As some of you may know, Life has done a fairly huge 180 degree turn for me. I have been on TV, Radio, written columns for magazines, and recently on a billboard. I forget how much has changed in my life until I am reminded of myself as a kid growing up. Now I have a very busy and very full social life. Plenty of people around and always a fabulous event to attend. This was not always the case for me. Growing up life was much different. I was the insecure kid with glasses that was the target of name calling, and bullying. I went through much of my middle and high school life just trying to fit in. Wanting so badly to be that cool guy that always had a choice of tables to sit at in the lunch room instead of the one looking for a quiet corner that he may be able to eat and not be noticed.

As adults we like to think that the bullies from school somehow disappear, or mature into good hearted people. Some of them do, some of them don’t. In school I was referred to as “Queer” and beaten up in the locker-room. Too afraid to defend myself and not knowing how to find a voice to speak up. Through my life and my travels I have found a very loud voice and am able to speak very openly, sometimes too openly, about my feelings, concerns, and all of the good things in life as well! I have been very blessed to have a platform that I can speak from. Last weekend my Spiritual Guide in Atlanta reminded me of the importance of making a change. Using such a platform to make a difference in everyone’s life and not just my own. She was so right.

I have been out and very proud of who I am for the past ten years; And in those ten years I have seen the world become much more tolerant. When I left my small hometown of Milledgeville Georgia for the big city in Florida I was leaving severe name calling, threats, and even people stealing hubcaps off my car, and was hoping to find a home in a place where people accepted me, and maybe a place where I could find love.

Although much has changed we still have a very long way to go. Just in the past month I was attacked by a very homophobic person. Hit twice in the head and once in the groin. The actual punches didn’t hurt near as bad as the motives behind it. I just don’t understand peoples need to hate. I can’t fathom why someone would harbor so much disdain for a human being simply because they are not like them. I have so many friends that are so different and so beautiful in their own way and even when I don’t like the way they think, I can’t imagine wanting to hurt them. I could not impose harm on another living, breathing being. That person is now facing charges. However Georgia doesn’t classify attacking a person because they are gay as a hate crime. Georgia along with 19 other States doesn’t feel like it is a “Hate Crime” if I were killed because of who I love. It is time for us to change that. Continue Reading »

I have decided to make the announcement. Word is getting out anyway…

…I have had such a great run here in Milledgeville over the past two and a half years. So many terrific people and great clients. Thank you all for your support of, both me and Christopher Macken Cosmetics. The time has come, however, for me to branch out and extend my career in new and exciting directions. Most of you know about my love of the city and how I miss living there. I guess by this point you all see where this is going…

I will be relocating to Atlanta in the next couple of months. It is time for me to challenge myself again. My Cosmetic line will still be available here in Milledgeville and you all know I am still very much a part of Salon 2000.

This was not an easy decision and took some time to make. I knew that leaving would be difficult but the challenges ahead of me are exciting and the opportunity for myself and my company to grow are plenty. Again I can’t begin to thank everyone of my friends, family, and clients for their support over the years. You all have made everything possible.

I will not be gone for good. I will continue to come back to the lake and visit on a fairly regular basis. I have had all the R&R that Lake Sinclair can provide and am ready once again for hustle and bustle. I do encourage all of my clients to continue to support Salon 2000 and know that if you can’t make the trip to Atlanta I understand and Kenny Dennis and Barbara Morrow are very Talented and will take very good care of you.

You can follow my journey on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, the official Christopher Macken Blog. I certainly hope you all stay in touch.

Thank you all for your warm “well wishes” and you will all be missed.

Much love,
Christopher Macken