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Story Corner: Best Friends Brother

By: Anthony Corona

I wanted to bring something different and unique to this special Issue and to BPI in general. I am a writer and using my talents an idea was born. This story is part 1 of 10 and I plan to release one part per month to the BPI membership going forward.
Nick and Jason are characters I am deeply fond of and I hope you all will enjoy them. Romantic with erotic undertones this is their story…

Best Friends Brother

Five long years may have changed Jason in many fundamental ways but as he crossed the bridge taking him back into town, he could not name even one of them. That is what his hometown always did to him, slapped him right back to the angry boy who roared over this bridge with the intention of never returning. When his best friend first asked him to be in his wedding, he knew at least one more time he would have to face the place he had ran from determined to show them all. Show them he was not his father, the town drunk, was not trash, show them he could make something of himself. Intellectually he knew he had gone way beyond what most of the town had predicted but he still dreaded the stares and the whispers, dreaded the questions. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself for the thousandth time he was here for the one person in this town who had taken the time to see the real Jason, who had been a friend most of the time his only friend. He would stand at the alter with Mike and his brother, celebrate his best friends’ marriage, and get out as fast as he could. Determination crept slowly through his body as he turned onto main street. A throaty chuckle rumbled through his chest as he realized the small town centered on one avenue that was not even half of his NYC block.
A loud clanking with rocking shudders and a big white cloud of smoke ripped through the car just after he made the turn onto main street. “Seriously” Jason screamed slamming his fist against the steering wheel. He angled the car into the first available spot a moment before the car gave one last sad shudder and died. The burning oil smell was overwhelming and making him tear up, it was not embarrassment he swore to himself. “Dam car,” he muttered getting out praying no one would notice him. No such luck, pulling up beside him was one of the towns two cop cars. So much for grabbing his stuff and sneaking away before anyone spotted him and discreetly arranging a tow. The sheriff had hated his father and made it his mission to broadcast every embarrassing trouble the drunk found himself involved in; it would not be long before the town was buzzing about this.
It was not the old sheriff that got out of the cruiser though, that was clear the moment the driver’s door opened. The old sheriff was large, hell large was polite, he was enormous and the officer stepping out was anything but judging from the coiled arm and tight-fitting shirt this man was built. Recognition dawned for Jason as the cop turned toward him.
“Afternoon,” the hunky Sherriff greeted Jason with the million-dollar grin he remembered so well. “I’d bet this week’s paycheck your gonna need a new head gasket, mechanics a few blocks from here’ I’d be happy to give u a lift there”
“Gee Nick… or Sherriff Miceli now I suppose…” Jason grinned at the look of confusion crossing the cops face. “I know it’s been some time, but I remember where Maynard’s is. ”
Nick’s cop eyes scanned Jason over trying to place the face and suddenly recognition dawned. “Holy shit…. Jason Davenport” Nick rushed over pulling Jason into a crushing bear hug. “dam NYC been really good for your bro, I hardly recognized you.”
Relaxing now Jason smiled and returned the hug with vigor. Maybe his luck was not running out after all, but he wondered why Mike had never mentioned his brother was now the town sheriff. They settled into a comfortable catch-up small talk while the smoke cleared and Jason grabbed his bags from the back seat.
“Where are you staying?” Nick asked.
“I figured I’d grab a room at the bed and breakfast.” Jason said as he opened the passenger door of the cruiser.
“Leave it to Mikey,” Nick replied with a chuckle. “Both the BnB and the motel are fully booked with wedding guests.”
“Fuck!! How long do you think Maynard will take with my car? ‘ Jason asked while mentally calculating his options to the motel in the next town.
“Monday at best. It is too late for Maynard to get a parts order out today. ” He explained as Jason’s apprehension grew. Glancing over at Jason he saw the concern etching across his brother’s best friends face. The protective instinct kicked in along with flashes of memories from the past. Nick had always thought of his brothers’ friend as an un-official little brother. “But I happen to know of a rather comfortable room.”
Where,” Jason asked in apprehension.
“I guess Mike didn’t fill you in about me at all “
“I wouldn’t let him talk about the town at all,” Jason replied sheepishly. “but I didn’t mean you”
“Well, when I took over as sheriff, I celebrated by buying the old Preston place,” Nick said pulling into Maynard’s garage parking lot. “I’m still renovating but I can offer my pull out.”
It did not take long to decide for the car, but Nick had been right about the timetable. While he was waiting for the weather worn mechanic to work up a price Jason casually studied Nick. Five years had not changed the cop much, at least not physically. Tall, dark and handsome would be a weak description, he was all that yet so much more. The confident way he carried himself did not make the softer moments seem odd at all they seemed natural. Jason remembered all the times Nick has stood up for him when they were kids, and how the summer before high school when Jason wanted to be on the baseball team both he and Mike spent an entire summer helping him train. Compassionate jocks were a rare breed yet that is exactly what the Miceli brothers were.
