Playlist for Show: OUTSpoken

With the international release of their album, “Till the End of Time”, Jason & deMarco became familiar names to music fans around the world. Their first single “Trying to Get to You” climbed the Billboard Charts and their second single, “This is Love” won “Music Video of the Year 2006” on MTV’s LOGO. A remix of “This is Love” produced by DJ Scotty K was also added to Abercrombie & Fitch’s playlist in April of 2007 and was heard nationally in stores.

Their autobiographical documentary-film, “We’re All Angels,” from director Robert Nunez, premiered on the SHOWTIME NETWORK where fans are invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at the public and private lives of these rising pop stars, who are gay, spiritual, and in a long-term committed relationship. The film chronicles the lives of the two singers as they perform all over the country in dance clubs, at pride events, and even in churches. The movie takes a look at how their openness about their sexuality often pits them against evangelical Christianity, while their faith at times meets with resistance from the gay community. “We’re All Angels” turns the spotlight on how they integrate their sexuality and spirituality within their relationship and professional careers.

Jason & deMarco have had the opportunity to perform at numerous high profile events including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Awards in Los Angeles, the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s annual gala in Denver, and the 2006 Human Rights Campaign Gala at the Waldorf Astoria New York.” They have also been a part of the Human Rights Campaign star-studded benefit two-pack CD album celebrating marriage equality, “Love Rocks”, alongside artists such as Christina Aguilera, Pink, and The Dixie Chicks.

Jason & deMarco will be celebrating 14 years together this summer. They were married in 2010 and in 2011 welcomed twin sons through surrogacy, each a biological child with the same biological mother, which is documented in Jason’s recently released book, “The Journey of Same-Sex Surrogacy” available on Amazon.com. Shortly after the births of their sons, Jason & deMarco announced the launch of their non-profit, (S.A.F.E.) Safe, Affirming, Family Environment in 2011 with the opening of a drop-in center for homeless youth. In less than eight months over 400 youth came through SAFE’s doors and received services. At the eight month mark, their landlord sold the property and Jason & deMarco decided to relocate to Franklin, Tennessee, moving the non-profit as well. “When reviewing the data, it was clear the majority of the youth we served were homeless due to aging out of the foster system”, says Jason. “In relocating to Nashville, rather than opening another drop-in center, we felt we could better serve youth and the community by helping to prevent them from being homeless.”

It was in Franklin, Tennessee, in a village called Leipers Fork, that Jason & deMarco purchased a six acre ranch that they have named ‘Gratidude Ranch’. “Our hope is that the ranch will be a place where foster youth and foster families can come to experience community, nature, working and playing with animals and one another”, says deMarco. They’re also presenting this opportunity to the public with www.fosterafarmpet.org where families in the community can choose to foster a farm pet on the ranch for a monthly donation. These donations help support S.A.F.E. and its mission. The duo currently have seven miniature donkeys, two ponies, two goats, four chickens and just added Olivia, a teacup piglet to the family. “Our goal is to provide a place where kids, youth and adults can come and connect with one another while being in nature and escaping the craziness of life if even for a day”, says deMarco. “We just want the ranch and the animals to be used to help people who may need a little extra love.”

“How two gay guys who have been the poster boys for an openly gay pop duo with a Christian background moved from Los Angeles and ended up on a ranch in Franklin, TN still amazes me”, says Jason with a smile.

Through people visiting the ranch, the duo hopes to first and foremost educated the community on the need for fostering in Tennessee while connecting potential foster parents with the Department of Child Services (D.C.S.). They also hope to connect affirming foster families with the State so LGBTQ and other diverse youth can be placed in SAFE homes.

Jason & deMarco are becoming certified foster parents and this summer they will launch SAFE’s transitional living program by housing two foster youth aging out of care on the ranch. These youth are staying in extended care with plans to attend college in the Fall and will live on the ranch at no cost while helping with the animals and other duties.

The long term vision, currently privately sponsored by public donors, is to purchase property to place 10-20 manufactured homes or ‘tiny houses’ and launch a program called the “Safe House Program.” The model of the program will allow foster youth aging out of foster care an opportunity to purchase one of the homes while being provided with financing. The average term will be five years, and once their home is paid off in five years, they will only have to pay lot rent if they decide to stay. If they choose to sell the home, S.A.F.E. will purchase it back from them for what they’ve invested which will give them a help them on their way to independent living. “These foster youth aging out will have the opportunity to own their own home within 5 years, which I think is groundbreaking”, says Jason. We are also hoping the youth can be a part of building their home, learning a skill in the process. These youth will have a community that they can be a part of, growing, learning and succeeding together. Regular events at the ranch will be provided for the young adults in this program and they will be invited to all of our holiday meals at the ranch, again providing them a sense of family and community. “There will be certain requirements for foster youth to qualify, primarily employment and transportation which we also hope to help them with”, says Jason.

We’re also hoping to offer a few homes to seniors who have the desire to be a part of our program, helping to monitor and oversee the park while also mentoring these young adults. On the flip side, we also believe these young adults can be of service to the seniors with daily activities that can sometimes be challenging.

Since launching S.A.F.E., the duo has raised more than $100,000 while also releasing a music video to their hit single entitled “Safe”, written by fellow gay artist, Josh Duffy. Through their music they’ve established a platform to share their vision and to continue raising much needed funds to make this dream a reality. They are currently running a $25,000 GoFundMe campaign to raise money to launch their transitional living program and foster youth camp this summer.

So, Jason & deMarco obviously are busy. But where does all of this leave the duo’s music? “We’re living in Music City”, says deMarco. “Although we’re not touring as often (Jason is a local real estate agent and deMarco is a Health and Wellness coach), we will always make music”. The duo released a Christmas CD this past Christmas called “Christmas Reflections” and will continue songwriting and releasing a single this year. They are leaving for a three-week tour in February, taking their twin sons and Jason’s parents for support. Visit www.jasonanddemarco.com or www.safehouseforall.org for more info.

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