Known for his musical artistry and LGBT affirming lyrics, award winning Caribbean soul artist Nhojj will kick off the festivities at a special “Out and Proud” Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum on January 7, 2012.  Seating is limited, and people are advised to arrive 30 minutes early for Nhojj’s 5 p.m. show.

Thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5 to 11 p.m. at Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturdays.

Along with Nhojj other featured performers, artists, and writers will include drag queen Peppermint,  OMA winner Ariel Aparicio,  artist Lyle Ashton Harris, folk rock singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick, Hide/Seek curator Jonathan Katz, DJ Tikka Masala, author Charles Rice-Gonzalez, and Experimental punk band Three Teens Kill Four.

The Nhojj “Out and Proud” performance coincides with HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, the first major museum exhibition to explore how gender and sexual identity have shaped the creation of American portraiture.  The special exhibition will be on display at the museum through February 12, 2012.  During his performance, Nhojj will perform his latest singles ”Adam & Steve” and “He & Him.”

“I’m really excited about being apart of this historic Brooklyn Museum Out & Proud First Saturday, we’ve got excellent musicians, a great set, and a few surprises… I can’t wait to share it”

“I’m really excited about being apart of this historic Brooklyn Museum Out & Proud First Saturday, we’ve got excellent musicians, a great set, and a few surprises… I can’t wait to share it” Nhojj explains. His band will include John Legend drummer – Swiss Chris, Keith Sweat keyboardist John F Adams, Clark Dark on Bass, and longtime guitarist Marcelo Cardozo. 3 background singers will complete Nhojj’s band for the show.

Nhojj made OUTMusic Awards history in 2009 when his ballad “Love” was voted Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year by the Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers.  It marked the first time an African American male had won an OMA.  In 2010 Nhojj broke yet another barrier when his “Love” music video climbed to the #1 position on MTV Music – the first time a gay music video topped the mainstream MTV Music chart.

Son of a church minister, Nhojj grew up in Guyana.  When he was 5 he began singing in his father’s church with his older sister accompanying him on piano.  In an effort to share God’s unconditional love for all, last Easter Nhojj released the groundbreaking Marriage Equality “Amazing Grace.” It portrays a male inter-racial couple exchanging wedding vows and living in a committed loving relationship.

Both “Love” and “Amazing Grace” music videos have been selected for screening at the 1^st Annual Out in the Desert International LGBT Film Festival to be held in February, 2012 in Tucson, Arizona.

“I’m so proud of Brooklyn Museum for honoring these artists and acknowledging the importance their work.  Art whatever form it takes is speaks to who we are and we all affect and influence this world.”

Celebrating October as LGBT History Month, Nhojj released his new single “Adam & Steve” on October 11, coinciding with National Coming Out Day. The soulful lullaby offers a beautiful affirmation of love and understanding for all people.

The latest in a string of songs affirming LGBT identity, Nhojj blends ambient electronica grooves with socially conscious lyrics to offer listeners a compassionate and deeply spiritual experience.

This Caribbean trendsetter bravely sheds light on spirituality and homosexuality in a culture where many see the two as contradictory. The God Nhojj depicts in “Adam & Steve” is a nonjudgmental God who simply asks that his children love one another; it is a God whose love is offered, not just to Adam and Eve, but to “Adam and Steve” also.

Nhojj is a two-time OUT music award winner noted for having the all-time #1 most watched Reggae-world music video on MTV Hive. He also reached #1 on the MTV Music video chart.

Son of a minister, Nhojj grew up in Guyana and began singing at his father’s church when he was 5. In 2005 he recorded “John Martinborough – Coming Home,” a collection of church hymns.

Earlier this year Nhojj released the groundbreaking marriage equality “Amazing Grace” video portraying an interracial gay couple exchanging vows and affirming their commitment in a church. It was the first time a classic Christian hymn had been used to express the “naturalness” and “Godliness” of love between same sex partners. Says MINT Male magazine, Nhojj is “changing preconceived notions about the representations of love.”

