July | 2013 | THE GAY MEN PROJECT

photo by Kevin Truong

Samuel, in his own words: To me, being gay means nothing terribly important. I’ve been so precious about other things in my world that I’ve abandoned my sexuality. I govern my life with other identities. I haven’t struggled to accept my orientation, so I don’t think about it too often.

Challenges have bee too accept myself for what I am – a gay, adopted, Asian-american / making it past my eighteenth birthday.

The gay community in New York City is overwhelming, yet not enough.

(With regards to coming out)

Steve: So, what was the highlight of everyone’s day?
Sharon: I’ll start. The highlight of my day was when Sam stopped by during lunch to say hello.
Steve: That was nice of you, Sam. What was the highlight of your day?
Sam: That now is the time for me to tell you I think I might be gay.
Steve: Well…you’re still 14, so you may not know exactly what you want yet. But mom and I both love you and support you no matter what.
Jake: And I love you too Sammy.
Sharon: Can you pass the broccoli?

photo by Kevin Truong

Michael, in his own words:“I’m a small town boy from Eastern Oregon. I grew up in a town surrounded by farm land, deer, barns and rivers in a peaceful valley hours away from any city. I never left my small town until I went to college at the University of Oregon. I ended up getting into Theatre and moved to New York City for a few years after college. It’s hard to define myself because I’ve been know to throw myself into new situations and been able to adapt well. In New York I served celebrities and mafia heads in a high end restaurant in mid town Manhattan. I booked modeling and acting jobs on the side while fulfilling my fantasy of making things happen in NYC. Eventually I missed the trees and returned to Oregon. I define myself as someone who is able to maintain a sense of self in any situation and loves to push my own boundaries.

I’ve evolved quite a bit in the past ten years. I now work with children and have my masters in elementary education. What’s important to me has changed a lot. What’s important to me now is being a part of a community and feeling like what I do gives back to a community that supports and fulfills me. I no longer worry about feeding my own ego like I did in my early 20’s.

Being a gay man to me is much more than helping people accept the fact that I love other men. I feel that that is something that shouldn’t even be questioned. I like that I can present myself as a person who is happy with who he is, no matter what that is. I am comfortable in my own skin. I treat people right and it makes me happy to connect with people on a personal level. I have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t enjoy being around me. I’m happy being who I am and what I’ve done with my life. I think that’s hard to find a fault in. I own my decisions and actions and don’t regret much. If someone doesn’t like me than it’s only because I represent some fault in themselves that they’re insecure about.

My coming out was not nearly as dramatic as most gay men. I came out to my two siblings on my 21st birthday which resulted in a group hug and cheers. My mother’s reaction was simply, “well now we can FINALLY talk about it!” I didn’t come out to my Dad until I brought home a boyfriend when I was 26. He was happy to meet him and they bonded over talking about photography. I’ve always felt that my sexuality is as big of a deal as I make it out to be. I’m incredibly proud to be gay and I would never want any alternative reality. Being gay has brought so many opportunities that I would have never had as a straight man. I’ve met incredible and colorful people from around the world and been able to do things that the average person from La Grande Oregon will never be able to do. Being gay has pushed me to know myself well and to give myself permission to have faults and embrace what makes me an individual.”

THE GAY MEN PROJECT

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

Monthly Archives: July 2013

Faces: Chris from Syracuse, Rishi from New York City

Samuel, Writer, New York City

Michael, Grade School Teacher, Portland, Ore.