Essential Randy Boyd, Volume 1

Race relations, living with HIV/AIDS, adolescent heartbreak, gay life, the healing power of dogs.Randy Boyd has written on these subjects and more on his blog, in numerous publications, and in his four novels, which have been nominated for a total of five Lambda Literary Awards.Now, in one collection, revisit some of Randy's most essential writings in The Essential Randy Boyd, Volume One, featuring 10 stories, essays, blogposts, and book excerpts from the black, gay, HIV-positive author."e;Nowadays people need easily accessible reading options,"e; says Boyd about his motivation for the collection. "e;So I asked myself: what if someone only had the opportunity to read a sampling of my writing? Which of my works best define me and my experience here on Planet Earth?"e;The answer: The Essential Randy Boyd, featuring the following 10 stories:Battle Scars — a young man's transformation from overweight, in the closet and afraid of getting AIDS, to getting in shape, coming out, and taking the HIV test.Just Like Magic — while the world reacted to Magic Johnson's famous HIV announcement in 1991, one black gay man already living with the virus reacted to the world's reaction.Dear Magic Johnson, Thanks for Saving My Life — giving credit to Magic and Cookie Johnson for decades of HIV/AIDS work.The Day I Died in 9th-Grade Gym Class — the school's white quarterback makes an off-handed comment; a crushed, adolescent black boy picks up the pieces.Sometimes I Forget I'm a Nigger — the 1992 LA riots as a life-changing event, written while the smoke was still smoldering.When the USC Sigma Chi's Called Me Nigger — surviving childhood to escape to college in California, only to be called a slur the week before school starts.Why Pet the Dog When in Doubt — a bittersweet childhood memory reinforces the healing power of pets.Update from the Unlovable Nigger Faggot — the feeling when you realize most peers reject you for being Black, gay, and HIV-positive.Listen Up, Kunta Kinte Koleman! — looking back at the racial history of America through word play.Left for Dead — the good, bad and ugly about surviving HIV/AIDS for 30+ years, from A&U Magazine.