LGBT History Month originated in the United States and was first celebrated in 1994 to encourage honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed awareness day celebrating Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer people and communities.

Nhojj made OUTMusic and black history in 2009 when his soulful ballad “Love” was voted R&B/Soul Song of the Year by the Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists and Performers. It marked the first time a black artist won an OUTMusic Award. Earlier this year Nhojj won his second OMA for “The Gay Warrior Song” and recorded “He & Him,” a provocative love song.

United Church of Christ Cathedral of Hope plays Nhojj’s Amazing Grace music video on the homepage of their website.

Pastor John Shuck at First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton, TN blogs “Here is a beautiful video…. Nhojj affirms life with welcoming, hopeful and transforming words.”

Pastor Martha Spong at UCC North Yarmouth Congregational Church, ME writes “Amazing Grace: a beautiful video… I’m bowled over by the beauty of the images and his music.”

Controversial “MadPriest” Reverend Jonathan Hagger at the Church of England writes in his blog, “Amazing Video” and recommends Nhojj’s latest article as “a superb testament to God’s rainbow creation.”

The Amazing Grace that these clergy are talking about isn’t the traditional one. This “Amazing Grace” symbolizes a movement of love and acceptance that has taken hold among progressive churches. It is an “Amazing Grace” that expresses the “rightness and godliness” of gay love– portraying a male interracial couple exchanging marriage vows and living in a loving committed relationship.

Filmed in the historic St. Mark’s Church, one of the oldest churches in New York City, Nhojj’s “Amazing Grace” marks the first time a well known Christian hymn has been used in a music video to affirm the LGBT community and support marriage equality. It expands the innate power of the time honored hymn and represents a step forward for homosexuals in reclaiming their spiritual lives and healing wounds.

“It’s the story of two people finding each other and recognizing the love their hearts share,” Nhojj says. “I truly believe God is love and so wherever love is God is.”

Homosexuals who seek church families are now being openly welcomed by a new breed of progressive ministers. There are thousands of LGBT affirming congregations throughout America and the world, and many are part of large denominations like Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Unity, United Church of Christ, Methodist, Metropolitan Community, Episcopal, Dignity (a group within the Catholic Church), and Brethren/Mennonite. With gay marriage legal in 6 states including New York and our nation’s capital, the number of gay affirming congregations is bound to grow.

Son of a fundamentalist minister, Nhojj grew up in Guyana. He held onto feelings of shame and internalized homophobia until he became an adult and attended therapy group sessions while at NYU. The conversations lead him to rethink his childhood experiences and learn new ways of living life – honestly and openly.

In 2005, Nhojj toured churches throughout London, Toronto, the Caribbean and the USA. The recipient of 2 OUTMusic Awards, Nhojj is the first black male to receive an OMA and the first Out artist to reach #1 on the MTV Music chart with a gay music video – “Love.”

“Love is the most fundamental of all human conditions and the most important.” Nhojj concludes, “We all deserve to love and be loved.”

The reggae flavored anthem, Gay Warrior Song required 7 years and 2 versions before it felt complete. However all the care and effort paid off at the 7th Annual OUTMusic Awards, when Guyanese singer/songwriter Nhojj won the trophy for OUTStanding R&B/Soul song of the year. It is the first time in the history of the OUTMusic Awards, an African-American artist has had 2 consecutive wins. Last year Nhojj won for his song Love becoming the first Black male to win an OMA, and earning congratulations from BET/Centric’s Soul Sessions for being “a Black history and a gay history first!”

Nhojj joined an impressive list of winners and honorees. Other artists giving acceptance speeches included Country music singer Chely Wright (Vanguard Award), The Village People’s Randy Jones (Heritage Award), and Living Legend Paula “Styx” Hampton. Christian artist Ray Boltz nabbed 3 awards, Melissa Etheridge (Lifetime Achievement) video tapped a personal thank you, and B.Slade performed a tribute to Disco Icon Sylvester.

