Freedom to Love

I had an amazing weekend and had the opportunity to chat it up with one of my fav friends. We discussed family’s and relationships and not only how much we need that in our lives but also the power that they have over us. The need to be as perfect as we can for our parents that it hinders our lives so much. For this person it has effected his decision to stay in the closet which has held back his freedoms in his life. At this time for him it is more important to please his mother and keep up that illusion of being heterosexual. The freedom that others have to hold their partners hand in public, kiss them or just show affection for someone that they love is not a freedom that he has. It moved me because he is making the sacrifice to keep his mother happy and not “break her heart” that he has given up a major part of his life for her. People who do not understand that it is not an easy life to live as a non heterosexual if you do not have love and support of family and friends to lean on! It’s so easy to hate or be afraid of those you believe our different but they hurt just like you do!

Truly i hide my heart

To please your sense of self

Your sense of right

Truly i hide my heart

While you smile and never wonder

Never wonder while happiness never

Reaches my eyes or dips into my soul

You pray for my happiness

Never will i be truly happy

While I hide my heart or true self

Unable to open my heart with you

Never being able to share my love

Would you not wish me happy?

Praying for my happiness

Well my happiness lies outside of your mind set

It is not what you claim is right

But it makes me happy

It makes me smile straight to my soul

M Valle 7/8/12

Happy "Mix Tape", Monday!

Destruction of Glitter’s | “Spotlight” Saturday

Destruction of Glitter’s | “Spotlight” Saturday:

Artist/Band/Group: Amerie
Record Label: Columbia
Genre: R&B
Album: The Prelude
Song: “Every Time”

Frank Ocean Kicks the Hip Hop Closet wide Open

My daughter and I are huge fans of Frank Ocean who showed his independence on Independence Day! Let’s see if Hip Hop has really evolved with Frank Ocean stepping into the Spotlight with more then his amazing music but his sexuality. Hopefully he will continue to be defined as an amazing writer and singer and not for being a Gay man. His sexuality is irrelevant his music should be what defines him. It takes amazing courage to come out and share such a major part of your self to close family and friends. Frank Ocean has taken it a step further by sharing with his fans and the Hip Hop community. A community knows for being extremely Homophobic. I offer my support to a very brave man in a very critical tough industry but his coming out gives hope too many other’s in his shoes!

I have extreme respect not only for him but his mother! Katonya Breaux Riley, tweeted her pride in her "brave and honest" son, writing, "I wish more people in the world could be brave enough to be who they really are ... Thank you to all who have shown love and support. My son is the most incredible human I know. Honest, true and loving. We appreciate you!" 

She gave her son what all children need love, respect and her sense of pride for her child regardless of his sexuality! Let’s see if this even affects his music, collaborations and his fan base especial those of his collective Odd Future. I am hoping that as a people as a community we our evolving and loving each other regardless of sexuality, race, color, culture and religion. 

Aydian Dowling Supporting Trans Men

I came across a quick little article in Fred Savages’ “Savage Love” column in Charlotte’s Creative Loafing. In regards to Aydian Dowling who is a transgender man who has designed tee shirts to raise money for his top surgery. It seems that health insurance in the USA does not cover transgender surgeries. Aydian has nearly reached his goal of $6,000 but has made the decision to continue selling shirts to help support other transgender men to be able to afford top surgery! Check out his site http://point5cctshirtcompany.com/. 

Happy 4th of July

Celebrations of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4^th, 1776.  Enjoy sun, an ice cold beverage, a sizzling meal off the grill and find an amazing place to watch the Fireworks.

Happy "Mix Tape", Monday!