We’re bringing our dazzling approach to diabetes outreach to the New York International Auto Show in New York City. The New York International Auto Show is North America’s first and largest attended auto show, featuring 1,000 vehicles plus the latest in tech, safety, and innovation.
Play along with Mr. Divabetic and participants in Divabetic’s ‘Serve, Taste or Trash!’ Game. In the game, you’re given three choices of popular foods. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste, and which one you’d trash. The game’s goal is to encourage people to become more open-minded eaters:
Mr. Divabetic wants to raise awareness of the precautions people living with diabetes should take before getting behind the wheel. Did you know that sudden bouts of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to confusion, delayed reaction, visual disturbances, or loss of consciousness when driving? Even in the absence of low blood sugar, people with diabetes may have impaired vision or nerve function in the feet, which can affect driving. While most accidents related to diabetes complications happen to a small group of people with Type 1 diabetes who need to take insulin, people with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk.
Tune in to Divabetic’s free monthly podcasts hosted by Mr. Divabetic on blog talk radio. Divabetic’s dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel features live and archived programs and specials. Guests include healthcare collaborators, beauty, image/style, fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders, and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of, and being affected by diabetes.
Join Divabetic’s Facebook page, follow Mr. Divabetic on Twitter, and learn more about sponsorship opportunities and event details.
I attended a Public Art Fund talk between two queer black photographers of different generations this week at Cooper Union.
Clifford Prince King lives and works in New York City and is a self-taught photographer and filmmaker; King documents his relationships in traditional, everyday settings that speak of his experiences as a Queer Black man. Clifford Prince King’s initial success came from Tumblr. He now has 47 million followers on Instagram.
Lyle Ashton Harris, from the Bronx, is a self-taught photographer who began his art career in the late 80s. His work examines the impact of race, gender, and desire on the contemporary social and cultural dynamic globally through intersections of the personal and the political. Harris has been widely exhibited globally, and his work is represented in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum collections, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and the Tate Modern.
The slides of both photographers’ work appeared on the wall behind them throughout the conversation. Many images capture intimate moments of desire, affection, and self-realization between queer men of color. Both men often appear in photographs with their friends, lovers, and acquaintances.
Clifford Prince King and Lyle Ashton Harris both have unique perspectives and capture intimate moments of desire and self-realization between queer men of color in their photography.
It’s fascinating to hear about the different concerns and passions that these two artists have regarding their work and how they approach the intersection of race, gender, and desire in their art. The talk was on the eve of Clifford Prince King’s first Art Fund exhibition presented on New York City Bus Shelters & Newsstands. None of the photographs that will appear are pornographic. There is one photograph of two adult men kissing.
I was struck by the different perspectives between the two artists. In his fifties, Lyle was passionate about having the Public Art Fund capture people’s reactions to Cliff’s photographs. Lyle kept questioning how Clifford’s intimate portraits would work in public space, especially in these polarizing times. I understood his concern. Will people who pass by see these photos as pornographic or embrace them? He brought up the topic several times. I felt his passion stems back to his decades working in queer advocacy. When he spoke about his body of work, Lyle said his art saved his life. Having been relentlessly bullied in school, his camera aims to create safe spaces in a marginalized community. His photographs reflect location, space, and time. Lyle is passionate about archiving intimate moments between queer men of color for a lasting legacy. In contrast, Clifford Prince King has less to say about his art. When an audience member asked about the sacrifice of bringing a camera into an intimate setting, he admitted it was hard to date. One of his main concerns regarding his work is his connection to the sites where he photographs. He doesn’t want to betray himself as an interloper.
I walked away, thinking about why and how we create art.
Do we create art solely for ourselves or do we also consider how it will be perceived by others? I believe it’s a combination of both, but it’s not always easy to strike the right balance. For instance, last Halloween, when I was creating my art piece, I knew it would be displayed on the street for children to see. So, I took into account the context and the audience before I began working. However, once I started, I didn’t seek others’ opinions as I wanted to stay true to my creative vision.”
Sitting in the jam-packed audience, I wondered how to treat an unexpected low blood sugar. Experts recommend adhering to the 15-15 rule— have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood glucose and check it after 15 minutes. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL, have another serving. Repeat these steps until your blood glucose is at least 70 mg/dL.There always needs to be clarity about what foods contain 15 carbohydrates. Here are a few examples:
Three glucose tablets
Half a cup (4 ounces or 120 milliliters) of fruit juice or regular soda
6 or 7 hard candies
One tablespoon (15 grams) of sugar
Sweet Romance: A Woman’s Guide to Love and Intimacy with Diabetes, book one in the series, written by Janis Roszler and Donna Rice, is your key to a happy, healthy, intimate life with diabetes.
Romantic relationships play an important role in our everyday lives. But when diabetes enters the picture, it can complicate even the most loving and open relationships. Many people don’t know that diabetes can impact physical and emotional intimacy. And intimacy-related issues can be especially difficult to discuss with a partner or a health care provider. But don’t let diabetes hinder the romance. The Sweet Romance series is here to give you practical information and expert advice to tackle this sensitive subject. These comprehensive, interactive guides cover everything you need to know to enjoy a fulfilling sexual and emotional life despite the challenges of diabetes.
Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much celebration featuring a Panel discussion, Fashion Show, Luther Games, Live Performances, and Live DJ.
Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!
Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage. He wore Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of wearing bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and/or fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.
We’re celebrating the glitz and glamour that made his concerts more memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.
PANEL: How the Magic on Stage happened! Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell help us get a closer look at the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, and Bold Makeup to the Graceful Moves and Tight Harmonies. Hosted by Max Szadek.
FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by the romance and elegance of Luther Vandross. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, and more! Hosted by
PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt
From slurring words or forgetting lyrics to her famous side-to-side, stutter-step shimmy, Chaka Khan‘s performance at the recent Verzuz “competition” with Stephanie Mills has many speculating that she was either drunk or high.
But could she have been experiencing low blood sugars?
Some symptoms of low blood sugar can look the same as being drunk. The most common ones are feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or confused; and getting sleepy. However, others may think your signs of low blood sugar are due to drinking. As a result, they may not realize you need help.
The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2011. She credits her vegan diet for helping her lose a significant amount of weight after her diagnosis.
“I felt like I needed to heal my body, so I would just fast and eat no meat, no dairy,” she said. “I’ve never been a fan of meat, dairy, and sugar. And when I developed diabetes I said, ‘Oh OK, I’m not going to be here long. A change is coming,’” Chaka Khan told the lifestyle website Essence.com.
Assuming Chaka Khan experienced low blood sugar levels on stage with Stephanie Mills, let’s review some suggestions for treating it.
First, eat or drink 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, then check your blood sugars and retreat if necessary.
The best options are sugary foods without protein or fat. Chocolate contains fat which slows down the absorption of sugar, so it’s not the best option. Instead, you need food or drinks that easily convert to sugar in the body. Try glucose tablets or gel (sold in your pharmacy), fruit juice, regular — not diet — soft drinks, honey, and sugary candy. Keep in mind, 15 grams of carbohydrates is far less than a whole can of soda or a tall glass of juice. The amount is significant because if you overtreat a low blood sugar by eating or drinking too much, you risk experiencing high blood sugar levels.
Finally, you should know that alcohol makes your blood sugar levels drop by inhibiting the liver’s ability to release glucose.
Ivan Hampden, Jr., Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Pam Butler MS, CDCES, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDCES, CDN, Cookbook Author and Culinary Expert Holly Clegg and Ginger Vieira on this episode of Divabetic’s monthly podcast.
