(Painting of Louis Toliver Jr. on the right is by Barry Sons) “Saving Abraham Lincoln” by Louis Toliver Jr. Act I April 14th, 1865 – Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C. The Lincolns (Abraham and Mary) watched from the presidential box as Tom Taylor’s “Our American Cousin” was beginning its final act. They were joined by…
“Pansexual Me” by Louis Toliver Jr. (American Like Me – Sneak Peak)
(Photography by Bilal Alan) “Pansexual Me” by Louis Toliver Jr. I like men and women That’s not a sin It doesn’t mean I desire you It’s not about who I’m not gay or str8 I don’t instigate I’m just the spirit of love It’s a gift from up above I believe in monogamy You just…
“American Like Me” (Title Poem) by Louis Toliver Jr.
(Photography by Kelso) “American Like Me” by Louis Toliver Jr. Hispanics speak Spanish to me Airports are afraid I’m a Muslim Blacks think I sound like a white person Most just have no clue what the hell I am Maybe I just might be American Though, my birth certificate says I’m black When you look…
American Like Me: Sneak Peak (All Poems & Stories)
Photography by Kelso Hayes) Being American is so complicated. We’re born here, but we have to fight to be American and also to be respected. Unfortunately, the American story is about overcoming the nasty parts of our society like racism, homophobia, and misogyny to become a unified country. I am a realistic American that genuinely…
Throwing Light: Episode 177 – Atlas Rose
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Atlas Rose (IMBB 2026)! Atlas and I discuss getting into bootblacking, meeting people where they are, taking care of people, inclusion, navigating community spaces, Asian and age discrimination, being comfortable or uncomfortable in the community, & disability and access.
Throwing Light: Episode 176 – Noble LaPier
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Noble LaPier (Mr GayDays Leather 2025)! Noble and I discuss living in Amsterdam (New York), getting involved in the leather community, various cities and communities in Upstate New York, his impact during his title year, his relationship with his IML brothers, & the importance of history.
Throwing Light: Episode 175 – Rodrigo
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Rodrigo (Mr. Texas Leather 2026)! Rodrigo and and living in Cuba, spending time in Moscow, moving to the United State, joining San Antonio Leathermen, competing at Alamo City Leather, becoming Mr. Texas Leather 2026, HIV awareness, & female representation.
Throwing Light: Episode 174 – Emerald Onyx
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Emerald Onyx (Mx. WA Leather 2026)! Emerald and I discuss coming out at 13 years old in the 1990s, being exposed to diversity, going up in San Francisco, having supportive parents, becoming Mx. WA Leather 2026, being president of ONYX Pacific Northwest, & learning Queer History.
Throwing Light: Episode 173 – Aristo
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Arisito (Mr. ( Mx.) Rubber Mexico 2024)! Arisito and I discuss being nonbinary, living in Mexico City, the Mexico rubber community, the power of rubber, doing events in the daytime and outside bars, having a woman as president in Mexico, machismo culture, being oneself, & welcoming people into rubber community.
Throwing Light: Episode 172 – Monica Beverly Hillz
Throwing Light’s guest tonight is Monica Beverly Hillz! Dominique, GW Reads, and I discuss coming out as a trans woman, Chicago House and Social Services Agency, helping trans and nonbinary people in Chicago County Jail, coming to terms with beginning trans in Kentucky, her journey with hormones, RuPaul’s Drag Race impacted her life, focusing on…
Louis Toliver Jr 