = 4 . So I would have a 4 Birth Path. What I am doing here is to take each Birth Path number each month and do a tarot reading for each one to give you guidance of what you might expect energetically during the issue month. I hope you enjoy reading yours. A new addition for 2022 I will include a keyword for you for the month to incorporate and build into your affirmations. If it is not the positive version of the word , look to find the opposite and turn it around. If nothing else, look at what you believe about that concept.
DOREEN SCANLAN
We are surrounded by numbers everywhere. Phone numbers, addresses, pins and many more. We are even identified by a number to the government. The Universe takes it a step further and shows us that we can convert numbers associated with us to indicate personal characteristics and tendencies We all fall into one of 9 birthpaths according to Numerology As a Professional Intuitive I use those numbers along with tarot cards to guide people in their lives. To determine your own Birth Path just follow these few simple steps. It is based on your date of birth.
1 Birthpath :
Keyword: Trust yourself
Keyword: Foolish heart 2 Birthpath : Try to include some travel in your plans this month. Even if it is just a day trip. Let your intuition lead you where you need to go. When you get there , or even along the way try to find someone to have an intellectual conversation with so you can learn something from them. Once you have returned, see if you can implement what you learned into your life. Towards the end of the month you may have to make a financial decision. Make sure you only take advice about it from someone who really knows something. . This is definitely the month to be learning new things from people that are more knowledgeable than you. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something.
Time for a major transformation for you. Your inner being is itching to express itself. You have been holding yourself in for too long. You deserve to feel the freedom of who you are. All it takes is loving yourself as much if not more than what other people think. It is time to invest in yourself. If you have the funds now …do it. If you don’t have the funds now, set up an account to make it happen.Your inner voice wants to be heard, Give yourself a microphone and let it rip.
Learning to balance love of self and love of others is your assignment this month. Keep a journal of the nice things you do for others and the nice things you do for yourself. The key is to be able to look at it at the end of the month and see that the lists are really close. The goal is to make sure you are being kind to yourself, not just making other people happy. Self care and nurturing is what allows us to grow in healthy ways. Just like you would nurture a plant so it stays healthy we need to do the same for ourselves. Challenge yourself to find new ways to make yourself feel special. Set a new standard for how you treat yourself.
Keywords: Embrace you!
Keyword: self care 5 Birthpath :
6 Birthpath: Time to change your perspective. Are there things that you take on as your responsibility when in reality it is someone else’s? Well ,it is time to lighten your load and hand things back over to their rightful owner. You will be amazed at how much time you have to do the things you want to do when you aren’t doing everyone else’s stuff. It is definitely time to bring this work horse to a halt and lighten the load. Just think how much faster you could move if you were only carrying your stuff. You might even have time and energy to do something nice for yourself. Love you.
4 Birthpath :
Keyword: You are not an accident
Keyword: Challenge yourself 7 Birthpath : Be ready to be inspired this month. You're about to find yourself at a new level of self development. Parts of you that you have disconnected from emotionally well want to show their faces again. Soul parts that you have let go want to return so that you are whole once again. Open your heart and let them in. Then nurture them and allow them to grow. As you do they will grow stronger and you will emerge in your true form. Stronger than ever.
8 Birthpath :
9 Birthpath :
Keyword: Walk your path.
Keyword: Enjoy the journey but stay on course.
Doreen has been doing Intuitive Tarot readings and spiritual work for over two decades and is available for private readings . Text 585-615-8494 for details and availability. Any feedback on how these readings have helped you would be appreciated.
Those burdens you have been carrying are about to lighten up. Take the first half of the month to put in one last push to finish projects that have been weighing you down. After that it is time to grab your bestie and have some fun. You might even splurge a little bit on something fun. Make sure you check your messages because there is news of a new job or source of income that is being offered you at the end of the month. You will be okay.
Time to look at the goals you set for yourself this year and see how close you are to achieving them. If you have gotten off course it is time to regroup. What is still possible by the end of the year? How can I best use my time and energy to accomplish as much of those goals as possible? If is put my best foot forward, “ I can do this”. Maybe it might be necessary to recruit some help. Together you can make great things happen. Change your world.
@2022 BLAQUEOUT MAGAZINE