When they finished with the mechanic, they headed over to the old PRESTON place. It was an old corner lot Victorian that had been vacant for as long as Jason could remember. A big sprawling house on an overgrown lot it was the kind of house that courted haunted rumors while also the host of many a teenage party. Jason’s first kiss was at one such party his freshman year of high school with a sophomore goddess named Kelly. He was not surprised Nick would buy and restore the place, since they were kids Mike and his brother had been fascinated with the house and its legend. In the late 1800s Eliza Preston had inherited the house from her preacher father. It was said that the elder Preston was a fiery preacher that ran both his congregation and household with iron fists and sharp tongue. Three years to the day Eliza inherited the house the shy demure girl vanished. When the county searched the property the bones of fourteen men who had gone missing over the three years were discovered. The ghosts of Eliza and her men were said to roam the old house. None of the owners since had ever lived in the house for more than three years. Jason wondered and then asked how long Nick had been working on the house.
“Last week was my third-year anniversary,” Nick turned onto his home street. He chuckled and his trademark grin spread across his classically Italian face. “Not afraid of a few ghosts are ya J?”
Jason’s jaw dropped as they pulled to a stop in front of the old Victorian. Nick had obviously invested a lot of time, energy, and money over the last three years. The facade was painted in a cheerful blue and white gingham with sunny yellow accents that gave it a happy storybook feel. The old saggy front porch gone and replaced with a sprawling wrap-around complete with the requisite rocking chairs. There was not a trace of spooky or rundown left about the house or gardens surrounding it, Jason let out his breath and followed Nick up the path towards the house.
“It’s stunning….” Jason said looking around the great room off the foyer. “If walked me in here blindfolded then took it off in here I would never be able to guess this was the old PRESTON place “
Nick glowed with pride as he gave Jason the penny tour of the first floor. The kitchen was all chrome and marble with a glass enclosed breakfast nook. In the formal dining room Nick had restored the black walnut to its glory, polished to a gleam it was perfectly complimented with a long table and breakfront made from recycled black walnut and accentuated with antique lace. A full butler’s pantry and office were done up modern but in keeping with the style of the house, but it was the library that had Jason’s jaw dropping all over again. There were two humongous built-in bookshelves on either side of a long-distressed leather couch, situated under a big bay window. Two more flanking a mounted 82-inch lcd while the other two walls were lined with books and DVD’s. Jason had forgotten that about Nick, his love of reading. The packed shelves were just shy of overflowing, one whole wall of hard covers and the remaining three stacked full of paperbacks. A quick glance showed him a few of his favorites and some he had never heard of.
A memory blanketed him, of Nick reclining on the couch while they waited for Mike to finish his chores. He had been absorbed in some science fiction book, had not even noticed Jason standing in the doorway, and he had had the luxury of just watching him. A little smile had slowly crept across those full lips and Jason had tried to imagine what he was reading, what could make him smile like that. Then he had scratched idly at his stomach, and he had started watching his long fingers instead, as they curled slightly onto his hard stomach. When he had sighed Nick looked up and broke the spell. The sight of all those books in his house made him glad… and a little hopeful.
“Wow Nick….” Jason shook his head to clear the memories and the shot of lust. ‘This place is…. amazing.”
“Thanx,” he said softly looking at Jason with new eyes. “The first floor is done but I’m afraid my bedroom and bath are the only finished rooms upstairs.” He moved out of the library and back into the foyer where Jason’s bags were waiting. “Let’s get you settled into the guest room; Mikes bachelor extravaganza starts in just over an hour”
A quiet contemplative mood seemed to have settled over both back in the library, and although he did not quite feel uncomfortable, Jason was suddenly nervous around his old friend. They both reached for one of the bags and as their hands grazed Jason felt a jolt of electricity run up his arm and land in his heart and loins simultaneously. He followed Nick up the stairs and into a room that obviously had not gotten any attention yet. Old and fading wallpaper covered in dandelions and butterflies on the wall, and very careworn mauve carpet blanketed the floor. The guest room was not dirty, although a thin layer of dust covered the exposed surfaces, loud flowery linens covered the bed and matching easy chair. An old-fashioned washbowl and pitcher centered on an old, battered chest of drawers was the only nick-nack and there was one sad print of a sailboat centered above the bed.
“This was my aunt Bet’s housewarming gift,” Nick said grimacing. “She insisted and I didn’t have the heart to tell her no. The wallpaper you might remember the rest my aunt’s attic treasures.”
“It’s great,” Jason’s voice hitched in his throat with the obvious lie. “I’m so grateful you’re giving me a place to stay.”
“I should let you settle in and get ready. You can use my bathroom, I’m gonna grab a quick shower now …should be done by the time you unpack.”
“Thanks,” Jason said stepping towards Nick extending his hand.
A casual handshake was not in the cards however, as he stepped forward, he tripped over his duffle bag and would have ended up face first on the floor if Nick did not react quickly. Before he could take a breath, he was wrapped in the sheriff’s powerful arms, face pressed literally up against an extremely hard cloth covered chest. Jason began to tremble as he sucked in air and slowly looked up. He was as sure as he was the sun was yellow that his face was painted a lobster red, yet right at that moment in Nicks arms a safe, calm feeling crept down his spine. Nick’s hand instinctively cupped the back of his neck and when their eyes met Jason was sure the intense look behind the eyes staring into his was desire. A sigh escaped as Jason felt those strong fingers against his tender flesh. The eye lock just seemed to go on and on and Jason did not dare to even take another breath.
“I uhm…….”, “Are you ok?” They both blurted out simultaneously effectively breaking the spell, but Jason would swear on a stack of King James that Nicks fingers gently caressed his neck as he released him.
“Ok, yeah…. shower….” Nick said shaking his head as he drifted out the doorway.
“Oh my god….” Jason whispered sinking to the bed still slightly trembling.

