SGL Contents
Editor’s Letter on Page 3
Ask Nathan on Page 4
Two Sides to Clarence Nero on Page 5 DVDs on Page 10 Movies on Page 11 Music on Page 12 "Madea" Star Outed by Ex-Boyfriend on Page 13
Editor’s Letter
Another week, another issue I am very pleased at the responses that we have been receiving over to course of the magazine especially the Remembering the Legends Issue. Please continue to send your letters to us regarding the magazine. It helps us to improve the magazine and bring a better service to you. In bettering that service we are now available in print form through www.magcloud.com/vester83 this is a partnership were you are just paying to print and send to you. I have decided not mark up the price; it wouldn’t be worth it to you to pay $10.00. So tell a friend about us. Also check out this issue with our cover model Clarence Nero, Ask Nathan is back talking about the ex, and there is so much more in here enjoy. Cleavester Brooks Editor In Chief sglweeklymag@gmail.com and www.sglliving.ning.com
Ask Nathan
I am a 30 something year old man who is still in love with my ex. Our relationship ended badly and we haven't seen each other in years until 2 years ago and we have been messing around off and on in this time he still has a boyfriend that is taking him through hell and I have been dating in this time period also. How do I go about ending this or do I continue the off and on. Even though I know he doesn't want me, but is using me for the sex and friendship. Dear Knowlegeable I would challenge you to ask yourself what exactly it is that you are getting out of this relationship? You clearly know that it doesn't work and that you are being used. What and who are you committed to? Where is your integrity around the fact that you know he has a boyfriend? Gay relationships are damaged by this behavior so you can't expect the next man to be committed fully to you if you continue with this unhealthy behavior. So what do you choose?
Two Sides to Clarence Nero A Cleavester Brooks Interview It is an honor to know Clarence Nero. I came to know Clarence three years ago. When I was hosting my radio show Us Radio with Cleavester. I had reached out to him for an interview and he agreed upon it, but my schedule never permitted it. That brings us to today on this summer’s afternoon I am very happy that he wrote a part 2 to his bestselling book Too Sides to Every Thing”. So sit back and enjoy the our conversation.
What is your new novel “Too Much of a Good Thing Ain’t Bad” about? It’s a sequel to ―Three Sides To Every Story,‖ which brings back the love story between Johnny and James. Both characters have been displaced to Washington, DC after Hurricane Katrina. Johnny is really changing –his interests and desires—and this really put a strain on their relationship. Johnny attends a black college and decides to pledge his father’s fraternity. Johnny really wants to impress his father who is a homophobic pastor. Members of the fraternity on campus are also anti-gay so Johnny is now trying to conceal his sexuality. Since James is so out there and flamboyant and totally comfortable in his skin this creates all kind of tension and conflict in their relationship. This story is truly about Johnny having a delayed coming-of-age, finding the courage to love despite the obstacles and homophobic people in his life. How far will you go for love? When I love someone I give my all. I’m very giving and really into that person. I’m the committed type of person. I love hard. I would give that person the world if I could. Have you ever been in a relationship that is on the DL? Absolutely not. I don’t have time for that foolishness. There’s too much dishonesty in those type of relationships. And, frankly, I think it’s wrong. Hope I’m not offending anyone, but just saying how I feel about it. But I have had friends—both women and gay men—who have been involved in DL relationships and have equally been devastated. It’s a lot of confusion, betrayal, upset, and drama just like in my novels. Who are your role models in the literary world? I have two: E. Lynn Harris and Maya Angelou. E Lynn had a lot of courage to write about these sensitive issues long before they were popular in the media and he’s just such an awesome, nice person. I really admire his talent and ambition. Maya Angelou is part of our history and she’s so phenomenal. I love her poetry and the
way she carries herself. She’s so dramatic when she performs her poetry. I want to be like both of them when I grow up. What did it feel like to have Dr. Maya Angelou come out and throw her love and support behind you? It felt great! Gosh, I get goose bumps just thinking about it. To have someone at her level letting me know that what I’m doing is Ok with her means the world. She’s my shero and I really look up to her.
