Blacks, Gays And The Church: A Complex Relatnship : NPR

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• LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT "THE LA COMPLEX"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012/3:19 PMBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012 / 3:19 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT \"THE LA COMPLEX\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER) NNECT ON LA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU’VE BEEN WATCHG THE NEW CW DRAMA THE LA COMPLEX YOU KNOW THE BIG SURPRISE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK’S EPISO WAS THE AGGRSIVE MAN-ON-MAN KISSG BY GOOD GUY TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND BAD BOY HIP-HOPPER KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER). WHILE THE RT OF THE RINTS AT THE LA COMPLEX HAVE BEEN ALG WH THEIR OWN RELATNSHIP DRAMAS, TARIQ, WORKG AS A PRODUCTN ASSISTANT AT A MIC PANY, WAS RECENTLY GIVEN THE DNTG TASK OF HANDLG SUPERSTAR KALDRICK, WHICH WAS NO EASY FEAT DUE TO THE STAR'S ARROGANCE, RED HOT TEMPER AND MACHO ATTU. WHO KNEW THAT UNRNEATH ALL THAT HIP-HOP BRAVADO WAS A BURNG-WH-SIRE GAY MAN?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON CHATTED WH WATSON AND FULLER ABOUT THE VELOPMENT WH THEIR CHARACTERS, RPONSE OM FANS TO THE GAY STORYLE AND WHETHER THE “TALDRICK” RELATNSHIP IS PURELY PHYSIL OR MORE A MATTER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON: BEN, WHEN YOU GOT THE ROLE DID YOU KNOW TARIQ’S WHOLE STORY?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BENJAM CHARL WATSON: I FOUND OUT THE DN PROCS BEE WE HAD TO DN WH THE FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN MYSELF AND KALDRICK. YOU FIGURE OUT THAT THE TWO ARE LOVE AND ’S A UPLE’S FIGHT. IT’S ASPIRG, AND ’S A LTLE SRY THAT I’M NOT SURE HOW TO TAKE THIS ON. I’M NOT SURE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STORY IS RIGHT AND EVERYTHG LIKE THAT. BUT I WAS REALLY SPIRED BY THE FACT THAT THIS IS A STORY NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD BEFORE. I THOUGHT THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATSON SAYS THERE'S FELY MORE THAN SEX GOG ON BETWEEN TARIQ AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: ANDRA, YOU’RE SENTIALLY PLAYG TWO SIS OF THE SAME CHARACTER SCE KALDRICK HAS SUCH A PERSONA HE PUTS OUT THERE FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN THERE'S WHO HE REALLY IS. HOW WAS THAT TO PLAY?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDRA FULLER: HE’S BASILLY TWO PEOPLE TRAPPED ONE. I GET TO PLAY EXTREMELY AGGRSIVE, ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE THIS HUGE CHIP ON HIS SHOULR, DARG ANYONE TO KNOCK OFF TYPE OF GUY. BUT AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTM, HE’S GUARDG THIS MAJOR SECRET, [AND] HE’S A PRISONER OF THAT SECRET. SO HE’S VERY VULNERABLE A SENSE THAT HE N'T BE FORTABLE BASILLY ANYTIME BEE IF HE ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE TOO FORTABLE THEN THAT SECRET MAY SLIP OUT, AND MAY BE AT THE WRONG TIME, AROUND THE WRONG SET OF PEOPLE. SO THAT’S KD OF A LTLE OF THE SIGHT OF WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE ACTS. IT BE MORE EVINT AS WE MOVE AROUND THE FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: THE SHOW AIRED CANADA EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT WAS THE RPONSE YOU HEARD AFTER THE SEND EPISO AIRED?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: AFTER EPISO TWO I WAS GETTG FACEBOOK MSAG AND TWTER FEEDS ABOUT 'HOLY SNAP, NO WAY! THAT’S CREDIBLE! THAT’S AWOME.!' IT’S BEEN PRETTY TENSE. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN PRETTY POSIVE SO FAR. SO, I’VE BEEN REALLY STOKED AND REALLY HAPPY. SO, A UPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT EPISO I’VE BEEN GETTG EHER A LOT MORE TWTER MSAG OM PEOPLE THAT WERE THE STAT SAYG, ‘WOW, I’M SO HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKG ABOUT THIS AND THE FACT THAT YOUR CHARACTER IS SO CLOSE TO WHO I AM. I’M FEELG REALLY NNECTED WH YOUR CHARACTER.'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: YOU OFTEN HEAR ABOUT HOMOPHOBIA THE MIC BS, AND THAT’S CLEARLY REPRENTED HERE. YOU WERE AWARE THAT THAT WAS OUT THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF:I WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE TYPE OF SCTY THAT I’D BE FACG AND ALSO THE CHALLENG TO BE A STRAIGHT MAN PLAYG A GAY CHARACTER ON TELEVISN. THAT BRGS A LOT OF CHALLENG WH SELF, BUT PARTICULAR PORTRAYG A HIP-HOP ARTIST, WHICH THE HIP-HOP DTRY IS SO ANTIGAY. A LOT OF THE METAPHORS WHEN THEY’RE REFERRG TO SOMETHG UNOL OR WHACK, THEY’LL SAY, 'IT’S GAY.' SO BIS PROFSNAL SPORTS, HIP-HOP IS PROBABLY THE MOST ANTI-GAY ATMOSPHERE THAT A PERSON N BE . SO TO PORTRAY A GAY CHARACTER WH THE HIP-HOP MUNY, NOT ONLY IS GROUNDBREAKG, BUT ’S GROUND RATTLG AS WELL. REALISTILLY SPEAKG, THERE ARE GAY PEOPLE RAP AND HIP-HOP. SO IMAGE HOW WHEN THOSE PEOPLE TCH THE SHOW OR TCH WD OF THIS SHOW HOW CLOSE ’S GOG TO H {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID ANDRA FULLER GET THAT BODY BY EATG BOWLS OF F LOOPS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW DID YOU GUYS WORK ON THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN YOUR CHARACTERS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: WELL, FOR ME I APPROACHED OUR THEM AND THE ROL AND THE PROJECT JT GENERAL THE SAME WAY I APPROACH EVERY PROJECT. PROFSNALISM FIRST. SO I JT LOOKED AT AS AN ACTOR, I’M GOG TO KILL EVERYTHG THAT I'M . IT’S LIKE MY NUMBER ONE GOAL. IT’S THE EGO TYPIL PART OF BEG AN ACTOR. YOU'RE GOG TO TRY TO BE THE BT THAT YOU N BE ON ANY GIVEN THG. SO I DIDN'T REALLY READ TOO MUCH TO, WELL WE’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY. I KNEW THAT THE SCRIPT WAS WRTEN WELL ENOUGH AND JT AFTER MEETG BEN AT THE TABLE READ, I KNEW THAT WOULD E ACROSS WELL ON MERA, SO I WASN’T EVEN WORRIED ABOUT AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOG TO KISS OR DO ANYTHG. WE WERE JT GOG TO GO FOR BEE WE’RE BOTH PROFSNAL ACTORS, SO WE’RE JT GOG TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IT HAPPENED LIKE THAT, SO WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WOULD YOU SAY THAT THAT’S KD OF THE ATTRACTN FOR THEM? ON TOP OF JT BEG PHYSIL SOUNDS LIKE ’S GOG TO BE A LOT EPER THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: IT’S MORE ABOUT, 'WOW, I HAVE NEVER FELT SO CLOSE TO ANYONE, SO OPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE MY ENTIRE LIFE.' IT’S LIKE THEY FOUND THIS EACH OTHER AND JT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: IT’S WHAT KALDRICK HAS YEARNED FOR. HE’S HAD THE RELATNSHIPS WHERE ’S BEEN, AND PARTLY TENTNAL ON HIS BEHALF, HIS RELATNSHIPS THE PAST HAVE JT BEEN PHYSIL. 'I'M OUT OF THE UNTRY. I'M ON TOUR. NO STRGS ATTACHED.' BUT HE’S NEVER HAD THAT EMOTNAL NNECTN WH SOMEONE, PECIALLY SOMEONE WHO LIV HIS CY AND SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT HIS JOB. THAT’S PART OF THE IGHTENG THG ABOUT THIS WHOLE RELATNSHIP WH TARIQ, IS ’S SO CLOSE TO HOME THAT ’S A B UNSETTLG FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TARIQ/KALDRICK RELATNSHIP WILL NTUE - THEY'RE CURRENTLY SHOOTG SEASON 2 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: DO YOU THK PART OF THE ATTRACTN THAT KAL HAS TOWARDS TARIQ IS TARIQ BEG MORE FORTABLE HIS OWN SK?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: ABSOLUTELY. WHEN KAL THKS ABOUT TARIQ, HE N APPRECIATE AND SORT OF ENVY THE FACT THAT TARIQ IS HIMSELF. HE DON’T HAVE TO MASK . HE DON’T HAVE TO STEP BEHD DOORS AND HID. AND KAL APPRECIAT THAT. LIKE I SAID, HE ENVI THAT. HE’S NOT THE GUY TO BE HIMSELF. HE HAS TO PARA AROUND AND PRETEND TO BE SOMEBODY THAT HE’S NOT. AND WH TARIQ, HE N TO THE BT OF HIS ABILY, FALLY LET HIS GUARD DOWN AND JT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: ANDRA, YOU'RE OBVLY VERY GOOD SHAPE. WHAT’S A FOOD WEAKNS THAT YOU JT HAVE A HARD TIME SAYG NO TO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: MY FOOD WEAKNS, AND THIS IS HILAR G OM A GROWN MAN, MY FOOD WEAKNS IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: OH, I LOVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: CNAMON TOAST CNCH, APPLE JACKS, F LOOPS, AND LERALLY EVERY SUGARY CEREAL YOU N IMAGE. USUALLY, I’LL HAVE A BOWL OF CEREAL JT ABOUT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE LA COMPLEX AIRS TUDAYS AT 9/8C ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• ANDRA FULLER ON PLAYG A GAY BLACK MAN ON NETWORK TELEVISN
• SEXUAL EQUALY: LOS ANGEL, THE MILARY INDTRIAL COMPLEX, AND THE GAY LIBERATN MOVEMENT
• THE 5 BEST MOSW GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS MOSW
• ONE OF THE MOST UNR-EXAMED DIMENSNS OF WHNEY HOTON’S LEGACY IS HER STAT AS A GAY IN
• 5 SIGNS TOM CISE IS GAY
• BLACKS, GAYS AND THE CHURCH: A COMPLEX RELATNSHIP
• THE PLAY’S THE THG NEW BOOK ‘GAYS ON BROADWAY

LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT "THE LA COMPLEX"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012/3:19 PMBY JIM HALTERMANMAY 8, 2012 / 3:19 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LOVE ON THE DL AND HOMOPHOBIA RI AT \"THE LA COMPLEX\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2012-05-08T19:19:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER) NNECT ON LA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU’VE BEEN WATCHG THE NEW CW DRAMA THE LA COMPLEX YOU KNOW THE BIG SURPRISE AT THE END OF LAST WEEK’S EPISO WAS THE AGGRSIVE MAN-ON-MAN KISSG BY GOOD GUY TARIQ (BENJAM CHARL WATSON) AND BAD BOY HIP-HOPPER KALDRICK (ANDRA FULLER). WHILE THE RT OF THE RINTS AT THE LA COMPLEX HAVE BEEN ALG WH THEIR OWN RELATNSHIP DRAMAS, TARIQ, WORKG AS A PRODUCTN ASSISTANT AT A MIC PANY, WAS RECENTLY GIVEN THE DNTG TASK OF HANDLG SUPERSTAR KALDRICK, WHICH WAS NO EASY FEAT DUE TO THE STAR'S ARROGANCE, RED HOT TEMPER AND MACHO ATTU. WHO KNEW THAT UNRNEATH ALL THAT HIP-HOP BRAVADO WAS A BURNG-WH-SIRE GAY MAN?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON CHATTED WH WATSON AND FULLER ABOUT THE VELOPMENT WH THEIR CHARACTERS, RPONSE OM FANS TO THE GAY STORYLE AND WHETHER THE “TALDRICK” RELATNSHIP IS PURELY PHYSIL OR MORE A MATTER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERELTON: BEN, WHEN YOU GOT THE ROLE DID YOU KNOW TARIQ’S WHOLE STORY?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BENJAM CHARL WATSON: I FOUND OUT THE DN PROCS BEE WE HAD TO DN WH THE FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN MYSELF AND KALDRICK. YOU FIGURE OUT THAT THE TWO ARE LOVE AND ’S A UPLE’S FIGHT. IT’S ASPIRG, AND ’S A LTLE SRY THAT I’M NOT SURE HOW TO TAKE THIS ON. I’M NOT SURE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STORY IS RIGHT AND EVERYTHG LIKE THAT. BUT I WAS REALLY SPIRED BY THE FACT THAT THIS IS A STORY NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD BEFORE. I THOUGHT THIS STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATSON SAYS THERE'S FELY MORE THAN SEX GOG ON BETWEEN TARIQ AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: ANDRA, YOU’RE SENTIALLY PLAYG TWO SIS OF THE SAME CHARACTER SCE KALDRICK HAS SUCH A PERSONA HE PUTS OUT THERE FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN THERE'S WHO HE REALLY IS. HOW WAS THAT TO PLAY?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ANDRA FULLER: HE’S BASILLY TWO PEOPLE TRAPPED ONE. I GET TO PLAY EXTREMELY AGGRSIVE, ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE THIS HUGE CHIP ON HIS SHOULR, DARG ANYONE TO KNOCK OFF TYPE OF GUY. BUT AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTM, HE’S GUARDG THIS MAJOR SECRET, [AND] HE’S A PRISONER OF THAT SECRET. SO HE’S VERY VULNERABLE A SENSE THAT HE N'T BE FORTABLE BASILLY ANYTIME BEE IF HE ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE TOO FORTABLE THEN THAT SECRET MAY SLIP OUT, AND MAY BE AT THE WRONG TIME, AROUND THE WRONG SET OF PEOPLE. SO THAT’S KD OF A LTLE OF THE SIGHT OF WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE ACTS. IT BE MORE EVINT AS WE MOVE AROUND THE FIRST {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: THE SHOW AIRED CANADA EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHAT WAS THE RPONSE YOU HEARD AFTER THE SEND EPISO AIRED?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: AFTER EPISO TWO I WAS GETTG FACEBOOK MSAG AND TWTER FEEDS ABOUT 'HOLY SNAP, NO WAY! THAT’S CREDIBLE! THAT’S AWOME.!' IT’S BEEN PRETTY TENSE. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN PRETTY POSIVE SO FAR. SO, I’VE BEEN REALLY STOKED AND REALLY HAPPY. SO, A UPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT EPISO I’VE BEEN GETTG EHER A LOT MORE TWTER MSAG OM PEOPLE THAT WERE THE STAT SAYG, ‘WOW, I’M SO HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKG ABOUT THIS AND THE FACT THAT YOUR CHARACTER IS SO CLOSE TO WHO I AM. I’M FEELG REALLY NNECTED WH YOUR CHARACTER.'{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: YOU OFTEN HEAR ABOUT HOMOPHOBIA THE MIC BS, AND THAT’S CLEARLY REPRENTED HERE. YOU WERE AWARE THAT THAT WAS OUT THERE?