The New Year has begun and, with that, a new Congress has been elected. Politically, the pendulum will swing to the left and to the right over and over again. While there is really no tri-fold brochure on how to politically navigate 2019, I will do my best to dispel a few myths that, if … Continue reading Common Myths: Watching for Blind Spots in 2019 & 2020
As I move through America and share my stories with you as an openly gay man of color, I have the great fortune to learn and grow from the many reader comments I receive. It has been both cathartic and inspiring to see messages telling me that these chronicles are helping some people learn, while … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 4
The month of August presented so many topics to discuss. I provide this series as a way to look at these topics from a different set of eyes. My aim is to create an open and insightful dialogue, and remind everyone that in some way or another, we have all been on the outside. CHICAGO … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 3
Back in April, I had the fortunate opportunity to speak at the 2018 Democratic Gala of DuPage County. The keynote speaker at this event was the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz. I was blown away by her poise and ability to captivate the entire room. As she recalled the events of Hurricane Maria, … Continue reading The Intersection of Racism, Climate Change & Environmental Deregulation
DemWritePress Contributor Ken Mejia-Beal continues his series describing Trump's America from his unique perspective. In this volume of “Chronicles of an Outsider”, I want to touch on some of the issues that came up in July that, left unchecked, will greatly alter our democracy. I write in an attempt to give a voice to the … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider, Volume 2
I am Ken Mejia-Beal, a proud member of the LGBT community, a black man, and an American citizen. Although I am a citizen, America has not shown me the kind of love that others might expect. My life, and the life of my people, has been one of constant struggle. I read article after article … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider
Recently, the Trump administration dismissed every member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS, and HIV/AIDS research has been halted. Trump has made it clear throughout his life how he feels about persons with HIV/AIDS. In the ‘80s, Trump became associates with the infamously ruthless and closeted Roy Cohn. Cohn stated at Trump’s … Continue reading HIV/AIDS and the Right-Wing Republican Agenda