The DL Chronicles: Season 1

"The DL Chronicles" tells the stories of men of color who by consequence and by choice, live sexually duplicitous and secret lifestyles. The "Down Low" is a slang term sometimes used to refer to African-American men who identify themselves as straight, but secretly engage in sexual activity with men. They date women, have children, and often marry in an effort to appear heterosexual to the public. Most of these men do not identify as gay or bisexual and refuse to be associated with the gay identity or gay community. Four episodes comprise the first season of the DL Chronicles, about black men "living in a gray area" between gay and straight, according to the narrator Chadwick Williams (Damian Raven). The drama is framed as if Williams, a journalist introduced in the first episode, is sharing each story to enlighten viewers to the complexities of being an out gay man in various African-American communities. The shows, titled "Wes," "Robert," "Boo," and "Mark," describe these men's sexual situations, ranging from complete cover-up to their near-comings out. Wes Thomas (Darren Schnase) is a married real estate banker whose infidelity is kept under tight wraps. Robert Hall (Terrell Tilford) falls in love with Austin (Kareem Ferguson), a local store manager, but is terrified of his daughter finding out. Boo is faced with homophobia and outright prejudice everywhere he turns, and becomes doubly anxious about AIDS. The last episode, "Mark," turns the series around, by showing an example of a man who has just decided to tell his family the truth. Overall, the series manages a careful balance of drama, including some steamy sex scenes, and educational content, to help viewers understand how hard it is for these men to fight for community acceptance. Furthermore, there are great humorous moments, such as when all the men and women who Boo has slept with flash before his eyes, to prevent the show from seeming didactic. All these characters who are keeping it on the "down low" have something to tell us about tolerance, as well as charm and wit. --Trinie Dalton

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