Hiding In Hip-Hop author and journalist Terrance Dean serves up anecdotes and wisdom for women on topics such as style, sex, relationships and spirituality in Straight From Your Gay Best Friend: The Straight-Up Truth About Relationships, Work, and Having a Fabulous Life.
Rolling out spoke with Dean about how women can protect themselves from being victimized, his disappointment in black leaders concerning the Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal and why he wants Bishop Long’s wife, Vanessa, to take action. –souleo
Why did you write this book?
I wrote this book for women to understand that in order to have love in any type of relationship there has to first be self-love. Once you love, embrace and know your self-worth, you won’t allow anyone to mistreat you or abuse you no matter what. So heal yourself and know that you’re deserving and God’s child.
What are your thoughts surrounding the Bishop Eddie Long gay sex scandal?
I feel sorry for the victims and how they are being demonized in the media [by] commentators. We should have town hall meetings and every church should talk about it. Unfortunately, our black leaders are not saying anything. Where [are] Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley and Soledad O’Brien? … When [will O’Brien] do her CNN exposé? This is the perfect opportunity now with so many young black men that have been sexually molested.
If you were Vanessa Long’s gay best friend, what advice would give her about handling this scandal?
Girl, run! But really, this is the perfect opportunity to have a conversation with your husband and the church community. … She is the first lady and we look to them as pillars. So find out the truth … and become an advocate regardless of what happened because this is happening more often than not. So girl, get off your butt and do something.