“The OMAs are exciting and taking home a trophy is a wonderful honor” Nhojj explains, “but I believe any artist who has the courage to live openly and honestly is a winner. I‘m happy more artists are discovering their power and using their voices to advance equality.”

Dubbed the biggest night in LGBT music, the Live Nation/Logo TV sponsored gala ceremony is produced annually by The LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA). LARA is the premiere non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and presenting it’s 1,000+ members to broader audiences, raising awareness, and ensuring that contributions LGBT artists make to the Music Industry are acknowledged and celebrated.

Last year the “Gay Warrior Song” (also nominated for OUTStanding Songwriter) peaked at #1 on CDbaby’s Out & Proud chart, and was a staple on Nhojj’s 2010 Gay Pride Tour. Along the 8 city tour, Nhojj shared stages with 80’s pop icon Taylor Dayne and Gay Recording Legend Jimmy Somerville, before wrapping up in Munich, Germany. The “Gay Warrior Song” is produced by Nhojj and mastered by Robert Honablue, whose gold and platinum credits include Bob Marley, Santana, Aretha Franklin, and Jimi Hendrix. Proceeds from the sale of the single go to SASOD (Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination), an LGBT Rights organization in Nhojj’s native Guyana.

“I‘m proud to be using my talents to help make this world a better place. I believe music has a tremendous power to heal, affirm, and empower.” – Nhojj says.

To date Nhojj has released 6 CDs, 9 Singles, and an Unplugged DVD filmed by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote. Earlier this year, he debuted a groundbreaking Amazing Grace music video supporting marriage equality, a follow-up to his #1 MTV Music gay video Love.

“The Gay Warrior Song Is dedicated to all the gay warriors around the world who are fighting for Love,” Nhojj said in his acceptance speech. “Love belongs to us all… it always has and it always will, we must hold this truth in our hearts and let it flow out into the world.”

A new interpretation

Amazing Grace, arguably the most recognizable of all Christian hymns, was written in 1779 and is a staple in the American landscape. It has been recorded by such diverse artists as Mahalia Jackson, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Judy Collins, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, and Johnny Cash. It has inspired hope in times of tragedy, uplifted African Americans during the era of slavery, rallied anti-war protesters during the Vietnam War, and encouraged countless individuals dealing with issues of alcoholism, drug addiction, illness and death.

Gay marriage

This new Nhojj version of Amazing Grace expands the innate power of the song to affirm the LGBT community and support gay marriage. It represents a step forward for homosexuals in reclaiming their spiritual lives and healing wounds, an important part of this Easter holiday. Filmed in the historic St. Mark’s Church, one of the oldest churches in New York City, this is the first time a well known Christian hymn has been used in a music video to express the “rightness and godliness” of same gender love– portraying a male interracial couple exchanging marriage vows and living in a loving committed relationship.

“It’s a love story…” Nhojj says. “There’s a beauty in love. And I hope that beauty is conveyed in this video.”

It’s a love story

This is the second time the award winning artist has advanced the cause of gay rights with a music video. A year ago he released his original composition Love, depicting 2 young men falling in love. The video made gay music history remarkably hitting the coveted #1 spot on the MTV Music video chart. BET’s Centric TV Soul Sessions publicly congratulated Nhojj for being “a Black history and a gay history first!”

While many gay themes exist in film and literature, sadly, very few exist in popular music. Even though many music artists like Elton John, Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, and Clay Aiken have come out of the closet, few have produced same gender loving music or videos.

Our lives through music

“I believe it is important to take a look at society and to see ourselves mirrored across all media,” Nhojj explains. “We need to feel a part of a greater community, and seeing and hearing our lives through music is an vital part of this equation.”

Son of a church minister, Nhojj grew up in Guyana and began singing at the age of 5. In 2005 he released John Martinborough Coming Home – interpretations of traditional Christian hymns, which includes this version of “Amazing Grace.” Nhojj has incorporated lyrics from “Amazing Grace” in 2 of his original songs – “Lost/Found” from his award-winning 2003 CD Someday Peace Love & Freedom, and Things Will Get Better, the 2010 single, released in response to gay suicides due to bullying and abuse.

