Author Archives: thegaymenproject

About thegaymenproject

The Gay Men Project is a photo project by New York based photographer Kevin Truong. Truong received his BFA in from photography from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, and his photo credits include the New York Times.

Brett, Database Analyst, Little Rock, Arkansas

photo by Kevin Truong

Brett, in his own words: “Being gay is my sexual identity. Being gay plays a large role in the choices I make politically. I am not a one issue voter, but gay rights and marriage equality are extremely important.

The biggest challenge that I have had is recovering from pneumocystis in 1996. I spent 7 weeks in the hospital that summer. The biggest success is the recovery of my immune system after protease inhibitors were created in 1996. Perfect timing.

The gay community in Little Rock and central Arkansas is like most areas now. There is still some discrimination, but for the most part gays live, work and play along side everyone else. We’re in the same struggle as most states over marriage equality and waiting to see how far up the courts it goes. Was a beautiful summer here going to weddings of same sex couples.

I came out at 19 while in the Navy. A buddy in boot camp said he knew I was gay and took me to my first gay bar in Orlando, FL in 1982. I really never had any issue after that. My family gave me hell over it for a few years, then they got over it.

I would tell my younger self to relax and don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Terry, Comic Book Artist, Portland, Oregon

photo by Kevin Truong

Terry, in his own words: “I like to think that to me, being gay means simply that I am attracted to the same gender. Where I grew up if you didn’t play sports, you were gay or got called gay, so I though that liking art and music and anything that wasn’t football was closely associated with being gay. To some degree, maybe it is, but having seen a good portion of the world and meeting more gay people who have varied interests and desires helps me see that what makes us similar is merely who we are attracted to.

The challenges I’ve had I think have been personal, meaning, I had to learn to accept myself so I could find the strength to tell those who didn’t accept me that their opinion of who I am doesn’t matter. It’s not easy to focus and be productive in any kind of work if you are constantly worried what others think of who you are. The successes I’ve had? I suppose finishing art school, running a web comic I’m proud of and joining a terrific studio full of great artists here in Portland, Periscope Studio.

I’m not sure how I would identify the gay community in Portland. I tend to gravitate towards making friends and fostering great relationships more through game nights and movie nights and books clubs than going out to bars. I haven’t ever wanted to categorize or assume what the gay community would be like through my experiences at a bar or a club. I don’t feel that’s accurate. Peacock in the Park was fantastic as I felt a sense of community from Portland gays that day.

I came out to most of my friends once I came home from my two year stint as a Mormon missionary, but that was a bit easier considering I moved far away from my family. Several years ago I came out to my sister who was great but a year after that I came out to my parents through a letter. I felt it was the best way I knew for me to get out everything I wanted to say without being interrupted and leave the ball in their court. It didn’t go too well at first, but things are getting better.

I would tell my younger self to save more money and finish college quicker.”

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Drexler, Stylist, Portland, Oregon

photo by Kevin Truong

Drexler, in his own words: “Being gay is just a minor facet of who I am. It means I’m attracted to the same sex and adds another notch of diversity even though I feel no greater difference than others.

Challenges I’ve had would be people assuming, especially my straight guy friends, that because I’m gay I’m automatically attracted to them or that I only like sports to check the guys out. Things of that nature. Being pinpointed in certain conversations based upon my sexuality. Also not being able to be completely open with family members of strict religious backgrounds in fear of judgement. Successes I’ve had would be my happiness which was a long struggle to fight for and to finally be happy is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

The gay community in Portland is small, catty, but underneath it all is very protective of one another. I have a crew that consists of gay straight lesbian bi and trans and we keep to ourselves and yet maintain our aquaintence and respect for the community.

(With regards to a coming out story) I don’t really have one. Once I fully came out to myself I accepted it, told a friend who already had a hunch and it kind of slowly spread which initially pissed me off but I’m now grateful. There were people who literally stopped talking to me but that’s their loss.

I would tell my younger self to eat less. Workout more. Don’t cut your hair. Don’t blow your money. And yes. It’s perfectly normal and natural to be gay!”