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF:I WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE TYPE OF SCTY THAT I’D BE FACG AND ALSO THE CHALLENG TO BE A STRAIGHT MAN PLAYG A GAY CHARACTER ON TELEVISN. THAT BRGS A LOT OF CHALLENG WH SELF, BUT PARTICULAR PORTRAYG A HIP-HOP ARTIST, WHICH THE HIP-HOP DTRY IS SO ANTIGAY. A LOT OF THE METAPHORS WHEN THEY’RE REFERRG TO SOMETHG UNOL OR WHACK, THEY’LL SAY, 'IT’S GAY.' SO BIS PROFSNAL SPORTS, HIP-HOP IS PROBABLY THE MOST ANTI-GAY ATMOSPHERE THAT A PERSON N BE . SO TO PORTRAY A GAY CHARACTER WH THE HIP-HOP MUNY, NOT ONLY IS GROUNDBREAKG, BUT ’S GROUND RATTLG AS WELL. REALISTILLY SPEAKG, THERE ARE GAY PEOPLE RAP AND HIP-HOP. SO IMAGE HOW WHEN THOSE PEOPLE TCH THE SHOW OR TCH WD OF THIS SHOW HOW CLOSE ’S GOG TO H {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DID ANDRA FULLER GET THAT BODY BY EATG BOWLS OF F LOOPS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: HOW DID YOU GUYS WORK ON THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN YOUR CHARACTERS?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: WELL, FOR ME I APPROACHED OUR THEM AND THE ROL AND THE PROJECT JT GENERAL THE SAME WAY I APPROACH EVERY PROJECT. PROFSNALISM FIRST. SO I JT LOOKED AT AS AN ACTOR, I’M GOG TO KILL EVERYTHG THAT I'M . IT’S LIKE MY NUMBER ONE GOAL. IT’S THE EGO TYPIL PART OF BEG AN ACTOR. YOU'RE GOG TO TRY TO BE THE BT THAT YOU N BE ON ANY GIVEN THG. SO I DIDN'T REALLY READ TOO MUCH TO, WELL WE’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY. I KNEW THAT THE SCRIPT WAS WRTEN WELL ENOUGH AND JT AFTER MEETG BEN AT THE TABLE READ, I KNEW THAT WOULD E ACROSS WELL ON MERA, SO I WASN’T EVEN WORRIED ABOUT AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOG TO KISS OR DO ANYTHG. WE WERE JT GOG TO GO FOR BEE WE’RE BOTH PROFSNAL ACTORS, SO WE’RE JT GOG TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IT HAPPENED LIKE THAT, SO WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: WOULD YOU SAY THAT THAT’S KD OF THE ATTRACTN FOR THEM? ON TOP OF JT BEG PHYSIL SOUNDS LIKE ’S GOG TO BE A LOT EPER THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BCW: IT’S MORE ABOUT, 'WOW, I HAVE NEVER FELT SO CLOSE TO ANYONE, SO OPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE MY ENTIRE LIFE.' IT’S LIKE THEY FOUND THIS EACH OTHER AND JT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: IT’S WHAT KALDRICK HAS YEARNED FOR. HE’S HAD THE RELATNSHIPS WHERE ’S BEEN, AND PARTLY TENTNAL ON HIS BEHALF, HIS RELATNSHIPS THE PAST HAVE JT BEEN PHYSIL. 'I'M OUT OF THE UNTRY. I'M ON TOUR. NO STRGS ATTACHED.' BUT HE’S NEVER HAD THAT EMOTNAL NNECTN WH SOMEONE, PECIALLY SOMEONE WHO LIV HIS CY AND SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT HIS JOB. THAT’S PART OF THE IGHTENG THG ABOUT THIS WHOLE RELATNSHIP WH TARIQ, IS ’S SO CLOSE TO HOME THAT ’S A B UNSETTLG FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TARIQ/KALDRICK RELATNSHIP WILL NTUE - THEY'RE CURRENTLY SHOOTG SEASON 2 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: DO YOU THK PART OF THE ATTRACTN THAT KAL HAS TOWARDS TARIQ IS TARIQ BEG MORE FORTABLE HIS OWN SK?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: ABSOLUTELY. WHEN KAL THKS ABOUT TARIQ, HE N APPRECIATE AND SORT OF ENVY THE FACT THAT TARIQ IS HIMSELF. HE DON’T HAVE TO MASK . HE DON’T HAVE TO STEP BEHD DOORS AND HID. AND KAL APPRECIAT THAT. LIKE I SAID, HE ENVI THAT. HE’S NOT THE GUY TO BE HIMSELF. HE HAS TO PARA AROUND AND PRETEND TO BE SOMEBODY THAT HE’S NOT. AND WH TARIQ, HE N TO THE BT OF HIS ABILY, FALLY LET HIS GUARD DOWN AND JT BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: ANDRA, YOU'RE OBVLY VERY GOOD SHAPE. WHAT’S A FOOD WEAKNS THAT YOU JT HAVE A HARD TIME SAYG NO TO?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: MY FOOD WEAKNS, AND THIS IS HILAR G OM A GROWN MAN, MY FOOD WEAKNS IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AE: OH, I LOVE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AF: CNAMON TOAST CNCH, APPLE JACKS, F LOOPS, AND LERALLY EVERY SUGARY CEREAL YOU N IMAGE. USUALLY, I’LL HAVE A BOWL OF CEREAL JT ABOUT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I GO TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE LA COMPLEX AIRS TUDAYS AT 9/8C ON THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Admtedly, I uld really relate to this havg twice been the suatn of hangg out wh an attractive male iend where neher one of fely knew the other was gay until someone built up the urage to jt dive to a kiss.

