Can We Talk for REAL

Each November on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn the loss of our transgender sisters and brothers and pledge to end transphobia but sadly our work is not done. Although Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and others are opening doors for the transgender community, too many of our brothers and sisters every day must face discrimination, violence and transphobia on the job and in their communities.

Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL co-hosts Terry and Michelle on Wednesday August 12, 2015 is Carter Brown, founder and director of (BTMI) Black Transmen Inc. With its sister organization Black Transwomen Inc., they are leading the way in Black trans-advocacy. Through the Black Trans Advocacy Program, the Black Transmen Inc. & Black Transwomen Inc. and Black Trans International Ball/Pageantry System organizations have joined together in the only social justice program developed to collectively address inequities faced in the black Trans human experience.

Besides sharing the history of BTMI and information about its annual conference in Dallas, TX each April, Carter will discuss the “hot button” items for Trans Advocacy, resources for the Trans Community and how the LGB community can be better allies to their Trans Brothers and Sisters.Carter Brown is also a loving husband, son, and brother. He was a stellar employee BUT HE WAS FIRED FOR BEING TRANSGENDER! He will share his personal account of being fired for being Trans and how his experience is being used to shed light on the continued challenges facing the LGBTQ community in the workplace

Women have at least five stages of health transitions in the life. At each stage different health issues may affect you and without knowing what to ask you may be missing vital information that will help with your future wellness. Have you taken a more comprehensive approach to your health? From the time a girl is born there are the normal wellness checks that both genders should be exposed to. By the teens years adolescence as we know it teen-age girls began to transition, physically and emotionally. Mid-life and women should began a routine to have annual check-ups, mammograms and this is a point where other test become a requirement as you age and you start to really watch what you eat. Finally, when you reach the golden years there are more health issues that could be on the horizon that could affect you, if you are not asking the right questions when speaking to your physician or visiting annually. Women health covers a wide spectrum and hidden issues could cause major problems without proper care, questions and education about your health and the stages you go through.

Joining, “Can WE Talk for REAL”, co-host Michelle and Terry will be Dr. Leigh Roberts from HEJIRA HEALTHCARE. Hejira \He*ji"ra- a journey: a new beginning; a departure from the past. Taken from Hejira Healthcare’s Website; HeJIRA, meaning “a journey”, was founded by Leigh H. Roberts, MD who has been serving the community's Adult Primary Care Medical needs since 1997.

Africa the motherland and where there are many storytellers passing on traditions to the African and African American Communities. The stories told answer questions of history, tell of lessons passed on and taught to generation after generation. Through oral tradition the storytellers pass on folktales, traditional knowledge, practices and the richness of the people. History is in the word spoken by storytellers. Thuli will join us and talk about South Africa and through her stories about the young generation and the growth of South Africa. She will talk about how Africa has stayed true to nature and it’s cultural. Thuli will also grace us with stories and information about a new generation that is thriving in Africa. Thuli stated all eyes are on Africa and there is a new birth in the continent. Thuli is winner of the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award in London and the Obie in New York for her lead role in Poppie Nongena. She’s the winner of three (3) Audelco Awards in New York for writing, directing and performing her one woman show Buya, Africa, she also won the FNB Vita Award when she performed Buya Africa at the Civic theatre in Johannesburg South Africa.Thuli played Rafiki in the Lion King on Broadway, Poppie Nongena in New York, London, Toronto, Australia and Chicago. She performed Bongi in Bongi’s Journey at Crossroads theatre in New Brunswick, Lost in the Stars, Kamadonsela (Lady Macbeth) in Welcome Msomi’s Umabatha in South Africa, London, Israel and New York City. Halala the musical at The Ariel off broadway, Sheila’s Day at Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, Grahamstown Festival and The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, Madre, in Juan Darien, directed by Julie Taymor. She just played the role of grandma in Generations at Soho Rep.Thuli is currently at The Playroom Playroom Theater in NYC performing in Africa My Beautiful.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In June, 2015 the United States Supreme Justices agreed with the pledged that there would be Liberty and Justice for ALL, when they told all 50 states in the United States of America that everyone was equal and had the right to marry whomever they fall in love with. However in Nigeria the pledge reads I pledge to Nigeria my country. To be faithful, loyal and honest. To serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity, and uphold her honor and glory. So help me God. However it was published that President Buhari should not listen to President Obama regarding Gay rights and that Nigeria feels that homosexuality is taboo and an abomination. One pledge talks about justice for all and the other talks about defending a countries unity. Let’s talk for REAL. Dj Queen a 43 year old Nigerian decent lesbian. She has resided here in the states since she was very young. Although, she loves her home in Lagos, her personal choice to live as an open lesbian there is illegal and immoral according to laws and cultural practices. She has lived as a lesbian for about 23 years. She has also supported LGBT groups in her country to change the laws and that has yet to be successful. She has relatives that still live there. She currently is working towards putting together several groups to protect those who choose to be LGBT by creating safe houses for youths.

