Tag Archives: apartments

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.”

John, San Francisco

photo by Kevin Truong

John, in his own words: “Coming out of the closet was much more about the anticipation. After it was all said and done, everyone I loved still loved me and no one was devastated or anything. And moving to San Francisco from Phoenix was an easy choice. It’s cliche but San Francisco is a bubble. It’s a very small community where you see a lot of the same people all of the time. But it gives it a small town feeling that’s nice and welcoming. I was out with some other gay friends a few nights ago and we were all just going around telling stories about what we’ve been up to. One friend finally says “Wow, being gay is awesome.” It’s hard to describe what that captures but I have to say at the end of the day, it can be a pretty great life.”

Josh, Law Student, San Francisco

photo by Kevin Truong

Josh, in his own words: “When I was a little kid I had gymnast Barbie. She was awesome. So awesome that I wanted to bring her to show and tell. My mom sat me down and said, “Josh, if you take her to school, the kids WILL make fun of you” to which I responded, “I don’t care, I love her.”

She was right of course. But as I rode home on the bus in a seat by myself–while everyone else squeezed in three to a seat–I was smiling because I got to sit next to the coolest Barbie of 1997.

Being gay, for me, is telling that story at a party and having an entire room of people nod their heads and laugh in understanding.”

photo by Kevin Truong

THE GAY MEN PROJECT

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

Tag Archives: apartments

Joseph, Creative Director, San Francisco

John, San Francisco

Josh, Law Student, San Francisco