Nathan Hale Williams: Final Campaign Diary

Clayton
September 19 2004, 10:13PM

Thank you Keith for your partipation in this competition. You have been an incredible inspiration to me personally throughout the years. Watching you the past several weeks on this show helped me to get to know you a little better. I've read your books and I visit your website from time to time, but that's not the same as seeing your powerful image on TV each week doing what you do best. I'm a black gay man in Michigan. I manage & administer federal grants at a school in the Detroit area and often feel like the minority on campus and at various meetings. It's extraordinary people like you and your partner who keep me inspired and productive, instead of focusing on my differences in a negative way. God Bless you. Your works are making a difference in the lives of people like me. I hope you've gotten some rest and look forward to reading your book next year.

Much respect,
Clayton in Michigan

Mark Norris
September 20 2004, 1:10AM

Mr. Boykins and Mr. Williams, I am so glad that you both feel proud and good about everything you did on American Candidate. I am a openly black gay man in Long Beach, Ca. And after the show tonight, I am immensely proud to be both black and gay. You were right Keith when you said how many black gay men do you see doing what you do. I have heard of you and seen you here and there, but I have never seen you when your on fire. And my brother you were on fire. My only wish and hope was that there were more gay men who watch the show and get a fire up underneath their butts to make a change. I am in college to become a counselor. My goal, that I am real close to acheiving, is to obtain my Masters in Social Work. Yes, I have a passion to make a difference too. Maybe not in the same capacity as you but in another way. If we don't do, who will????

I have gained much more respect for you and your work. Now, I need to start getting your books. You are a true positive enfluence on this man. Thank you Mr. Boykins. And thank you Mr. Williams for showing us how to truly, truly love, respect and support our partners.....FOR LIFE.

Jared DeWese
September 20 2004, 2:08AM

Keith,

You and Nathan continue to be an inspiration to me. You provide great hope and promise, two qualities that this country was built upon.

Thank You,
Jared DeWese

malik
September 20 2004, 2:51AM

Nathan & Keith,

Thank you for the parting kiss. Much love to you both.

More Power,
malik

j. brotherlove
September 20 2004, 8:31AM

Your participation in this show was an important step in the right direction. You have definitely given America another dimension to what it means to be a non-white, non-heterosexual. I'm proud of you two!

JANEL SCARBOROUGH
September 20 2004, 11:32AM

DEAREST NATHAN,

JUST WANTED TO DROP YOU A NOTE AND TELL YOU ONCE AGAIN WHAT A TRUE PLEASURE IT WAS TO CROSS PATHS WITH YOU AT AMY RUTH'S LATE SATURDAY NIGHT/EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, (COMING OUT OF THE BATHROOM). YOU REALLY DID MAKE MY NIGHT. YOU TRULY SEEMED LIKE SUCH A GENUINE SPIRIT. SO OFTEN I MEET PEOPLE THAT ARE ON TV, IN MOVIES, OR IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND UNFORTUNATELY MOST OF THE TIME AFTERWARDS I'M LEFT WITH THE FEELING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, THE PUBLIC IMAGE AND THE TRUE PERSONALITY DON'T USUALLY MATCH. I WAS SO PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT YOURS MATCHED. FOR THE BRIEF MOMENT THAT WE SPOKE, YOU MAY HAVE EVEN EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS... THAT'S A RARE THING IN THIS DAY AND AGE, AND I'LL EVEN ADMIT THAT I CAN BE A CRITICAL EYE AT TIMES. BUT AFTER MEETING YOU, I HAVE A GOOD FEELING THAT IF I CROSSED PATHS WITH KEITH I WOULD OF HAD A SIMILIAR ENCOUNTER. THE TWO OF YOU MADE ME SO PROUD, TO WATCH YOUR GRACE AND DIGNITY UNDER PRESSURE SHOULD BE A LESSON THAT EVERYONE COULD LEARN FROM. LORD KNOWS IT'S REALLY NOT AN EASY TASK FOR ANY COUPLE TO BE WORKING TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE, LET ALONE IN THE POLITICAL ARENA. THE TWO OF YOU SHONE SO BRIGHTLY TOGETHER, AND AS INDIVIDUALS. KEITH, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN YOU HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE, CHARISMA, DRIVE, AND POTENTIAL TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. AND NATHAN I THINK YOU WOULD MAKE A FANTASTIC "FIRST GENTLEMAN." HILARY AND BILL BETTER WATCH OUT NOW. LOL... BUT SERIOUSLY, MY HOPE IS THAT SOMEDAY IN MY LIFETIME AMERICANS CAN BE WISE ENOUGH TO WAKE UP, PUT THEIR BIASES ASIDE AND ELECT A CANDIDATE LIKE KEITH. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING GREAT THINGS FROM THE TWO OF YOU IN THE FUTURE... YOU ARE CORRECT TO LOOK AT YOUR EXPERIENCE ON AMERICAN CANDIDATE AS A STEPPING STONE, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR THE BOTH OF YOU, I HONESTLY FEEL THAT. KEEP IN TOUCH AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOUR EFFORTS, I GOT YOUR BACK, AND YOU'VE GOT MY VOTE!

