Monthly Archives: April 2016

Voice for the Silent Fathers Book Trailer

by eddiekwright

I’m excited to share with you the official Voice for the Silent Fathers Book Trailer!

Thank you to my Publisher Mimi Wright of The Wright Group, LLC and Shirl Tyner of Loretta Jean Photography for working effortlessly to bring this portion of my project to life!  Please comment and share!

 

 

Thank you for your support!

by M Wright Group

Dear Readers,

I would like to send my gratitude and appreciation for all of the support I’ve received from family, friends, readers of my blog, and all my social media outlets.

As a first time author, preparing to launch such a personal memoir to the world, a certain sense of nervousness comes into play.

Of course I want “VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS” to be a smash hit to where Oprah Winfrey herself is contacting my sister Mimi to see what strings she has to pull to get an interview with me, where I promise to jump all over her couch.  But that’s a side bar issue compared to my real concern that actually kept me up all night after Mimi researched how many other fathers wrote a book about their strained relationship with their gay son, sending me a message that read “Eddie, you’re the first and only one.”  There was a part of me that wasn’t too surprised, knowing how taboo the topic of being the father of a gay son is.  But it still left me wondering why.

Some of my frustration throughout my experience was not having any resources or other fathers to turn to so I can discuss what to do at that time, so I felt alone.  But how could I be alone when every person in the LGBQT community has to have a father?  It only makes sense.  Now that I’m one of the first fathers who is publicly addressing the issue adds a totally new equation as a first time self-publishing author because the topic is so important it’s critical that I get it right!

Since going public with my story, I have gained a new sense of responsibility, along with an opportunity to redeem myself for the errors in my past. The reality really struck during my first interview about “VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS” with Jamie Timmons for her video blab “MATTERS OF THE HEART.”  I explained to her that, in my mind, the book was already a success because it’s helped my son and I heal our relationship and I can only hope it does the same for others.

In the past I mentioned that I never expected “VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS” to be my first book. My “GANGSTER TO GURU” spiritual self/help books, “GANGSTER TO GURU” physical fitness/yoga book, “GANGSTER TO GURU” microwave cook book for convicts and college students, or even my “GANGSTER TO GURU” relationship book, any one of them could have been my debut as a first time author. (Yeah I’ve been down quite a few years, writing all along), but GOD works in mysterious ways my friends, and when you have your strong trust, belief and faith in your higher power, you know and understand that even when things don’t appear to be going according to the way you planned it, there’s a reason and purpose behind it.

Life is always unfolding for the greater good of all. So I’ve embraced my role as “Gangster to Gay community activist”, so to speak because I owe it not only to my son, but to children young and old, who’s fathers didn’t give the comfort and understanding to those who only wanted our loving support and approval.  So again I thank everyone for their support, and only wish “VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS” came out sooner because it’s long overdue.

Sincerly,

Eddie K.. Wright, Author

#voiceforthesilentfathers

‘…relevant to a broad spectrum of societal issues…’ Message from a reader!

by eddiekwright


Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts about Eddies’ book “Voice for the Silent Fathers”. These delicate father son issues, so implicitly captured in his writings, are relevant to a broad spectrum of societal issues beyond the “no son of mine” father of a gay man experience. In fact, the book gets to the real substance of human conflict which is our inability to accept and appreciate difference. The key word here is appreciation. The book offers an opportunity to consider acceptance in a way that extends grace, honor, support and recognition. When we are ungrateful, we are critical, blaming, and we use forms of rejection. Eddies’ experience of coming to the acceptance of his son provides hope for healing; a more practical response to conflict that allows dignity, respect and honor which overcomes criticism, blame, bigotry, and ultimately rejection. God bless you Eddie, and thank you for this healing message.~G. Holmes

#voiceforthesilentfathers

Follow Up: “A Father Killed His son Because He Was Gay!”

