Arts & Entertainment
Magic Johnson confesses he didn’t want son EJ to be gay
‘I had to come to realize that this is who he is’ former NBA star admits
(EJ Johnson, son of Magic Johnson. Screenshot via YouTube.)
Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie revealed their feelings about their son EJ’s sexuality and finding out Magic was HIV-positive on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday.
The couple appeared to promote Cookie’s memoir “Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith,” a personal look at their marriage, motherhood and how they dealt with Magic’s HIV status.
Speaking about their son EJ, who came out in 2013 and stars on “The Rich Kids of Beverly Hills,” they both said the situation took time to process. Magic admits at first he “didn’t want” his son to be gay.
“I had to come to realize that this is who he is, and he’s going to be happy,” Magic says. “And so why am I judging him? I’m his father, so I got to be the first one to say, ‘It’s OK and I love you. Now, how can I help you?'”
“Ultimately you want your child to be happy,” Cookie added. “But I also knew that [Magic] didn’t understand. And I was still trying to figure it out. I’m not going to sit here and say that I understood that he was gay at that time, because I didn’t. I just knew that this is what made him happy. And as time went on, it never changed. You gotta love your child. Love wins.”
Cookie also recalled when she learned Magic was HIV-positive.
“It scared me to death. I mean, I fell to my knees. We both fell on our knees and we started crying,” Cookie says.
Although Magic said he “wouldn’t blame her” for wanting to leave after the diagnosis, Cookie says it wasn’t an option for her.
“I didn’t have time to get mad about whatever happened, you know, or start asking questions. [My mind] went to ’He is possibly going to die,’” Cookie says.
Watch the full interview below.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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Calendar: May 15-21
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