IF...

Thanks BuddahDesmond's Rapture and ProfessorGQ for these questions borrowed from their blog posts. Here goes:

If you were to be the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?
Have wild sex with Justin Slayer!

If you had to name the most difficult thing about being a teenager today, what would you say?
Absent fathers, absent parents, parents trying too hard to be friends instead of parents, and teenagers (especially boys) trying to hard to be HARD are the most difficult things about being a teenager today.

If you had to name the most embarrassing moment of your life, when was it?
Well, in the middle of Lester Square, London 1991 - realizing that I had to immediately go to the bathroom, I made a run for it. Nothing worked in my favor including arriving at a coin operated turnstile with no coins so I jumped over. It was that extra stretch of effort that told my body to release, and release I did. Let's just say that was one embarrassing cab ride home.

If you had to name the most overrated actor in Hollywood, who would it be?
Jim Carey - with the exception of a great movie that he co-starred in - "Doing Time on Maple Drive," - his movies are sleeping pills.

If you had to name the one personality trait that you have tried the hardest to change in yourself, what would you say?
Finding it hard to say "NO," especially to friends.

If you could go back for one minute to the Garden of Eden and give Adam advice, what would you say?
You are about to be the first stupid man in a long list of stupid men to think with the head between your legs for the power of the "P." Don't do it!!!!

If you were to name the best "I told you so" you ever got to deliver, what was it?
I never say I told you so.

If you were Madonna, what would you do for your next publicity stunt?
She no longer needs publicity stunts. She's Madonna.

If you could have a lifetime 50% discount in any single store at your local mall, which store would it be in?
Such an easy question, The Apple Store! A store that never has sales. Half off iPods and my next computer! EASY QUESTION!

If you could have one more pet, what kind would you get, and what would you name it?
My dog Tomboy is my heart and as long as Tomboy exist, there will be no other pet - unless its a man. Oh yeah, and he would be a houseboy named Justin Slayer. LOL.

If you could have God perform one miracle today, what would you want it to be?
Everyone in the world gets a miracle for themselves.

If you could spend next New Year's Eve doing anything, what would you do, and with whom.
At a party celebrating with my family and closest friends ONLY.

If you were to set your country's immigration policy, what would it be?
It would begin with a reminder that this country only "belongs" to us because we stole it from others. How in the hell do you discover a land that people are already living on? So who does this country really belong to? Next, I would pass the responsibility of setting the country's immigration policy to someone Native American and watch Republicans squirm.

If you were given the power to settle the issue of gays in the military, what policy would you set?
Naturally, a Do Tell, Do Tell policy with also a policy of treason for anyone participating in acts of homophobia, especially in the military.

If you could have one person you have lost touch with call you up tonight and invite you to dinner, who would you want it to be?
Drew from high school.

If you could change one thing about your love life, what would it be?
It would be socially acceptable with heterosexuals and homosexuals to have numerous lovers, and a space of acceptance for a model of more than two to a committed relationship.

If you could have prevented one book from ever having been written, which book would it be?
Not one. I think every book should have been written and if you don't like someone's thought then create yourself more of the books you would like to see exist.

If you have to name the best music album ever recorded, which would you select?
Aretha Franklin's "Sparkle!"

If you could have one thing made out of pure gold, what would you choose?
I already do - my heart! Okay, I've gotten really soupy now. LOL

If God were to whisper one thing in your ear, what would you like Him to say?
Being gay has always been okay and I love you as you are.

Iraq War Set to be More Deadly to Americans than 9/11 Attacks

Written: Saturday, October 28, 2006

I'm confused! Outside my vote, it's not often that I weigh in on governmental politics (social politics – YES) but again, I'm confused so I have to say something. I'm just learning today that the War in Iraq has killed 2,810 Americans with October 2006 being one of the top months for deaths of American troops since the war began March 19th, 2003. Now I begin with the comparison to 9/11 attacks because the President and his administration in selling Americans this war, cleverly made a case for war by tying the mission of the war to avenging the deaths of 9/11 (the War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom being used interchangeably) and made a case for the invasion of Iraq by the infamous "concern" for WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in Iraq.

