Feature Spotlight in P.A.R.C. Mag

Click cover to follow to my interview



I was honored to be interviewed by KC Loesener, CEO, and founder of P.A.R.C. Magazine.  

Their July 2017 issue is highlighting discovery and focus’ on subject matters where others have dug deep and discovered something about themselves and overcame or brought certain challenges to light.

My book Voice For The Silent Fathers shares how I overcame my personal challenge of being a young father and street gangster who’s son was gay. 

Please take a few minutes to read the article and share with anyone you know might benefit from reading it. I would also love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment. 

Click to purchase my book

Chattin’ it up with Ms. Jamie Timmons

I was very excited to be asked for a follow-up interview with Ms. Jamie Timmons, Author and Owner of Matters of My Heart, an emotional support program for adult survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

This interview, more like a discussion between friends talks about Jamie’ thoughts on Voice for the Silent Fathers and how it’s impacted her life personally.  We also touch on my upcoming Gangster Turned Guru Presents series.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back for the next 30 minutes and listen in.  Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think. “Chat It Up…”

Thank you,

Eddie K. Wright

#voiceforthesilentfathers

#gangsterturnedguru

#eddiekwright

#jaitheauthor

#mattersoftheheart

Proud of how far I’ve come!

Aug 22, 2016, 12:07 PM
As I wrote in “Voice for the Silent Fathers”, the acceptance of my son’s homosexual lifestyle didn’t happen overnight. There have always been steps in my development and growth. Once I acknowledged and accepted that my son was gay and let him know that I loved him none-the-less, it didn’t mean that my growth process was complete. I set limits on what I did and didn’t want to know and although my son wanted to discuss certain things with me through the years, he was able to recognize that I was still growing in my responsibilities as his father when it came to his gay lifestyle issues.

God bless him for being so sensitive and understanding. As those boundaries began to widen and expand through the years, I realized how much he valued my opinion and insight when it came to discussing relationships. That was another milestone we crossed that again made me recognize that I was making it more difficult than what it was. Drew continues to allow me to direct where the flag post go when setting the boundaries and is always congratulating me for having the courage to speak up as a father of a child in the LGBTQ community.

We correspond threw e-mails and speak once a week every Sunday at 7 p.m. and about a month ago he mentioned that he re-connected with his first true love, you know….that “One” and that he was looking forward to him coming to visit. Each week as the date for the visit approached, I could hear how excited and happy he was because things had just been going real good between him and his friend. I gave him my fatherly advice with taking it slow, don’t expect too much and don’t get distracted from all the positive things he’s been achieving ect… and he assured me he wouldn’t.

The much anticipated weekend finally arrived and he told me how great it was on our scheduled Sunday 7:00 p.m. call as he expressed that his friend was leaving in the morning.

“Where is he now?” I asked.

“Oh, he’s right inside” Drew answered while sitting on the outside porch eating and ice cream as we talked.

“Well put him on the phone” I said.

“What!?” the shock of my request was clearly evident in his tone.

“You heard what I said Drew”

After a slight 3 second pause he said “OOO-Kay” as I heard him opening the front door saying “My father wants to talk to you.”

His friend got on the phone and we had a nice pleasant conversation. He was polite, friendly, and understood when I explained that I knew he was in my son’s life in the past, but at that period of time I wasn’t to receptive to what was going on but now I look forward to meeting him. I could tell that he was shocked at our conversation, and when Drew got back on the phone he said “I can’t believe you!!” because I completely caught him by surprise.

I know that my son was proud and of course a little embarrassed as all children are when parents want to talk with their significant other at every age. This is the man that my son cares about and who makes him happy so since I care about my son’s happiness, it’s only right that I embrace whoever he chooses to share his life with. This includes his other friends also.

Honestly, I always knew this day would come but I would just block it out my mind. After getting back on the phone with Drew and sensing another breath of relief that his old man has crossed another mild stone, it made me feel happy and proud of myself for just how far I’ve come.

Eddie K. Wright

#voiceforthesilentfathers

#gangsterturnedguru

#eddiekwright

Available Now!

Press Release April 7, 2016

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!

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

EXCERPT: Interview with Jamie Timmons of, Matters of My Heart.

Jai: Did your son ever tell you eventually and how did you respond?
Eddie:  He never really had to tell me. I already knew. It was like this big pink elephant in the room and we both just ignored it as long as we could. And part of that reason is because I didn’t want to accept it at first. As a father, he looked to me to have the answers and I didn’t know how. I felt alone as a man, because this topic is so taboo. I mean, I had the love and support of my mother and sister, but they were women so it was different. Especially in the way that I was living, I mean, I was in a man’s world and I felt like my son was living in a galaxy far far away and I didn’t understand, and really didn’t want to understand at that time.

For full interview click here!

The Book Cover!

FREE paperback for all Kobo pre-orders of e-book!

Pre-Order Voice for the Silent Fathers for Kobo eReader and receive a FREE paperback version when we go to print! ($14.99 value)

We are excited to announce that Voice for the Silent Fathers, scheduled to launch on June 1, 2016 is now available to pre-order for Kobo eReader!*

VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS is 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.

To receive a FREE paperback version of Voice for the Silent Fathers you need to do two simple things today.

1.  Pre-order the e-book for Kobo eReader for only $9.99

2. Join our mailing list

Upon release of the print version, we will contact you for your address.

Thank your for your support!

(This offer expires on Monday, February 29, 2016)

*The Voice for the Silent Fathers e-book is also available on iBooks and Nook and will be available on other retailers (Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and PDF) soon!

FREE paperback for all Nook at Barnes & Noble pre-orders of e-book!

Pre-Order Voice for the Silent Fathers for Nook at Barnes & Noble and receive a FREE paperback version when we go to print! ($14.99 value)

We are excited to announce that Voice for the Silent Fathers, scheduled to launch on June 1, 2016 is now available to pre-order for Nook at Barnes & Noble!*

VOICE FOR THE SILENT FATHERS is 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.

To receive a FREE paperback version of Voice for the Silent Fathers you need to do two simple things today.

1.  Pre-order the e-book for Nook at Barnes & Noble for only $9.99

2. Join our mailing list

Upon release of the print version, we will contact you for your address.

Thank your for your support!

(This offer expires on Monday, February 29, 2016)

*The Voice for the Silent Fathers e-book is also available on iBooks and Kobo eReader and will be available on other retailers (Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and PDF) soon

#voiceforthesilentfathers