He Say She Say..Now What Do You Say

Each November on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn the loss of our transgender sisters and brothers and pledge to end transphobia but sadly our work is not done. Although Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and others are opening doors for the transgender community, too many of our brothers and sisters every day must face discrimination, violence and transphobia on the job and in their communities. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL co-hosts Terry and Michelle on Wednesday August 12, 2015 is Carter Brown, founder and director of (BTMI) Black Transmen Inc. With its sister organization Black Transwomen Inc., they are leading the way in Black trans-advocacy. Through the Black Trans Advocacy Program, the Black Transmen Inc. & Black Transwomen Inc. and Black Trans International Ball/Pageantry System organizations have joined together in the only social justice program developed to collectively address inequities faced in the black Trans human experience. Besides sharing the history of BTMI and information about its an

Women have at least five stages of health transitions in the life. At each stage different health issues may affect you and without knowing what to ask you may be missing vital information that will help with your future wellness. Have you taken a more comprehensive approach to your health? From the time a girl is born there are the normal wellness checks that both genders should be exposed to. By the teens years adolescence as we know it teen-age girls began to transition, physically and emotionally. Mid-life and women should began a routine to have annual check-ups, mammograms and this is a point where other test become a requirement as you age and you start to really watch what you eat. Finally, when you reach the golden years there are more health issues that could be on the horizon that could affect you, if you are not asking the right questions when speaking to your physician or visiting annually. Women health covers a wide spectrum and hidden issues could cause major problems without proper care, quest

Africa the motherland and where there are many storytellers passing on traditions to the African and African American Communities. The stories told answer questions of history, tell of lessons passed on and taught to generation after generation. Through oral tradition the storytellers pass on folktales, traditional knowledge, practices and the richness of the people. History is in the word spoken by storytellers. Thuli will join us and talk about South Africa and through her stories about the young generation and the growth of South Africa. She will talk about how Africa has stayed true to nature and it’s cultural. Thuli will also grace us with stories and information about a new generation that is thriving in Africa. Thuli stated all eyes are on Africa and there is a new birth in the continent. Thuli is winner of the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award in London and the Obie in New York for her lead role in Poppie Nongena. She’s the winner of three (3) Audelco Awards in New York for writing, directing and performing

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In June, 2015 the United States Supreme Justices agreed with the pledged that there would be Liberty and Justice for ALL, when they told all 50 states in the United States of America that everyone was equal and had the right to marry whomever they fall in love with. However in Nigeria the pledge reads I pledge to Nigeria my country. To be faithful, loyal and honest. To serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity, and uphold her honor and glory. So help me God. However it was published that President Buhari should not listen to President Obama regarding Gay rights and that Nigeria feels that homosexuality is taboo and an abomination. One pledge talks about justice for all and the other talks about defending a countries unity. Let’s talk for REAL. Dj Queen a 43 year old Nigerian decent lesbian. She has resided here in the states since s

There's a new HIV prevention method - PrEP! PrEP is short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, these medicines can work to keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection. PrEP is not a guarantee of prevention and some worry that it may lead to an increase in risky behavior including unprotected sex. There are lots of other diseases that can also be acquired through unprotected sex. What are the pros and cons of PrEP and what do you need to know about this new method in HIV prevention. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL co-hosts TerryBoi and Michelle on Wednesday July 15th once more is Hank Milbourne. Hank is a licensed master social worker, a graduate of U-M, Cornell and Union and Theolo

With the Supreme Court decision on June 26th same sex couples won the right to marry nationwide. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL cohosts Terry Boi and Michelle on WEDNESDAY JULY 8 to discuss the decision, backlash and next steps for LGBTQ couples as well as the barriers/fights that lay ahead are James Bennett Midwest Regional Director at LAMBDA LEGAL and Sommer Foster Legislative Director at EQUALITY MICHIGAN. Lambda Legal, founded in 1973, is the oldest and largest national organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Equality Michigan is the statewide anti-violence and advocacy organization proudly serving Michigan’s LGBTQ and HIV affected communities for over 20 years. Can you still be denied a marriage license and what should you do if you are? Is your Canadian marriage legal in all 50 states? Does your civil union/domestic partnership convert to marriages automatically? If you

