Best Posts in Forum: Announcements

Many of you may have noticed that some of the Squad Members have a banner on their profiles that say "Squad Leader." For the most part, these badges are given to most of our most vocal and influential commenters on the site who have been rocking with Cypher Avenue ever since it was called Discreet City nearly 5 years ago.

Without their input in the comments section and Activity Stream over the years, there would never have been enough motivation for us to keep blogging, let alone create this message board.

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Over the last year, however, we've witnessed a surge in new voices (some of them former lurkers) contributing their opinions not only to the comments section on the main site, but also here on The Boards.

While these dudes are technically new to contributing to the site, they've quickly ascended past many of the old Squad Leaders when it comes to comments and setting the tone of the site.

If Cypher Avenue was a University, the Squad Leaders would be Seniors and Grad Students with legacies on campus...But this new class of men would definitely be the Freshmen Class helping to add diversity of thought.

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Some of these new heads are smart, some are funny, some are creative, some are immature, some are weird, some are short-tempered and some are:

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But they're all a part of the Squad.

This thread is dedicated to them:

@bpaisle

@cypher21

@Tyroc

@redsai84

@grownman

@Infinite_loop

@Dante

@OhSheit

@Aejae

@sekou

@NickAuzenneNOLA

@Champagne_Papi

@Jaa

@Artistic Arsonist

@Rah Brown

@yahoo.com

@ctforbes

@GaTekno84

@scooter

@Jai

 

Today is @OckyDub's Birthday...

Since we can't give him his desired gifts like ending Feminism, White Supremacy and Michael Bay movies, let's post gifs instead.

 

I was informed that a known Cypher Avenue Squad Member broke the Gay Bro Code. A member that most of you all know.

It was awhile ago but he shared personal (private) info about one (or more) member to who knows how many others. Might be happening more than we know with other members.

Our goal was to create a dope place online for many discreet gay/bi masc men to converse and feel at home. Your privacy (and ours) is important to us. If you choose to reveal certain information about yourself to others, it should be YOUR choice. When members knowingly take that choice away from you, that's a violation. I think Ocky and I have built enough respect with the members to know we would never break that trust.

However, we can't control what happens when ppl converse off-site. Y'all be careful what you do & say to ppl online or in meet-ups, especially those you barely know.

And remember that dudes gossip just as much as women.

 

One of the O.G. Cypher Avenue Squad Members, @SB3, officially joined The 100 1,000 Daps Club!



Let's spread the wealth by giving Free Daps to all who post in this thread!

 

I am most grateful for the advice @Nick Delmacy & @Ockydub have provided to me. I love the majority of the podcasts especially the roundtable podcasts and the interview podcasts. I love the articles.

As far as the members of the site, it has been a beautiful experience getting to know them off line. Meeting up with them and even seeing how the dudes I know out of ATL became great friends to my twin brother when he moved out to ATL.

I wish Cypher Avenue nothing but the best. The email exchanges I had during the site's incarnation and during the Discreet City days were a huge part in me becoming the man I am today. Especially when I initially began meeting with the members via Google Hangouts. I learned that I was not alone and I learned to LOVE MYSELF. My transition from being a paranoid and closeted black gay man to becoming a man who simply lives his life without wearing "gay" on his sleeve blows my mind. I am not here to throw gay in the world's face BUT I am glad that I do what I want to do when I want to do it. I support all men on here being who they were born to be. Just be yourself. My visit to Tabernacle Baptist Church last night helped me to see the black gay men and women all in different phases of life and that no one is alone. The main thing I want for everyone to know is that life really begins to become AMAZING when we become authentic and transparent. The more we speak our truth and live our truth, things get easier and we get closer to that light within us. Our light begins to shine more. We begin to illuminate the world with the beautiful soul that lies within and we provide an example for those coming behind us and even those around us. Never apologize for being who you are.

Thank you - @Nick Delmacy @Ockydub @Michael @lyriq88 @ControlledXaos @KritiKal Analysis @SB3 @DreG @JNH412 @questforknowledge @cypher21 @NikR @ColumbusGuy @DC. @Pathology18 And to all the other amazing men I have had great conversations and meetups with off of the site.

