Keith Montgomery ( a.k.a. KMatedor ) is a bisexual bodybuilder; author ( Don't Ask, Don't Tell: The Untold Story of a Mad Black Man ) ; and singer ( with singles such as "Don't Live Fear" and "Let's Get Real Miss Thang" ) . Montgomery talked with Windy City Times about his life, his various works and his continuing struggles.
Windy City Times: Could you talk a little about your background?
Keith Montgomery: I grew up in Philadelphia. I got involved in a lot of things—like bodybuilding—by staying motivated and staying busy.
Growing up was kind of tough. My mom was a single mother, and it's tough when you're single and trying to raise children; she had a lot of struggles and a lot of demons she had to fight with. But I didn't let that deter me from doing things I wanted to do, like go to college. I've always had that dream to become successful.
My father left but then he came back, but he didn't want to contribute. Again, I didn't let that negative part get to me.
WCT: So how did you keep your focus with all of these things going on around you?
KM: Just determination, having that will to continue to make it.
WCT: How did you get involved in bodybuilding?
KM: In 2004, I had an interest because I wanted to be healthy. I just love going to the gym and building my body up, anyway. I had met an individual in Los Angeles who was HIV-positive and had all of these trophies on this mantelpiece. He said that he got all of these through hard work and that I could do it, too. So he inspired me to get involved in the amateur bodybuilding [ circuit ] .
WCT: And regarding sexuality...
KM: I have had relationships with men, but I would say I'm bisexual. [ Also, ] I want to make a stand and say that it's OK for a people like me who's into hip-hop and other mainstream things to have that kind of sexuality [ bisexuality ] and not be judged.
By the way, have you seen the movie Milk? I really enjoyed it; it was a trip. As a Black male, I could relate to some of the struggles that they went through in San Francisco—having to stay masculine and trying to fit in. It's really tough in the Black community. I want to get rid of all of these [ stereotypes ] .
WCT: Let's talk about your books [ Don't Ask, Don't Tell: The Untold Story of a Mad Black Man and Family of Felons: A Story About a Pissed Off Black Man ] . Don't Ask, Don't Tell is about...
KM: There is a chapter about [ the policy ] . There's a certain hypocrisy around it. The book is also about removing the stigma [ surrounding ] HIV/AIDS.
WCT: True. Talk about Family of Felons.
KM: Family of Felons is the lead-off from Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I wrote about some of the experiences leading to possibly where I am right now. Family of Felons is about America and incarceration—how it's about locking them up and throwing away the key insteading of helping them. Family is about how we become victims of our own symbolism. There are felons in gay families as well as straight ones and, of course, that's a burden on them as well.
WCT: You've released some singles [ available through KMatedor.com ] . Do you plan on releasing an album?
KM: I do plan on releasing as soon as I get a budget; I plan to release two more singles to add to my collection.
I've been trying to get some backing from investors, and it's been hard. I've approached record companies, but have been told by some that I would have to sign a morals clause, and I refused to do so. So I had to suffer as a result because I knew things would come up from the past. I want to be myself and express myself through my music.
WCT: Who are some of your favorite singers?
KM: Growing up, it was definitely Prince; he was my number one. I would mimic him. He's so talented.
Because I'm old-school, I like Rick James; I like Seal. I do like some of Beyonce's music, Jill Scott and I like a lot of rap and jazz.
Find out more about Keith Montgomery at www.kmatedor.com .
