Monthly Archives: October 2013

William, Graphic Designer, São Paulo

photo by Kevin Truong

William, in his own words: “Being gay for me now means alot of things, and inside these things is being true with myself, happy more than sad. Against all the bad things that happened with a gay guy in school I decided to transform the experience into the power to be whatever I want, but being happy always, and if not I will work hard to find the happiness being myself.

My challenges happened when I decided to study a thing that I knew that in my hometown will not work, that was being a graphic designer in a small city. So I decided to move to São Paulo and needed to work hard to find myself in this city. Now I`m here for 3 years in a relationship and we have our apartament, so I think the things are really working now.

The gay community in São Paulo for me is very cool and diversified, now we have more space than before and its more safer to walk and be whatever you want. But as many cities of the world some things need to change and the people need to be more open minded.

Coming out from the closet was more easy than I thought it would be, my mother and dad now accepts me and my boyfriend very, very well.

(If I could talk to myself before coming out) I could say: Be happy being yourself, no matter what happen.”

Eduardo and Filipe, Graphic Designer and Internet and TV Consultant, São Paulo

photo by Kevin Truong

Filipe, in his own words: “Understand who you are and can express it without the fear of the world doesnt love you is a human process. This process is made step by step and requires time and attention. However it is undoubtedly the best way forward.”

Eduardo, in his own words: “I guess when you are gay in Sao Paulo, maybe some things can be different or hard to deal, and it’s harder when you are black, when you are poor, when you are fat, when you are “ugly”, when you are effeminate… but you need to face up all these things and keep movin on, I guess São Paulo have been understanding it… but we have yet a long way to do that”

Teo, Director of Planning/Digital Intelligence Consultant/Editor in Chief, São Paulo

photo by Kevin Truong

Teo, in his own words: “To be gay is such a small part of my daily affairs. It just mean that I had to understand earlier than most people about how and who I love. I had to come up with my own answers about the world since no one around me in my family had anything to help me (and I resent that)

(The community in São Paulo) depends on who you are and where do you go. If you are skinny and gorgeous you are welcomed anywhere. If you are chubby and less atractive people will set barriers. It’s like a giant highschool like most big cities. But you can always find great people to hang out with, and that’s what is makes all worth it.

(With regards to coming out) I gave a speech to my mother, she forced me to talk about it and I told her I was a scared and alone kid with doubts that had grown into a full nice person and she had no right to deal with this with less awesomeness.

(If I could give advice to myself before coming out, I’d say) dont reject help. people do love you, stop waiting the worse always.”

THE GAY MEN PROJECT

The visual catalog of gay and queer men around the world.

Monthly Archives: October 2013

William, Graphic Designer, São Paulo

Eduardo and Filipe, Graphic Designer and Internet and TV Consultant, São Paulo

Teo, Director of Planning/Digital Intelligence Consultant/Editor in Chief, São Paulo