There's a new HIV prevention method - PrEP! PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, these medicines can work to keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection.

PrEP is not a guarantee of prevention and some worry that it may lead to an increase in risky behavior including unprotected sex. There are lots of other diseases that can also be acquired through unprotected sex.

What are the pros and cons of PrEP and what do you need to know about this new method in HIV prevention. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL co-hosts TerryBoi and Michelle on Wednesday July 15th once more is Hank Milbourne.

Hank is a licensed master social worker, a graduate of U-M, Cornell and Union and Theological Seminary. Hank has 30 years of experience in human services and is also an ordained minister. From 1990-2015 he has designed, implemented and managed HIV prevention and care services at AIDS Partnership Michigan. A proud father of two adult sons, Hank is a community activist, serving for eight years as president of the Black Pride Society. Hank is out, open and HIV-positive.

Show is Wednesday, July 15, 2015, starting at 8:30est/7:30cst. Call 347-215-8985 and press 1 to speak.

With the Supreme Court decision on June 26th same sex couples won the right to marry nationwide. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL cohosts Terry Boi and Michelle on WEDNESDAY JULY 8 to discuss the decision, backlash and next steps for LGBTQ couples as well as the barriers/fights that lay ahead are James Bennett Midwest Regional Director at LAMBDA LEGAL and Sommer Foster Legislative Director at EQUALITY MICHIGAN.

Lambda Legal, founded in 1973, is the oldest and largest national organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Equality Michigan is the statewide anti-violence and advocacy organization proudly serving Michigan’s LGBTQ and HIV affected communities for over 20 years.

Can you still be denied a marriage license and what should you do if you are? Is your Canadian marriage legal in all 50 states? Does your civil union/domestic partnership convert to marriages automatically? If you have domestic partnership benefits will you lose them if you choose NOT to marry? If we were legally married with children Massachusetts but live in Michigan do we have to do a second parent adoption? If you get married on Saturday can you be fired on Monday?

What are your questions? Join us on CAN WE TALK FOR REAL Blog Radio Wednesday July 8 at 8:30PM EST/7:30PM CST. Call (347)215-8985 and press “1” to join the conversation.

welcome back Esteem Awards Founder and Publisher of PrideIndex .com, Phillip Eteem. 

Philip started working in the community with Black Pride (Chicago in 2005) he began networking and was being introduced to people that were doing good things in the community and never really recognized as they should have been.

