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Showing posts from February, 2023

In Loving Memory of Ralph "King Ralphy" Iken

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I don't know where to begin, which sometimes happens to journalists and writers. I've lost a dear friend and my emotions are overwhelming, which makes writing difficult. This isn't like when I wrote the first published obituary for Stormé DeLarvarie, someone I'd met once or twice but didn't know very well. It's much more difficult to write about someone who was close to you and whom you will miss a great deal. Ralph Iken APRIL 2, 1987  –  JANUARY 30, 2023 a/k/a " King Ralphy " Known simply as Ralphy to his friends, he was born in New York City's Brooklyn borough. According to multiple posts on Facebook, Ralphy was struck and killed by a car on the New Jersey Turnpike on January 30, 2023, bringing an abrupt and all-too-short end to the life of a fellow activist and dear friend. No further details are available as to the cause of death. Ralphy was a staple of New York City's gay nightlife scene as well as a promoter, party host, rapper , DJ, publ...