by eddiekwright
just-not-right-original-mix_large
Original Post:  A Father Killed His Son Because He Was Gay!
After posting my thoughts last week in regards to the father that killed his son because he was gay, I received a response saying that his being gay wasn’t the reason and that the media is using that headline for their benefit. The information saying that father killed his son because he was gay was according to the Los Angeles district attorneys office, and if anyone knows that district attorneys make a theory with out having all the facts and then twist the facts they do have to fit their theory…It’s me.
So I may have jumped the gun by believing his son being gay was the only reason that father killed him. But it was so believable due to hearing fathers saying they would kill their son if he’s gay on such a regular basis. Yet, until we have all the facts and the true motivation behind Shehada Khailil Issa fatally shooting his son Amir Issa, I’ll leave that case alone, but I stand firm behind everything else that I posted because the fact is everyday there’s violence against the LGBTQ community.

On another note, this past week on Friday April 8th, Bruce Springsteen canceled his concert scheduled for April 10th in North Carolina because the state failed to pass legislation protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. The North Carolina law prohibits transgender people from using bathrooms that don’t match the gender they were assigned at birth. The legislation also bans local governments from extending civil rights protections to gay and transgender people.

Now…  I’m a hip-hop head, but all walks of life have enjoyed Mr. Springsteen’s music at one time or another, especially his “Born in the USA” song.
For Bruce Springsteen and his band to have the courage to take such a strong position, has earned a great respect from me.
The message posted on his website read :
“Some things are more important than a Rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry which is happening as I write is one of them.” It went on to read “It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.”

Now I truly understand why they call Bruce Springsteen the Boss because that was a Boss move!
Corporations such as Apple, Google, and American Airlines are taking a stance in opposition to this law.  Pay Pal is switching it’s location out of North Carolina and the NBA is considering moving it’s next All-star game because f this state measure, signed by Gov. Pat McCrory (R) who praised it as needed “To stop this breach of basic privacy and etiquette.”

WOW!! I guess I shouldn’t be shocked when this past week in Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signed a law that would let businesses refuse service to gay couples based on religious objections. Talk about prejudice and bigotry!

So where as last week I addressed the concerns with the senseless violence against the LGBTQ community as a father with a son who reps that set to the fullest, addressing the civil rights are just as important because the two go hand in hand.
I don’t expect everyone’s views to change overnight, but it’s important at times to look at our past and learn form it, so that we don’t repeat it in the future. “Refusing service to gay couples based on religious objections..” That’s some 1960’s back of the bus, white’s only water fountain shit!! I know I pluck a lot of nerves in here when certain negative homophobic comments are made and i casually retort with “They used to say the same thing about blacks.” emotions get stirred claiming it’s not the same thing, but when you look at it with all honestly it is. I’m pointing that out in this weeks post, laughing with myself, realizing this is the second week as my role as “Gangster turned Gay community rights advocate!” Thanks Son!
Eddie K. Wright
#VoiceForTheSilentFathers

An open letter to Voice for the Silent Fathers readers!

by eddiekwright

WATCH ANDREWS VIDEO BY CLICKING HERE

 

Dear Readers,

First off, I would like to thank you for supporting a great project that is not only near and dear to my heart but a project that not many have been willing to tackle.

Growing up is hard as it is in this day and age.  Add growing up as a homosexual, makes life ten times harder. As a child all we ever want to do is love and be loved by our parents, but for most of the LGBTQ community simply being accepted by our loved ones is at the top of that list of things we want to achieve in life. Growing up gay and not knowing how to feel was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in life.  Adding to that my feelings of abandonment and self-loathing only made matters worse.

As far back as I can remember, my father and I have had a rocky relationship and all I’ve ever wanted was to be the son that he could love but at the same time be the man I wanted to be, which was a proud gay man. This was and still is no easy task, especially having a gangster as your father.

I always knew deep down that my father resented my being a gay man.  Growing up with that knowledge can really do damage to one’s self esteem and outlook on what love is. From the abandonment of the one who is supposed to shield you from all the harm in the world to watching him play daddy to a whole new family and trying to accept it was hard for me to come to terms with as a child.  But now, at the age of 25 I’ve learned how to cope and accept the cards that this life has dealt me and through this book I have been able to, with my father, heal wounds that I had thought were bound to be open for the rest of my life.

