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
Melvin, in his own words: “Growing up as a gay middle class Indian American my struggles were nominal at best, but coming out is universally challenging. My need to make peace with my sexuality, faith, and self-image, along with parental and cultural expectations delayed the full-speed adolescent gay train within. Once I had the courage to come out, I realized I had built walls up between myself and those who unconditionally loved me. It didn’t all change overnight, and there are still periodic awkward conversations and tears, but I embraced my new role as living awareness campaign, educator.
My journey, our journey, continues. With courage, love, and authenticity; we must share our stories, it is how we will make our mark on this world.”
These are excellent, moving photographs, and Melvin is an intelligent, photogenic subject–to be sure! I wonder if he has read the excellent collection of short stories, *Quarantine,* by Rahul Mehta? While no two experiences are alike (and the stores are fiction) of course, this book might have some stories in it that are similar to Melvin’s experiences–or, better, Melvin might find things–situations, characters, feelings, ideas–in the book that resonate with his own experiences (or not). Thank you for sharing these.