PEACE AND BLESSINGS,
JANEL C. SCARBOROUGH

John
September 20 2004, 11:56AM

Let me first say that American Candidate won't be the same without you and Keith. My partner and I have been together for 14+ years and this is the first time we have seen a black gay couple that reflects us. Thank you for presenting a positive image of gay black men. We most definitely do not see that enough. I felt that you have shown a side of black men that America rarely, if ever sees. I'm now shifting my support to Malia and I hope that she continues to give Lisa and Park HELL. I found it very interesting that Lisa took a stance as a hapless victim on Episode 7, when she was the one who set the wheels of mistrust and dishonesty in motion. I found her stance to be typical of caucasians. They want you to make them feel better about the knife they have stuck in your back. I found it also curious that Amercia voted that we as a country are ready to elect an African-American president, only to have Keith voted off in the same episode. I guess America isn't as ready as the Verizon poll might suggest! Thank you again, for showing America a side of not only gay black men, but black men, that the media seems to never be able to find! Much love and respect to 2 men with upstanding character, convictions and integrity. You have raised the bar of what a politician should be. We can only pray that politicians take note.

anthony davis
September 20 2004, 11:59AM

I have always loved and admired Keith because to me he epitomizes everything that a proud,out,gay black man should be. I feel a sense of sadness today over what happened on the show last night but for Keith I do know that there are bigger and better things on the horizon.Even though Keith is no longer a part of the show I feel that we are all better for the process because of his involvement in the show.Much love to you Keith because you are the Wind Beneath My Wings.

t
September 20 2004, 12:27PM

I have not been able to watch the show, but have kept updated from your website. As I checked the clips from the American Candidate website I wonder who is the surprise behind the door that Montel talks about in the preview for next weeks episode!?! HMMMM!?!?! Whatever the outcome , Keith and Nathan, you continue to inspire us all.

Marlon
September 20 2004, 4:18PM

He who accepts the prize isn’t always the big winner. With or without the title of American Candidate you both have stepped beyond the winner circle because you heightened the perception of black gay men on an international level. You’ve raised the bar for us all; challenged all gays (especially brothas); forced millions to question and change their conditioned beliefs; dispelled gay myths; increased self-esteem, decreased self-hatred, and made many relinquish their sham, and etc… BIG LOVE TO YOU BOTH!!

Nathan, please don’t vanish from the site. I’ve grown fond of the commentaries; your writing is so vivid, expressive, and personal. Also, Keith’s musical text post to you was Beautiful! I envy Keith! SMILE:-)

Regan DuCasse
September 20 2004, 4:23PM

Dear Nathan and Keith,
May I say that you do this country proud! I hope I am there when this country DOES elect it's first black President!
Be it a Malia, a Keith or a Barack Obama.
You, were the epitomy of class and devotion to each other and country that we all could learn from.
I thank you for taking the journey with American Candidate. I know it wasn't easy-but you had each other to care for each other and get through it together.
Keith, thank you for your personal email. I will be a part of a panel here in Los Angeles and Deb Price will be a on it. Dr. Sylvia Rhue asked me to join the panel.
I'm SO honored!!
I'll send you two another personal email. I'm trying to finish my own book, and the stage play is keeping me up nights.
I don't know how you could have blazed through your new book in such a short time.
You impress the hell out of me and one of these fine days-I can hardly wait to hug you!

