In conversation he's wise beyond his years. When you look into his eyes, you see an innocent young man and at the same time, you know that he has experienced so much more than others who are his age. But who is he?

My primary purpose of being on here is to promote my CD Pozitively as well as myself. This CD will be dedicated to those who are Positive, H.I.V. Poz that is. I am looking for work as a back-up vocalist until I establish myself as a soloist. 

If there are any artist's or chorus that are looking for a back-up vocalist feel free to send me a message concerning all the details, and I will get back with you. Hint: I am looking to be paid for my time so this is strictly for business purposes only.... 

I have a sample of my work on my page as an introduction to my style and sound. Please feel free to comment, for I do value your opinions. 

On his "My space", his music is there. Through his music he shares some of his experiences and he also praises God and he shares his wisdom through song. 

On "facebook", he describes himself: (I am) Joshua Stovall aka J. London aka London Benton. 

I'm 27! I live in the south loop of Chicago. I'm an activist, singer, model, and songwriter. I'm all together, a bill board of what GOD can do. I live by Jer. 29:11.
But what has God done for him? Ladies and gentleman, introducing London Benton.

London: No problem.

John: You are so many things, to a lot of people and at such a young age. Let's start at the beginning, where were you born?

London: Chicago, Illinois.

John: How many brothers and sisters do you have?

London: I have 17 brothers and 5 sisters.

John: Do your siblings share your musical talents?

London: Yes, they do. Most of them sing, write or either play.

John: How old were you when you discovered that you were musically blessed?

London: I guess at a very early age, I would be humming on the songs on the radio, so I have to be 2 - 3 years old.

John: You are openly gay. Have you always known who you are?

London: I always knew who I was, but because of my background, I had to hide who I was for so long.

London: I found out July 13th. 2005, it was when I was diagnosed, I knew something was going on early on in 2001 or 02, but didn't know what it was. I was so tired, sluggish, I'd lost so much blood that the lady from the clinic had to bring me my results. 

I couldn't walk or anything, I'd lost so much blood. She read off all the things that I didn't have, and then she told me that I was HIV positive. For about 20 minutes, I could see people talking and laughing, walking their dogs, the world was just going around me and I couldn't hear anything. (He was in total shock) It felt like a piece of me died right there. (After he left the clinic, he had a conversation with God) I said, "God they say you won't put more you than you can bear, if this is the case, strengthen my shoulders and that's what's 

He has done, strengthen my shoulders. It's been a burden and yet a blessing.

John: What has your condition past or present taught you?

London: What I've learned God allows things to happen to you. He doesn't cause them but He will allow them. Yet in allowing things to happen to you, He will sustain you. So people can look on to you and gain hope. You become a bill board of what He can do in someone else's life. He can heal you, is a snap shot of what He can do.

John: You are invited to speak at many different conferences and churches, where you are able to reach out to our youth and our LGBT community. What is the message that you are sharing?

London: I just recently spoke at Chicago State Wednesday night, and I have other opportunities opening up in different schools and different organizations, my message now is, when everyone else is passing out condoms, I'm going behind them, passing out a woodchip, the same one's that you found in the parks. 

I tell them to put the woodchip, the same place that you put your condoms. And if you ever go to that place, there's no condom there, only the woodchip, that should help you make a decision, "Do I go purchase more condoms or do I use that woodchip as a piece of my coffin?" So I've been stressing, latex or wood? 

And yes, we live in a day and age; where science and technology meet, people are living longer healthier lives, would you rather be sick all the time, have your family affected when you become infected. Yes, we are living healthier lives being positive, but would you want to send yourself through that?

London: Yes, if you have sex, you should use a condom, the woodchip or condom? People don't understand that when you sleep with someone (meaning have sex) who's positive, whatever medicines he's resistant to, you can become resistant to the same medicines. (He explained that if you are or someone you are sleeping with has the HIV virus and it's transmitted through sex, this lessens your safety (and your partners), health as that virus can mutate, in turn it has strengthened. 

It's a possibility your strand has become much stronger, to the point that the current medications may not help you and your condition. If you're positive and the person you're sleeping with is positive and you are not wearing protection, this is called the binding of strands. 

