Out Gay And Here by Lorraine Brooks

Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and 96 million have prediabetes. This includes people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQAI+). About 25% of gay or bisexual men and 14% of lesbian or bisexual women have been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to about 10% of the general population.

If you’re a member of the LGBTQAI+ community, learn about factors that may put you at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Divabetic can help you take charge of your health. You are not alone; we see and hear you.

Mr. Divabetic is an openly cisgender gay man who advocates for diabetes. He sees similarities between accepting your sexual identity and accepting a diabetes diagnosis. Both identities seem steeped in shame and blame by the general public.  Coming to terms with who you are and/or your health status is a powerful journey in self-love and self-acceptance.

“My coming out journey transformed my life,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “It was a powerful act of courage, self-love, and acceptance. Not everyone chooses to do it, and that’s okay. I traveled across the country to California to seek my truth. I needed that much distance from friends and relatives to feel safe. At the time, I felt I could resume my life on the East Coast if no one knew what happened on the West Coast. However, I realized once I kissed another man that I was gay and began the lifelong process of coming out to my friends, my family, my co-workers, and acquaintances. There were many difficult and awkward conversations. I have been shamed and have lost work because of it, but I don’t regret it.  Coming out is a lifelong process because every time I meet and become friends with someone new, there’s a feeling inside me urging me to speak my truth. Keeping my sexuality a secret feels toxic.”

Poet Lorraine Brooks shares this beautiful poem, Out Gay & Here, to celebrate Pride Month.

Out Gay And Here by Lorraine Brooks

 

so tell me what it meant to you
in all your human glory
the fears, the chance, the honesty,
the day you told your story.
was shame the thing that kept you from
revealing your true wants?
were you afraid of hearing
all the ridicule and taunts?
or did you hold your head up, high
defying any doubt…
and did you shout with confidence
I’m here, I’m gay, I’m OUT?!?
did parents, friends, and foes alike
recoil in true disgust,
or did your people smile and say
we thank you for, your trust?
did you feel better having said
what some already knew,
and were you now beginning to
explore a better “you”?
is being out the best thing
that you’ve ever done so far?
or were you left with wondering
why you are who you are?
is life a bit more happy now
that you have said the word?
has anybody turned away
and left your voice unheard?
have you been embraced by
a community of peers?
and have you now acknowledged
that you’re one of all the queers?
you’re here, you’re out, you’re satisfied.
you’re lesbian, you’re gay.
you’re trans, you’re bi, you’re curious…
but mostly, YOU’RE OK!!
you’ve partnered with,
you’ve broken up,
you’ve shut your mouth,
you’ve spoken up.
you’ve bagged it up,
you’ve not complained,
you’ve used a whip,
you’ve been restrained.
you’ve doggy-styled,
you’ve been on top,
you’ve started it,
you’ve made it stop.
you’ve been alone,
you’ve been in pairs,
you’ve shaved it or,
you’ve cut its hairs.
you’ve used your tongue,
you’ve used your hands,
you’ve tied it up
with rubber bands.
you’ve worked it in,
you’ve done without,
you’ve muzzled it,
you’ve made it shout.
but in the end
you’ve all declared…
in voices loud and clear…
this is who,you are and now…
YOU’RE OUT AND GAY AND HERE!!!

The newly redesigned rainbow flag ensures inclusivity is at the heart of the LGBTQ+ movement. The new design incorporated intersex people into the movement and was led by Valentino Vecchietti.

On this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast, Mr. Divabetic spotlights LGBTQAI+ people living with, affected by, and at risk of diabetes with music from Indigo Girls.

Research shows that LGBTQAI+  people have unique health disparities and worse health outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts regarding diabetes care and education.

Guests include The Flood Girls The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton, Author Richard Fifield, and Heart Health advocate and fabulous drag queen, Mutha Chucka, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES.

