Telling Our Stories - Black, Gay and Aging (Reunion Final)

[@coldaphirmation]

To the conversation about relying on a partner vs a father…so often men regardless of how they love, do not prioritize safety. Men aren’t always aware of or able to articulate what contributes to their safety. Men are socialized to make others feel safe. So when we talk about Black gay men dating other Black gay men, there’s is an unspoken yet understood notion that “I can make you feel safe, but I don’t expect you to make me feel safe as I can do that for myself too”. Safety in men’s terms usually defaults to physical safety primarily but we don’t consider safety in other areas (emotional, mental, spiritual, etc). So to bring it back full circle,for me in therapy I mentioned how my deceased dad made me and my mom feel so safe and my therapist asked me why I never mentioned safety as a quality i look for in a partner 😮I was like damn lol😂 I was never put in a place when dating, to transfer the trust of safety from my father to another man. I just thought that my safety was my sole responsibility and could never be anyone else’s. That can make Black SGL dating sooo hard. Food for thought 💭

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Beautiful expressed. Made me think ❤️✊🏽

[@coldaphirmation]

@@CraigTheWriterStewart for sure! Thank you for your work and impact Brotha! You’re walking in your purpose!

[@rocbody1]

@@coldaphirmation bro you are absolutely right! My partner should be responsible for my safety, physically mentally emotionally as well

[@aprilrobinson5675]

It appeared that all the participants got comfortable with being vulnerable as the series went along. I want to personally thank them for that! ❤

[@gregwollastonnewerateam1301]

I wished i had a community that could have this conversation.

[@kimgreen7613]

Why am I at work trying to sneak and watch this hahaha!! I can’t even wait until I get home.

[@porshablair7365]

All seasons were awesome but I feel this is my favorite. I almost wanted another part lol. Well done friend 👏🏽💙

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the finale. 🥰

[@tennislover08]

Craig!! I was no good when you touched on your support system and how they showed up for you when your mom passed. That is what friendship looks like and it was so touching! My heart is full knowing they held you down in that way. See you in DC at the Phag tawlk show! This series has always been amazing but this season especially!!! Thank you to the entire cast for sharing their perspectives! Love y’all!!! ❤🙌🏽🙏🏽

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Thank you!

[@rachelsmart4438]

You really did your big one with this season!!! And you all look great doing it.. you can’t stop now you have to bring another season!!

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Thank you so much! 😭🙏🏾

[@CherieButler]

Excellent conversation from a bunch a beautiful Black men in community. I wish you all lasting love, kindness, grace and great times to come.

[@amelia_at_hart8408]

Craig, I can’t say enough how much I enjoy this series. But that ending, of you speaking to your mom at the birthday celebration you gave her, got me CHOKED UP (in my cubicle 😂)!

[@tricepnm8590]

Thoroughly enjoyed this series. So good. I loved seeing you beautiful black men open up and share your journeys, experiences, emotions. These are tough conversations and opening up sometimes is not easy. I really truly appreciate the series. So good gentlemen.

[@LusciousWCW]

I really hope another telling our stories is in the making. They're very enlightening on human life no matter your sexuality. I love this series

[@giawinters]

This is needed so much Craig. Thank you and your tribe for the vulnerability.🥰

[@Christopher-vi1bj]

Craig, thank you for this impactful series, Telling Our Stories: Black, Gay, and Aging. These narratives are too often overlooked, and your work brings essential visibility, depth, and dignity to them. I’m excited to see what you create next. Bravo, brother!

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@erickrivera3858]

Sorry for your loss.. 😢 My mom passed 22 years ago, so I know how you feel. I’m happy you have these friends to be with you during this time. You have these friends because you are a friend. I wish you all the very best. 💪🏻

[@ReggieHaley-z3p]

Craig and guys.... you really blessed my soul with your openness, willingness and realness. Can't wait to see the continued growth in our culture and platforms like this foster it so well.