Doug Cooper
September 20 2004, 5:01PM

Keith and Nathan, you are both winners! Nathan, your love for Keith is so beautiful and so full. I have known him personally for almost 10 years, and I am so happy for him and for u too.

You are both winners because you broke the black gay color line. And we are all winners for that.

Thank you both. Now, GET SOME REST!

cmoney
September 20 2004, 6:42PM

So sad to see you leave the show, but so proud to have experienced it with you. I think the show will go on (and I don't mean American Candidate). MY favorite part of the show--the kiss between you and Nathan at the end. What a moment in television!! It's not the first black gay kiss, but the first one I have seen that shows true love between two decent black men, the way it is supposed to be seen on TV. You are a treasure for playing the game together. Don't sweat the loss, though, Election 2000 has already proven that the best man does not always win!! Much love.....

Nyah Molineaux
September 20 2004, 8:42PM

Nathan you did a fantastic job and I think you should run for political office (with your boyfriend as campaign manager of course). You are such an inspiration for many people; and even though you did not win- you are my American Candidate. Kick ass in the future!!!!!!!!!!

Damon
September 21 2004, 12:03PM

What a journey!...and it continues.....Keith, that Gladys night song is my and my partner's signature song, and after 27 years, it still hold true! You guys just completed the 1st journey. You and Nathan hold tight to one another cause the best is yet to come!
Congrats on breaking ground!!
Love to you both,
Damon

DB
September 21 2004, 7:09PM

Excellence goes without saying. I have been enriched and encouraged by your performance. My partner and I really got into the show, well I got him into it. He was hooked. It was an amazing journey. With all the other remarks, all that's let to say is the best is yet to come! Keep on blazing trails and good luck in your future endeavors and in your relationship! Kudos to Keith and Nathan!!!

Cynic45
September 22 2004, 1:37AM

Nathan & Keith,

I know it's been said many times and many ways before but I have to say it again...the 2 of you are real live heros!
Heros in the sense that you are 2 very intelligent and driven men who have not only given back to your community but also have given the world a glimpse into a multi-layered relationship.
You're 2 strong men who are in a loving committed relationship,you interact well with each other and actually seem to listen and hear each other.Amazing how that can work.
And the fact that you guys are Black gay men who are in a fully functional relationship.... thank you both for not only showing the world that men can be in loving supportive relationships and be functioning members of society.
Even more so you both showed that we as individuals as well as groups can make a difference.
You both are my American Candidates in more ways than one!
I thank you both for also sharing your experiences with us.

Chaz
September 22 2004, 4:53AM

I was saddened to see you off the show. Of all the candidates on the show, you have the most direct experience of being black and being gay. However your leadership reaches out and encompasses all Americans, regardless if they are black and gay, or poor and white, or female and raising children alone. Please make evident to all your passion to provide leadership for a whole America.

Dissent
September 22 2004, 10:29AM

Recently, Park Gillespie gave an interview that has been published on the website of the evangelical organization "Focus on the Family," at http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0033752.cfm

The article and his interview were particularly disheartening, and people should be aware of it because this organization intends to 'get out the vote' for Gillespie during next week's 1-800 voting.

The interview opens by praising Gillespie for braving the "electronic lion's den" of a netwrok that "graphically glorifies homosexuality." Gillespie himself characterizes Showtime as "godless," and says "Showtime is not your Christian network." He continues, "'The L Word,' which is about Lesbians, 'Queer as Folk' -- a lot of these shows have a real serious bent in a particular way that we as Christians can't agree with, but who's going to speak the truth to them?"

Later, he compares the "love and concern" he feels for Chrissy Gephardt, "a lesbian activist who is radically pro-death" and "wrong," to God's love for Hitler. He also notes, though, that he feels this same love and concern for all the contestants.

While discussing the future of this country, he comments "Do I want to be forced to teach that homosexual marriage is on par with heterosexual marriage? Why do we sit back and let bad ideas take this country over? Why do we want to put generations we don't even know yet under the tutelage of these ideas? Go credibly to the arena with the biggest sword you can get your hands on."

