Tag Archives: kevin truong

Chu, Copywriter, Ho Chi Minh City

photo by Kevin Truong

Chu, in his own words:“Mr. Washington said people have their right for happiness. And by happiness, some will enjoy covering. Some find it fun exposing under the sun. I’m the second type. Of course, I am not the vampire to hide even though I can bite. (Seriously, I don’t judge. Ok, I know I am judging :P)
I was born gay, I think so. Especially, when I have the one and only grandmother who did prepare me a gift of a doll instead of a car on the day I was born. She did give me the doll. And, I am happy for that.

I have faced with all the mocking things since I was 3 in the kinder garden. Then, I get used to it when I grow up. I am just being myself; I am too big to hide, by the way. I accepted myself quite easily. It’s not a struggle like other normal Asian stories that you may hear about. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it wrong being a gay. I’m too western, my mom said. When you are in a family where all people are American oriented, and you are working in international advertising industries in which gays rule, you’ll find it easy to be accepted.

I remember once when I’ve been to a church, a man had told me: you cannot choose your life plan, as God has already made it. However, you can choose how to finish his plan, your way with his guide. I believe it. So, I exposed myself to everyone. Oh, but not my mom and my family, sorry, because I don’t think they can handle it. However, I found releasing, when my mom talking to me: “what if I give you the money, you go to Thailand and get your gender fixed”.

Accepting is one of the big challenges I can conquer.

I find happy with the current situation. I respect other people finding their true gender with surgery. I just want to finish the plan that God gave me, naturally. It will make no difference if I transform into a girl, or try to be a straight, I think. The grass is always greener on the other side, I think. However, it’s Asia I am living in. There are still some offenses. Coming out is not that easy. 2 of my Ex get married to women, because families wanted them to. But I still think, Ho Chi Minh City is soon a gay heaven after Bangkok.

In the jungle city like mine, Ho Chi Minh City, the changes are equal to gay and non-gay. It’s the mix culture environment where gay is not something so horrible. It’s not abnormal, it’s not special. We get many gay talents here. So the gay life in this city is blooming and interesting. That’s why; I found no reason to keep myself away from the world I belong. Trying denial, you lose the chance to be happy.

And, being gay gives me chance to meet more people, to know more things interestingly. By being gay, I have met my friends, and I have the chance to go to Paris, my dream-come true place. And, I don’t have to deal with marriage headache (lol).

I admire ones who fight for gays right. I wish world peace (so “Miss Congeniality”), happiness and peace to all. No more hide; it’s the time for us to show ourselves. The time of men had passed; the age of women power is soon gone, now it’s the time of 3rd world.”

Morgan and Fabien, Accountants, Paris

photo by Kevin Truong

Fabien, in his own French words: “Pour moi être gay n’est pas une différence. Lorsque je sors de chez moi, je ne me sens pas différent des gens que je croise.

Etre gay par contre m’a toujours imposé de faire plus d’efforts, par crainte d’être rejeté ou rabaissé, j’en ai toujours fait plus que les autres. J’ai toujours voulu être parfait aux yeux de ma famille, de mes amis et dans mon travail. J’ai probablement fait passé mon bonheur après celui de ceux qui m’entourent. La vie m’a malheureusement montrée que ce n’était probablement pas la meilleur technique. J’espère avoir appris de mes erreurs.

La communauté gay se retrouve principalement dans le Marais. C’est n’est pas un mode de vie à mes yeux, mais plutôt un lieu de vie. On s’y retrouve, on s’y sent bien. La population peut être superficielle, parfois même provocatrice, mais c’est un lieu dans lequel nous n’avons plus à subir de contraintes ou d’appréhensions et la vie y est très agréable. Quand on est en couple, le Marais peut même devenir un véritable ring… mais avec un peu d’intelligence et de bons amis, on dépasse facilement certaines épreuves.

Mon coming out s’est fait progressivement, d’abord les amis et certains proches… et puis un jour, par amour, j’ai voulu que mon ami participe à nos repas de famille comme le faisait toute les amies de mes grands frères. C’était un moment difficile, j’avais terriblement peur de décevoir mes parents, et pourtant j’en garde un très bon souvenir. Les personnes que j’aime m’acceptent sans problème et c’est tout ce qui compte.”

photo by Kevin Truong

A Note From Chris and Chris, in VA…

“Chris and Chris were married on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Las Caletas, a private island cove in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Accessible only by sea, and once the private home of film director, John Huston, Las Caletas’ secluded beach and majestic Sierra Madre Mountains served as the tropical backdrop for their destination wedding. Family and friends boarded a luxury catamaran for cocktails and h’ordeuvres and sailed to Las Caletas for a private sunset ceremony, followed by dinner, entertainment, and an open bar reception on the beach. The newlyweds are still in honeymoon mode and plan to frequent Mexico on future vacations.”