Year In Review: A Look Back on the Black LGBTQ Stories That Shaped The Reckoning in 2022
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. We'd also like to thank you for supporting the work we do with over 100,000 unique visitors, 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’s 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 2022, we 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, our original content continues to impact the masses. But a few stories resonated deeply with you that we'd like to elevate once again in our year in review.
Please feel free to revisit those stories below. We hope you will return to The Reckoning in 2023 for more Black queer excellence.
The Top Stories You Read in 2022
Doug & Greg Cooper Spencer (Image courtesy of subject)
The 26-Year Age Difference Between This Black Gay Couple Created An 'Opening Of Peace'
Greg Cooper Spencer, 41, observed the peacefulness of the man sitting there. He extended his hand out to Doug, and after a short but illuminating discussion, Doug offered Greg a ride to his job to continue their conversation. They talked every day from that moment forward.
Greg, who was trying to figure out his future while navigating college and coming out as gay, felt a connection to Doug that he didn't want to let slip away.
"I was emotionally all over the place. So being gay was just another thing that I didn't quite know how to place or deal with," Greg says. "So when I saw an opportunity in him, and he was sitting alone, and he was quiet, and then I saw the contact, it was immediately like, oh, there's an opening of peace."
Alphonso Mills and Ja’Mel Ware (Image courtesy of subject)
With A Baby On The Way, This Black LGBTQ Couple Is Expanding The Definition of Family and Gender
"There was a moment when I was in the ER, and they took my wristband off and replaced it with one that said female. That was probably the most jarring thing that happened to me," he said. "But everybody was respectful. They respected my pronouns. If they could not wrap their head around my pronouns, they just used my name, which is all trans people ask. We'd rather you just use our name than misgender us."
Mills and Ware say they do not want people to see them as relationship goals but as an example of hope.
"I'm a thorough believer that when you keep God at the center, he is going to bless you just as you are," said Mills. "But you have to be who you are fully for him to bless you; anything else is not real. I hope our story inspires people to do that."
Stock Photo
Bedroom Death: Experts Say Trauma, Shame Often Behind Libido Gaps for Black Gay Couples
Experts say among the most harmful stereotypes is the notion that there's a magical number of times a healthy couple has sex. That number doesn't exist and is one of the first things a couple looking to improve their sexual connection should abandon, says Peterson, who counsels couples through their practice Roots, Seeds & Branches.
"The only standard that matters in a consensual sexual relationship is the standard defined by the ones in it," Peterson says. "Normal is whatever is fulfilling and sustainable. As providers, the first step we take is to refer those in our care to a medical doctor to rule out any cause for a decline in libido that is medical and or related to a physical health concern," Peterson adds.
"It's not the frequency that closes the gap and creates fulfillment," Peterson says, "it's the pleasure."
Chef David Wilmott & Darnell Morgan (Image courtesy of subject)
Black Gay Couple, 'Forks & Flavors' Owners Set To Make TV Debut On Food Network's 'Restaurant Impossible'
The twice-married gay couple, who first appeared in a feature story on The Reckoning in March 2021, says they experienced a significant increase in business after their story was published. With old and new customers clamoring to experience their cuisine or to get the tea on their unique relationship journey directly from the source. So when Morgan says the Food Network contacted them in August 2021 to apply to be on "Restaurant Impossible," instead of the other way around, it's not surprising.
"We filled out the application, and then we didn't send the video or any of the other paperwork they needed," said Wilmott. "And we got busy. And then the holidays came. In early January, they reached back out, and we said, okay, we're going to do it."
Within three days of submitting their application at the network's request, the couple says producers and designers from "Restaurant Impossible" were inside their restaurant planning the forthcoming renovation inside an app that will be featured on the show. Less than two weeks later, their appearance on the reality show was confirmed, and the staff was being interviewed.