Stay tuned next month for part 2 The Bachelor Party (the stripper is not the only one getting naked)

Volunteering Becomes Family

BY: Gabriel Lopez Kafati
Covered with rainbow bumper stickers and equality license plates, a Toyota Prius became a staple of BPI. With Al Ellis at the wheel, and his inseparable wife Donna as co-pilot, their Prius traveled thousands of miles every year to be a part of ACB Conventions and other BPI gatherings.
In preparation for an ACB Convention to be held in Phoenix, then BPI President Don Brown thought of contacting the local PFLAG Chapter in search of volunteers who could help with BPI’s events. In a matter of minutes, he received an enthusiastic response from Donna. Once in town, BPI was blown away by the amazing preparations that Al and Donna had put in place to take care of even the smallest detail of the Convention. More than just volunteering, Al and Donna fell in love with BPI, and offered to assist in future conventions.
Since then, they started following BPI wherever the ACB Convention was being hosted. Al and Donna increased their involvement more and more with every passing year. More than volunteering, they offered BPI a sense of family.
From supermarket runs to adult-store visits. From mixing drinks to pouring wine. From greeting attendees at the BPI Suite to sharing jokes with friends. The couple would rejoice with first hugs and would cry with farewells at the end of each Convention. Quickly and surely, Al and Donna Ellis had completely earned the love of BPI.
Packed with leftover utensils, their Prius would take off back to Phoenix, just to be back in a different city the following year, full of those utensils, but more importantly, anxious to hug and kiss old and new friends.
Some of the best friends the Elis made, were the four-legged part of the family. Every year, they would make sure to pack all sorts of doggie snacks and toys. When BPI decided to offer up the Suite to the couple, it became easier for our guide dogs to find the Suite. This was a good way of convincing the couple to stay in the Suite. They fought with all their might to not take anything from BPI but love, hugs, and licks.
Being part of the BPI Family, Al and Donna also made sure the group grew in number and in love. After years of sharing their fun and love experiences with BPI, they sparked the interest of other PFLAG members who wanted to be a part of our family. Ron and Russ started joining us at Convention, and together with the Ellis, they became a beautiful quartet of volunteering and friendship.
Last year, just as we were starting preparations to celebrate BPI’s 20th Anniversary, our friend and father Al left us. Many of us called Donna to support and comfort her; but being the formidably amazing woman that she is, she ended up comforting us. After our 2020 Convention went virtual, we started making plans to have a love feast with Donna in Phoenix in 2021. Now that 2021 has also gone virtual, we will make sure that Donna is our guest of honor in 2022.
Today, BPI has named one of our awards: The Al and Donna Ellis Award for the Volunteer of the Year. Al’s legacy continues to bless BPI. His home PFLAG Chapter decided to honor his memory by presenting BPI with an amazingly generous gift. We are sure that Donna will continue to carry the torch for the couple, not only as part of the BPI Family, but also in their tireless fight towards equality in their community. Al and Donna Ellis came to BPI as volunteers; they became family; and they will live with us forever. In the words of Donna: “We receive more from you than what we give.” In this 20th Anniversary year, BPI expresses our immense love to this wonderful couple who came to stay!

Pride Connection Podcast

BY: Gabriel Lopez Kafati, Anthony Corona, and Leah Gardner
The words “Pride Connection” can evoke so many meanings. Pride gives us a sense of honoring and celebrating who we are. Connection gives us a sense of sharing and friendship. The marriage of these two words and ideas forms the basic premise of BPI’s weekly internet radio show and podcast.
A little over 20 years ago, the connection between LGBTQ members of ACB was found in small rooms tucked into the recesses of Convention hotels. Hard work and determination grew these meetings into a strong group that led BFLAG to legitimate affiliate status. Phone calls, then e-mail lists gave way to discussion lists and various forms of text-messaging groups. Early on, Inside Out, (our quarterly publication), formed and was a primary means of circulating the voice of BPI and its members.

In the last 20 years, the world has exploded with so many new means of communication and BPI always led new trends, culminating with a wildly-popular Whats App group and an ever-changing Inside Out; but our members wanted more, and Pride Connection was BPI’s answer.
Late last year, BPI’s Board of Directors decided to create a podcast to further the voices of advocacy, education, and, of course, the fun our affiliate is known for. It was an interesting journey with a few stops and starts, until we partnered with ACB Radio, and began creating shows.
Since February of this year, Gabriel, Leah, and Anthony have helmed BPI’s Pride Connection. Tim Cumings and Byron Lee have worked behind the scenes to produce a show that is one of the most listened to within the ACB family of podcasts.
We started the party with important subjects, such as: blind parenting, online dating, working blind and of course, the various colors of the LGBTQ rainbow.
BPI members have highlighted topics and persons of interest to our intersectionality; one of the brightest of those being our phenomenal interview with transgender Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum of West Virginia. Celebrities and authors, LGBTQ shows, and music have been fun topics covered.
Recently, BPI members have stepped into the roles of co-hosting and creating show topics and ideas. With almost a year into this fantastic journey, our podcast is only getting better and better. With more participation from the Membership at large, we are considering taking a bold and brave step to grow our platform and global exposure by partnering with the Patrion platform.
Pride Connection was once a tiny kernel of thought that transformed into a weekly blend of education, personal stories, and surprising revelations. We strive to create community among all listeners through our dynamic presentation, candid commentary, and promotion of empathy. Once, Pride Connection was a glimmer of a concept. We achieved more than we ever imagined since our debut in March of 2020.
Please join us as we continue to raise the bar higher. We are proud of the work we have accomplished but know we are capable of so much more. So, stay tuned in and involved; help keep the connection strong.

Remembering LA

By: Leah Gardner

In 1999, the American Council of the Blind, (ACB), annual conference was in Las Angeles. I was 23 years old and attending my first major blindness convention. Truthfully, I was a cocky young lesbian who knew little about the world on any large-scale level. So many formative experiences that would shape my life were yet to be lived. I was naive and still had not embraced or come to respect my sense of self as a visually impaired woman. I was proud
of my lesbianism, but sometimes loud is not always best.

I was the kid in the room where Blind Friends of Gays and lesbians, (BFLAG), now Blind LGBT Pride International, (BPI(,, was created. People who endured so much more struggle than I ever conceived of took a chance and agreed to push for official affiliate status under the
ACB umbrella. I was fresh from college where I belonged to a Gay Straight Alliance, and my home at that time was Burlington, Vermont, a mecca of progressive thought and politics. Truly, my decision to join the effort to strive for affiliation was based on fierce pride and a sense of invincibility. I think now, that for so many in that room, decisions to be part of this process were
based on realities of discrimination, violence, and isolation that I had no personal inkling of. We were a mix of diverse people from disparate backgrounds, but we all formed a bond that week which served as the foundation BPI relies on today. We were united by the
belief that planting the seeds of an organization embracing all colors of the pride spectrum was imperative.

I cannot speak for anybody else in that room who decided to forge ahead with affiliation plans that day. But I think some of them were maybe a little scared. I am sure there was some anxiety. A few wanted to remain anonymous. I was the kid who had not yet learned to
be afraid of the unavoidable bigotry aimed at those of us who represent that rainbow which stems from ignorance and intolerance. In the past 20 years, I spent 2 weeks in Alabama, afraid to divulge my lesbianism due to the strict conservative climate. I was at rallies where queer poets were taunted and harassed for daring to read on stage.
I’ve lived through an American time frame where politicians seem hungry to dismantle all the gains and strides towards equity that our community has labored to attain for generations. We are living through an unimaginable pandemic that has claimed over 250,000 lives in the United States alone. That kid who was part of BPI’s creation has
grown up.

BPI, however, is also a more mature organization. Several tumultuous times in our past have ultimately made this affiliate stronger and more resilient. In my own life, I have dealt with pain, loss, and isolation over the past 2 decades. I have felt fractured by the process of living at times. And BPI has almost broken due to inner turmoil. But I am still here, and BPI is stronger than I can ever remember. The energy of our members is contagious. Some days, I feel like the old woman in the room who wants to warn, to caution, to discuss the risks of every step we take. But then I remember L.A. That fire to forge change and be seen and heard still crackles like a live wire inside. Electricity tingles through me, and I know I was in the right room at the right time 20 years ago because I still want to be here for BPI’s next 20 years and more.

BPI Turns 20 in 2020

BY: Gabriel Lopez Kafati

2020 will truly go down in history as an unprecedented year. A Pandemic that changed everything; from the way in which we greet our loved ones, to the way in which we work. Our country has reached a new low point with regards to racial injustice. We were overwhelmed in a political race in which equality was at stake. Standing tall in proud in the mist of all the chaos is our home- Blind LGBT Pride International, BPI. Celebrating 20 years of serving the intersectionality of those of us who are blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community, BPI continues to be a beacon of hope for all of us and many more!

It was 20 years ago, that Blind Friends of Gays and Lesbians, BFLAG, became a proud Special Interest Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, ACB. It was a brave and bold action of our Founding Members, and an opportunity for ACB to stand on the right side of history and embrace diversity. BFLAG faced some opposition; but, most importantly, it received a warm welcoming from supporters, allies, and friends. As any young organization, BFLAG had to form its own personality; the first years gave many of its members an understanding of what they wanted the organization to be, for them and for ACB. The foundations were being laid and the young non-profit started to grow.

After almost a decade, the Leadership and Membership of BFLAG, decided that the organization had grown into something bigger and shinier. Therefore, it was decided that the organization deserved a name that was more representative of its mission and vision. The name Blind LGBT Pride International was adopted. BPI showed to be a proud and inclusive organization. It attracted not only blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community, but straight and sighted allies as well.

In latest years, BPI has started a new type of growth. We have expanded in numbers and in colors. We decided to be more intentional when it came to attracting members and leaders who strengthened our diversity. The first sign of this new growth became evident when BPI began to enfold the role of more and more women. BPI also became known for its vibrant and strong presence at ACB’s Annual Conference and Conventions. With a program rich in education and entertainment, and with a welcoming space where everyone is always invited to come as they are, BPI has won the hearts and the attention of all Convention attendees.

The tenacity and hard work of the latest years has particularly flourished during this, our Anniversary. BPI’s show/podcast, Pride Connection has gained the love and admiration of ACB Radio Mainstream and beyond. When stay-in-place regulations were adopted in response to the Pandemic, BPI united us all and invited many more through our virtual events and community calls. We have strongly solidified our relationship with our parent organization. We led a series of conversations to educate the ACB Community in the usage of pronouns and inclusive language. We began a collaboration with ACB to establish a Storytelling Boot Camp for everyone in our broader community to strengthen their self-advocacy skills. We rose up to the occasion, and presented a rich program during ACB’s first Virtual Convention, including a virtual 20th-Anniversary celebration. We recommended a resolution, which ACB adopted, and together, we got NLS to incorporate an LGBTQ category within the BARD platform.

BPI’s 20th Anniversary has truly been remarkable. We have strengthened our presence within our Membership, within the structure of our parent organization, and with the LGBTQ community at large. We have attracted the involvement of new members and we have reinvigorated the excitement of long-time members. The newest additions to the BPI Family represent so many diverse age groups and letters of the LGBTQ community. Our new members and our long-time members have recommitted by taking crucial roles in BPI’s new and existing projects. BPI’s increased advocacy, education, and leisure initiatives have brought us much closer to the core of ACB. We have fostered new and exciting relationships with well-known organizations representing the LGBTQ community at a national level. In short, BPI has flourished exponentially during the last year, and this growth is just the beginning of a new stage in the life of this organization that is turning 20 in 2020!

As President of BPI, I feel so proud to lead our beloved organization into its next stage. I am grateful with our Founding Members for their vision and courage. I admire ACB for having recognized the need to have an affiliate that represented the intersectionality of visual impairment and sexual orientation. I love the family feeling that I get from each and every one of BPI’s members. I couldn’t have a complete celebration of BPI without proclaiming, once again, that I have found a home in this organization. I invite our dear members, allies, and friends to share a virtual toast with me. For 20 years of advocacy, service, and fun; and to many more years in which BPI will continue to promote the awareness, inclusion and well-being of all of us blind and visually impaired members of the LGBTQ community through education, advocacy, and peer-support.

Happy 20th Blind LGBT Pride International!

BPI Featured in Washington Blade: Blind and Queer and Finding Community

This article appears in on The Washington Blade.

September 25, 2020 at 2:29 pm EDT | by Kathi Wolfe
Blind and queer and finding community
 
 
 
 
 
Gabriel Lopez Kafati and Anthony Corona (Photo courtesy the couple)

If you ask Gabriel Lopez Kafati, 43, if he’s out, he’ll tell you about his tattoos. One, above his shoulder, is a rainbow-colored equality sign. The tattoo on his right leg is the word “aequalitas” (the Latin word for “equality.”). In another tattoo, his first name is in Braille. “On my lower back, there’s a heart with an error,” he said in a phone interview, “the rest is best left to your imagination.”

Lopez Kafati is one of the members of the LGBTQ community who are queer and blind or visually impaired. There have always been people who are LGBTQ and blind. Yet, in telephone interviews, they told the Blade, they often feel “unseen” in the queer community.

(This reporter is queer and visually impaired.)

Twenty years ago, Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays (BFLAG), became an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), an advocacy group. In 2009, BFLAG’s name was changed to Blind LGBT Pride International (BPI).

Here are the stories of some of the people who have found their tribe in BPI.

BPI’s vice president, Leah Gardner, 44, who is lesbian and blind, lives in the Bay Area in California. “I grew up in a conservative part of New Hampshire,” Gardner said in a phone interview. “I came out as lesbian to my friends when I was 17.”

But, she didn’t come out about being blind until after she graduated from college. “I was mainstreamed in school,” she said, “I didn’t know a lot of other blind kids growing up.”

Gardner’s attitude began to change when she took a self-defense class and became friends with some of the other blind students. She went to her first ACB convention with them.

At the convention, there was a meeting of a group of LGBTQ blind people. They had the same dating woes and fears that Gardner had. “I was in a room with other queer blind people! I’d come home.”

People in the queer community are happy to see blind people as friends, but not as sexual, she said.

The Internet and social media have helped blind people connect to the LGBTQ community, Gardner said. But, “there’s still a chasm in terms of romance!”

Sarah Chung, 31, who’s queer and visually impaired, graduated from Adler University with a master’s degree in counseling in 2019. She was set to compete in judo in the Paralympics in Tokyo this summer. But, because of COVID-19, the Paralympics was canceled. Due to the pandemic, she hasn’t been able to find a job in counseling.

“It’s not easy,” says Chung, who uses a screen magnifier and “voice over” to read the screen on her phone, “employment’s so important.”