HELLO AMERICANS! NEWS BULLETIN! There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Lastly, Saddam Hussein had absolutely NOTHING to do with 9/11.

I'm angry that a reported 2,973 fatalities occurred on 9/11 and yes, there should be a true War on Terror – much of the terror is right here at home. But shouldn't Americans be just as angry that 2,810 Americans (almost as many fatalities as 9/11) have been killed to date in an illegal and faulty war that has no exit plan in site for our American troops. With no end in site, the Iraq War is sure to kill more Americans than 9/11 and this pisses me off. Isn't the truth of the Iraq War just as much terrorism on America as 9/11? Or is it okay for an attack on Americans, for this many Americans to die when it is sanctioned by the President and his administration. Again, I'm confused.

Does this make anyone else mad?

The Women of the White House and Yummy CNN Anchor T.J. Holmes

Written: Monday, October 30th, 2006

Speaking on politics, CNN asked a question this morning that I had to respond to. I don't know if it was such a quick, coy response that came to mind that moved me to action or the possibility of new CNN anchor T.J. Holmes speaking my name that made me send a response. If you have not seen anchor T.J. on CNN weekends, tune in. This man is delicious.



The question: The Women of the White House – How do they impact your vote?
My response that was aired on CNN at 8:26 a.m. this morning and yes, "He" said my name: "If the women of the White House were divorced and in leadership, they would then impact my vote. I bet they would do a better job than their husbands."

My Audacity of Hope - Oprah Winfrey Testing for HIV on Camera

To support Oprah being tested for HIV on camera - visit www.Oprah.com and ask her to respond favorably to my request...

I Know My Status: An HIV Testing Campaign – My Audacity of Hope

Dear Oprah:

My letter is simple; and contains one of the most important viewer requests of your career. Will you, similar to Senator Barack Obama and his wife, be tested for HIV on camera? The show and snapshot of you being tested for HIV would have far reaching impact and encouragement for Americans to be tested for HIV. Imagine, in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2007 (February 7, 2007) or even World AIDS Day 2006 (December 1, 2006) helping to launch a campaign that encourages Americans to "know their status" for HIV. You could also invite your celebrity friends to take the same snap shot. Envision a photo of Jada and Will Smith, John Travolta, Maya Angelou, T.D. Jakes, Bow Wow, Jennifer Aniston, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri – all photographed being tested for HIV. A person's HIV results are personal and private, but the act of testing for sexually active people is just as important, if not more important than voting. This is my "Audacity of Hope" dream to impact the transmission of HIV in America.

I am an HIV/STD prevention counselor in Atlanta, Georgia and I know all too well the devastation of HIV here in America. On a weekly basis, I have to tell another young person that they are HIV positive or connect newly HIV diagnosed people to care. Close to one million Americans are living with HIV and nearly 250,000 of those living with HIV do not know their status. Too many Americans with HIV are diagnosed late in the course of their infection, when it becomes more difficult to fully benefit from life-prolonging treatments. With HIV testing being more accessible (State and local programs fund free testing sites within communities all over the country), and testing itself being less invasive than ever (a simple 20 minute mouth swab), these statistics are tragic. There's no reason that HIV testing isn't the action step of status for anyone at risk. For these reasons, and so many more, you being tested on camera can change these tragic statistics. The show I envision and the continuing promoted campaign would be powerful and can have a huge impact on the American pandemic of HIV.

Through the experience of HIV testing, the more people that experience risk-reduction counseling for HIV and other STD's reduces HIV transmissions. It's that simple! In other words, when Oprah encourages Americans to move, we move. I shopped (PRODUCT) RED this weekend because of your show and was met with sold out items and engaged in conversations with countless people who were shopping (PRODUCT) RED because Oprah encouraged them to. How powerful would it be to visit HIV clinics and testing sites overwhelmed with people who are testing and "knowing their status" because of your show. By you and other celebrities encouraging HIV testing as normal and routine, your show would help to reduce HIV transmissions in America. Again, this is my "Audacity of Hope" dream.