Now you and your partner have created a strand of the virus that they do not have medicine for.

John: You are completely open about your life. Do you mind being the "poster boy" in the eyes of those who have heard you speak?

London: I don't mind at all.

John: Coming from a church background and being a student of the bible, what is your opinion on gay marriage?

London: Marriage is marriage, whether I feel it's gay or straight, if two people love each other, let them love each other. Most people feel that being gay is wrong. 

They feel that the bible speaks against same sex relationship, this is in the King James version about homosexuality being wrong, what people don't realize that there wasn't a word for homosexuality in the old text, that came on at a later date when they trying to define what heterosexual was. 

What they don't know that out of all the things that Jesus casted out of people, not one time did.

He ever speak of anything concerning homosexuality. So whether you are gay, you're straight, whatever, I believe you should live a life that is pleasing to God. 

As far as gay marriage is concerned, if they want to do it, let them do it. Let them be them. Who are you to judge? God is the only judge. 

The bible states, 'I am the God of all flesh" (London then spoke of Jesus and the woman at the well, he questioned) 

"If Jesus had called that woman a whore, do you think she would have ministered to Him?" (London continued by saying that if you feel that being gay is wrong, you are not to beat them over the head, but instead you should love them unconditionally. 

As for same sex marriage, marriage is marriage, if the two love each other, let them love each other.

John: There are churches, ministers, preachers who spread hatred by showing contempt to those who are born different, born gay. It would appear that in our white and mostly white churches, our gay community is more accepted. 

Do you feel that there will be a time when our black/brown gay brothers and sisters will be welcomed into our black churches?

London: That's a hard question because there are so many avenues in that area. Billy can bring Bob home (white parents), where they are welcomed to play "twister" and other family games, whereas Ray-Ray can't bring Poo-kee home because of the standards taught in the black church.

(In London's opinion, this is why many are promiscuous or as he said, the brothers will prefer to just "bust a nut" and continue to live on the down-low, calling that partner, his homie or roommate. Brothers have to act hard, walk hard in our communities to be accepted whereas it's different in our white communities. 

In the black community, due to the non acceptance of the gay life-style, this has created a devastating domino effect.)

London: That's the plan.

John: Will you be called, minister, pastor, priest?

London: Minister. We are all ministers; it's just a thing of becoming licensed. Being licensed will allow access in certain areas. We all should study the word of God, licensed or not.

John: Say in about 20 years, professionally and in your personal life, where do you see yourself?

London: I plan to still be an activist, still doing what I'm doing. Still be a minister, of course. I plan to be known by not only the gay community but by the LGBT community, as someone that has been revolutionized or evolved so if there's people who are coming behind me, they will see that there's hope. 

(London's is prayerful that there will come a time that his being HIV or gay will be a non-issue, that others from all walks of life will be able to see him as an example that all things are possible through Jesus Christ).

I plan to be on the cover of Poz magazine that's like a goal or dream of mine. I want to still sing, I'm a singer. I hope to have by then released a CD for people who are positive and I hope to have the opportunity to sing the "National Anthem at a Super Bowl or some national game. And hopefully to have had a child by then, which is odd.

John: No, no it's not odd. There are a lot of same sex people who want children.

London: True, but meaning because I'm positive.

John: I have to say that I love your music, you have such a beautiful voice, I love the lyrics, the message and the instruments; it's anointed. Do you have any concerts coming up in the near future?

London: That I don't know, because I don't sing as much as I speak now. It would depend on if someone ask me to sing. A lot of my stuff is still on YouTube and on my "My Space" account.

John: Your song, "Crossover Blessing", this song needs to be played on radio and to get exposure; it speaks of what the world is in hungry for. What do the lyrics mean to you?

London: Wow, that took me way back, I haven't sang "Crossover Blessing" in years. I wrote it at a period in my life, even before I became positive, I wrote that song, I needed God, I had stepped away from Him and I needed Him to know that I was hungry for so much more.

It was almost a cry for my identity. I know I don't deserve this, I know that the birthright isn't mine, I felt that I shouldn't be next in line for some of the blessings that the Lord was going to give me, but if He just crossed His hands. 

(People saw London from the outside, and thought, "Oh he's so awesome, so great.) 

