Brandon Shire

Author of Contemporary Gay Romance

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Interview with new author Jeff Ballam

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Jeff Ballam, AuthorI’m talking with Jeff Ballam today. Jeff is a lgbt author and a 6th grade teacher. His new book is Out of the Past .

B: Welcome Jeff. Tell us a little about Out of the Past, what’s the story line?

J: Thank you, Brandon. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity to chat here with you. I appreciate the support. The story line is about a young gay man, Paul  Vanderwall who is also a schoolteacher. He has been hurt by love, so he doesn’t want to take any risks. He’s summoned to jury duty and meets a tall, dark, handsome defense attorney who is trying the same case Paul is serving on. Their paths continue to cross during the trial, and so do their eyes, so they can’t act on their desires, yet once the trial is over, Paul receives a letter inviting him on a date with the attorney, and there are quite a few surprises along the way. [Read more…] about Interview with new author Jeff Ballam

LGBT Hip Hop Artist Lanice London

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Lanice London, lgbt, hiphopI want to welcome Lanice London to the blog today. Watch for her name, it is fast growing in the hip-hop music scene and, from what I’ve seen (and heard) she’s not taking any prisoners.

I know, most of you are looking at this on my blog and say Whaaat? I don’t listen to that! Grow up, please. Music is a cultural revolution more than any other form of art and the one last bastions of homophobia in music is hip-hop. (Though this is rapidly changing.) The simple fact is that LGBTQ kids aren’t listening to Evita anymore people; they’re looking for music that represents how they feel right now, in this time period, and reflects what they are going through on a day-to-day basis. Hip-hop does that, poetically, sometimes harshly; but always with an understanding that the artist has lived the rhymes and can express a shared reality in their beats. That is why it is such a popular music genre.

B: Lanice, you’re from Philly, that’s a hard city. How has that influenced your music, particularly as a lesbian woman? [Read more…] about LGBT Hip Hop Artist Lanice London

Interview with Don Brown from Blind LGBT Pride International

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Blind LGBT Pride InternationalI’m talking with Don Brown today, past President of Blind LGBT Pride International an organization geared specifically toward helping blind LGBT connect, communicate, and dispel myths about gay blind people around the world. Don was also my point man when I had questions while writing Afflicted and provided valuable insight and criticism about the development of the manuscript.

B: Welcome Don. First, thanks so much for stopping by, and thank you very much for your input on Afflicted.  Do you think the book accurately reflects some of the issues that are faced by blind LGBT people when dealing with the sighted LGBT community?

D.B.  Brandon, thank you very much for inviting me. It was an awesome experience to be part of the manuscript development process for Afflicted and I appreciate this opportunity to get the word out about Blind LGBT Pride International and issues facing people who are vision impaired and LGBT. [Read more…] about Interview with Don Brown from Blind LGBT Pride International

Interview with Author David-Paul Erhart

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David-Paul ErhartToday I’m talking with author, musician and NYC marathon runner David-Paul Erhart. Mr. Erhart taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, authored Sound & Symbol (The Rudiments of Music Complete in Two Volumes), and ran in and completed three NYC marathons. His latest project is InnerBouquet, a website devoted to celebrating the lives and accomplishments of LGBT artists, activists and athletes.

B: I read from a piece you had written in 2007 that in a meeting about finding out who your biological parents were, you saw your adoptive mother show a burst of emotion and it made you change how perceive people. Is that reflected in what you’re trying to do now with InnerBouquet? [Read more…] about Interview with Author David-Paul Erhart

Where Vaginas Collide – Interview with Erica Tremblay

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Erica TrembleyToday I’m taking with Erica Tremblay (AKA Go-Go Gidget), filmmaker and Co-captain of the LA based Angel City Derby Girls. Erica is currently creating a documentary called The Vagine Regime (the VR) that focuses on lesbian, bisexual and transgender skaters within the fast growing sport of roller derby. Erica also produced the highly successful fitness series “Roller Derby Workout” and her first short film “Tiny Red Universe” won several festival prizes. Erica recently published her first comic book, “The Mad Maxines,” included in an anthology with Oni Press. [Read more…] about Where Vaginas Collide – Interview with Erica Tremblay

Interview with Indie filmmakers Cati and Mike Gonzalez

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Filmmakers Cati and Mike GonzalezToday I’m talking with internationally known Indie filmmakers and photographers Cati and Mike Gonzalez, and you know me, if it’s raw and gritty any media can hook me pretty quick. This team of filmmakers had me hooked in about ten seconds. Not only are they well known in NYC and around the world, but it’s pretty rare that I come across someone that has a project that so closely matches my own concerns with LGBTQ youth.

Let me tell you about their film first. Prince & Ekaj hits on so many levels it’s not even funny. This is not some lame Glee view of what it means to be LGBTQ but a hardcore look at what it is to be growing up Latino, gay, and homeless in the hard city. (You can see the trailer below and a longer clip on their website.) [Read more…] about Interview with Indie filmmakers Cati and Mike Gonzalez