The Essential Randy Boyd, Volume 1
10 stories, essays, blog posts, and book excerpts by black, gay, HIV-positive author Randy Boyd
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The Story
Race relations, living with HIV/AIDS, adolescent heartbreak, gay life, the healing power of dogs. Randy Boyd has written on these subjects and more. Now, in one collection, revisit some of the five-time Lambda Literary Award finalist’s most essential writings, featuring 10 stories, essays, blog posts and book excerpts from the black, gay, HIV-positive author.
After four novels, over 500 blog posts and a plethora of pieces published elsewhere, from Outsports to Poz Magazine, the author asked himself: “What if someone only had the opportunity to read a sampling of my writing? Which of my works best define me and my experience?”
The answer: The Essential Randy Boyd, Volume 1.
Says the author: “From this collection, I hope people have a better understanding of me, both as a person and as a writer. You know the old saying, walk a mile in my shoes. This is the readers’ chance to go on a very unique walk with me.”
10 Pieces
- Battle Scars — a young man’s transformation from overweight, in the closet and afraid of getting AIDS, to getting in shape, coming out, and taking the HIV test.
- Just Like Magic — while the world reacted to Magic Johnson’s famous HIV announcement in 1991, one black gay man already living with the virus reacted to the world’s reaction.
- Dear Magic Johnson, Thanks for Saving My Life — giving credit to Magic and Cookie Johnson for decades of HIV/AIDS work.
- The Day I Died in 9th-Grade Gym Class — the school’s white quarterback makes an off-handed comment; a crushed, adolescent black boy picks up the pieces.
- Sometimes I Forget I’m a Nigger — the 1992 LA riots as a life-changing event, written while the smoke was still smoldering.
- When the USC Sigma Chi’s Called Me Nigger — surviving childhood to escape to college in California, only to be called a slur the week before school starts.
- Why Pet the Dog When in Doubt — a bittersweet childhood memory reinforces the healing power of pets.
- Update from the Unlovable Nigger Faggot — the feeling when you realize most peers reject you for being Black, gay, and HIV-positive.
- Listen Up, Kunta Kinte Koleman! — looking back at the racial history of America through word play.
- Left for Dead — the good, bad and ugly about surviving HIV/AIDS for 30+ years, from A&U Magazine.