I didn't know who I was and I said, Lord if you just cross your hands, and give me something that I can use or deserve or I don't deserve, I would know, at least, where to start. I believe that's when I became positive, he gave me an identity, my purpose.

John: On your website your music has been played almost 7000 times, total and counting. A fan base is building. The public is hungry for your music. Can your music be purchased on your website?

London: Wow…………… I will have to look into "my space" to see how I can make my music available.

John: So you are relocating to ALT. I've heard it's the gay city of the United States. Now I've never been there, so I don't know if it's true. Perhaps it's gay friendly. Why are you leaving the Windy City for ATL?

London: From when I was a little boy, I've always loved Atlanta; I've wanted to live there. I have (in the past) from 2002 2008, lived between Chicago and Atlanta, but I love my church. Believe it or not, if my church wasn't there, I would have no need to go to Atlanta, Georgia. My church is the Vision Church of Atlanta, the Overseer O.C. Allen III, is my pastor, he has been just an instrument in my life, he is the reason for who I am today. 

He's the reason why I have this drive. He has poured so much into my life. If I don't go to Atlanta, I don't know what I would do because my church is there. He's has taught me to never cut myself in half to make someone else feel whole. He said, Joshua when you stand before people, never leave ¾ of who you are standing outside because the whole you offends them. If I could uproot the Vision Church of Atlanta to Chicago I would.

John: You have a birthday coming up, May 6th. Do you have any plans as of yet?

London: As for right now, nothings set in stone. I would like to go to New York. I've been to New York, passing through to connect flights to and from Africa.

John: Are you single? And if so, are you open to dating, getting to know someone, perhaps falling in love and settling down?

London: I'm open to getting to know people. I'm still ready for love. And when that person comes along I hope that they're ready for who I am. I would like someone who's secure, in order for us to secure who we are.

John: Who are you?

London: I'm Joshua, I'm London, and I'm the preacher's kid. I'm the mother's son, I'm the brother, and I'm the uncle. I'm the best friend, I'm a singer, and I'm a model. I'm an activist, I'm a counselor, I'm gay, I'm open, you know I'm all of that. That person would have to accept all of me. If I'm singing, if I'm modeling, he would have to be secure enough to know that I'm coming home to them. And if I should be singing in a room with 1000 people or more, I would want to look down and see my baby there. After I'm finished pouring into all of these people, that I know that there's one person who's going to pour back into me. At the end of the day, I don't feel a vacancy or a void, that's what I'm looking for.

John: What would people who know you be surprised to learn about you?

London: That's a really good question because I'm so opened. I don't know if there's anything they don't know. Except for? Wow. (He didn't have an answer)

John: Well you've answered the question, by saying that you're opened.

London: Well I feel that the best book read is an opened book. As we were about to end our "chat", London wanted to thank some people that are extremely dear, important and precious to him.

My dad, the founder and pastor of my church, Bright Star COGIC in Chicago and I pay respects to my mother who's still alive and to my father who passed away in 1998. My mother is the greatest mother, I know, when the doctors told her that she can get her black dress out, she believed God. (When in the hospital) My mother told me over the phone, "If you just stay alive until I get there, you will be ok and I held on to her words. My mom left her job, she left everything, and for almost 2 months stayed in the hospital, at my bedside every day, till I got my health back. 

I watched my mother come in with a black hair and when she left her hair was white. But she stayed in God's faith on my behalf and I will never forget that. And my little brother, Sir William Stokes, he has been such strength and support in my life. Also my sister, Precious. Georgnetta Copley aka Boobie, my best friend, I would say, I'm on my way back to the hospital; she would pack a bag, and stay with me in the hospital until I was released. She's been there for 15 years, we have been best friends.

London's a beautiful man, inside and out. He's strong yet a sensitive soul. Through his example, don't be surprised how many youth adults of color will go back into the church, or at least the doors will be opened a bit wider because of who London is. What a delightful, enlightening "chit chat" with a young brother who's about empowering and changing lives. London we, at Chit Chat, wish you continued success and unconditional love. We must do this again.

If you wish to contact London or get more information click below:
http://www.myspace.com/pozitively  londonbenton@yahoo.com
and on facebook, type in London Benton