This vision of hope triggered by watching your show with Senator Barack Obama could become a movement. Why not use this show unfolding my "Audacity of Hope" to challenge your viewers to have their specific dream that can be featured for Oprah Winfrey shows for seasons to come. My audacity of hope and service to others for now seven years has been turning something as scary and life altering as testing for HIV into normal, routine behavior for anyone at risk. I've experienced this shift in thinking on a personal and local Atlanta area level. This new campaign I've envisioned can take my audacity of hope to a national level, defining a pivotal shift in HIV transmissions in America. Imagine what other viewers are having the audacity of hope to dream and achieve.

In closing, I borrow words from Barack's electrifying address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. For all the discord and struggle to be found in the affect of HIV/AIDS, I am guided by a dogged optimism in the future impact of you being tested on camera, on your show. Help me make this "Audacity of Hope" dream come true?

Passionately in the struggle!

Anthony Antoine

So Much For Choosing An Idol

I've changed my mind. This year's American Idol is Chris Daughtry (pic top). He certainly was an honorable mention from last week, especially that he sang on of my favorite Bon Jovi songs "Wanted Dead or Alive" from one of my favorite albums of all time "Slippery When Wet." But then he pulls out "Hemerage" by Fuel and sings the hell out of it...all the while, looking sexy and so professional. This is now my top pick and yes, it changed before the fab comments that all the judges (even Simon) made about him when he finished performing. Now you know its rare that all the judges agree and they did on this year's American Idol Chris Daughtry.

Ace - what happened? Katherine - what happened? These two should be running this competition - but this week, they both let me down.

Next to mention is certainly the best male voice this competion has seen and that's the voice we have with Elliot Yammin (pictured second to top picture). Yes, I did say that he has the best voice - even over Chris' voice however, this is American Idol. We already know that the best voice doesn't win. (Why do I hear someone calling Jennifer Hudson's name? Stop it already!!!) Elliot has a brilliant, virtually perfect voice. He tackled Stevie Wonder last week and this week tackled "M0ody's Mood For Love" which they noted was a Stevie Wonder song, but I'm not familiar with Stevie's version. Sad to say again, this is not a talent only competion because if it were, Elliot Yammin would win this year HANDS DOWN!!!

American Idol - My Guilty Pleasure

I'm going out on a limb for "American Idol" fans and choosing this year's American Idol. Ace Young (top) is my top pick, not because he's the best singer, but because he has the best package of singing, looks and stage charisma. America will eat this boy up.

Certainly, this is not a "talent only" competition because if it were, Season 3 would have seen the three divas battle it out and no shade Fantasia (did you just say Jennifer Hudson? I swore I just heard someone say her name), but Fantasia baby, you may not have won. Not hatin' because I think Fantasia certainly deserves the title for the type of show that American Idol is.

And let me get upset one more quick moment, and again evidence that its not a talent only competion because there are only 4 black girls and 1 black boy in the top 24. C'mon American Idol. You mean to tell me that in your search for the best in America, only 5 blacks made your top 24. Could it be that you are catering to the demographics of your audience? Could it be that if it were truly based on talent, your top 12 girls would have 8 black girls from the Baptist churches across America? Uh, maybe.

But with that said, American Idol is my guilty pleasure and has been for 4 of the 5 seasons. Season 1 - I was just warm on the show. And when I watched, I picked Kelly to win. Now she's a grammy winner for those of you who hate on the show.

This year, its an okay show with a few shining stars. Parris Bennett (Ann Nesby's grand-daughter and Fantasia - the sequel), Katharine McPhee (Mariah's little sister), and my personal favorite Taylor Hicks (Michael McDonald and Joe Cocker's love child) although not the Idol, he is just a treat to watch. And sexy Christopher Daughtry, he gets extra points for singing Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." - all mentioned should make it to the top ten.

