Thanks, Carol and Nine PBS, for hosting me and having such a great conversation. It’s MY story but hopefully it resonates with others, who see themselves in OUR story.
Thank you, Devon! I have a feeling that my story is not just my own. I miss my mother and live my life more fully in honor of her. I should have shared that.
Carol! Thank you for always seeing and loving me…but forevermore for extending your platform to give me space to share my story, one which clearly resonates with other Black, Proud and Gay men in St. Louis and beyond-what’s up South Africa and DC!?
Hello Mrs. Carol Daniel, Your Listen St. Louis podcast interview with Mr. Vincent Flewellen is so wonderful to see. I'm almost 60. Always knew I liked boys since around 5 or 6. My father was gay. My mother knew it before their 2 year marriage began, which only lasted 6 months after I was born. Only child. No step/half siblings. Came out only to my small, maternal, Baptist, Dallas, TX family at 19 while serving in the USN in Camp Pendleton, CA. Very strained relationship with family especially my mother which involved physical and mental abuse. It never resolved. Father abandoned me. No military incidents. Honorably discharged, but experienced civilian job discrimination. Years of depression. Self destructive behavior. Just feeling lost, unworthy, ashamed, disconnected. Our Black communities need to do better at home. It is a daily requirement to push back against the subtle and overt negative messaging must it must be done to survive mentally, spiritually and physically. Thank you & God Bless you for posting this. I just became a TH-cam subscriber to Listen St. Louis. Mr. Derric E. Dickson Dallas, TX.
This is an amazing interview. Mr. Flewellen's perspective is very sincere and relatable. Regarding the being black vs being gay topic, I agree with him that race-based discrimination is more immediate since it's visible. But I feel like we are first and foremost sexual beings, and so the gay aspect of my identity has posed the most difficult struggle. IOW, the race-related stuff has been more frequent, but the sexual orientation stuff was more intense and damaging. I believe in part, that is because as a black person I am part of a black family and community, so we share those experiences and support each other, whereas as a gay person, I was facing everything alone during my formative years, and some of the bigotry came from those close to me. Also, being born into a Christian family, made the sexual aspect a much bigger hurdle.
Thank you Ms Daniel, Nine PBS and Vincent Flewellen for a great, much needed conversation that sheds more light on what it means to be multi-faceted in a multi-faceted world. Racism and transphobia needs to be called out in the gay community as much as in greater society.
Good interview. When I came out, I decided that anyone who couldn't deal had no place in my life. One person is no longer in my life because I came out to them. Ironically, he is a mental health professional who told me he will never act on his same sex desires. He even apologized later but we were moving in different directions. Being LGBTQI is hard sometimes but I'm happy to be a gay man precisely because I have nothing to hide. People don't have to accept you, but you don't need to try to "bring them around" either. Better to build a family that truly has your back. Being gay taught me about chosen family and it's truly the best gift I could have ever gained by coming out. It ain't always about blood. In fact, I don't think blood is all that compelling when it comes to unconditional love.
I am so glad that I watched/listened to this in its entirety. I’m so glad to have rubbed shoulders with you years ago Vincent. You are such a genuine soul. I am a proud mother of a son who happens to be gay. I have simply loved him and we have THE BEST relationship and he’s one of the best people I know. I pray that this conversation helps one or teaches one. 🫶🏽
What a fresh breath of air this conversation has been to my spirit man. Put simply they both have allowed their words to be "Another Silent Prayer loudly, and lovingly Answered" on my life's journey. And lastly in closing I must say that Vincent made my heart and soul take flight the moment when he looked directly into the camera and said everything that I needed to hear without the use of spoken words, in that I believe and understand that what leaves the heart in fullness reaches another that has been awaiting for it's equal measure. Thank you to the both of you for making the world a much better space than it was prior to your arrival to it, stay well and continue to move as the peace that both of your hearts and souls desire it to appear. and so it is......