She said you are one of the best new writers in our generation? Something like that. She said I had great promise. She really was trying to encourage me to keep writing and growing. I know I have room to grow. I’m just humbled and honored that she believes in me. It did a lot for my confidence. When did you know you could write? When I put pen to paper—I was working as a chemist and bored with my job. One day I got a fortune cookie that read, ―you are a lover of words. Someday you will write a book.‖ I thought about it and decided to try it. And the rest is history. Growing up I heard you loved Math. Why Math instead of English? I had a great Math teacher who pushed me. I never had an interesting in writing and English before then. I didn’t know I could write until I was 24 and got that fortune cookie. I guess I was good at both but English is where I belong and I’m here to stay! How much energy and time did it take you to write “Three Sides Too Every Story?” It took a lot of writing and rewriting. I worked on that book while I was in the MFA program at LSU. My classmates and mentor provided a lot of support. It was a labor of love because many of the characters are so different from me. At first, I had a hard time capturing their voices. It was challenging, but I think I did it; at least that’s what people tell me. What is it about to those who haven’t read it? It’s basically about Johnny and James, two men who fall in love behind bars. When they get out of prison, they try to continue the relationship but run into a lot of obstacles: Johnny’s ex-girlfriend, Johnny’s homophobic cousin, Johnny’s traditional, religious family. It’s a lot of drama as the two men fight to hold on to their love. What challenges did you face with it? Sometimes it’s hard to get mainstream media and black media to pick up a story like this because it goes against the grain. I also had one bookstore owner who refused to carry the book because he said it was too graphic, but he was basically homophobic. But, overall, the response has been positive and I’m grateful for that. What do you know for sure?
That if you put God first and stay true to yourself, work hard and do the right things and never give up then you’re dreams are going to come true! Tell us about your college years and the story about the pizza/booty call? LOL. How do you know about that? I must run my mouth too much. I had a great time at Howard, but it was a time for growing up and seeing the world. I was so naïve coming from New Orleans and not having experienced the world. There was so much I didn’t know about myself. I felt alone at times. I stayed to myself a lot. There was always someone out there ready to pounce. There was an older male student on campus who had seen me around—pulled my card so the speak—and decided to call me late one night. He said he wanted me to come have pizza. I was so hungry being a broke college student and I really wanted that pizza. But the more he pushed, the more I realized he wanted to give me more than pizza. Maybe a little something on the side to go with it. If you know what I mean. I was scared back then. So nervous. I hung up on him and forgot about the pizza and went to bed hungry. I later found out that one of my friends got the pizza call too. He went and got the pizza and the dick! They were together for a long time. I was glad it worked out for the two of them. I don’t have any regrets. Who is Clarence Nero? I’m just an ordinary, God fearing guy who’s trying to make a difference in the world through my writing. I’m passionate, loving and fun and truly like people of all races and backgrounds. What impact has Michael Jackson had on your life? Oh my God. I’m still hurt over losing Michael Jackson. I loved him so much. When I was little, I would try and dance like him. I would do the moonwalk. Michael had this idea of bringing people together—black and white—one of my favorite songs. I would add a few words to the song ―it doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight. Black or white.‖ We all need to love each other more and stop hating on one another. God wants us to be better human beings. Michael understood that and that’s the same message I’m trying to bring through my novels—the message of love and acceptance. Period. What are you working on now? I’m working on a screenplay. That’s all I’ll say for now. But I’ve already shared the treatment to some producers and they love the idea. I think it could potentially be a big project if and when it gets off the ground. Screenwriting is my second passion. I actually was a finalist at the Sundance Lab last year. I’m really trying to break into the film business. I love movies and moviemaking. If a movie company wanted to turn your last two books into a movie who would you cast and why? Beyonce because she’s a diva. Would love her to play Tonya—the scorn woman who finds out that Johnny is on the DL. For Johnny—Tyrese because he’s chocolate and sexy and handsome like I imagine Johnny would be. What can we expect from you in the future? More books that deal with social issues—that’s entertaining but educational. I plan to release some poetry soon as well. And, of course, I plan to write and produce films. Do you want to marry a man and have a family?
I think that people should be able to marry and love whomever they want to. This is America. I don’t know what the future holds for me though. Right now I have my dog and that’s just ok with me. I’m happy where I’m at. Sometimes you can’t look for love. You got to allow it to find you. Are you going to tour with this book? Yes, I’ll be in Atlanta on Thursday, July 9th at Outwrite Bookstore at 8pm. And I’ll be at Lamda Rising in Washington DC Wednesday, August 5th at 7pm. And Hue Man Bookstore in New York on Thursday, August 6th at 7pm. I’m looking forward to meeting folks and hearing what they thought of the new book. How can the people get in contact with you? They can go to my website at www.clarencenero.com and sign the mailing list. Also they can email me at cnero@clarencenero.com. Thank you Clarence, Do you have any final words? You’re welcome. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to connect to your readers. I hope everyone who reads this article, go out and support me. Man, it’s really hard pushing a book, especially ones that delve into issues surrounding same-gender loving people. To know that I have the support makes it just that more easy, however.