Now, knowing how the producers of the show interupt America's voting with perfectly placed upsets strategically unfolded for reality television (did I hear someone say Jennifer Hudson again), my top picks may all get booted this week.

"The Island" - The Movie's Burning Question

The question of my weekend:

If you paid 5 million dollars for a labortory cloned/genetic mass/body parts of yourself that can be used in order to cure your own future ills, and then realized that the company selling you this cloned/genetic mass/body parts of yourself was actually producing a cloned genetic human (your twin) and keeping them alive until you needed the body part/s, once realizing this, would you still order your cloned replica killed in order to save yourself?

Hmmm! I think I actually did well trying to get the question out considering the dynamics of the heated discussion I've just had with some close friends who had shocking answers to the question.

Let's see if this can become clearer. What if your clone (a living, breathing person) shows up at your door, someone that looks like you, someone that is thinking and has feelings shows up with a lot of questions. They have questions because they have been living in a world where they didn't know that you existed, they live in a world where they believe that their world far in the desert is the only life on the planet. This has been told to them by the medical/pharmaceutical company that basically gave birth to them in a laboratory so that you may live longer by using their cloned body parts when needed.

Or - if the time comes that you need some transplant or you may be dying from some illness, you make a phone call. This phone call results in your clone believing that they've just won "the lottery" to be taken to this paradise island, when really - they are taken off to the land of death, used for their body parts in order to keep you alive.

Finding this out, would you still allow this to happen in order to keep yourself alive?

Them Mexicans

I was at work today and for the second time in my experience here at my job, "them Mexicans" was used in a derogatory manner by two people that I know are conscious, concerned and connected enough to know better. For the record, "them Mexicans" is no different than "them black people" or "them gay people" - especially when followed with a derogatory statement or fueled by a source of anger/frustration about a particular situation.

I explain what I learned in Racism 101 (not that I needed this course - thanks Mom) because somehow, two people that I care about don't get this, didn't get it to understand that "them Mexicans" shouldn't be used at least not around me, and maybe not at all if you don't consider yourself superior or above other groups of people, races and/or nationalities. For me, it's offensive.

"Them Mexicans" was thrown around carelessly, freely as if "them Mexicans" are now the allowed elitism among us, as if Mexicans are now lower on the heirarchy of priveledge until they have their revolution, their equality movement in America. When it becomes politically incorrect to speak "them Mexicans" into public spaces like the "N Word," people like me who are offended by "them Mexicans" will be challenged on how best to address the offense.

If it were someone I didn't care about or someone that I had no idea how they felt about racism oppressive to blacks or homophobia oppressive to LGBT people, it would be an easy call on how to handle it. But these again are friends of mine who know better, one friend is black, one friend is gay and white. They at least know better when it comes to our own oppression. Can we not used that same understanding for "them Mexicans?"

And I'm troubled at not having the courage to say something as the conversation unfolded. Why should I have to even sit with any discomfort? ...contemplating how to address this with a friend. I'm not the one who said it so why should I have this burden?

"Them Mexicans" is offensive and leaps me to wonder, what else you may say, even if its only behind closed doors. How else might you see yourself superior or seperate yourself from other humans? And if its not your intent to offend, "them Mexicans" will be removed from your vocabulary as "Nigger" and "faggot" has been (at least in public) by so many others.

Willie Nelson Has Gone Brokeback

America has gone Brokeback and now Willie Nelson is jumping on the wagon. I don't even know how I feel about this or maybe I should say that I don't know how to pull out the countless fleeting thoughts that I have about this. "Cowboys are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other)" is Willie Nelson's new song exclusively released on Valentine's Day as a part of his ITunes original release.

First, sad thought is that anyone would download this song over John Legend's ITunes original release on the same date, his Vingle (video single combined) titled "Hello It's Me / Ordinary People (Live Video)." This vingle is absolutely brilliant. I'm so happy that John Legend exist for the music industry but yet again, the same problem. I don't know John Legend personally but my best educated guess is that he's gay. And wouldn't it be great that IF he were gay, that John Legend could exist as a Grammy Award winning recording artist/super talent with the public knowing this? But this world doesn't exist...and I hesitate to say YET.