Given that the characters are black and the homophobic dtry of hip-hop mic, I doubt that this will grow to a full on long-term down-low relatnship. At first I had issu wh the “angry thug” aspects of the Kaldrick character but hdsight seems to make sense that he’d behave that way if he were a closeted mascule rapper wh a gay secret to hi and are still four episos remag this the season so only time will tell what the wrers and producers have store.

AfterElton chatted wh Watson and Fuller about the velopment wh their characters, rponse om fans to the gay storyle and whether the “Taldrick” relatnship is purely physil or more a matter of the heart. AF:I was fully aware of the type of scty that I’d be facg and also the challeng to be a straight man playg a gay character on televisn. Not only were we the first gay themed webse to highlight the show, we began what turned out to be an avalanche of tert the black gay muny to a non-U.

ANDRA FULLER ON PLAYG A GAY BLACK MAN ON NETWORK TELEVISN

This proved to more than ever that many gay/bisexual men out there were thirsty for somethg more than Drag Queens and sassy black men wearg heels. We hope that this is the begng of a new trend which many more films and televisn seri featurg black gay characters are available for viewg.

The Natnal Black Jtice Coaln – a civil rights anizatn dited to empowerg Black LGBT people – has even teamed wh GLADD to help improve the visibily of gay characters of lor the media. The Hoton native plays Kaldrick Kg, a menacg, volatile gangsta rapper om Oakland who also happens to be gay, closeted and volved a hh-hh relatnship wh Tariq, an eager mic producer plucked to work on Kaldrick’s new album. Viewers have bee enmhed the pellg narrative, which explor boundary-crossg topics such as the romance and urtship between two black men, and the social nstcts of homosexualy the oft-labeled homophobic world of hip-hop.

SEXUAL EQUALY: LOS ANGEL, THE MILARY INDTRIAL COMPLEX, AND THE GAY LIBERATN MOVEMENT

“The gay and lbian muny has been super-supportive, very grac and appreciative of what I’ve been puttg to Kaldrick, ” says Fuller.

Long a popular retirement harbor for gay men, Palm Sprgs will soon wele what’s perhaps the ultimate queer goln-age ticket: a luxury ndomium muny signed for active LGBTQ to break ground January, the $60-ln $70-ln ameny-rich Livg Out plex is the visn of longtime veloper partners Pl Alanis and Loren Ostrow of Los Angel-based KOAR Internatnal. Although that statement might veer to hyperbole, Roberts explaed that Livg Out’s sg is optimal — amid the cy’s boomg gay bar and nightclub scene known for uproar drag shows, largely favored by an agg Palm Sprgs mographic that grew up socializg at bars, not on other ci have seen a cle, Palm Sprgs gay bars are “creasg number and they’re packed, ” Roberts said. Ined, Livg Out is loted a cy that’s “the top LGBT-iendly place for gay senr travel and retirement, ” acrdg to a 2019 rankg piled by AARP Travel Center and Expedia.

THE 5 BEST MOSW GAY CLUBS & BARSGAY CLUBS & BARS MOSW

Ostrow has also spent ne years on the Natnal Gay & Lbian Task Force endurg associatns wh the LGBT Center, the world’s largt such anizatn, lend the project ser cred, they gay retirement plex are havens for a populatn that n be shunned, disrpected and abed when livg nventnal facili. From Virgia Knight (AVL Interr Digner), Hector Caria (AVL Prter), William Wells (AVL Prter), Jim Gmbley (AVL Sample Dept), Bud Gaydos (AVL Shippg), and Yvonne Haley (Owner of Van Lu’s former rince abuttg the AVL Complex), as well as iends and neighbors, we learned about the ner workgs of the factory, the sign and manufacture of wallpaper, and mostly and wh great reward, we learned about the people who worked and strived for excellence wh Albert Van Lu, aka, Mr.

