Tag Archives: queerg

Kelvin, Nascent Lover, Columbus, Ohio

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

Kelvin, in his own words: “When I look at my coming out process I have to honestly say I’m blessed to have the circle of love that I have. I came out to my siblings when I was 19. Both my Mommy and Mom (foster mom) went through the discovery of my sexual identity with me. Although it wasn’t easy for Mom and I it certainly made our relationship stronger. When I told my little brother 4 years younger than me he was convinced that I was joking with him. By the end of our conversation he told me that he now had a different perspective on what it meant to be gay since now he knew he had a gay brother. The clown in the bunch, my baby sister, had my favorite reaction. She looked me dead in the face and said “ok…and? you want a cookie or something?!” You can’t help but to love that girl! She always keeps the bunch laughing. My big sister seemed so unfazed. As far as she was concerned people were coming out the closet left and right. I was no different. I surprisingly never personally came out to my baby brother, but I’m sure by now he’s figured things out! I was afraid that living in my truth would tear me from the bond I shared with my siblings, but instead it verified the strength of our love for one another.

Once I came out to my siblings I thought my work was done. I would soon realize that if I wanted to live a life equal to that of my siblings then I would have to give voices to the injustices suffered by the lgbt community. The coming out process is never finished only started! After a Day of Silence event held at Ohio University I came out on facebook. Then came one of my first major challenges, my father’s side of the family. Two awkard phone calls were quickly followed by the fear that I may have been outed to my father. Thus setting the stage for me to come out to him months later. It didn’t go well. It was the first time I had really received negative reaction to my coming out and the topic quickly became the elephant in the room when ever I was around my father’s side of the family. Through out that whole process with my father’s side of the family not once did anyone say to me “I don’t care that your gay I still love you” not even my own father. Sadly I think it’s the underlying reason that with them I stay so distant.

Needless to say the negative reaction pushed me even harder to be vocal about lgbt issues. This passion led me to become a student leader. I co-founded a chapter of a lgbt organization for students of color called SHADES at the largest public university in the country The Ohio State University. Hands down the best thing I’ve done yet with my life as the chapter is still standing. Through my experience I learned not only how to find my voice as a leader but also as a black gay man. That in it’s self has it’s own special challenges, especially when it comes to dating. One big lesson I quickly learned is acceptance in difference. How could I possibly expect someone to accept my difference if I couldn’t accept theirs? I also learned the understanding of processes. I had to go through a process of accepting my sexual identity and I must afford others that same right to process. In cooperating with others it’s important to agree to disagree because not everyone will be on your exact page all the time. This does not mean their not in the same chapter! In closing I would like to give one of my biggest and currently practiced lessons, knowing when to sit down. There will always be something to shout about, something to get angry about, something to cry over. All of this can be very draining and it’s not your job to take on the world. Stay in tuned to your spirit and know when it’s your time to take a break from it all and just do you. I promise you when ever your ready there will be so many issues to give your voice to upon your return! “

Brian, Dogwalker, New York City

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

Brian, in his own words: ” Being gay to me means being FAAAAABBBBULOUUUS!! This is a tuff question for me, I’ve never really thought about it before. It’s just a perfect fit, I tend to think to myself quite a bit ” Damn I’m happy I’m gay”. Corny, I know, but true.

Ive been pretty lucky in my life to not have many challenges. I like to live my life as stress free as possible and surround myself with people who do the same. On the success side, I did just start a dog walking company with a good friend of mine here in NYC . We have been working hard on getting that off the ground and pretty excited to see it grow.

I love the gay community in NYC. The diversity is obviously extraordinary and the amount of creative gay folk I have met up here just blows my mind. Its also big and strong, just like I like my men:) That’s a joke, I like all kinds of men.

I came out to most of family/friends when I was 20, shortly after me and my first boyfriend got together. And everyone was very accepting of the fact that I was gay, and welcoming to my gay friends. Most had a “feeling” I was gay. Haha.

I would tell my younger self to start taking Lexapro earlier! Oh, and to take piano lessons.”

Morgan and Fabien, Accountants, Paris, France

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

Fabien, in his own French words: “Pour moi être gay n’est pas une différence. Lorsque je sors de chez moi, je ne me sens pas différent des gens que je croise.

Etre gay par contre m’a toujours imposé de faire plus d’efforts, par crainte d’être rejeté ou rabaissé, j’en ai toujours fait plus que les autres. J’ai toujours voulu être parfait aux yeux de ma famille, de mes amis et dans mon travail. J’ai probablement fait passé mon bonheur après celui de ceux qui m’entourent. La vie m’a malheureusement montrée que ce n’était probablement pas la meilleur technique. J’espère avoir appris de mes erreurs.

La communauté gay se retrouve principalement dans le Marais. C’est n’est pas un mode de vie à mes yeux, mais plutôt un lieu de vie. On s’y retrouve, on s’y sent bien. La population peut être superficielle, parfois même provocatrice, mais c’est un lieu dans lequel nous n’avons plus à subir de contraintes ou d’appréhensions et la vie y est très agréable. Quand on est en couple, le Marais peut même devenir un véritable ring… mais avec un peu d’intelligence et de bons amis, on dépasse facilement certaines épreuves.

Mon coming out s’est fait progressivement, d’abord les amis et certains proches… et puis un jour, par amour, j’ai voulu que mon ami participe à nos repas de famille comme le faisait toute les amies de mes grands frères. C’était un moment difficile, j’avais terriblement peur de décevoir mes parents, et pourtant j’en garde un très bon souvenir. Les personnes que j’aime m’acceptent sans problème et c’est tout ce qui compte.”