Tag Archives: 2012

Joseph, Creative Director, San Francisco

photo by Kevin Truong

Joseph, in his own words: “Being gay is my sexual identity. It’s one part of my life. I proudly identify with it but it’s not the only part of my identity. I like to think that in the 21st century that gay men are much more than their sexual identity. We are an integral part of our society. We are a part of the fabric which elevates all our experiences.

My challenges as a gay man has been with our politics. We do not yet have equal rights and this is disconcerting since we live in a “democracy”.

The gay community in San Francisco has been a beacon for acceptance. I moved to San Francisco 3 days after Harvey Milk was killed. Since then there has been an enormous change in the city politics which has made it feel as though we are equal on all levels. I’m proud of how the city has embraced the gay population and the diversity of it.

I came out soon after moving to California. When I returned to my home in Michigan they did not understand what that meant, because of the times, but they let me know that I would always be part of the family. This was a revelation of their true love for me. I love them so much for this because they did not have the social support to make this leap. It was unconditional love.”

Dear Austin,

photo by Kevin Truong

You are a mothers dream come true! My dreams have always been for you to be HAPPY, HEALTHY, SELF RELIANT, SAFE AND …. SURROUNDED BY LOVING FRIENDS! You have managed to do all this, your whole life, AND SO MUCH MORE! You never cease to amaze me! You truly are an inspiration Austin. I know I haven’t been very open with my feelings about you being gay, but I want you to know how very proud of you I am. To be as strong as you are and LIVE YOUR LIFE as a HAPPY, HEALTHY, SELF RELIANT and SAFE person, surrounding yourself with loving friends………… See? You ARE making my dreams come true!

I’ve always told you that I wish I had a friend like you when I was growing up…. How did I get so blessed to actually have you for my son AND friend? You have taught me SO MUCH! I can honestly say, I look up to you. (not only because you are much taller than me…. Ha!) But because of your strength, determination, great personality, the wisdom you hold is way beyond your years…., the amazing relationship you and Larissa have (melts my heart), your intelligence (WOW), your zest for life, exploring, traveling, learning and growing….etc…….every single day of your entire life!

I am so thankful for you Austin. You have made an extremely important difference in my life and I know with every new step you have taken in your journeys, you have made a difference in so many other lives as well. Thank you for being such an inspiration…..

With all my love forever and always, Mom

Oscar, Writer, San Francisco

photo by Kevin Truong

Oscar, in his own words: “‘Confessions of a Boy Toy’ is a futuristic gay love story where humans have cyborg devices implanted in their bodies, and love at first sight seems to be a thing of the past:

Wilde flinched into consciousness, awaking to the sounds of morning, construction outside the window. The first sensation was that of his bare butt gracing the maroon sheets made of silk as he slipped into a sit up. He rubbed his temples, forcing for the pain to fade. Like many nights before when cocktails and curiosity had led him away from his own bed and into new territory, he had passed out before he could switch off his Eyes. The disks now felt heavy, bombarded and drained, causing a sophisticated pain in his head. But this inconvenient, morning after ache had never stopped him from ending the night crashing elsewhere. The thing about Wilde was that he could comfortably fall asleep anywhere, under the most absurd of circumstances, even in a stranger’s bed. Not that anyone nowadays could be considered a stranger.

Wilde didn’t have to use his exhausted Eyes to detect and recognize this man still sleeping next to him with his face plummeted deep inside the pillow. Wilde remembered everything about the night prior, even his ephemeral biting of this man’s grooved skin, where his shoulder blades met the neck. What Wilde couldn’t forget either was the moment when they had made Eye contact at the holiday party seven weeks ago, how boldly this man had offered to get him a drink and then another, and the eventual cluttering of emotions that had urged Wilde to follow this man—his boss—all the way to bed.”

THE GAY MEN PROJECT

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

Tag Archives: 2012

Joseph, Creative Director, San Francisco

Dear Austin,

Oscar, Writer, San Francisco