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

Alden, in his own words: “My experience as a gay man has been such an evolution that I’m not sure I can define it in any way that would leave me satisfied. At times it hasn’t played a role in my life (to my knowledge) and like many I tried to suppress it’s role for quite a while. I began coming out when I was asked by a new friend just after I had graduated college and moved to Boston if I was straight or gay, and I decided to be honest. It took quite a while to fully come out. The most important people I came out to were my parents and I did this in a thank you note on my birthday just last year (in 2011). I thanked them for giving me the opportunities they have, and the privileges, and dropped the ‘I’m gay’ at the end hoping it would be as casual as ‘best regards’.

At that point I had mentally come so far that it was casual, it had become just another facet . . . not a defining aspect. I think it’s somewhere in the middle of these(a defining facet perhaps?). Most of the challenges I’ve experienced have been with myself I’d say. I stood in my own way for a long time before coming out, and dragged my feet a bit in finally doing so. Now that I am out and living New York my experience has been interesting. It’s easy to find yourself falling at different points on the litmus test of ‘straight’ to ‘gay’ scenes depending on what kind of evening you’re looking for, and my experience has led me to nights out with friends in gay bars, and straight alike. I’m only on my 6th month here, so I’m looking positively toward my future more easily than reflecting on my recent past.”

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

photo by Kevin Truong

Joseph, in his own words: “”For me being gay, especially in these times, needs to be political. We are in the midst of a civil rights movement based on our sexuality. My politics is art, and my art is theatre. As a gay artist I have a responsibility to give voice to my community and tell our stories. Co-founding one of the countries few queer-centered theatre companies, Iron Crow Theatre, was very important to me and a significant step both politically and in my longing for storytelling through theatre. Through working in the theatre I can explore the human experience, and it has become my passion and a responsibility. And that human experience very much includes mine as a gay man.

I am very lucky to have a wonderfully supportive and open family who have always accepted me for who I am, including my sexuality. I came out at 20 years old and felt like I never looked back. I spent a number of years as a professional drag artist while I lived in NYC. How many people can say that their parents came to see them perform in drag, often with their friends in tow! Now those are really great parents! Early on in my coming out process, my parents seemed to be able to leave the questions of “why” and “how” about my sexuality behind in order to celebrate my individuality. I am very grateful for that and for them.”