After a short time Philip founded the Esteem Awards and some of the pass awardees included organizations such as Craig Johnson, Sanford E. Gaylord, David Bridgeforth of DBQ Magazine, Trisha Lee Holloway of Howard Brown, Simone Koehlinger, Gregg Shapiro of boi Magazine,brklynboihood.com, colorlines.com, The Trevor Project, About Face Theatre, The Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition (BRC), and Can We Talk For Real, Blog Talk Radio just to name a few. This year’s awardees include: Erik Glenn, Program Manager, Black Gay Men's Caucus, Mona Noriega, Chairman & Commissioner of Chicago's Human Rights Commission; ATL's Love Works with Juan and Gee; Pastor Jamie Frazier; Sharon Zurek Founder of Dykes Delicious Film Series, Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP); writer/activist/social critic Darnell L. Moore; Activists: Mandy Carter, Tiq Milan, Angelica Ross; Jaison Ashley Gardner & Dr. Story of the blog talk show "Strange Fruit;" 

The ESTEEM AWARDS is awarding some of the LGBTQ best, Saturday, July 2, 2015 at Sidetrack beginning at 2pm don’t be late.

Todd ReSean will join Can WE TALK FOR REAL, co-host Terry Boi and Michelle to discuss his journey to adopt his son Taylen. Todd, a single father would like to motivate more men to adopt and give a child a loving home. He is still in the process but would like to share his hopes and dreams for his son and encourage others to do the same. Todd is slated to return to the stage in the starring role of Roommates, a John Ruffin production. He is currently the vocal arranger and lyricist for the Chicago theater group, Theater47 of which RaSean has worked with productions such as DreamGirl and The Color Purple, He is currently an advocate for LGBT men to become fathers.

Roland Leggett will also talk about the importance of lifting up Black fathers in our community, celebrating the difference they make and the ups (like attending daddy/daughter dances) and the downs (like being ditched by his daughter at the daddy/daughter dance). A nationally recognized community activist and movement leader with many years of social justice advocacy experience, his resume includes bringing progressive leadership to several organizations including the ACLU of Detroit, Equality Michigan and Working America. He and his partner, the Rev. Matthew Bode were married in 2014 and are very visible in metro-Detroit’s LGBTQ community. Roland is a leader on many levels both locally and nationally but his most important role is that of Dad.

Father’s Day is Sunday June 21,2015. We’ll be celebrating all fathers – adopted, biological, and foster as well as others who step up and step in to this important role in the lives of our children.

Tiera Craig a veteran, entrepreneur, activist and community leader. Serving in the United States Army from 1995 to 2004, Tiera navigated through the Veterans Compensation Appeals process and after helping a few soldiers that were having issues with the process and the feeling that they could not openly talk about their issues of being gay to another VSA she began Rainbow Veterans Project. 

The Rainbow Veterans Project aims to provide resource, advocacy, and training to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veterans. We will ensure that LGBT veterans understand all benefits and entitlements due to them and their families. We will work with VA Medical Centers, Veterans Benefits Administration, Legal Aid organizations, Employment and Training organizations, and all other available resources to serve as the HUB for LGBT veterans and their families. We will also provide social outings and events to maintain and rebuild comradery among Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen in a safe and affirming environment.They model ourselves after successful Veterans' Service Organizations except we will cater to the unique needs of LGBT veterans in a Post-DADT society.

 

The Rainbow Veteran Project seeks to be recognized and utilized as the premier LGBT Veterans' Service Organization in the country. They want to ensure that we are able to provide all necessary services/resources to any veteran seeking assistance.

Trans Sisters are raising the bar on diversity and inclusion. Activists like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox are more than out and proud. They are using their visibility as a platform to educate, break barriers and open doors. From OPRAH to ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK TO the BOLD & BEAUTIFUL the lives of transgender men and women are being talked about and played out for all to see but what is the real story. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL on June 3, 2015 are two activists living their lives and working for the transgender community as well as equal rights - Bre Campbell and Carmarion D. Anderson. Bre and Carmarion will talk about the challenges trans women still face, the stigma not only trans sisters but the men who love them face and  why despite the success and visibility of Trans sisters like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox trans lives are still targeted for violence even murder at alarming rate. As more of our transgender sisters and brothers take their rightful place in leadership, in media, in religion and politics how do we as a community make sure that TRANS LIVES MATTER.

It is shouted from the streets, in bars, in schools, and in homes that LIVES MATTER. In that same loud voice shout so that everyone can hear, TRANS LIVES MATTER ALSO.