[@icareless1606]

Omg you have me in tears. I lost my maternal grandmother on Dec 5th, two days before her birthday. We did so much together over the last five or so. As I look back, God was preparing me along. She started back going to church, we had our nail dates, and she requested more frequent family events. Sundays belonged to us. Once they told her she would have to be on 24-hour dialysis I felt her transitioning. I know she was leaving by her birthday, she was at peace. It hurts like crazy but for her to tell me she loves me and she's okay. Those words make me stronger. I accomplished every goal I had this year before she transitioned. God knew this would break me. (I'm just rumbling, Auntie, sorry)

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

❤️

[@lifeistastey9910]

Craig, i subscribed after I saw this series advertised on phag tawlk. Please keep this coming. Although i'm native american, I am black adjacent (lol)...this series was very informative, and there are parallels that I relate to. Thank you for this!

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

lol Black adjacent lol. Thank you for watching ❤️

[@elysenichole1452]

Beautiful ❤

[@jaktraded1918]

I can’t wait to start therapy in the new year!! I love these videos I actually could do with more seasons of the same cast.

[@thecornelius_j]

I love you Craig! 💜 You are so amazing. You deserve to feel seen and thought about like this everyday

[@Bronxtobrooklyn]

I absolutely loved watching this. I love Craig he reminds me so much of myself. I take care of my mom and how he spoke about his mom really touched me. We need more videos like this. ❤❤❤❤

[@bunny6010]

Well done Craig! You should be proud of yourself and the work that you do, from your books to your content. All great work

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

Thank you ❤️

[@ardawntennison9779]

Great conversations. Thank you 😊

[@MARLAEVERETTE]

AMAZING SHOWS CRAIG, this needs to be picked up by TV

[@charhemans8439]

It can be a conference for gay and straight. We deserve the same thing. And that’s Love.

[@anonymousone2u]

I truly enjoyed this series and it is truly helping me overcome a lot n truly forgive myself.

[@KLNeville]

Craig, I love your friendship dynamic. Not many people get to experience this level of human connection; I pray that one I get to experience this level of love and connection from others. Thank you for sharing your day to day with us and giving many of us hope, desire for life, love and happiness. ❤

[@jamallmicheal4356]

Why are the participants are not on camera?

[@percybrown8617]

The volume is very poor! I can barely hear what each person is saying.

[@paulrumph7900]

Love every bit of this. Some of the good points were overshadowed by the background noise. You should look into starting a men's talk show!

[@daniellewilson8534]

Love this series❤

[@kevikev2.0]

GREAT T🗣️O🏳️‍🌈S📖 SEASON‼️ 👏🏾🏳️‍🌈👏🏾🏳️‍🌈👏🏾🏳️‍🌈👏🏾🏳️‍🌈 Thanks for sharing Craig, Elgin, Scott, Ryan, Torrance, Calvin, Marvin, and Charles‼️ 👍🏾👌🏾✊🏾

[@anthonyporter7078]

Awe. Craig. You are loved. Thank you for ALL your do. ❤🎉

[@HighVibe001]

This was beautiful @CraigTheWriter. As a fellow Libran, you are right we have allllot of pride. Your mother was a strong woman, I’m sure! May she rest in peace!! 🕊️ 🕊️

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

❤️

[@missvalisha]

Therapy can definitely be ongoing, even if it isn’t as frequent. For me, therapy at this point is time that I allocate for myself to feel all the things in a space and a way that day-to-day life doesn’t always make room for.

[@missvalisha]

The conversation regarding when do you reach out to a partner versus your friends/parents made me think of how neurodivergence shows up in the dynamic of relationships, especially in the black community where we are often not diagnosed or very late diagnosed. Even with therapy those atypical behaviors may remain in the forefront until addressed in a specific manner.

[@HenryJones1947]

Damn Craig, tha audio is badd! The extremely low voices can barely be heard...

[@erichill612]

Bravo! 👏🏻

[@michaelwilliams9137]

Craig next time you do this....don't do this outside. I couldn't hear much of what your people were saying because of all the outside backyard noises.

[@CaptainKirk637]

They wasn’t saying much anyways!! Gay men complaining about how they whored away their young life, and now they are older and lonely!! 😂

[@glendalamb23]

Well I hope you contributed a view to every episode… its appreciated and so is your unnecessary comment. Good night bookie butt @captainkirk637

[@nickelwindow538]

@@CaptainKirk637fake news

[@ray7100ray]

🎊🎉🏆💐 Fantastic show & wisdom 🏳️‍🌈🇺🇸🌎💝🙏🏾🌈 Ray from Chicago south side 🩷💜🖤🧡🤍💙💛🤎💐🌈

[@amelia_at_hart8408]

SOUTH SIDE stand up ❤!