Mr. Divabetic stops by the Gay Pride March in New York to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way. The first March was held in 1970 and has since become an annual civil rights demonstration. Over the years its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to illness, violence, and neglect.
Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with participants and crowd goers to help encourage people to read nutritional labels. You might be surprised by the facts. In the game, you are given three choices of popular snack foods: a Kit Kat White Chocolate bar, a Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut), and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. To play, you must decide which item you’d serve, which you’d taste, and which you’d trash. Can you tell which one contains the most sugar? Kit Kat White Chocolate bar contains and the Balance Bar (Yogurt Honey Peanut) both contain 18 grams of sugar and a Vita Coco Pure Coconut Water with Orange, 11. 1 fl oz. Contains 20 grams of sugar.

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on this episode of Divabetic’s popular podcast with musical and identity inspiration from Ricky Martin.

 

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. and his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members of the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts, Day Twenty Nine

Divabetic (Divabetic.org) presents a month-long showcase celebrating 10 years of diabetes podcasting. Each of the featured podcasts spotlights our favorite guests, topics, poems, games and/or musical inspiration. Enjoy!

On Day 29, we’re spotlighting Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Ricky Martin podcast from June 2019.

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Diabetes can have a serious psychological and emotional impact, and can affect self-management as well as the individual’s quality of life.  It has been reported that low levels of self-esteem have been associated with diabetes and diabetes management. Evidence shows that self-esteem can be a key factor influencing health care behaviors.

Low self-esteem is the prime driver of self-harm among gay and lesbian students reports Psychology Today.

For the first time, a new study, “Psychological Correlates of Self-Harm within Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual UK University Students,” reports that low self-esteem may have a bigger influence on self-injury behaviors than depression or anxiety.

How does being gay or bisexual affect your diabetes self-care? And what’s it like to be gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender living with diabetes?

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

 

 

Our monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their health care providers, a translator of clinical speak and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org

Few Type 1s Meet A1C Goals Despite Treatment Innovations

“There is no indication that A1C levels in the registry as a whole have improved despite an increase in the use of insulin pumps and CGM’s (continuous glucose monitors),” said the authors of the T1D Exchange Clinic Network’s “State of Type 1 Diabetes Management and Outcomes from the T1D Exchange in 2016-2018″.  


The majority of both youth and adults surveyed aren’t meeting A1C goals defined by the American Diabetes Association.

The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the poorer your blood sugar control and the higher your risk of diabetes complications.

While much of the report can be seen as disheartening, there are some great takeaways – CGM and insulin pump users tend to have lower A1Cs and less hypoglycemia, suggesting the need for improved access to these devices in the type 1 community.

READ MORE

Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Ricky Martin

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”

LISTEN NOW

Carb Kitty Video

Will Salad Frostings Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables

Kraft Heinz has introduced “Salad Frosting,” with the sweet tooth-invoking word on the label to encourage kids to eat more vegetables.

Maybe it’s not such a bad idea when you consider American toddlers are more likely to eat french fries than green vegetables on any given day, according to a new national survey on children’s eating habits.

Additionally, many young kids also go without any vegetables at all, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  found.

Salad Frostings is a slim squeezy container with bright, colorful swirls of ranch dressing. 2 tablespoons of Kraft’s ranch has 110 calories, 11 grams of fat and 290 milligrams of sodium. The same amount of Betty Crocker vanilla frosting has   has more calories — 140 – but less fat and sodium! (5 grams of fat and 70 milligrams of sodium).

“Kids will eat anything with frosting, right?” the company states in a news release. “It’s a match made for dinnertime bliss.”

Not everyone agrees with Kraft’s assessment — many responses online are negative to this new marketing strategy:

“Shame on you, @KraftHeinzCo. Seriously?” @bguezzie wrote on Twitter. “Relationships are built on trust, and no, ‘innocent lies’ are not a part of parenthood. No lies are innocent.”

“What the hell even? What made them think that promoting lying to kids was a good idea?” another user, Minki Rex, asked.

However, a rep for Kraft insisted the firm was “seeing overwhelmingly positive responses” to the campaign.

“It is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek way to connect with parents on something that they currently do to get their kids eat their greens.”

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Ricky Martin

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ with members of the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes on June’s Diabetes Late Nite  podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Maya James and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

LISTEN NOW

An Interview with Max Szadek

After finding his former boss, Luther Vandross in a coma on the floor and later feeling the media neglected giving enough attention to Luther’s diabetes, Max Szadek has fought for greater awareness of the disease through his organization Divabetic.