DVDs
Grey Gardens Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens tells the tender, intimate story of an eccentric mother and daughter (both named Edith Bouvier Beale aka "Big and Little Edie"). They were raised as Park Avenue débutantes but withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their Long Island summer home, "Grey Gardens." As their wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality. They were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of a health department raid on their home, and Jackie swooped in to save her relatives. Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers' classic documentary.
Mad Men: Season Two Set in 1960s New York City, Mad Men explores the glamorous and ego-driven "Golden Age" of advertising, where everyone is selling something and nothing is ever what it seems. And no one plays the game better than Don Draper (Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm), Madison Avenue’s biggest ad man – and ladies' man – in the business. Returning for its second season, the Golden Globe®-winning series for Best TV Drama and Actor continues to blur the lines between truth and lies, perception and reality. The world of Mad Men is moving in a new direction -- can Sterling Cooper keep up? Meanwhile, the private life of Don Draper becomes complicated in a new way. What is the cost of his secret identity?
Movies
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings.
The Proposal A book editor is forced to marry her male assistant in order to stay in the country. When they travel to Alaska to meet his family, the new couple has to fake their way through a surprise wedding thrown by his parents. You will laugh you will cry and so much more. Enjoy this movie and write to me about how much you loved the movie.
Music
Leave This Town- Daughtry Daughtry achieved global success with its self-titled debut, the biggest selling artist release of the past two years. The band's Grammynominated, quadruple-platinum debut garnered multiple American Music Awards, World Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. Daughtry spent most of the last two years on the road, performing to sold-out arenas, but is now back with the follow-up to the its massive debut. Leave This Town is produced by Howard Benson. It has 12 songs on it You Don’t Belong, No Surprise, Every Time You Turn Around, Life after You and so much more. I believe that this is Daughtry at its best that cute lead singer Chris. Go get your copy I have mine.
Twista- Category F5 I think that 2009 will be the year of the comeback with the release from this Grammy Award-winning Hip Hop star. Category F5 features lots of guest appearances from Kanye West, R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes, Bobby V, Lil Boosie, Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman and Static Major. Featured producers on the album include Kanye, Jim Jonsin, Legendary Traxster and others. On this album, Twista makes sure to cater to both the mainstream audience that embrace his Pop smashes as well as the underground that love his lyrical breakouts. Features the first single 'Wetter'. With other songs like Jump Off which talks about busting a nut, Hustla, On Top which talks about a girl riding a dick like a rodeo featuring Akon. So run to the store, don’t walk run
"Madea" Actor/Singer Terrell Carter Outed by Ex-Boyfriend Courtesy of Rod Mc
Terrell Carter, the talented singer and actor who starred in a number of Tyler Perry's "Madea" productions, becomes the second black male celebrity outed in the last two weeks. Carter starred in Tyler Perry’s Class Reunion and Meet the Browns, as well as the screen adaptation of TP's Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Carter was also in the "What's Done in the Dark" plays. The six foot five actor with the phenomenal voice also has quite the phenomenal physique, which has made him all the more popular among female audiences. Alex Cortez, the apparent ex-boyfriend seen above and below, posted the pictures across the intenets, starting with the hugely popular Lipstick Alley message board, then moving onto his MySpace and Twitter accounts to blast his ex. Cortez (@Model is Cute) Tweets: "Hell yeah I’m angry!…there are fucked up ppl out there no matter how nice they seem to be & it’s their fault, ppl they harm are bitter!" The black gossip blogs are in their usual feeding freezy over rumors. MediaTakoeut.com has 450 comments, mostly negative. Popular black celebrity blogger Sandra Rose reported on Carter's rumored sexuality last year, stating the handsome singer was involved with Noah's Arc actor Christian Vincent. "All I can say is there are photos for sale. And I will leave it at that." Rose was also one of the first to break this story and wryly observed what is surely an open secret in black Hollywood: "Just because Terrell once starred in a Tyler Perry film means nothing. Only 99% of the actors in Tyler’s movies are gay. Terrell might be in that tiny 1% minority who isn’t gay."
Terrell Carter is the second black male celebrity outed in the last ten days. Reality star Dorion Standberry (BET's College Hill) was blasted ten days across the internets, also by an ex-boyfriend seeking revenge. Although Rod 2.0 had advance knowledge of both stories, we chose not to report the first one, and, took our time posting the Carter outing. Look at the picture above with the couple kissing and it's obvious Terrell Carter trusted this man. I'm all for gay men, especially black gay men, to come out of the closet. But if you're outed kicking and screaming, or by a jealous or scorned lover, it probably does more harm than good. WHEN YOU JUMP, via Black Celebrity Men, Terrell Carter seen on the beach in Brazil, partying with the boyz during Pride. If you've got it, flaunt it.