His story about brothers on the “Down Low” caught the attention of people around the world. Now, a year later best-selling author J.L. King has traveled the world doing tours, conferences, and even the Oprah Show. On his road to spread knowledge about the epidemic that is killing the black community J.L. King met with me for “real talk.”

Q: What is your purpose?

A: I think God spared me from getting infected with the HIV virus to share my stories with others. It’s the spirit I have to save others and share my message to the world.

Q: What is the Lillie Mae King Foundation?

A: The Lillie Mae King foundation named after my mother is my way of giving back financially to support families who have been impacted by someone who has HIV or AIDS. We all got to do our part. You can talk about it but I think you have to put some actions behind your words.

Q: Why our black men hiding their sexual choice; with the affect it is having on black women?

A: Because the fear of being called less than a man! If I tell you I’m bi-sexual, the only thing you hear is that I have sex with men; you don’t hear that I have sex with both men and women. In our community the worst thing you can call a brother is a faggot! The worst thing you can call me is a punk, a queer, a sissy--and not too many men want to be called out their name like that.

Q: How has your career affected your family?

A: Its brought us closer together, especially me and my kids. But, I also lost a lot of relatives who thought I was putting a black mark on our family name by coming forth with my own story and telling the truth. They would have rather for women and men to continue to become victims instead of stepping up and making a difference.

Q: What do you say to black college students?

A: Always practice safe sex and get tested.

Q: What’s next for J.L. King?

A: Ahhh man, I got so much going on in my world man. I got a T.V. talk show, a radio syndicated show both dealing with sexuality and relationships. I’m working on my first fiction book. Ohh, man I got a new magazine I’m starting in Atlanta called J.L, and continuing on doing my thing. Talking to young people trying to empower them-- trying to create a movement of awareness, so we can turn this thing around man. So every time they report the new numbers its not always sisters!

Q: Is this epidemic only in the black community?

A: Right now, it’s taking its toll in the black community more than any other community. But, it’s impacting all of us white, black, blue... green.

Q: How is the relationship is between you and your ex-wife?

A: We talk everyday we’re like real good friends! We grew up together; she was my high school sweetheart. I was a virgin, she was a virgin and we started having sex—she’s my baby mama, you know [laughs]! She’s remarried, working on her P.h.D.-- we just realized that we are both the parents of our kids so we got to get along, and our kids don’t want to see us fighting anyway. Once she got over the hurt and pain we were able to move on with our lives. So we’re touring together and showing other couples how you can get past it and still be friends.

Q: When everything is said and done, what do you want people to say about J.L. King?

A: When they bury me deep in the grave I want them to say it was because of J.L. King that we saw a decrease in the spread of HIV. That’s what I want them to say over my body.

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