"We're people, and we're human". - V. Flewellen. This speaks directly to the ideas that influence perception in ways that can present conflict or hopefully enliven critical thought about the cause and effect of identifiers. . .
35:16-35:30 The pie analogy was everything! I love you both's banter. I loved everything about this interview. Thank you both for this conversation. Black excellence.
This was a very light listen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Before I realized it, Ms. Daniel was giving the outro. Even though I'm in DC, I found the conversation interesting. I look forward to more. #NewSubscriber
One of the "Saints" in our LGBTQIA Community.. Sad to say for some, being gay, doesn't affect their racist thinking.. You'd think being gay might cause some folks to have respect for their fellow LGBTQ folks but it doesn't.
I'm a little older than Mr. Flewellen, but I knew I was looking at men at an early age as well, about 7-8 years old. But not other boys. I was looking at grown men. Male teachers. The Principal. Never any interest in boys my age or younger. I have and still reject any religious conditioning or association in order to survive in this world.
You've compared your experience with Mr. Flewellen's. By doing so here, in response to this video, you are disregarding this person's experience. Is that what you meant to do? I suggest that you actually watch the video and then embark on your own healing process just like the guest did. The first step is to take responsibility for your life and in doing so you'll be refraining from blaming others just like Mr. Flewellen does. Yes, white, straight people have difficulties too, but they were not caused by black or gay people. On the other hand, it is white people who have caused many of the problems that black people face and it is straight people that have caused many of the problems for lgbtq people. Surely you see the difference. If not, then you are intentionally ignoring reality. In other words, if not then you are being racist and homophobic and your voice does not deserve to be heard.
It is a picnic living in St. Louis. I grew up in Normandy. I didn't realize how racist and segregated the city was until I became an adult. St. Louis is all about the haves and have nots. Unfortunately most of the have nots are african Americans.
Not that there is anything wrong with or worth being embarrassed about being effeminate but an effeminate child I was not nor am I as an adult. My point is that I simply was not a "hyper-masculine" male child nor adult, just to clarify. Effeminate men surely make up the diversity of our collective Black gay male identity, yet and however, they too should be celebrated and of course, we all aren't effeminate.
This person saying this is totally incorrect. I grew up on the same street as Vincent, from children to adults. It's obvious this person does NOT know Vincent. This person needs to just be silent. #foolishness
@@VincentFlewellen No need to explain yourself to any one. Live your life fully and unapologetically. Let no man define you. You should be the only person to define you. God bless.💪🏾
Thanks, Carol and Nine PBS, for hosting me and having such a great conversation. It’s MY story but hopefully it resonates with others, who see themselves in OUR story.
Vincent, This was an insightful interview. 🙏🏾Thank you for sharing your story. 💪🏾 Shout out to your mother and her love for you. 👏🏾
Thank you my friend for being transparent
Thank you, Devon! I have a feeling that my story is not just my own. I miss my mother and live my life more fully in honor of her. I should have shared that.
Carol! Thank you for always seeing and loving me…but forevermore for extending your platform to give me space to share my story, one which clearly resonates with other Black, Proud and Gay men in St. Louis and beyond-what’s up South Africa and DC!?
@@VincentFlewellen Her spirit, like her love, surrounds you so you did not have to tell us...we saw it, understood it, and felt it.
Hello Mrs. Carol Daniel,
Your Listen St. Louis podcast interview with Mr. Vincent Flewellen is so wonderful to see. I'm almost 60. Always knew I liked boys since around 5 or 6. My father was gay. My mother knew it before their 2 year marriage began, which only lasted 6 months after I was born. Only child. No step/half siblings.
Came out only to my small, maternal, Baptist, Dallas, TX family at 19 while serving in the USN in Camp Pendleton, CA.
Very strained relationship with family especially my mother which involved physical and mental abuse. It never resolved. Father abandoned me.
No military incidents. Honorably discharged, but experienced civilian job discrimination. Years of depression. Self destructive behavior. Just feeling lost, unworthy, ashamed, disconnected.
Our Black communities need to do better at home.
