Reclaiming Narratives: Ty Robbins on Black Lesbian Romance in "The Color of Honey"
Reclaiming Narratives: Ty Robbins on Black Lesbian Romance in "The Color of Honey" Episode 162 In this episode of "Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation,” creator & host Deneen L. Garrett, returns to the podcasting space after a brief hiatus, inspired by the guest, Ty Robbins. Ty, a proud member of the LGBTQIA community for 28 years, joins to discuss her book, "The Color of Honey." The conversation highlights the origins of the podcast, which started as a panel for LGBTQ+ women of color and allies, and aligns perfectly with October's LGBTQ+ History Month. Tune in as Ty shares her journey, insights, and the importance of representation within the community. This episode covers: [00:01:53] LGBTQIA community representation. [00:06:09-00:06:30] Black lesbian romance stories. [00:27:58] Beautiful Tales of Black Lesbian Romance. [00:34:04] The Color of Honey. Do you want more out of life? Are you ready to live boldly in pursuit of your dreams? Today’s episode sponsor is Deneen L. Garrett LLC. Deneen, Founder & CEO, is a Passionate, Innovative, Executioner (P.I.E.) who elevates the voices of women of color and empowers them to Live a Dream Lifestyle™ through podcasting, speaking and coaching. Deneen is a Women’s Motivational Speaker, the Creator & Host of the Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation (formerly An Intimate Conversation with Women of Color) Podcast, which she launched in 2020 and a Dream Lifestyle Coach. Deneen specializes in helping women of color who want more out of life live boldly to create a dream life. Hire Deneen For: Speaking Engagements (In-Person & Virtual): Leadership Development | Empowerment Speaker | Fireside Chats | Keynotes | Panels | Workshops Signature Talks: How to Live a Dream Lifestyle™ | The Power in the Pause | Recognize Your Path and Rise Up! Hire Deneen to speak at your next event Reclaiming Narratives: Ty Robbins on Black Lesbian Romance in "The Color of Honey" In a recent episode of the podcast "Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation," host Deneen welcomed Ty Robbins, a native New Yorker and author of "The Color of Honey." This book is a collection of captivating stories that delve into the world of Black lesbian romance, a genre that Ty felt was underrepresented in literature. The Inspiration Behind the Book Ty shared her journey of writing "The Color of Honey," which stemmed from her frustration at the lack of stories featuring Black lesbians. Despite being an avid reader of lesbian literature, she found it challenging to find narratives that resonated with her experiences. Many existing stories either depicted Black lesbians in a light she didn't appreciate or were primarily focused on erotica. This realization prompted her to take action: if she couldn't find the stories she wanted to read, she would write them herself. A Diverse Audience When asked about the target audience for her book, Ty emphasized that the stories are for everyone. The emotions and experiences depicted in the book—love, desire, fear, and the courage to connect with others—are universal. Ty believes that anyone, regardless of their background, can relate to the feelings expressed in her stories. This inclusivity is a significant aspect of her work, as it aims to bridge gaps and foster understanding among different communities. Personal Connections in the Stories Throughout the conversation, Ty revealed that she sees pieces of herself in nearly every story within the book. Each narrative reflects different stages of her life and experiences, making the collection deeply personal. For instance, she mentioned that younger versions of herself can be found in stories like "Lucky Brick," while more mature reflections appear in "Lady de Jour," which focuses on older women. Real-Life Inspirations Ty's stories are rooted in real-life experiences, often drawing from her own life and the lives of those around her. She highlighted the import