[@shawnyarbrough2642]

Simply impeccable 💜💜💜💜💜

[@ericcollins8794]

This was a great reunion series IMHO part 2 was better than part 1 even with the audio issues

[@gailjames107]

Ooh I just love me some Torrence!!!

[@raimundoponvert1738]

Craig who is all single because I see a few who are very handsome... And thank you for telling our stories because I had no one to talk too.... I use to feel so alone in the inside and growing up and in church I was 35 years old when I came all the way out and us a black men need an outlet and I grow up with a great mom I just felt since I was different from my brother's she would have thought she did something wrong or that I was molested .you know. I try my best to support what you do Craig because am greatful for you we are as black gay men need you because I was lost growing up and I ask God so much why and I know you understand what am trying to say...... not tryingto go all the way there...... but thank you!!.

[@TKris95]

Bravo, Craig!

[@RealTakerslady]

The end 🥲🥲🥲

[@swashington679]

I love this ❤❤

[@shereevirsatine6584]

Great job

[@kimgreen7613]

I am not a psychic, but I do believe that all Of you will find love. Hold on he’s coming! It’s so wonderful that you have each other. But THE MAN is coming to add to your lives❤❤❤❤

[@themagiccityshaman]

I think everyone should have mics on, because you can clearly hear craig, but I struggle to hear what some of the other men are saying, especially the soft spoken men. Are you using a boom mic that is not powerful enough? I'm unaware of what your production budget limits are.

[@healthgurl_taca]

1:15:30 I get what Marvin is saying. But I think it depends on the child and parent relationship. I’m a millennial, and my parents are in their early 60’s and this current time I find ways to take care of them even though they don’t deal with a lot of health issues at this time.

[@RenaldoEpps]

I love this conversation, and I might disagree with the political stance. I am happy to see it in conversations.

[@rocbody1]

BTW, y’all need to keep going! You have only scratched the surface of the various issues that can and should be discussed for this social group!❤❤❤😢😅😂❤

[@deigamohamed707]

❤️❤️💕💕

[@herbsaint636]

You are right Craig. The gay Kids always the ones left taking care of parents.

[@yvettethomas4329]

Hey 👋🏾 from Mississippi ❤❤❤

[@jamesflowers2513]

I love that these conversations are had. Is one was disturbing because of the background noise. Please keep up the conversations, but inside Please.

[@JAHKINGGOD]

Can’t really hear the one gentleman I believe it’s his mic

[@MisterCoachDriver]

Hey Sir, Hey. ✌🏾

[@CherieButler]

I love the outdoor atmosphere but from an auditory stand point it’s a bit of a nightmare. Given that the conversation and the sharing of it is the purpose auditory matters should trump atmospherics (for future reference).

[@ericcollins8794]

If u are in therapy and you are lying in your sessions about u and what u are going thru it defeats the purpose

[@jamallmicheal4356]

At 56, you don't how to meet someone? Come on

[@GoingSeventeenSeventyOne]

You need about 2 Mics that need To Be Pasted Around cause Half of Y'all,We Cant Hear you.

[@nikatoles1172]

I absolutely love gay like me but I can’t hear some of the conversation. 😢

[@CraigTheWriterStewart]

It fascinates me that there are so many comments about the audio WHEN THERE’S A WHOLE DISCLAIMER AT THE BEGINNING. WE KNOW‼️ Why are so many of you stating what we already told you before you watched? Jesus Christ 🤨😏

[@rocbody1]

Craig this series was amazing and your guests brought some many things to light and covered the gamut of life situations.

[@maishesbeautiful]

Craig the first time im hearing about this series was the other day you mentioned it on Phag talk. You been doing this?? you gotta promote more! i had no idea. ima support now that i know.

[@HighVibe001]

This was beautiful @CraigTheWriter. As a fellow Libran, you are right we have allllot of pride. Your mother was a strong woman, I’m sure! May she rest in peace!! 🕊️ 🕊️