welcome back Esteem Awards Founder and Publisher of PrideIndex .com, Phillip Eteem.  Philip started working in the community with Black Pride (Chicago in 2005) he began networking and was being introduced to people that were doing good things in the community and never really recognized as they should have been. After a short time Philip founded the Esteem Awards and some of the pass awardees included organizations such as Craig Johnson, Sanford E. Gaylord, David Bridgeforth of DBQ Magazine, Trisha Lee Holloway of Howard Brown, Simone Koehlinger, Gregg Shapiro of boi Magazine,brklynboihood.com, colorlines.com, The Trevor Project, About Face Theatre, The Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition (BRC), and Can We Talk For Real, Blog Talk Radio just to name a few. This year’s awardees include: Erik Glenn, Program Manager, Black Gay Men's Caucus, Mona Noriega, Chairman & Commissioner of Chicago's Human Rights Commission; ATL's Love Works with Juan and Gee; Pastor Jamie Frazier; Sharon Zurek Founder of Dykes Delicious

Todd ReSean will join Can WE TALK FOR REAL, co-host Terry Boi and Michelle to discuss his journey to adopt his son Taylen. Todd, a single father would like to motivate more men to adopt and give a child a loving home. He is still in the process but would like to share his hopes and dreams for his son and encourage others to do the same. Todd is slated to return to the stage in the starring role of Roommates, a John Ruffin production. He is currently the vocal arranger and lyricist for the Chicago theater group, Theater47 of which RaSean has worked with productions such as DreamGirl and The Color Purple, He is currently an advocate for LGBT men to become fathers. Roland Leggett will also talk about the importance of lifting up Black fathers in our community, celebrating the difference they make and the ups (like attending daddy/daughter dances) and the downs (like being ditched by his daughter at the daddy/daughter dance). A nationally recognized community activist and movement leader with many years of socia

Tiera Craig a veteran, entrepreneur, activist and community leader. Serving in the United States Army from 1995 to 2004, Tiera navigated through the Veterans Compensation Appeals process and after helping a few soldiers that were having issues with the process and the feeling that they could not openly talk about their issues of being gay to another VSA she began Rainbow Veterans Project.  The Rainbow Veterans Project aims to provide resource, advocacy, and training to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veterans. We will ensure that LGBT veterans understand all benefits and entitlements due to them and their families. We will work with VA Medical Centers, Veterans Benefits Administration, Legal Aid organizations, Employment and Training organizations, and all other available resources to serve as the HUB for LGBT veterans and their families. We will also provide social outings and events to maintain and rebuild comradery among Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen in a safe and affirming environment.Th

Trans Sisters are raising the bar on diversity and inclusion. Activists like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox are more than out and proud. They are using their visibility as a platform to educate, break barriers and open doors. From OPRAH to ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK TO the BOLD & BEAUTIFUL the lives of transgender men and women are being talked about and played out for all to see but what is the real story. Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL on June 3, 2015 are two activists living their lives and working for the transgender community as well as equal rights - Bre Campbell and Carmarion D. Anderson. Bre and Carmarion will talk about the challenges trans women still face, the stigma not only trans sisters but the men who love them face and  why despite the success and visibility of Trans sisters like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox trans lives are still targeted for violence even murder at alarming rate. As more of our transgender sisters and brothers take their rightful place in leadership, in media, in religion and politi

May is Lupus Month and joining Can We Talk for REAL, co-host Michelle and Terry this Wednesday Night May 27th will be Keya Brooks Napper a motivational speaker, who established MEEK LEGACY, LLC which educates and empowers others concerning invisible illnesses such as lupus. Keva has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Beautiful Butterflies, Inc., a nonprofit lupus foundation.  She teaches and facilitates groups as well as serves as an ambassador for Lupus Awareness through personal experience and pragmatic application.  Being an 11 year Lupus thriver, Keva knows the daily challenges that many with an autoimmune disease face. She has overcome two blood clots on the brain, a stroke, hair loss, seizures and many struggles. She teaches that the best way to overcome such obstacles is simply (thriving) one day at a time.  During her spare time, Keva enjoys traveling, singing and acting. Her life is strengthened by spending tim

