photo by Kevin Truong
David, Fashion Editor and Designer, London
Tag Archives: fashion
Kevin, Store Planning and Artist/Designer, New York City
photo by Kevin Truong
Kevin, in his own words “It is hard (to define myself); I usually joke and say; “I am never too much; always enough and a little more” I have been eccentric and overly zealous/energetic my entire life; thus my identity has always been identified with a lot of smiles, questions, impossible ideas, and tons of energy. I have been very fortunate to live a life where my sexuality has not defined me or limited me. Because I was always surrounded with love and support, I was able to focus on who I wanted to be and what I wanted. Sexuality did not play a part; happiness did. I am happy. It is a statement.
My family and friends (are important to me); staying true to myself. My family means so much; we are so different in how our paths have been driven/are going, but they have always supported me. I have always been defiant and insistent on being independent, but my family knows me, and everytime I go home; I have a lot of catching up to do, but it’s as I never left. I know everybody says friends are important; but friends to me are so important because, friends here in NYC are my family away from home. A lot of my friends know me on different levels than my family, so we can connect, learn, and grow from each other. They are my inspiration, they are my support system. “True to oneself” is also a popular response I feel; but I think genuinity is important; once you are content with yourself and who you are; you should exude that genuine confidence to help others experience it! I also think my hobbies are so important; my art and running. Hobbies are a release, self expression. If I did not run or collage, I would self destruct within moments.
(Being gay) means I am a man who likes other men; that is it. I am very old-fashioned; thus I love a romanticized, chivilristic concept; however, I do understand that I do not want to be tied to heteronormative rules of a boy/girl relationship. I want to make my own rules with the guy I fall head over heels for.
(With regards to the gay community in New York) To be honest; I work to much to comment on the community here. I feel as though because I have not been immersed in it; I am ignorant to the majority of its happenings. I do think that gay men are integral pieces woven into the fabric of New York past and present, and definately future. They are in every sector, field, neighborhoold, out or not. I do think there is an identifiable culture associated with the gay scene; I just unfortunately have never been able to experience it first hand.
(With regards to challenges I’ve faced as a gay man) This is a challenging question because I feel as though my sexualty has never been a factor in my growth/development. I think the one true challenge for me exists in fighting a stereotype. I do love fashion and do showcase that to the public; I do, on occasion, wear make up; but I feel as though many people feel they can stereotype a gay male into a specific category (meaning one). I am not sure our sexuality should factor into segregation. I felt before moving to New York City, in Rhode Island my sexuality was an apparant part of who I was because I did stand out a bit more. When I moved to New York, I seemed to fit in; and my sexuality mattered less, and who I was as a person came through more. I think if people look past their notion or concept of a stereotype and forget sexuality and look at the person; they would discover so much more. “
photo by Kevin Truong
Michael, Videographer, San Francisco
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
Michael, in his own words “The week before I started college I took a trip to LA by myself. I didn’t have much money so I walked everywhere around Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset. Did the touristy stuff but preferred the thrifting and people watching on Melrose Ave. It was early in the morning my second day there I ran into a boy. Up to this point of my life I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t flirted with another man but this was the first time the affections and intrigue was reciprocated without all the secrecy or shame. We had an uncommon amount of things in common at first glance. We hung out all day together. He snuck me into a bar to meet his best friend, this monster of a man standing 6 foot 5 and a father of 2. The most amazing thing about that day was watching these two friends, one gay and one straight, joking and giving each other shit about past times, sometimes about each other’s sexuality but in the most loving way possible. I had never seen such an exchange between two people that, in my mind, were completely separate and defined as unequal. All these preconceived notions, these social barriers I had placed upon myself without even realizing it, gone in one open and warm conversation with complete strangers.
That first kiss though… electric. Like all the anticipation and rejection lead up to that one soft kiss that eventually led to others. I’ll never forget it. We spent the next 4 days attached at the hip. I cried the day I had to fly back. So did he. The goodbye was brief, poignant for a first timer but that day was long from over.
I arrived back home to begin my drive from Yakima, Washington to Seattle to start my first semester. My father knew something was wrong as I packed silently, lethargically, eyes unnaturally swollen and distant. He asked what was wrong and I remember this little ember of defiance lit the stack. It took a couple of befuddled attempts but I admitted that I was gay as I tried carrying out a box to the car. I had to put the box down to cry again. Through the tears I saw my dad shaking his head, “I don’t care.” He said in the most sympathetic way he could muster before he hugged me. We packed the rest of my things as I told him an edited version of what happened in LA. Now my father was the silent one. The trip to Seattle is a bit over 2 hours and my father sobbed most of the way without explanation. Dishonor kept coming to mind but not enough to counter the relief of it all.
After getting my little room set up downtown, I goodbye’d a second time. There was obviously a lot that needed to be said but we saved it for the future. Over dinner about a year later I asked why he had cried on the trip to school, figuring he was a bit ashamed or confused about it all. He said matter of factly, “There are people in this world that don’t care much for people like you. I was leaving you in a big city, two hours away where I can’t protect you from them. It was a bit too much for me to think about. You’re lucky I wasn’t driving because I would have taken you straight home.” My father and I didn’t have the best relationship growing up. We were too similar and butted heads too often but after I came out we have developed an amazing friendship. I wouldn’t trade that man for the world. The boy and I still chat from time to time.”