READ MORE

Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek is talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 6 PM, EST.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Catherine Schuller and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

“As a gay man I can relate to the ‘shame’ and ‘blame’ many people experience with type 2 diabetes experience regarding their diagnosis,” says Max Szadek. “Claiming who I am as a gay man has helped me take charge of my own health issues. I hope this podcast will inspire others facing similar challenges in their diabetes self-care. You’ve got to love yourself to take charge of your health!”

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”

LISTEN NOW

Over 279,970 YouTube Views

What Do You Know About Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?

ANSWER: The terms “diabetic peripheral neuropathy” or “diabetic neuropathy” refer to nerve damage as a result of diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that primarily affects the arms and legs and causes numbness, loss of sensation, and pain, tingling, or burning sensations. 

About 50% of people with diabetes have a form of nerve pain. The highest rates of neuropathy are seen in people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. 

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Ricky Martin

On Tuesday, June 11 2019, we’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on  Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin starting at 6 PM, EST.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Catherine Schuller and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”

LISTEN NOW

Best Nail Polish For Diabetes #5

I know that coping with diabetes on a daily basis can not only be stressful but it can also be more time consuming especially in the morning. Sometimes you need a little ‘pick me up’ to get you through the day. 

Self-pampering is a great way to reward yourself for being proactive about managing your diabetes and there’s no better way to treat yourself than by giving yourself a safe manicure!

I want to help you ‘Makeover Your Diabetes’ by sharing the best products in beauty/fashion, diabetes self-care and exercise to help you “GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS” with less stress this year!

For people with diabetes, it is vitally important that they learn to care for their nails. Your nails protect your fingers and toes from injury and trauma.

I know that coping with diabetes on a daily basis can not only be stressful but it can also be more time consuming especially in the morning. Sometimes you need a little ‘pick me up’ to get you through the day. 

Self-pampering is a great way to reward yourself for being proactive about managing your diabetes and there’s no better way to treat yourself than by giving yourself a safe manicure!

I want to help you ‘Makeover Your Diabetes’ by sharing the best products in beauty/fashion, diabetes self-care and exercise to help you “GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS” with less stress this year!

For people with diabetes, it is vitally important that they learn to care for their nails. Your nails protect your fingers and toes from injury and trauma.

When caring for the nails, take note if they look unusually pale or white. Pale looking nails could indicate anemia according to Health Status.

In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue. Often this coloring has to do with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails. This kind of yellowing isn’t harmful. It doesn’t need to be treated.

But in certain cases, yellowing can be a sign of a nail infection. People with diabetes are more likely than those without diabetes to get a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This infection usually affects the toenails. The nails will turn yellow and become brittle.

By caring for the feet and nails carefully people with diabetes  can often find problems early before such drastic measures must be taken.

Smith & Cult

One of Divabetic’s picks for the best Nail Polish for Diabetes is Smith & Cult. A classic red polish, free of eight hard-to-pronounce chemicals, poured into a chic gold-capped glass bottle that can double as bedside table decor! – what more can you ask for?!!! The red is a favorite, but all the shades prove ultra-high performance, meaning they’ll keep your speedy at-home manicure glossy and vibrant for more than two days.

We’re talking about ‘Diabetes & Pride’ on June’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Ricky Martin.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall Uprising (June 29, 1969). It is widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement.

Since Ricky Martin came out in 2010, he’s been a prominent voice for LGBT rights both in the U.S. and in his native Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin said, “I just wanna be free,” upon receiving GLAAD’s Vito Russo Award, which honors gay entertainers who promote equal rights. Martin opened up his life to Vanity Fair in its April 2012 issue and spoke candidly about his twins, Matteo and Valentino, and his longtime partner, Carlos Gonzalez.

As an openly gay man, Mr. Divabetic is honored to shine the spotlight on members from the LGBTQ+ community living with diabetes. Guests include Stephen Bernstein, Greg Rubin, Maria Salazar, Catherine Schuller and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.”