Joining Can We Talk for REAL, Wednesday night will be Dr. Watson, from Real Woman Speak. RWS is dedicated to impacting the lives of women through visual media and print by collecting our stories and preserving our histories So many stories have been lot but so many have been captured and will hold our history forever.Most recently, she was featured on the LGBT Radio Nation Show the topic being Intergenerational Communication. Dr. Watson has also been a guest on the Rhonda Sciortino radio show Crack the Code and the Detroit Area Agency on Aging Senior Solutions Radio Show. Since her retirement, she has ventured into yet another genre, film making. Starting a production company, Reel Women Speak is dedicated to impacting the lives of women through visual media. Women will have the opportunity to become empowered, enhance and develop their quality of life and recalibrate their future, thereby strengthening families and transforming communities. Collective Voices: Wisdom of our Lesbian Elders is her first indepen

Do you miss POW-WOW? Well Chicago April is Poetry Month and CWT4R would like to give you a night of POW-WOW, radio style, Wednesday night. Sit back, click on the Facebook link turn up your computer and enjoy the last night of Poetry- POW-WOW Style. Yes we will have 5 words, oops 6 words, and poets from the past and a special feature.. Also gracing the airwaves will be some of poets that packed places POW-WOW called home like the Jeffrey Pub, Leo’s Den, 917, and Lee’s Unleaded Blues. Remember, Cocoa, Truth,  Enina Jay, Tim’m, Logic, and Ugochi, just to name a few. Bet you long to hear F*** my Blues Away or Pu*** Play just to name a few pieces you might hear that night. Picture the last time you walked in to the Pub and saw Tuesday night family. One thing this evening we will have to take the moment to get that hug from yourself of whoever is in the room with you. Remember watching as the lights go down, and the music start to fade, spot light comes up and there on the stage is Lucy and all of her loveliness. W

Rejoining Terry Boi, Ina Anthony and Michelle Brown on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 8:30PM EST/7:30PM CST for this pre-Mother’s Day Show are new parents Jonica and Nkenge Jazz Burkhead. Jonica and Nkenge were our guests in January sharing their story of growing their family via IVF. Now that little Johan has arrived. The new parents are back to talk about life with baby – the birth, each of their experience with maternity/parental leave and work, the joys and challenges and how big brother Patrick is doing with baby Johan.Also joining us will be L and Sharron Dorris proud parents of son Jeremiah Dorris. Their story is unique because L and Sharron work with children shelters. After watching how these children live, L and Sharron decided that they wanted to give a child all the love they knew they could give, so they decided to adopt. Jeremiah came into their lives and his happy and warm personality stole their hearts and the rest is history. Jeremiah was adopted in 2014 and if you see the pictures posted by the

Do you miss POW-WOW? Well Chicago April is Poetry Month and CWT4R would like to give you a night of POW-WOW, radio style, Wednesday night. Sit back, click on the Facebook link turn up your computer and enjoy the last night of Poetry- POW-WOW Style. Yes we will have 5 words, oops 6 words, and poets from the past and a special feature. Join MC Lucy who will keep you laughing as she sips on that Blue drink from home…watch her after 2. Also gracing the airwaves will be some of poets that packed places POW-WOW called home like the Jeffrey Pub, Leo’s Den, 917, and Lee’s Unleaded Blues. Remember, Sharon Bridgforth, M’reld, Enina Jay, Tim’m, Logic, Ugochi, and Rah just to name a few. Bet you long to hear F*** my Blues Away or Pu*** Play just to name a few pieces you might hear that night. Welcome to POW-WOW and it’s on. We want you to feel like home so don’t forget to RESPECT the MIC. By the way what is your drink? Make sure it’s right by you and image SMOKE serving you with that smile. One last thing for all you smo