It is a daily requirement to push back against the subtle and overt negative messaging must it must be done to survive mentally, spiritually and physically.
Thank you & God Bless you for posting this. I just became a TH-cam subscriber to Listen St. Louis.
Mr. Derric E. Dickson
Dallas, TX.
This is an amazing interview. Mr. Flewellen's perspective is very sincere and relatable. Regarding the being black vs being gay topic, I agree with him that race-based discrimination is more immediate since it's visible. But I feel like we are first and foremost sexual beings, and so the gay aspect of my identity has posed the most difficult struggle. IOW, the race-related stuff has been more frequent, but the sexual orientation stuff was more intense and damaging. I believe in part, that is because as a black person I am part of a black family and community, so we share those experiences and support each other, whereas as a gay person, I was facing everything alone during my formative years, and some of the bigotry came from those close to me. Also, being born into a Christian family, made the sexual aspect a much bigger hurdle.
Thank you Ms Daniel, Nine PBS and Vincent Flewellen for a great, much needed conversation that sheds more light on what it means to be multi-faceted in a multi-faceted world. Racism and transphobia needs to be called out in the gay community as much as in greater society.
Thank you! I will forever call them and all other oppression out within the gay community and our greater society.
Good interview. When I came out, I decided that anyone who couldn't deal had no place in my life. One person is no longer in my life because I came out to them. Ironically, he is a mental health professional who told me he will never act on his same sex desires. He even apologized later but we were moving in different directions.
Being LGBTQI is hard sometimes but I'm happy to be a gay man precisely because I have nothing to hide. People don't have to accept you, but you don't need to try to "bring them around" either. Better to build a family that truly has your back. Being gay taught me about chosen family and it's truly the best gift I could have ever gained by coming out. It ain't always about blood. In fact, I don't think blood is all that compelling when it comes to unconditional love.
This is a much needed interview for our community.
I am so glad that I watched/listened to this in its entirety. I’m so glad to have rubbed shoulders with you years ago Vincent. You are such a genuine soul. I am a proud mother of a son who happens to be gay. I have simply loved him and we have THE BEST relationship and he’s one of the best people I know. I pray that this conversation helps one or teaches one. 🫶🏽
What a fresh breath of air this conversation has been to my spirit man. Put simply they both have allowed their words to be "Another Silent Prayer loudly, and lovingly Answered" on my life's journey. And lastly in closing I must say that Vincent made my heart and soul take flight the moment when he looked directly into the camera and said everything that I needed to hear without the use of spoken words, in that I believe and understand that what leaves the heart in fullness reaches another that has been awaiting for it's equal measure. Thank you to the both of you for making the world a much better space than it was prior to your arrival to it, stay well and continue to move as the peace that both of your hearts and souls desire it to appear. and so it is......
Wow! This is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Wow! I'm so glad you were moved. Thank you for watching. Carol Daniel
"We're people, and we're human". - V. Flewellen. This speaks directly to the ideas that influence perception in ways that can present conflict or hopefully enliven critical thought about the cause and effect of identifiers. . .
This was an amazing interview. Thank you Carol and Vincent.
Thank you, Devin! Please share the interview with friends and family.
Powerful is an understatement.
An incredible discussion / interview ~ take the time to listen.
Thank you, Michael!
Thanks for a much needed conversation in our community .
I can COMPLETELY relate with grade school and having the same attraction 💯💯
Thank you. I am so glad to know that my story resonates with others. Please share the story with others--we are not alone!
Vincent Flewellen is a Breath Of Fresh Air..love this Brother..!!
I agree ☝️ 💯 and you are the voice of St Louis and you are so amazing
This was an incredible interview! Powerful and brilliant. Thank you!
Vincent this was expressed so well. Your perspective and explanations were on point. Kudos to you.
Thanks so much for this powerful conversation.
35:16-35:30 The pie analogy was everything! I love you both's banter. I loved everything about this interview. Thank you both for this conversation. Black excellence.