#BEYOU #BETRUE #LIVEYOURTRUTH #CYPHERAVENUE #DISCREETCITY

 

My_Nigga by @DreG posted Aug 21, 2015 at 2:42 PM

 

I truly feel like I have been apart of DC/CA since the inception of time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am starting to be more consistently active and actually making connections with guys from here offline.

 

Firstishly, I'm appreciative for the podcasts....I'd actually never listened to any podcasts until I started with Cypher Avenue.
They never not bring a smile or a laugh every blood red moon that they happen to appear

Secondishly, I appreciate the founders @Ockydub & @Nick Delmacy for providing their unapologetic voices and perspectives to us and the world at large and this 'safe' space free of toxic diva worship and displays of white twink worship.

Thirdishly, I appreciate the ironic friendships and buddy-ships Ive developed with some members on and offline. (Good thing I have an unlimited data/text plan)

 

Happy birthday Cypher Avenue!!!


I haven't been here very long (bout a week), but I would say the alternative perspective(s) both from forum members and Nick and Ocky. I may not always agree, but it's always good to listen (well in this case read) other people's opinions. That and no drama (i.e. troll accounts, unnecessary pettiness, bash threads, etc.). Lol

 

Heeeeyyyy Ockyboo! *in my Monique from The Parkers voice*



Hahahah Happy bday man!!

 

Bruh, five years strong! Five years ago today we shared our first blog post ever on Discreet City/Cypher Avenue!



Nick Delmacy & Ocky Williams. Two black brothers unabashedly showing the entire online world a different way to be gay.



Who knew that this would attract an entire of Squad of men just like us from all over the globe. With a-alike connections and meet-ups now happening all over the United States, this has long since become a genuinely dope community.

Enough self-aggrandizing, we want to celebrate with all of you!



So join in our mutual celebration and share your favorite party gif and memes!

Tell all of us your favorite Discreet City/Cypher Avenue memory!

Or just tell us what you love most about Cypher Avenue!

 

Its about that time for us to upgrade some of the Squad Members to higher titles. This is by no means scientific but many of the promotions happen automatically (ie: officially graduating from the Lurker title after making 20 posts).

Of course, regardless of titles and banners, we fux with all of the Squad equally. However, its def good to recognize and acknowledge the members who hold the forum down with new discussions, high value input and camaraderie, on and off the site.



Some of you may remember back in January when we showed love to our "FRESHMAN CLASS," the emergance of new members and former lurkers stepping up to the podium. The Cypher Avenue Freshman Class Appreciation Thread

Today I'm giving out a handful of new senior titles to the upperclassmen based on various factors such as boards activity, daps and/or generous donation amount.

These new titles not only give users some editing and moderating capabilities, they also signify to the new and/or less active members who to check out for input or advice on various topics.



SQUAD VETERANS

Every college and fraternity has Upperclassmen who help set a tone for the college or fraternity, as well as guide the young bucks. Squad Veterans is a new title on the site, limited to the members who have been very active supporters based on the trifecta: Comments, Daps and Donations.

Listed in alphabetical order:

@African King

@ControlledXaos

@DreG

@SB3



SQUAD LEADERS

We're adding a few new Leaders to the Boards. These members have either consistently provided great Comments to continue the discussions, received tons of Daps or have contributed very generous Donations that help keep the site going.

Listed in alphabetical order:

@BlackguyExecutive

@ColumbusGuy

@Sean P

@Tyroc

 

I began to follow the site right when it was on the cusp of becoming Cypher Avenue - during the days of Discreet City. I happened upon the site one Saturday while I was surfing the net. How I found it, I'm not sure but it has become a place for me to vibe and kick it with like-minded individuals and build networks of support that I never thought I would have. I have gained two ride or die, best friends from this site; and a plethora of people who I can count on for support and who genuinely care about MY well being...not just how large my member is or how well I use it.

I have loved the podcasts, some of the forums and most importantly I have LOVED the squad members who I have connected with on this site and who have been open to meet/become kool outside of this site. These are the people who I get phone calls from and who's cities I can visit and always know that I have someone to kick it with. I've learned much from everyone with whom I've interacted and its my wish on our birthday that in another 5 years, this site can become even better. I also wish that the networking that began with a few will continue and grow to be the network that is recognized by many more.

Happy Birthday Cypher Avenue and Happy Birthday to all the Squad Members!

 

Nothing else to be said. Happy bday!