Nhojj continues his commitment to affirm and uplift LGBT peoples. His Valentine’s Day release He & Him explores ambient sounds and soulful grooves to create the effect of one awakening from sleep and seeing a vision – his lover’s body, “strong and beautiful.” It tells a simple story. The lyric refrain is “He loves him.”

We all deserve to love and be loved

“Love is the most fundamental of all human conditions and the most important.” Nhojj says, “We all deserve to love and be loved.”

(PRWeb) Acclaimed for “Love” – a neo-soul song and 2010 chart topping MTV Music video, versatile artist Nhojj explores a new genre for his latest release “Happy New Year’s Day.” The 1/1/11 celebration song rings to the sounds of disco music.

“Happy New Year’s Day,” is Nhojj’s latest in a string of uplifting tunes. This time around he combines positive, affirming lyrics with the passion and sexuality of pulsating beats on the dance floor, sending the message to “keep striving on…” and to “give love a try.”

Written to capture the spirit of New Year’s Day celebrations and spread hope throughout the year, “Happy New Year’s Day” has already been coined “the ultimate feel good disco song.” Nhojj says, “Music can be a tremendous force in our world. It can bring us together and make us dance and sing and feel good, and for me only one musical genre that celebrates all these traits is disco.”

Nhojj’s musical roots trace back to when he was a child of 5 singing choir songs in his father’s small church in Georgetown, Guyana. The values he learned early in life have stayed with him – dream big, work hard, count your blessings, persevere, and always honor the uniqueness and potential of all human life. Lyrically “Happy New Year’s Day” is a conglomeration of these values.

From homelessness to homophobia Nhojj has addressed the pressing issues of today’s society through his music. He has looked inward and explored issues of self esteem. “Good music is entertaining…” he explains, “but it can be so much more than that. It can change the way we think of ourselves and the world around us. It can inspire.”

In his decade long musical journey, Nhojj has released six albums, four singles, and a DVD directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote. He has headlined at the Barbados Music Awards, as well Pride Festivals across America, and in Munich, Germany. He made history by being the first Black male to win an OUTMusic Award and by being the first gay indie artist to top the MTV Music video chart. But his proudest accomplishment is being able to create music that honors and celebrates how special we are.

With a simple song recorded on his apple computer, award winning gay artist Nhojj joins the ranks of President Barak Obama, Laura Bush and thousands of others in offering a message of hope to gay youth experiencing bullying and abuse.- The name of the song is “Things Will Get Better.”

Nhojj wrote “Things Will Get Better” after the recent rash of suicides by gay youth. “At first I didn’t know what to do,” Nhojj says,”but thankfully I came across the “It Gets Better Project.” The project was started by media pundit Dan Savage, with the idea of young people and adults sharing their experiences to help teens realize that it does get better. “I just knew I had to share my story,” Nhojj says, “and this was the best way I knew how – through music.”

Nhojj suggests other musicians and artists join in and create their own messages of hope. “You never know who needs to hear this right now,” he says.

Son of a church minister, Nhojj grew up in Georgetown, Guyana. His religious upbringing was strict. He experienced first hand the feelings of isolation and confusion that result from being teased by classmates for being gay. But things got better after graduating from high school and moving to New York City , where he eventually pursued a career in music.

Statistics for gay youth are dismal. According to ItGetsBetterProject.com nine out of ten LGBT youths have experienced harassment in school, and more than one-third have attempted suicide, four times more than their heterosexual counterparts.

Nhojj infuses his own story with lyrics from “Amazing Grace” for this uniquely personal offering–”Things Will Get Better.” “It is important for churches and religious institutions to help youth live!” Nhojj says. “God is on the side of love—love of all people. This is the basis of all great religious teachings.”

Nhojj made OUTMusic Awards history a year ago when his ballad “Love” was voted 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year, by The Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers. It marked the first time an African American male won an OMA, and earned him congratulations from BET/Centric TV.