As I received random chapters of the book from my father I realized that many of my wounds were never healed, but instead buried deep in the back of my mind, resurfacing as I was reminded about different phases of our life together. Trust me reading all the hateful things your own father had to say and think about you is no easy task.  Especially knowing he wanted to share these things with the world.  There were many times I could barely get through a few sentences without calling my aunt Mimi crying my eyes out going through every possible emotion all at the same time. I imagine it wasn’t easy for him to come face to face with these issues. But through reliving these events and talking about them with each other our relationship as father and son has grown stronger than ever and I can’t wait for him to come home so we can continue to heal and grow together. I do hope you enjoy this book as much as I have, and remember, all we ever want in life is to love and be loved by those we care most about in this world.

Sincerely,

Drew, The gayest man my father has ever known.

Press Release April 7, 2016

by eddiekwright

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Mimi Wright, Owner
Company Name:  The Wright Group, Project Management

Books Name:  Voice for the Silent Fathers
Telephone Number:  760-593-4585
Email Address:  mwrightgroup@gmail.com
Web site address:  www.voiceforthesilentfathers.com

www.eddiekwright.com

THE WRIGHT GROUP TO PUBLISH VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS

CALIFORNIA, APRIL 7, 2016 – The Wright Group, Project Management, will publish VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS, Eddie K. Wrights memoir detailing the controversial experience of being the young father of a son who would grow up to be the gayest man on the planet!  His “NO SON OF MINE!!” street gangster mentality evolves during his difficult life journey coming to realize that his responsibility as a loving father didn’t change just because his son is gay. The e-book is scheduled for publication on June 1, 2016.  The paperback is scheduled for publication on July 1, 2016.

In his first memoir, Eddie shares his story of becoming a father at 18 years old who realized his son was showing ‘stereotypical’ signs of being gay while still in diapers.  Spending most of his adult life engulfed in the street gangster/hip hop culture where this subject was not only hushed, but deeply frowned upon, he gives us the voice for what’s been kept silent for far too long, confronting almost every aspect of this taboo topic.  It took years for him to silently accept his son’s homosexuality himself, regardless of all the signs.  When his son was five years old, his favorite color was pink and there was nothing Dad could do about it.  By the age of fourteen; he was an internet sensation, dancing on YouTube building his fan base to guarantee his success when performing as a drag queen a few years later.  Eddie addresses the questions most are scared to ask; Was there anything I could do to stop my son’s homosexuality? When did I know my son was gay? What made him that way?  Parents will find comfort in reading that Eddie admits that his son’s feminine behaviors embarrassed him and he seriously contemplated abandonment, a choice that too many fathers feel they have to choose.

He shares witnessing the desperation in the eyes of fathers, from all walks of life, who have pulled him aside, away from listening ears wanting to know the answers to these frequently asked questions, agonizing the possibilities that their son might be gay.

“Wow, your voice is one that is rarely heard in this discussion and I for one am deeply appreciative for the insights you offered. My own father disowned me briefly as a teenager for being gay and like you was a man immersed in a macho world. Although he and I were never very close as he became ill and suffered the demise of cancer I was able to be there for him in a way that my other siblings couldn’t and I was able to, in the end, have a closeness with him that made all the distance between us for all those years irrelevant. Thanks for doing this.” ~Troy Lynch

Eddie has been writing for over 10 years while serving his Federal sentence for a street lifestyle that played a key role in his thought process regarding his gay son.  Using his writing and speaking skills as tools to inspire a positive way of living, this former gangster turned Guru brings his story of transformation to life in a way that makes it safe for parents and loved ones to discuss what they think and how they feel about their child living an alternative lifestyle.

