Portfolio

Below is a sampling of my published work. You can read my latest writings by following me on Twitter in addition to here on the blog. First, check out a few highlighted recent pieces. A full inventory of my work follows.

Move over, metrosexuals: Meet the straight bears (Village Voice, 6.22.10)

Rugby player Ben Cohen might not be a household name this side of the Atlantic, but in his native England, he vies with David Beckham for superstar status. Like Beckham, he’s nearly as well known for his looks as for his expertise on the field—and, like Beckham, he’s a gay pin-up boy. Only in his case, he’s portly, hairy, and has a beard. This 31-year-old pro jock may be happily married with two young children, but he revels in all that gay male adoration.

More black churches respond to HIV/AIDS (EDGE, 6.18.10)

As the 30th anniversary of the HIV/AIDS epidemic approaches, the virus continues to plague the country and the world amid an environment in which funding for service providers and programs is dwindling. All the while, infection rates are ramping up near epidemic levels for gay men and people of color. In response to these statistics, advocacy on the virus is coming from a perhaps unexpected source: black churches.

Inside Pandora Boxx (EDGE, 5.12.10)

Though she may have sashayed away before being crowned the winner on RuPaul’s Drag Race on LOGO, over the course of this season, Rochester, N.Y.-based queen Pandora Boxx earned a place among the most widely loved contestants for her slightly off-kilter style, killer sense of comedy and dead-on Carol Channing impression. And odds are this diva will be in your town shortly, perhaps even on your TV one of these days: A Facebook campaign has launched to get Pandora her own show and her schedule is packed with appearances from coast to coast.

Meet Brian Gallivan, aka “Sassy Gay Friend” (EDGE, 3.31.10)

Actor Brian Gallivan – of “Sassy Gay Friend” fame – has been on a continually westward trajectory since he first got his start with an improv class in his hometown of Boston. EDGE spoke with Gallivan on Internet stardom, differences between Chicago and LA and what’s next on the horizon for everyone’s new source of sassy life advice.

Interview with Lt. Dan Choi (ChicagoPride.com, 3.15.10)

When Iraq veteran Lt. Dan Choi appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show last year, his proclamation of three words – “I am gay” – sent a ripple into the growing debate on the U.S. military’s controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy.” In the months that have followed, Choi was discharged from active duty and launched down a different path: That of an activist. Choi spoke with ChicagoPride.com on where he sees the soul of the current LGBT movement, a movement he considers to be based in responsibilities rather than rights.

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Published works, 2011 (updated 11.5.11):

(If you’re short on time, I suggest you check out the stories marked with ***. These were extra special for one reason or another.)

Associate Chicago editor, The Huffington Post:

(Selected works.)

Freelance work:

Published works, archive: 2010 | 2009 | 2008 and earlier

Commentary/analysis/punditry/panels:

Readings/live events: