interview with Jonathan Perry

The 7 Magazine: Good Morning Mr. Perry. How are you today?
Jonathan: I am well and yourself?
The 7 Magazine: I’m doing great! It's a lovely day here in New York City, I can't complain. Just putting the finishing touches on the APRIL issue of 7.
Jonathan: That's definitely what's up. I like your magazine a lot. I use some of your pictures and photos as my wall paper sometimes.
The 7 Magazine: So, where are you right now? Are you in Atlanta or is your laptop plugged into an outlet in another city, I know you travel doing speaking engagements.
Jonathan: Well, lucky for me I am at home in the safety of my own room. I am lying at the foot of my bed watching the History channel, drinking soy milk looking out my window and chatting with you. My windows are open and the pollinated breeze is blowing in my room. In two weeks I will be doing a talk at East Carolina University in Greenville NC. I am excited because it is 45 minutes from my home town (Goldsboro NC) and my granny will be there and a close friend of mine from California will be there...so I am looking forward to it. I will be talking about "our best hope." Which is a non-profit I am starting whose sole focus is to restore to our Black community...I will also be sharing bits of my life with them.
The 7 Magazine: So you are taking on being a leader in the Black community (brave man). How does one go about restoring the Black community? What's missing?
Jonathan: Restoring hope will take time but it is certainly possible. I realize that it has to start somewhere, so why not with me. I cleave to the words of nelson Mandela, "As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others!” That's where I start. http://Jonathan.com/journal/2007/3/29/you-saved-my-life.html
The 7 Magazine: So let's talk about South Africa... I hear you are going in September.
Jonathan: YEAH, let's do that. I wonder where you heard that...lol. We wouldn't be going together would we?
The 7 Magazine: Well I guess the cat is out of the bag now. Yes Jared & I were talking one day and decided that we would take on south Africa for 3 weeks in September. I did a volunteer program in Brazil through an organization called Cross Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) 2 years ago and it was the most life changing experience for me so now it's on to the Motherland.
Jonathan: I know. Then Jared asked me to come...I got so excited I almost did a grown up thing in my pants...lol
The 7 Magazine: This trip is very important to me. I was watching the Oprah special about her leadership academy and it was confirmed for me that I needed to go there and do it THIS YEAR.
The 7 Magazine: Jared said you would be perfect for this project. I figured I would bypass the Gay Pride events hosted in other cities and save my money to do something that will actually make a difference.
Jonathan: I wanted to go with her to Africa when she went last year.
Jonathan: I don't do "prides" so much.
The 7 Magazine: Well once you've done one you've done the others, honestly. I guess after years of going I just don't feel it anymore. I would love to inspire at least 10 other people to go on this trip with us. I think it would be one life changing experience. That's PRIDE to me.
Jonathan: I agree, they all do the same thing...and I got better things to do...like sleep.
The 7 Magazine: What would you like to accomplish from taking this voyage to the Motherland?
Jonathan: I think we can inspire 10 people to go with us. I am so excited. I am a sponge man...I want to soak up everything I can and leave them with the best part of me. I am going to bring something back to the US that will continue to inspire others to be better and do better than they have done in the past.
The 7 Magazine: I had a dream that this trip made us all famous and we all ended up getting to do some really cool stuff. Is fame something that you see in your future?
Jonathan: Well, I am already pretty well known thanks to Oprah, Advocate, OUT, CNN, ABC, CBS, and justbthat.com. I think I would like less to be famous and more to be remembered when I am gone...the legacy that I want to leave behind is HOPE.
The 7 Magazine: Well continue being the leader that you are and I’m pretty sure you will get what you wish for. I like having positive movers and shakers around me. it keeps me on my toes and striving for what I want to achieve in life.
The 7 Magazine: Is there someone special that you are able to share your joys and victories as well as your not so good moments with?
Jonathan: At the moment I am as single as a dollar bill. I have been single for nearly 5 yrs now. I have dated but currently I am not dating or seeing anyone... it gets lonely but hey...I'm still here...
Jonathan: I would love to meet someone who is not intimidated by me and who will love me beyond my past. Someone who will love me in spite of how I got to where I am right now. I want someone to hold me and hear me, honored and respected.

The 7 Magazine: How important is it for someone to know how you got to where you? do you feel that you are constantly having to explain yourself to people you date?
Jonathan: I think it is important, because there may be times when others throw your past back at you. No I do not feel like I have to explain myself to the people I date. Everyone comes with a past and I only feel obligated to divulge aspects of past when I feel it may impact us having a future.
The 7 Magazine: So do you have plans to visit the Big Apple anytime soon?
Jonathan: I love NY but I don't have any plans on coming there until I have to catch my flight with you guys to leave for South Africa.
The 7 Magazine: Well I will definitely see you online. Ciao for now!