God bless you, Vincent. Much respect to you for being authentic and sharing your story. You’re beautiful inside and out. Happy Pride!
Just subscribed all the way from South Africa. 🇿🇦👌🏿 I love it!
Wow! International reach…thank you. Please share with others the link.
Now it's an international conversation! Carol Daniel
Inspirational Interview with 2 Beautiful Classy People. May Vincent Continue to Strive for Excellence and Continue being an inspriation to many.
Thank you so very much! Please share the link with others.
This was a very light listen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Before I realized it, Ms. Daniel was giving the outro. Even though I'm in DC, I found the conversation interesting. I look forward to more. #NewSubscriber
Thank you for subscribing. Carol Daniel
Thank you and I hope that you share the link with others.
So proud of you Vincent!!!! Excellent conversation. I love you cousin
What a great interview! Listening all the way over in Nashville
Right ! , Right !!, Right ?
Please share the link with others and thank you!
Happy Pride Month from Milwaukee 🤗🏳️🌈
Happy Pride and please share the video with others.
Hi Mr. Llewellyn ❤
Great conversation
Thank you. I hope that you will share the link with others.
Love love LOVE THIS 🌈✨🫶🏾
Thank you! I hope that you share the link with others.
HAPPY 🏳️⚧️ PRIDEMONTH 2024🏳️🌈 DIVERSITY is the 🗝️ to a Prosperous joyful successful and sustainable Future for All 💖 (and if BIGOTS are upset?👍🏻)
Love, do! Judge, don't. Please share the link with others.
One of the "Saints" in our LGBTQIA Community.. Sad to say for some, being gay, doesn't affect their racist thinking.. You'd think being gay might cause some folks to have respect for their fellow LGBTQ folks but it doesn't.
🏳️🌈✊🏾🏳️🌈✊🏾🏳️🌈✊🏾
Thank you. Please share the link.
I'm a little older than Mr. Flewellen, but I knew I was looking at men at an early age as well, about 7-8 years old. But not other boys. I was looking at grown men.
Male teachers. The Principal. Never any interest in boys my age or younger. I have and still reject any religious conditioning or association in order to survive in this world.
Tell Vincent that I am single and interested in meeting him.
Thank you. lol...
I am White and Straight... that ain't no picnic either!
No one asked you 😂
You've compared your experience with Mr. Flewellen's. By doing so here, in response to this video, you are disregarding this person's experience. Is that what you meant to do?
I suggest that you actually watch the video and then embark on your own healing process just like the guest did. The first step is to take responsibility for your life and in doing so you'll be refraining from blaming others just like Mr. Flewellen does.
Yes, white, straight people have difficulties too, but they were not caused by black or gay people. On the other hand, it is white people who have caused many of the problems that black people face and it is straight people that have caused many of the problems for lgbtq people. Surely you see the difference. If not, then you are intentionally ignoring reality. In other words, if not then you are being racist and homophobic and your voice does not deserve to be heard.
This is NOT about u
Why isn’t it a picnic? I can’t wait to hear this.🍿🍷👂🏽🧐😂
It is a picnic living in St. Louis. I grew up in Normandy. I didn't realize how racist and segregated the city was until I became an adult. St. Louis is all about the haves and have nots. Unfortunately most of the have nots are african Americans.
He was effeminate as a young boy. I understand.
Not that there is anything wrong with or worth being embarrassed about being effeminate but an effeminate child I was not nor am I as an adult. My point is that I simply was not a "hyper-masculine" male child nor adult, just to clarify. Effeminate men surely make up the diversity of our collective Black gay male identity, yet and however, they too should be celebrated and of course, we all aren't effeminate.
What a very negative and condescending statement to make. Do you know this man personally?
This person saying this is totally incorrect. I grew up on the same street as Vincent, from children to adults. It's obvious this person does NOT know Vincent. This person needs to just be silent. #foolishness
@@VincentFlewellen No need to explain yourself to any one. Live your life fully and unapologetically. Let no man define you. You should be the only person to define you. God bless.💪🏾