Mr. Gillespie claims the "truth" is "exclusive and narrowly defined." His comments in this interview indicate that he believes those who disagree with his beliefs, his truth, are to be excluded. From Christianity and from the legal protections afforded by the government.

He is mobilizing groups who believe it is both just and imperative to encourage and legislate the division and exclusion of people who do not conform to their religious beliefs. Groups that envision an America in which the lines between Church and State are utterly destroyed and our lives are "narrowly defined" by their interpretation of Christianity.

I hope that everyone who visits Keith's website will take Mr. Gillespie up on his challenge. Enter the arena with your convictions and your passions and stand firm in your beliefs that the basic rights of all men and women are inviolate.

If Mr. Gillespie wins this race, he will also win a platform. He will be granted the opportunity to preach his policies of division and paint his vision of an exclusionary fundametalist State without dissent, without a questioning voice to counter his message.

Don't allow that to happen. Mobilize your networks and put people on alert. Prepare to send out messages informing people of the phone number as soon as it is revealed. When the time comes to dial that 1-800 number and lend your voice to this debate, send Park Gillespie home.

Eddie Goldman
September 22 2004, 12:44PM

Keith, I just need to comment on your appearance on "American Candidate."

I have not watched more than a few minutes of any of these other so-called "reality" shows since they all seem so unreal and really dumb. I had no intention of watching "American Candidate" when I first heard of it. But a friend alerted a group of wrestling people that one of the candidates was a wrestler, and since I am a wrestling journalist, I figured I'd invest an hour checking out the first show at least.

That candidate, of course, was you.

Well, it very quickly became clear that you were indeed the most intelligent, talented, principled, and courageous person on the show. I guess it helped that I agree with you on a lot of issues, but to me, you were also the show's star. More importantly, you were the only one, with the possible exception of Malia Lazu, who showed the capacity for really being a leader of the people, and in a progressive manner.

The contrived processes for eliminating candidates grew tiresome, but the earlier episodes did seem to weed out the people either with weaker leadership and politics, or more marginalized agendas.

The show on which they dumped you had a preposterous mechanism: A three-way debate, with one Republican, two Democrat/progressives, and just one woman. All it lacked was hanging chads! They might not have rigged the voting, but they essentially rigged the process. I'm not saying that they fixed it to get rid of you in particular, but that it just did not have much to do with the reality of politics and elections.

I did read that you were not feeling well during the debate, as I had noted that the spark and charisma you had previously exhibited seemed to be lacking on the brief clips they aired. I do think that they got you on the White House issue, trying to paint you as a Beltway bandit. If you did talk about new leadership, as you had on previous shows, that never made it beyond their editing machines.

And, oh yeah, I would have mentioned at least once that you are a wrestler, seriously. Imagine if Dean had done that in Iowa, where wrestling is so popular. He just may have been able to stay in the race. By the way, who is the Democratic presidential candidate? I haven't heard much from him.

Again, congratulations on a tremendous effort. I think that in present-day America, very unfortunately, an openly gay Black man has no shot at even being nominated for national office. But more important than this little show, you have helped lay the foundation for when that will become possible.

So keep on standing up for the people! And, of course, keep on wrestling! -- Eddie Goldman

Darrell Diggins
September 23 2004, 2:54AM

Nathan & Keith,

There isn't much more to say that hasn't been echoed by the other commentators on this site. Except: You beautiful Black men did anything but "lose" on American Candidate. Your bravery (from Day 1!), intelligence, creativity, skill, compassion and fearlessness has busted the damn of ignorance and negative stereotypes of who Black gay men really are (and can be)--if most of us we were to emerge from our "closets" or to take our legs out of the air and use them stand on, for a change .

And thank God it didn't require writing at least a half dozen novels of pathological self-hating Black gay characters, BEFORE you two exhibited the courageous Black gay men that you are. As Halle said in the spring of 2003, "the door has been opened..." Now it's time for the rest of us (BGM and our allies) to bumrush it and kick the muthafucka down!

P.S. I imagine Baldwin, Riggs, Beam and Hemphill must be dancing in their graves.