As this year draws to a close, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on the stories that helped make The Reckoning a must-visit site for unique and thoughtful stories about Black gay men and Atlanta's Black LGBTQ+ community in 2022.
Fall is upon us, and we’re saying goodbye to the sweltering heat that has encapsulated most of the country over the past few months and hello to the beauty that comes with the change of season and cooler temperatures. The weather change isn’t the only thing we are looking forward to. Black queer artists will continue to impact culture throughout the second half of 2022.
There is no shortage of new literary works from Black queer authors. Whether you prefer to curl up with a physical book, a Kindle download, or an audiobook, The Reckoning has you covered with recommendations for titles to add to your must-read list. But wait, we’ve got you covered with music and movies too.
As the temperature heats up, so do the cultural programs offered by CNP and our partners. As the only Black, gay nonprofit committed to using storytelling to shift narratives about the lives of Black gay men to influence policy and save lives, our mission is deeply embedded in the stories, events, and national observances filling our calendar over the next few months. We’re excited to share a preview of some of the hottest CNP events that we hope you will add to your summer calendar. They are curated to inform, entertain, and celebrate the Black LGBTQ+ community. At CNP and on The Reckoning, we believe in elevating the best of who we are. These events reflect the brilliance that we hold. We hope to see you there!
“Black Is The Color of the Cosmos," was the theme for the 2022 CNP Summit, held virtually on Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20. In framing this year’s Summit, CNP offered the following quote to describe the work at hand; “So often, we’ve looked to the past, but where our liberation lies is in our future. This summit is for us to prepare for the movement of tomorrow.” While there is much within this quote to unpack, what resonates most with me is the pointed emphasis on the importance of preparation for [the movement of] tomorrow. In the simplest of ways, it all boils down to one significant point we’ve all seen and heard demonstrated time and time again; representation matters.
However, when it comes to the lives of Black queer people (and Black gay men in particular), there’s far more nuance and context to consider, simply because of how our existence has always been toyed with. Our Black gay lives have almost always had an ongoing (and extremely toxic) relationship with silence, shame, secrecy, and fear. Thankfully, that is why organizations like CNP and so many others exist; to combat such pointed attempts at erasure and humiliation, while ensuring that none of those attempts are successful in trying to dim our light or silence us, as they are structurally intended to do.
Are you looking forward to spring as much as we are? Besides the anticipation of warmer temperatures, there are quite a few exciting projects on our radar from Black queer creatives that we believe should be on yours too. From new book releases to theatrical productions, and even an LGBTQ+ bus tour. There’s something for every Black LGBTQ+ person and our allies to enjoy as queer content creators continue to elevate the stories and experiences of our community from the page to the screen. This is not a comprehensive list. And while we’re excited to share our picks with you, we’d love to hear about the Black queer projects that have you excited about their spring arrival. Dive into our selections below.
The Counter Narrative Project (CNP) was founded as a love letter to early HIV movement leaders, some of whose stories are documented in books such as “In The Life” and “Brother To Brother,”—two sacred texts amplifying the voices of Black gay men in the early HIV crisis. CNP is committed to not only countering narratives but shattering myths as we work at the intersection of public health, narrative shift, and collective remembrance. Acknowledging our past as Black people and Black HIV movement leaders has been the fuel for our activism. At CNP, we believe that historical erasure is anti-Black racism. By healing collective trauma, we are elevating community power.
As this year draws to a close, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the stories that helped make The Reckoning a must-visit site for unique and thoughtful stories about Black gay men and Atlanta’s Black LGBTQ+ community in 2021. We’d also like to thank you for supporting the work we do with over 200,000 page views, countless shares and retweets on social media, award recognition, and, for some, your willingness to share your personal life experiences in the stories we tell. At CNP and The Reckoning, we believe great storytelling can shift the narrative about how society views us as Black LGBTQ+ people and how we view ourselves.
In 2021, our top ten stories more than lived up to our promise of publishing well-written content that reflects the authenticity and diversity of Atlanta’s Black LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Because of you, these stories soared. Let’s look back on the top ten stories on The Reckoning for 2021.
With 2022 upon us, we could not be more excited to continue to engage the #CNPTribe around our programs, events, and stories to shift narratives, elevate the voices of our community, and build power. We also wanted to offer you a preview of just a few programs and projects we have in store. Your support means so much to us, and we look forward to continuing to be in community with you all.
As we approach the beginning of the holiday season and the last weeks before the start of a new year, it’s imperative that we begin to give thanks, not just on the official holiday but every day throughout the year. If you’re reading this, congratulations, you’re still surviving a pandemic that has taken over 5 million lives globally nearly two years after its emergence. That alone is a reason to give thanks. But let’s be clear, Black gay men were navigating an epidemic and a host of other challenges before COVID-19 arrived, which can often make it difficult to exist in a continuous space of gratitude. But it is not impossible. It is an intentional act to choose joy and gratitude, especially in the midst of life’s challenges. “If you can change your mind, you can change your life,” wrote philosopher William James.
What do Black gay men want when it comes to finding relationships? It’s the central question Atlanta gay dating coach and matchmaker Lamont White will work to answer in his new video series “The Gay Man’s Guide To Dating.” The five-part series will launch in July on CNPTVs YouTube channel.