In the United States April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The goal is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice.Joining CAN WE TALK FOR REAL cohosts, Terry Boi, Ina Anthony and Michelle Brown to discuss Sexual Assault Awareness and the activities including TAKE BACK THE NIGHT (TBTN) events are Kalimah Johnson and John Trimble. Kalimah Johnson is founder and Executive Director of the SASHA Center, Inc. SASHA CENTER is a sexual assault service, prevention and educational agency which is designed to provide educational/support groups to survivors of sexual assault.  John Trimble is a poet, visionary, friend, brother, author, creative spirit and activist. He has brought a male perspective to TBTN activities reminding us that men not only should be protectors but can also be victims of sexual assault as well. Join Can We Talk for REAL as we change our profile picture to Taking Back

One of the big controversies from season one ‘Empire’ has been the off-camera debate of the use of the “N” word on the show. Empire star Terrence Howard has said its time to get real about the “N” word on TV and drop the stigma surrounding the word making the hip- hop drama more authentic. Costar Taraji P. Henson has said she is against it.“N*gga” - We’ve all heard and sometimes even have used the words but when is it ok and when it is not? Why do some elders cringe while some youth have embraced these words without feeling any stigma? Is it ok for Black folk to use the N word but not Whites? Would “Empire” be any more authentic if Lee Daniels used the “N” word? And what about those other words like B*tch, Fag, etc.? Tim'm T. West is a poet, scholar, rapper, and youth activist who was born in Cincinnati and raised primarily in rural Arkansas. Tim’m brings hip hop to the table and will probably be able to talk about how the younger generation perceives all the words that are considered Taboo by many. M Shelly

Partners – in life, love and business require balance on many levels. This week on CAN WE TALK FOR REAL co-hosts Terry Boi, Ina and Michelle sit down and talk with the founders of HUSTLE & FLO PRODUCTIONS. Hustle & Flo is the brain child of Michelle R (Hustle) and Keisha A. (Flo). They have been friends for 27 years and life partners for 7 years. Each owns and operates their own business -Hustle a commercial cleaning service and Flo a home daycare. Together in 2013 they created Hustle & Flo Productions hosting social events for lesbians 25 years of age and over. Each event HUSTLE & FLO hosts has its own unique theme, raffles, food and highlights health topics for women each month. The monthly dances are strictly for women but Hustle and Flo have found ways to support the entire LGBTQ community by hosting free events to collect donations for other organizations, participating in back-to-school events and more. Hustle and Flo believes in the SHE Concept –Support other LGBTQ businesses and organi

Starting off the month of April tomorrow, April 1st joining, CWT4R co-host, Terry, Ina and Michelle, will be the hot, sexy, and out spoken NIKKI PATIN. Nikki has been writing for over two decades and her writings extend from love, revolutionary, to violence to empowerment to loving one’s self to love of a child. She can be steamy, well reserved, in your face, behind closed door, telling you about yourself before you know it is about you. Nikki Patin has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, WGN, WCIU, WBEZ and New Zealand's TV3 and Radio New Zealand. She was voted one of 30 under 30 most influential LGBTQ people in Chicago by Windy City Times and took the gold medal in the 2006 Gay Games International LGBT poetry slam.  She is the creator of Surviving the Mic(www.survivingthemic.org), an organization dedicated to creating safe and affirming artistic spaces for survivors of trauma. Nikki Patin is an MFA candidate in Creative Non-Fiction at Stonecoast MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine and a weekly cul

Continuing on our series on strong women leaders, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 co-hosts Ina Anthony, Terry Boi Adams and Michelle Brown welcome Dr. Wilhelmina Perry, the founder of the LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent. Dr. Wilhelmina Perry holds a masters in social work and a doctorate in human behavior and educational leadership. She has been a social work faculty, administrator of not- for- profit institutions and community educator. In 2002, she became a member of The Riverside Church and shortly thereafter would become the convener of Marantha, the LGBT ministry. Dr. Perry was a co-founder and Vice President of the Interfaith Task Force for Homeless LGBT Youth. Under the work of the Task Force, three shelters were opened in local churches. Dr. Perry has been an advocate for LGBT same-gender loving people as well as for marriage equality. She held the position of convener of the Roundtable People of Color under Empire State Pride Agenda. In 2010, this group reformed itself as an independent organiz