 

Happy Birthday CA! @Nick Delmacy and @Ockydub you gents have built a wonderful fraternal community! I am exciting to see what the next five years will bring. However, don't get too mainstream. Just mainstream enough to pay y'alls bills and you can be the creatives you are without having to work as hard as you do!!

 

You guuuuyyyyyys

Thank you for being so welcoming and understanding(and patient) to a youngish fool like me...I was just telling @DreG yesterday how much you guys have impacted my development as not just a gay man but as a strong, intelligent, confident black man that is capable of being himself and having brothers to fall back on sometimes ....I can't stress that enough, you guys are a blessing..thanks @Nick Delmacy, @ockydub

 

Congrats

 

This site went from sporadic viewing for me,to an exciting place to share stuff I can't anywhere else.I'm glad it's sustained and evolved over the years.

• Favorite things
• Verbal Duels (which I fondly call Shade-offs) with @Nick Delmacy
• @Ockydub and his Relationship Podcasts
• (Being late for)The Roundtable that evolved into a lot of our off-site interactions(and then zoning out towards the end...I was sleepy).I've met some of my favorite people on the planet as a result of that .
• @African King ,his energy,and his journey. I have high hopes that he will be in full-fleged thot territory by this time next year.Fingers crossed
• Everyone who comes here and gains the confidence to be himself

• The squad for inviting my weird azz into their lives

 

Important: A Few Words about Member Profile Avatars & Pics

Cypher Avenue’s operating costs are generated by reader donations (Thank You) in addition to ads space. Like most of you know, Cypher Ave has – and will always have – a certain decorum and aesthetic that is mostly PG-13 and safe for work. Not only does this set us apart from many Gay themed websites who feature nudity and pornographic ads, our main ad tool (Google Adsense) does not allow nudity or pornographic material that features their web ad add-on.

We’ve gotten notifications over the years and had to update or modify particular pages on our main site, due to Google Adsense warning us over content and certain pictures used. Even though it is a slight hassle, it’s relatively easy for us to correct these problems so we can remain in compliance.

Over the last couple of weeks as The Boards grows in popularity, Google has sent us a couple of warnings over certain pics which have now included some avatars. When reviewing what they deemed may be offensive or not coinciding with their guidelines; we personally thought some of the pics were harmless. Some pics themselves may be PG-13 but the link or website they come from may not be which may alert Google. This can have an impact on our ad finances received, which in turn affects our operating costs.

Even though this is considered a “Stern FYI” to our readers and members, in no way are we banning or blocking members from using the site. We do suggest that your avatars be expressive of your personalty and individuality. This is just advising to be mindful when creating new avatars, in addition to where you copy and paste certain “thirst trap” pics from.

I would suggest if you have to question if you should or shouldn't post a pic, just don’t do it.

Signed,
The Founders

 

Happy Birthday

 

Yo, happy bday.

 

I wasn't going to post anything, but after reading the posts, especially by bisonboy and African King, I was moved, so I will say something.

The way the site, the founders, and the great guys on here have reached out to young men like these two is so commendable. I don't know African King but through this site and his posts I know his story, and it really shows how much of a real difference you guys have made in his life-and obviously others. To be able to do that is an amazing thing-it really is.

Also I would like to say thank you to the founders of this site and many of the members for being extremely accepting, open, and (in my case IMO) somewhat forgiving to others. I now will never be able to look at many things the same way again and I am a better person and am becoming a better person for being a part of this site. Thank you very much for that.

I hope to congratulate you both again on your tenth anniversary so keep up the great work.

 

OOMMMAAAAAGAAADDDDDDD HAPPY DANCE

 

Woke up and found out I didn't win Powerball solo or in the pools that I'm in but then I see this...

Thank you for the site.

 

Yall are welcome. I'll be signing autographs in the lobby afterward!

 

For when the birthday 'day' is done and the party should be just starting.....

 

Bro, I'm lmao over here. Only someone that grew up in church (and likely went to Sunday School) would even know what the hell the ark of the covenant is.

 

I applaud Nick and Octavius. When I got the email from Nick the other night, I thought I don't meet the criteria, but that's not the point. What is important here is that the site, and the boards continue to develop and grow to meet the expectations of the folks who use the site. It's not been all that long since the boards started and I think it is great that you guys are confident in the community that has formed to take the next step. Keep steppin