Now to Willie! Why? Why? Why? If it were so that one day this world I dream of would exist, then maybe. But was this the goal? Doubtfully! Certainly not with the cliche lyrics included in the song. "Inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out." No Willie, my feelings for men is not my lady slipping out, its still the man in me attracted to men. But who cares how any gay men or gay cowboys feel about this ancient analogy of homosexuality.

And I would love to believe that the movie "Brokeback Mountain" existed in some part to help facilitate this new world of acceptance of LGBT people. But again, doubtfully! So is it okay that "by default," my desired end result may be achieved without conscious effort towards that end, that because there's more dialogue and America gets to see and hear and inevitably learn (especially by hightened dialogue) about the dynamics of gay (although more white) life, eventually more acceptance, respect and FREEDOM will occur. And does it matter that this "by default" end is reached while blatant inequalities are allowed, while many of us are being offended? This is why I'm so torn when we get glimpses of through-the-back-door media attention that touches, even though barely the issue/s.

As I understand it, Willie Nelson is "tolerant" of gay people, this even stated within articles I've read about the new song. As if tolerance equals equality on necessary levels, but this probably wasn't Willie's words but those of "tolerant" clueless article writers. And Willie's manager is gay. But does that mean that Willie is equipped with the necessary language to have this huge microphone in front of him to speak to the issues exposed because of the press from the new song? Why Willie Nelson? Why not John Legend (again, only if he is gay) or even better, someone openly gay and conscious to the burning needs of our community. When will "the machine" get behind an openly gay artist WITH DAMN GOOD MUSIC too and make the success happen so that someone who IS equipped to speak to the issues, have a chance to in such a huge way? So that we get "there" quicker and with purpose.

Honestly speaking, I think an "affirmative action" plan needs to unfold within especially the music business but life in general in order for us to get "there." So where is "there?"

"There" is a world where Luther Vandross is Luther Vandross even though he's gay. Yes people - this is not news. It just is!!! "There" is that we celebrate Tyler Perry's success in Hollywood as Tyler sits on Oprah and introduces his lover Shemar, or Bill or John or whatever "male" it might be. I'm convinced that these little strides towards the desired goal is not getting us "there" fast enough. Willie Nelson's song is still a comedic spin on a serious unaddressed issue of homophobia in America, homophobia that exist on so many damaging unfair levels.

Which is why there's all this press on Willie Nelson's "Cowboys are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other)" - a song that's basic at best. The song is certainly not of Willie's best or even today's county music's best. The song is cute to have a laugh at (white America will laugh) but has this done anything to address homophobia in America.

Any plans for Valentine's Day?

One of my closest friends gave a very Anthony Antoine answer to the question being asked by many today. Following the pack, I asked him if he had any plans for Valentine's Day.

He responded, "yes, making love to myself."

What an answer! And what a sentiment needing to be bought to all of our attention.


Who better to plan something special with on Valentine's Day than yourself?

The Revolution Will Not Be Emailed!

If I get another Corretta Scott King email - I will scream. It's as if people believe sending the email means they're conscious and connected to what she stood for. It's extremely troubling when some of the same people forwarding the emails are complacent when its time to take a stand for social justice, especially black gay social justice.

I ask, "What did you do to honor her legacy while she was alive?" "And what will you do now that there's a huge void in the movement?" "Did you vote in the last election?" "Have you visited The King Center or even better, facilitated a young person going?" "...spent time with a young person to ensure that they understand the movement?" "When was the last time you made a difference in someone's life? ...helped to facilitate a space of freedom in someone's life?" "What legacy will you leave when you die?"

As you send your next email participating in the talk of social justice and the legacy of Mrs. Coretta King, honor her with your actions of participation. Let's not have to have another one of our few activist leaders taken from us in order to be reminded that there's so much more work to do. And sending tons of emails with soupy but shallow words is not the work.

Is It Just Me?

Is it just me or is Bernice King crazy?