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THE WRIGHT GROUP, PROJECT MANAGEMENT provides a variety of services including book publishing on multiple topics.  Launched in February of 2015, The Wright Group is quickly becoming the go to resource for individuals and small companies for all of their project management needs.  For more information, visit our website at The Wright Group.

 

#voiceforthesilentfathers

A father killed his son because he was gay!

by eddiekwright

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On Friday, Shehada Khalil Issa,69, of North Hills was charged with fatally shooting his son, Amir Issa 29, outside the family’s home earlier this week because he was gay, according to the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.

Reading that a father killed his 29-year-old son because he was gay immediately caused strong mixed emotions to surge through my body. The politically correct statement would be condemning the father for such a senseless act.  Killing his son just because he’s gay… Who would ever think…. Hold up… I’d be a hypocrite to act like I never said “I’d kill my son if he was gay” and I know I’m not alone. That’s an all too common response when I tell other fathers my son is gay. “Eddie, you’re a better man than me because I would kill my son…” Although the intentions are never really there to the point where the statement is taken seriously, after reading about this tragic situation, it shines yet another spot light on how serious it is.

About a month ago I felt the urge to write something to post after reading about the trial of Elliot Morales, who taunted Mark Carson and his partner Danny Robinson, saying “What are you, gay wrestlers?” before fatally shooting Mark Carson in the face on a Greenwich Village street.  I didn’t want people to start thinking, now that I’m releasing a book addressing this issue my intent was to be some new advocate for the LGBTQ community.  I’ve written a number of manuscripts intending to debut them as spiritual self-help books branding “Gangster turned Guru”, not expecting to come out as “Gangster turned fight for the rights of the gay community spokes man.”  And I’m not that… but I would be because first and foremost I’m a concerned father, and the thing is every time I read or hear about the unprovoked violence, specifically against gay men, reoccurring fears for my own sons safety pulls at my heart. Especially with Drew’s “Accept me as I am and if you don’t well fuck you!” attitude. I’m proud that he’s always had the courage to express who he is.  It’s the ignorance of other’s and how they’ll react that terrifies me, and one of the reasons why I chose “Voice for the Silent Fathers” to be my first release. Shehada Khalil Issa, the father who couldn’t overcome his own fears and prejudices, will now have to live with the choice of murdering his son Amir Issa for the rest of his life.

Supporting parents, specifically fathers of children in the LGBTQ community allows them to let down their macho man egotistical mindset, to come and find peace with acceptance of their loved one. I’m the first to admit I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a father, but I’ve had the opportunity to ask forgiveness for the hurt and pain I’ve caused my son in order for our relationship to heal. Reading about what this father did makes me reflect on how blessed I am to have such a wonderful meaningful relationship with Drew.  It’s something that I cherish.

Now there’s going to be plenty of people that will stand in support of this father that murdered his child just because he was gay.  Pats on his back, nods of respect from those claiming they would do the same thing and that groups not exclusive to men.  I’m naturally inclined to give women the benefit of being more enlightened, but all of them aren’t.  Shehada Issa might not show any remorse now, but there will come a time when those happy memories of his son Amir begin to haunt him, especially since Amir’s not coming back.

So for those who aren’t in contact with their children, parents, or friends just because they live a lifestyle that you may not particularly agree with, take a moment to be honest with yourself in asking if you have the courage to swallow your pride by not basing your relationship according to one’s sexual preference or identity, but instead on who that person truly is.

The bottom line is… We all share the one common denominator uniting us all… LIFE, from an all-inclusive, unconditional loving God.  Let me reiterate that… From an ALL INCLUSIVE, UNCONDITIONAL LOVING GOD!!  Allow that to be the foundation to build upon when it comes to your relationships.

~Eddie K Wright, Gangster to Guru!!

Article reference:

Los Angeles father accused of killing his son with a shotgun because he is gay:  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/la-father-accused-killing-son-gay-article-1.2586050

Murder suspect gets to torment hate crime victim in court:

http://nypost.com/2016/02/23/homophobic-killer-says-gay-man-had-the-bullet-coming-to-him/

#VoiceForTheSilentFathers