Brody's Notes... Former Journalist Tyler Helms: Gay Realities & Illusions

Tyler J. Helms  Photo From tylerjhelms.com

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) OCT 6 | Award winning advertising executive and former journalist Tyler J. Helms, author of The Advocate magazine's popular 'Living The Questions column,' examines the example of the hidden life of Gay men in a military town in Mississippi who by necessity must keep their heart's desires hidden from view. 
The article published today is linked here: [ Advocate.com ] Helms was a reporter for a local television station, WTOK Newscenter11 in the city of Meridian.

Helms notes:

"I used to say I couldn’t blame them for living a double life. The thought of coming out in that town must have been terrifying. But for this, the blame no doubt was theirs to share. I say share, because I can’t help but think that those of us who make up those communities are partly to blame. But still, the supporters of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the protesters who challenge marriage equality, and the bullies who scare young gay boys and girls to the point that they fear there is no reason left to live — all are partly to blame. Shouldn't we all be held accountable for the results of the actions we take or perhaps don’t take? Shouldn't we hold communities collectively responsible for the results of our actions, policies, and conversations?"

Tyler J. Helms is an award winning advertising executive, writer and HIV/AIDS advocate. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia and graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, Tyler began his career as a television news anchor and reporter for Mississippi’s WTOK-TV.

In late 2004, he shifted careers and location when he joined Mazad’s agency of record Doner in Los Angeles, California.  Quickly recruited by Deutsch Inc. to work in their New York office just a year later, he currently serves as Vice President, Account Director managing the agency’s integrated business for Kodak, Novartis and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  Tyler’s work on Kodak’s Print and Prosper campaign in 2009 helped secure a Silver Effie for the agency and remains Kodak’s most successful campaign in recent years.
Outside of Deutsch, Tyler is a regular contributor to the worlds leading gay news source The Advocate. His column “Living the Questions”, based on his perspective and commentary as a young professional gay men who is HIV positive, remains one of the magazines top reads.  Tyler’s diagnosis with HIV in 2007 and his public disclosure on World AIDS Day in 2009 serve as the catalyst for his advocacy and work for HIV awareness and prevention.