As a child of Korean parents, Chung found a hero in Margaret Cho. Chung, who identifies as non-binary came out recently to her Mom. Before that, she’d reached out to Asian-American, Pacific Islander Pride organizations. “They were incredibly helpful,” Chung said, “I’d no idea there were other queer Asian-Americans.”

Being queer and visually impaired made her feel somewhat alone. But, Chung said, “a friend invited me to join BPI.”

Since then, she’s met other LGBTQ blind people on BPI’s podcast “Pride Connection.” “It was great to meet folks from all over the nation,” Chung said.

How the queer community reacts to your being blind depends on the time, place and who you’re with, she said. Chung finds that LGBTQ bars can be disorienting if you’re blind. Because you can’t see non-verbal interactions or hear what people say over loud music.

“In bars, I’ll text my friends,” Chung said, “some view that as being uninterested. But, I’m doing that to get more information [about the surroundings and the people who are there]. To see through the eyes of my friends.”

Over the years, BPI has advocated on behalf of queer, blind people. The group urged the Library of Congress’s National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to add an LGBTQ+ category to “talking books.” (The category was added to the Library’s main catalog in 2019 and appeared on BAARD, the program’s mobile app last summer.)

Blind people are vulnerable during the pandemic, BPI president Lopez Kafati said. If you’re blind, you can’t drive to get a COVID-19 test. If you’re visually impaired, you’ll need assistance if you go to get groceries.

To help blind people tell the media their pandemic stories, BPI developed Storytelling Camp. “We’re training them to make their points effectively,” Lopez Kafati said.

But BPI isn’t all work. It’s also for socializing and, sometimes, for romance.

Anthony Corona and Lopez Kafati met at a BPI mixer at ACB’s convention in 2019. The two have been together ever since.

Lopez Kafati, 43, was born in Honduras. He knew he was gay when he was in his mid 20s, but wasn’t fully out until he was 32. Lopez Kafati went to law school and worked as an attorney. But he began losing his vision from retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease. “I was convinced that I was the only person who was blind and gay in the world,” Lopez Kafati said.

He Googled “blind and gay.” “And BPI popped up,” he said. “It was life changing to find others who shared my experience.”

He came to the United States to enter rehab in Miami so he could learn to travel, work, and live independently as a blind person. Lopez Kafati earned an MBA from Barry University, and in 2015 he became a U.S. citizen. Today, he manages accommodations for students with disabilities at Miami Dade College.

“Often, gay people know so little about blindness,” Lopez Kafati said. “They think we can’t have sex!”

Gay men communicate so much non-verbally – through a wink or a nod – and he can’t see to respond. This makes Lopez Kafati feel excluded from the gay community.

“Gay friends almost make me feel like I’m charity,” he said, “like I have a gay blind friend who I help shopping. Not like, here’s a guy I want to date.”

When he went to his first ACB convention in 2012 and met other queer, blind people in the BPI suite, Lopez Kafati said to himself, “I’m home!”

Corona, 45, worked for the Associated Press for 10 years – on its East Coast arts and culture desk and later as an editor in its entertainment bureau. In 2011, he was in a white rafting accident. In March 16, he lost his vision 20 days after he contracted shingles. He was devastated by his loss. “I had to go through grief,” he said in a phone interview, “I’d enjoyed journalism. My life was good. Honey, I wasn’t lonely on any night!”

There were days when he didn’t want to live. Corona didn’t think there were other gay, blind men out there. He sought counseling. His love of life came back when he went to guide dog school and got Boaty, his guide dog. “He was born to guide!” Corona said.

Like others interviewed by the Blade, Corona says that many in the queer community don’t want to date blind people. Once, as an experiment, he went on a dating app. “When I didn’t disclose my blindness, I got hit up many times within an hour,” he said, “when I disclosed, I was lucky to get hit up even once in a day.”

Sometimes things, even sad things, happen for a reason, Corona said. On March 24, 2016, his vision was completely lost. On the same day, his father died. For three years, he spent every March 24 sobbing. But that changed after he and Lopez Kafati became a couple. “Gabriel’s birthday is March 24,” Corona said. “Now, I’m sad on the anniversary of the worst day of my life. But I’m happy because I’m celebrating the birthday of the love of my life!”

‘I was convinced that I was the only person who was blind and gay in the world,’ said Gabriel Lopez Kafati.