Earlier this year, Nhojj made history a second time when his gay music video “Love” topped the MTV Music video chart. He has been featured in The Advocate, About.com, and appeared on LOGO, New York 1, WNYE / WNYC TV Channel 25, an affiliate of the PBS Television Network

A college tour is not new for Nhojj. In 2004 he toured American colleges to promote his critically acclaimed Someday Peace Love & Freedom CD. This time around there is no album to promote – just a deep rooted conviction that this is what he should do right now. In a society where homophobia still exists, Nhojj wants to share strength, hope, and pride with Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) youth everywhere. The message is – Love is a gift from God, and regardless of sexual orientation “Love Is Love.”

Nhojj made history twice within the last year – first when his song “Love” won an OUTMusic Award, making him the first black male to win an OMA; and secondly when the gay music video “Love” climbed to #1 on the MTV Music Top 100 Chart.

This summer Nhojj completed an 8 city Gay Pride Tour which concluded in Germany, with a performance celebrating the 30th anniversary of CSD Gay Pride in Munich. Nhojj opened the festivities with his “I Miss You” while 500 balloons flew over the city – a commemoration for those who have fallen from HIV/AIDS. During the tour, he shared stages with American Idol’s Blake Lewis, Taylor Dayne, and gay recording legend Jimmy Somerville.

When Nhojj ventured into the music business almost a decade ago it was for two reasons: 1 – He loved music; 2 – He wanted to share music. It was as simple as that.

Now chart topper Nhojj – hailed as a pioneer in music by BET and dubbed “the artist to watch this year” by About.com – has other reasons. He wants to affirm and empower youth today, especially the gay youth. He wants to reflect the timeless spiritual teaching that some religions forget – love. “Love is the truth” – lyrics to his #1 Out & Proud CDbaby single The Gay Warrior Song. He wants to give back to the community (proceeds from the single are being donated to SASOD, an LGBT rights organization in his native Guyana ).

Son of a minister, Nhojj grew up in a deeply religious, yet loving family environment. His parents interpret the Bible differently than he does, especially on issues such as homosexuality, but it does not prevent them from being proud of their son. “I think accepting differences is important on both sides,” Nhojj says. “How can we truly say we love one another if we can’t accept differences?”

Nhojj says he was fortunate – his family never rejected him. A 2008 study headed by  on Family Rejection draws disturbing conclusions. It shows lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who experienced high levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to have high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse than their peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.

Declaring ones self to be LGBT can be difficult for an adolescent, or for that matter, for an adult. “I want to express through my music that it’s okay to be gay…” Nhojj explains, “we should all embrace who we are.”

Guyanese chart topper Nhojj climbs to the top again with his latest single, Gay Warrior Song. Simultaneously #1 on both CDBaby’s “Reggae” and “Out and Proud” charts, he continues to establish himself as a fearless artist whose appeal extends to listeners across the musical spectrum.

A gay anthem grabbing the #1 spot on both charts is an unlikely phenomenon—Reggae music has unleashed much homophobia, while Out and Proud music celebrates the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. But it is not the first time for Nhojj. His gay music video “Love” hit the #1 spot on the mainstream MTV Music Top 100 chart earlier this year. And last year BET/Centric congratulated him on being a “a gay history first!”

Nhojj first caught the attention of Reggae enthusiasts in 2003 with the release of his sophomore “Someday Peace Love & Freedom.” It addressed social ills. Many of the songs infused reggae beats. In 2005 he again embraced his Caribbean roots on his Inspirational album John Martinborough Coming home, recording a reggae version of the religious hymn “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.”

