Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ryou, Advertising, Tokyo, Japan

photo by Kevin Truong

Ryou, in his own words: “Gay only means this person has a different sexual preference. It doesn’t take away anything from who they are. I’m always looking for somebody who would end up being the same group to me not by skin color or nationality or religion, sexuality, but by lifestyle, sense of value, beliefs and stance and such.I always look pass everyone’s difference. Soon I forget they are gay, bisexual or lesbian because I don’t judge anyone.

Can’t think of (any challenges),but in the next 3 years I have to challenge myself to create my own media.

I haven’t yet (officially) told my mom and dad (I’m gay). When I applied to grad school at the Department of Cultural Anthropology five years ago, I wrote essays about the gay scene in Japan and my parents found it, and asked me about my sexuality. I pretended like it was just a subject and that me myself was straight, and they said okay. They have already noticed, and at the same time don’t want to accept it maybe.

(With regards to the gay scene in Tokyo) I’ve never felt so lame personally. There’re so-so many gay clubs, bars, events. Ni-chōme further distinguishes itself as Tokyo’s hub of gay subculture, housing the world’s highest concentration of gay bars. But that doesn’t mean the city itself is gay friendly.

In the social scene, the dominant trope in mainstream television and journalism is male homosexuality as gender crossing. In other words, male homosexuality is inextricably linked to a form of gender misalignment that results in feminine males. Homosexuality is still a taboo in Japan. Many dialogues are still taking place among queers. LGBT politics in Japan isn’t that simple, but some people are trying to change it.

(this year,Tiga ishikawa<石川大我> aimed to Become japan’s first openly gay parliament member,but he couldn’t.)

(Advice I’d give my younger self) Never try to be somebody who you are really not.”

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.”

Kevin, Writer, Nairobi, Kenya

photo by Kevin Truong

Kevin, in his own words: “Being gay to me is about being myself. Too be honest, I don’t think about it much. I just get on with my business and being myself. I’m a guy attracted to guy and I’m trying to make something of my life and do my best to make this world are better place for all of us.

I’m trying not to worry about the small stuff. That is something I have tended to do lots. I’m fortunate to be living in a beautiful country, it has its challenges, lots of them. There is the societal pressure, pressure to conform, apathy, political challenges, conservatism, etc. Personally, trying to be myself in an environment that is cautious of difference is a challenge. I know this is not unique to Kenya, but it’s the one challenge that I am trying to deal with.

I’ve have many successes, however, I look back at this year and 2014 will always stand out for me. I got my anthology/book on Kenya LGBT stories published which resulted in my public coming out. I’ve met interesting people as a result of Invisible being published. Had conversations with individuals who are struggling with their own sexuality. I’ve been able to tell the Kenyan story and what it’s like to be gay in Kenya and I believe I’ve done a good job of it. I describe myself as a storyteller, which is why I enjoy journalism and I’ve been fortunate to tell an important story.

I’m still on the journey of self-discovery and I’m re-discovering my love for words. I’ve been fortunate to have many successes, because I love trying new things and seeing new things. I’ve surrounded myself with people who have seen something in me and they’ve encouraged me to go out and try and achieve more. I’ve learnt from my family, friends and peers and I’m still learning.

The urge to learn and explore for me is the bedrock of the successes that life has given me. I’m still learning and enjoying this process.

There is a vibrant, yet underground scene in Nairobi. There are networks that support one another, that party together, that play together and that grow together. It may not be out to the public eye like in more liberal societies, but it’s OUT there.

(Advice I’d give my younger self) Don’t be afraid to speak, share your thoughts and question and continue seeing the world, embracing diversity. Don’t be afraid of mistakes no one is perfect.”