Ron Blake experienced a near-deadly incident of sexual violence and anti-LGBT bias. But in a strange twist of fate, that bad stuff started his exciting work as a social practice artist. He’s now created a massive display of artwork (4,200 square feet) on his ongoing ten-year cross-country adventure to overcome the trauma and reach a symbolic goal involving the popular comedian Stephen Colbert.
The artist, Ron Blake, graduated with an MPA from Indiana University, was a city councilman in suburban Chicago, and has fun stories from working as actress Sandra Bullock’s assistant. Blake was born in Gary, IN, and has lived in Phoenix for two decades. His parents, Ron and Rita, are retired educators. He has a sister, Kris, and three brothers: Scott, Matt, and Mark. Blake’s partner, Sergio, is a decorated senior airman in the U.S. Air Force and a proud Colombian immigrant.
Ron Blake has also lived in Los Angeles, San Diego, and England.
A powerfully crafted and impactful documentary film was released just in time to celebrate Pride Month.
Two award-winning filmmakers spent the past year producing the film I Am. It takes you along on my riveting ten-year cross-country Hero’s Journey to overcome a trauma involving anti-LGBT bias. It also explains the significant role of popular comedian Stephen Colbert in this 92,000-mile ongoing mission.
Arizona filmmakers Ethan and Aidan Sinconis are high school twin brothers. These strong LGBT allies were awarded the best student film in the U.S. in 2024, beating out more than 2,000 entries. The guys followed up that huge accomplishment by using their artistic talent to take on this bold, new film project: telling my story to the world.
Back in June of 2018, Diversity Rules shared some of my story of experiencing a brutal rape and beating at the hands of three men who entered my Phoenix home. I sustained significant injuries. Requiring surgery and many years of extensive physical therapy.
A former FBI Special Agent was brought in to conduct an independent investigation. His detailed final report made it clear that the police treated me differently because of who I am.
It was determined that anti-LGBT bias was involved in the police response. I made a harrowing 911 call on that fateful evening. The transcript reveals that the dispatcher listened helplessly as I was being attacked during that chilling phone call.
Four officers arrived to find me only wearing ripped, bloody underwear and surrounded by the three perpetrators in the bloody crime scene. There was broken furniture. Semen is dripping from my body. There were visible signs of injury to me. I told the officers what had just occurred. The three guys were caught red-handed.
No arrests were made. No rape kit was administered. One of the perpetrators was given a ride home by the officers. It was like a courtesy VIP Uber service.
History has demonstrated that LGBT folks can’t always depend on the criminal justice system to be there for us. That doesn’t mean we can’t find peace, happiness, love, and success. We can.
The film explores the creative means by which I’m making good things happen and continuing on this Hero’s Journey. If there is a real-life The Lord of the Rings adventure, this is it. For 3,478 consecutive days and counting, I’ve traveled across the U.S. and Mexico in the dogged, thrilling pursuit of reaching my goal.
The film explains the connection to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. A fortuitous moment of laughter from that TV comedy show stopped me from dying by suicide at 10:44 pm on November 2, 2015.
That spark sent me heading out on an adventure. I wanted to learn how to re-engage and trust people again after badly isolating them, process the anti-LGBT bias and trauma, and get written support from total strangers in my dedicated mission to become a guest on The Late Show at 53rd and Broadway in NYC—the symbolic goal.
But this documentary is far more than a story about me and my efforts to escape the abyss, despair, and depression that had cloaked me in darkness for so long. This is also a story of 34,309 strangers from all walks of life coming together one at a time to help a guy in trouble.
The documentary contains elements of the classic holiday movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. Especially in the heart-warming scene where Uncle Billy tells George Bailey, “Mary did it, George. Mary did it. She told a few people you were in trouble, and they scattered all over town collecting money. They didn’t ask any questions. Just said if George is in trouble. Count on me.”
That’s what these 34,309 Good Samaritans did for me as I scattered all over the country, meeting them. They didn’t ask any questions. They heard I was in trouble and trying to recover from the trauma. Trying and trying to reach a goal. They each let me know through their kindness, hugs, and written words that I could count on them.
Perhaps what I like best about the film is how Ethan and Aidan laid the foundation for who I Am. They show that I Am a brother, colleague, son, spouse, nephew, neighbor, grandson, uncle, friend, and cousin. I am more than a victim, more than a statistic, more than a gay man. I Am Blake.
Pope Francis mailed me a personal letter in the summer of 2020. He expressed his gratitude for sharing my story with him. Gosh, how I wish he were alive to see this completed film. It would have made his heart full. He was all about what this documentary represents. It’s not about revenge, anger, hatred, or sadness. It is about acceptance, unity, love, empathy, compassion, and forgiveness.
It’s understandable for my sisters and brothers in our LGBT family to want to respond with anger in situations like this. Our community has been through centuries of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and bias. But I’ve realized moving past the anger is more productive and healing. To use our energy to inform, entertain, and inspire individuals.
This documentary is a beautiful message of hope, support, and optimism for Pride Month. It is a film to excite folks to fully support my efforts to deliver a massive collective story of hope to The Late Show after I finally get that invitation. We can use that moment to inspire millions of individuals in the LGBT community and beyond to head out on their own Hero’s Journey.
This is a stand-up and cheer film proudly coming out of our resilient community. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an Academy Award nomination for I Am for best short documentary next March. It’s much deserved for a film. Very well done, Ethan and Aidan.
The documentary about Ron Blake, and I Am, can be found at SinconisStudios.com or on YouTube.
Ron Blake lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and can be reached at rblake5551@hotmail.com or @BlakeLateShow on Instagram. Here’s hoping the next stranger to pick up a Sharpie and sign support on one of his giant foam boards is funnyman Stephen Colbert. Smiley face.