This time around Nhojj uses his voice to target homophobia, and donates proceeds to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) an LGBT Rights organization in Guyana . He invokes scripture in the name “Jah” (a term for God, widely used in reggae music) as his higher authority. His lyrics offer affirmation:

Open your hearts and let Love march in
Courage will free the minds of many today
Knowing the Truth of how God made you
Just embrace your true soul
Jah said to Love one another
Even as I do Love you
Jah said Love one another
Because in Love you find the Truth
Love is the Truth

The Gay Warrior Song is mastered by Robert Honablue, whose gold and platinum credits include Bob Marley, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Janis Joplin. It is based on an earlier song “Fighting for Love” that appears on Someday Peace Love & Freedom. Nhojj recalls, “I started writing this song 7 years ago and couldn’t complete it… but I knew I would finish it though…  one day I knew I would be strong enough to record and release this song.” Both songs are available on CDBaby, the oldest and largest distributor of independent music in the world.

Nhojj grew up in Guyana, and went to high school in Trinidad prior to coming to the United States to attend college. Before he could read or write he sang at his father’s church, and eventually on radio and television shows. Twice he sang in national stadiums – once for the President of Guyana, and once for the President of Trinidad. After graduating with honors from New York University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics, he returned to his passion—singing—and began recording. To date Nhojj has released 6 album releases, and a DVD directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote. He is the first black male to win an OUTMusic Award.

“We are all warriors,” Nhojj explains. ”Regardless of our race, religion, nationality, sex, or sexuality, we’re all fighting to be who we are, who we’re meant to be.  That’s what this song is really about – the courage to embrace ourselves and love each other for who we are, despite the pressures the world places on us.

(Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB ) June 24, 2010 — President Barak Obama proclaimed June Gay Pride Month. In celebration and as a song of strength and hope for the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) community, Nhojj presents “The Gay Warrior Song,” which he will debut in New York City at The Heritage of Pride Parade on June 27.

Already #3 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud Chart, proceeds from the sale of “The Gay Warrior Song” will be donated to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), an LGBT rights organization based in Nhojj’s homeland of Guyana. SASOD is committed to eradicating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Nhojj will perform “The Gay Warrior Song” before tens of thousands of people lined up along the NYC Gay Pride Parade route on the Glo TV float. Glo TV is the first urban LGBT Television Network of its kind in the world.

On June 19th Nhojj performed his new gay anthem in Providence, RI at their Rhode Island Pridefest; on June 20th at a church service at the historic St. Marks in the Bowery in the East Village section of New York; and on June 21st at an upper east side Manhattan awards ceremony—the 7th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival Awards at Jan Hus Playhouse.

He received the Music Award of Distinction at the Fresh Fruit Awards. The awards honor outstanding performances and recognize community leaders whose achievements include supporting the arts and the LGBT community. Special honorees included the first openly gay NY State Senator, Tom Duane, Off Broadway legend and pioneering LGBT playwright Doric Wilson, and Under the Pink Carpet producer, Tony Sawicki. This marks the 2nd time Nhojj has won the award.

The parade will wrap up a string of American gay pride performances for Nhojj. His tour covered heartland cities – Fort Collins, CO; Providence, RI; Lexington, KY; Kansas City, MO; and Indianapolis, IN, where he opened the pride festivities with an a cappella rendition of the Star Spangle Banner. On July 17 Nhojj will headline in Germany at the Christopher Street Day Munich gay pride festival.

Nhojj, son of a Minister, grew up in Guyana , and went to high school in Trinidad prior to coming to the United States to attend college. Before he could read or write he sang at his father’s church, and eventually on radio and television shows. Twice he sang in large stadiums – once for the President of Guyana, and once for the President of Trinidad. After graduating with honors from New York University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics, he returned to his passion—singing—and began recording.

To date Nhojj has released 6 album releases, and a DVD directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote. He is the first black male to win an OutMusic Award, and also the first gay artist to top the mainstream MTV Music charts with a gay music video. His music has been compared with such luminaries as Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Bobby McFerrin, and Maxwell.

Nhojj wrote “The Gay Warrior Song” as an affirmation to LGBT people everywhere. “War is usually related to physical territory” Nhojj explains. “But today’s gay warrior is not fighting for physical territory, today’s gay warrior is fighting for mental, emotional, and spiritual territory. Today’s gay warrior is fighting for acceptance… for inclusion… for equality… and ultimately for the well being that winning this war brings.”