February of every year is observed as Black History Month, during which we honor the historical achievements of African-Americans. Parallel to this commemoration, we can also celebrate Black Queerstory Month. Queerstory being a combination of "queer" and "history" thus affording us the opportunity to remember the contributions notable persons of African descent have made in our GLBT culture. Thus, we are able to chart our own course here and praise and recall our own same gender loving heroes.
Man Of The Month:
John Amaechi was born on November 26, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, (thus creating ties to three continents: Africa, Europe and North America), the oldest child and only son of a Nigerian father and British mother. He grew up in Manchester, UK, being raised by his single mother after his parents divorced. He never touched a basketball until he was sixteen years old and from there, he rocketed into stardom. Proof that dedication, perseverance and self-discipline can and do produce rewards.
He was awarded an athletic scholarship to Penn State University and after graduating from there with a degree in psychology in 1995, was drafted into the NBA. His first pro team was the Cleveland Cavaliers and later included the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz. At 6'10" tall, his team position was center forward. He was a curiosity within the NBA due to his African-British heritage; a self-identified Black man with distinctly British mannerisms, a novelty in this league. His professional sports career spanned the years from 1995 until his retirement from the game in 2003.
NBA Highlights:
Our Black Queerstory hero holds several distinctions within the National Basketball Association. He was named to the 1999-2000 season NBA All-Interview First Team. During the same season, he was only one of seven undrafted players to start an NBA game. He holds the dual honor of scoring both the first basket in Miami's then-new American Airlines Arena and the first NBA scorer in the new millennium on January 2, 2000. As of now, he is the only subject of the British Crown featured in the NBA Hall of Fame.
Queerstory:
Our brother, John, publicly acknowledged that he is gay in an ESPN-TV interview in February, 2007. The first and, to date, the only NBA player, both past and present, to do so. One week later, his memoir, Man In The Middle, was published by ESPN Press. The title became a New York Times bestseller. Surprisingly, his commercial endorsement contracts didn't disappear after this announcement and the NBA, to its' credit, remained supportive. The only two then-current players who offered negative public comments on his disclosure were promptly disciplined. He currently heads his own charity project, the ABC Foundation, to fund centers for Britain's urban youth. He is a worldwide human rights ambassador for Amnesty International.
Nude Note:
On the subject of social nudity, let's not harbor any expectations. I don't think he'll be joining us at naked happy hours anytime soon. In his book, Man In The Middle, our towering giant discusses his extreme modesty. He doesn't even appear shirtless at the beach. However, I do have a remedy for this situation. Just give me two hours alone with him and he'll be dancing in his birthday suit on the rooftop! Give us four hours together and we'll both be dancing naked up there! LOL! Cocky little SOB, aren't I?
Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!
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