Kenny Brandmuse Speaks About His Journey As A Black Gay

Openly HIV positive brand expert Kenny Brandmuse, who recently revealed that he is gay, took to his Facebook page to explain his journey as a black gay. He attributed his travails to his engaging in high sexual risks while in college. He also admonishes parents to affirm their child's sexual identity early enough to avoid them faflling into similar trap . See what he wrote after cut…

“In conclusion, having reviewed all emails, comments, hates and goodwill in the last couple of days, I'm happy to say this is not about us. It's about the ones who don't have the platforms to speak. Or the one whose voice has been muffled by the fear of being rejected. The culture of shaming and silence has harmed us as people, especially in Africa. Affirm your child's sexual identity early enough so she or he does not get into high sexual risks. Even for youth who are not gay. When we live in culture of silence, we push people to the down-low. When people engage in sexual activities in the down-low, they are highly at risk for HIV and other STIs. Speaking about my journey as a Black gay man, I knew I got engaged in high sexual risks while in college because I was running away from myself. I couldn't feel safe to talk about it in places called home and church; where we are constantly being told how to conform to social identities. Where we are being judged for being left-handed instead of the norms. According to Charles Taylor, a Canadian Philosopher, 'a person can suffer real damage if the society around them mirrors back to them a demeaning or contemptible picture of themselves.' Hence, every time you read about another gay man being added to the statistics of HIV or suicide or mental health, think about the roles you play. Together, we can stop this damage. 

1. Recognize diversity. 2. Affirm people whose sexual orientation differs from yours as long as they are not coercing anyone into it ( STOP COMPARING gay folks to pedophiles and people sleeping with animals. That's not a consensual love between two people. It happens with heterosexuals too ) 3. Live and let live.”