From Virgia Knight we learned how difficult was to be gay this era as she scrib her ternalized homophobia, and how she found her “home” Albert Van Lu’s haven for disenanchised mori. From Jim Gmbley we experienced how he veloped a passn for exceptnal wallpaper through his lens of an expert paperhanger; we also learned how his exposure to gay people the work environment changed his perspective of the LGBT populatn.

ONE OF THE MOST UNR-EXAMED DIMENSNS OF WHNEY HOTON’S LEGACY IS HER STAT AS A GAY IN

From Jim’s high school iend, now clil rearch nurse, Bud Gaydos, we learned what meant to him to ship “the Cadillac of wallpaper” all over the world, and the sense of beg part of “a big team, workg together, strivg to do our bt. Reviewed the Uned Stat on March 7, 2014A uple of years ago a iend told me about this show and the steamy closet gay rapper om the hood. When we talk about advanc civil and gay rights, we often talk terms of famo firsts: Los Angel' first Black Mayor Tom Bradley or the state's first openly gay elected official, San Francis's Harvey Milk.

In 1975, one obscure Southern California gay man fought the good fight and dog so achieved a triumph that would brg new rights and job opportuni for homosexual men and women across the U.

Years ago, Rancho Palos Vers rint and puter fense systems analyst Otis Francis Tabler challenged both the feral ernment's secury clearance system and California state law banng sodomy and "perversn" wng what observers scribed as an unprecented victory om the Department of Defense when he beme the first openly gay man to receive a secret secury clearance om the Indtrial Secury Clearance Review Office.

5 SIGNS TOM CISE IS GAY

Women's experienc the war would lay the groundwork for the femist movement of the 1950s and war also created the space and opportuny for gay men and women to realize their own sexualy and build muny.

2Outsi the barracks, the sheer numbers of men statned Los Angel and San Francis enabled for the growth of bar scen where gay men uld pursue relatnships and create bonds. Has a port and vast numbers of soldiers land there, far om watchful ey 'back home' and yearng for rt and recreatn they enjoyed unprecented opportuni for gay experienc, " note historians Lillian Farman and Stuart uld bars nta the burgeong sexualy of young men roamg the cy unsupervised, many for the first time their liv. " 4 The cy's good weather led to the velopment of other outdoor renzvo lotns for gay men such as Echo Park Lake, Wtlake Park, Griffh Park, and North Hollywood Park.

BLACKS, GAYS AND THE CHURCH: A COMPLEX RELATNSHIP

"The war mobilizatn laid the groundwork for a natnal effort to elimate homosexuals om public life, " wr David Hurewz his 2007 work, "Bohemian Los Angel and the Makg of Morn Polics". Lookg to prevent gay men and women om servg, officials qutned recs about their sex liv as they tried to "weed out" those the ary believed to be sexually active labelg them as "mentally unf.

"Gay men uld not pe the knowledge that the LAPD regard them not only as lghable, but as ultimate crimals, " wre Farman and Timmons. Emergg om a i populated by bohemians, munists and homosexuals who shared ias, strategi, and beliefs, Hay nstcted what would bee the homophile movement and the Los Angel Mattache emerged as s first real anizatn.

THE PLAY’S THE THG NEW BOOK ‘GAYS ON BROADWAY

Though later eclipsed by anizatns San Francis and New York, the MSW would be "the lear the homosexual rights movement, " argu Daniel K. A major ngrsnal quiry 1950 explored the "Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts" ernment "Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the term 'secury risk' fact functned largely as a phemism for homosexual, " not Johnson.

Eisenhower issued executive orr 10450, which banned homosexuals om ernment employment and labeled them a threat to natnal secury.

In the ernment's civil service missn and elsewhere, gay men and women who refed to rign were dmmed out on charg of "immoral nduct, " a clse that dated back to the 1800s but most often found age as a means to target homosexuals. 12Few unrstood the effects to the policy better than WWII veteran, Frank Kameny, who 1957 was fired om his job the Army Map Service for homosexualy.