Tag Archives: lgbtq

Avraam, Social Worker, Athens, Greece

photo by Kevin Truong

Avraam, in his own words: “Being -openly- gay in Greece is not that easy because of the fear of being bullied or attacked by homophobes. But this is not an option, but a big challenge that makes me feel special. I really enjoy being gay, I have the need to express what I feel without guilt, I love kissing and holding hands in public with my boyfriends and I think homosexuality is the greatest gift nature could ever give me.

I always wanted to be myself without caring about what people think and I made it happen. I achieved becoming an activist fighting against all types of discrimination and standing up for human rights. I give my big smile to everyone, I don’t hide behind my finger, I show people my real feelings and always tell the truth although our society is absolutely addicted to lies.

My whole life is a short coming out story. If you come out of the closet once, you will love this taste of freedom and you will never ever want to go back inside it again. This is the quote I want all of us to memorize and believe in. I’m openly gay not just for me, but for all those who are afraid of expressing themselves and because I can’t imagine myself without fighting for equality. People can be judgmental, but I have nothing to feel ashamed of. The closet has been burnt.

After the Greek Parliament voted for civil partnership equality into law in December 2015, I feel like many things are getting better for us. The gay community in Athens is like a big vibrant village trying to be more visible, have a stronger voice and attract more allies. There is a large number of LGBTQ+ associations that is growing all the time and a developing gay village in an area called Gazi. But to be honest, there is something that has always bothered me: many gay men prove that they experience internalized homophobia and others tend to be really exclusive in their everyday lives. While browsing profiles on dating apps, it’s not that difficult to notice that the majority of gay men hide their faces, they can be rude and aggressive when you are not into them and outspoken about not liking ‘fats’, ‘thins’, ‘fems’, ‘older’ etc.

(Advice I’d give to my younger self) Kid, be more productive, be careful who you trust, f*ck them all, love yourself and celebrate your gay pride!”

Carlos Bruce, Congressman, Lima, Peru

photo by Kevin Truong

Carlos Bruce, in his own words: What’s the condition like for LGBT individuals in Peru?

Bruce: It’s difficult, but changing. It used to be more difficult in the past, but still Lima and Peru is a very conservative country and a conservative society, but things are starting to change. The effort to put the issue of LGBT rights on the national agenda has stepped forward. I’m the first openly gay politician, which is also showing that things are starting to change. Maybe it’s late, but it’s starting anyway.

How did you get to that decision to come out and has it been difficult?

Bruce: I presented this bill for civil unions for LGBT people and there were a lot of stupid arguments being said and I thought it was useful to see that one can be a minister, one can be a Congressman, and your sexual orientation has nothing to do with it, so I think it was a good moment, and it was a good cause to do it and so I did it, and I’m still alive (laughs).

What was the response when you came out?

Bruce: In the internet there were all types of insults, but I have to say that in the streets, in person, I haven’t received one expression against me because I’ve said publicly my sexual orientation. Not even one. It’s very strange because we Congressman are not very popular here in Peru, you’re used to receiving some types of not so good comments, but since I made public my sexual orientation (there has been) not even one expression against me and I think that’s a way of people saying ‘Ok, I respect what you have done.’”

And what is your hope for LGBT individuals in the future?

Bruce: What everybody wants as human beings, just to be treated equally, and I hope that Peru is going to be in that position soon. I think we have to put the issue on the national agenda, I don’t know if my bill is going to be approved or not with this Congress, but I’m sure in the next presidential campaign the issue is going to be on the table and all the presidential candidates will have to have a position on this issue and I’m sure that the next Congress will probably be a Congress that will be more sympathetic to pass some legislation to assure rights for the LGBT couples.

If you could give advice to a young kid around the world who is gay, what would you say?

Bruce: Don’t lose hope. It’s very difficult, we all have to pass through this process when you discover you are different from your mates, and you try to fix it so that you can be the same as them and you discover that it cannot be fixed. What I’m trying to tell these young people is that there’s nothing to be fixed. We all tried to fix it but there’s nothing to be fixed because there’s nothing wrong. There’s a future for you, you can be a Minister, you can be a Congressman, and who knows, you can be a President.

Marcus, Network Desk Operator/Animal Activist, Bratislava, Slovakia

photo by Kevin Truong

Marcus, in his own words: “For me being gay expresses mostly the sexuality and gender that you are attracted most to, and who you choose to love. It also means being yourself, to live life how you want without restrictions, to kiss your partner when you feel you want to, hold his hand, and to love passionately.

Well, there were many challenges (in my life) and I believe that all of them has its importance and moves you forward. When I was a teenager I was pretty curious about sexuality and sex itself, so I had met a few guys to have fun with. But the first one I had met, gave me something that others hadn’t, so we had kind of a relationship. He was a person with some past, so he practically showed me the gay scene. I trusted him, and betrayal happened. It was some time that we were not in much contact. I had to do some checkups, and the doctor also needed to test my partner, so I informed him, but the doctor said he was not coming, therefore I gave her his name. The next information that was given to me was that this man was tested for HIV and his results were positive. The worst thing is that he knew and didn’t tell me anything. It was a really hard part of my life for me and my family. Luckily the tests said I was healthy. I still get tested regularly and I also check and ask my partners about their health.

Now I can say that the success is that I’m healthy and alive (haha) J but it is true. Things at home weren’t as good as I would like them to be at that time, so I was dreaming about living on my own live. The first time I left was when I was 17. I had graduated from high school, while I had a little business with jewelry with my boyfriend. That guy that I had met when I was 17 and I realized that I wanted him so much, that I decided I had to get him, so that was the success no. 2 🙂 We were together a lot of beautiful and hard times as well, that kind of relationship gives you the experiences you need. And today I live with my friends in Bratislava, and I have job that I love, perfect people around me, am living a vegan lifestyle, and investing my free time in activism for animals and the environment.

My coming out story is long, it is being done as I go. When it comes to the topic, when somebody asks me about my partner I just respond about him in the masculine gender and thats it, sometimes people get it just as we have the conversation. However it started with my mom, when I was watching, or more like staring at Marilyn Manson’s clip (I think it was this is the new shit) actually I was staring at him because of his extravagancy, but she asked me if I was a bisexual so I just replied yes. She wasn’t excited about it, but I didn’t care 😉 We just had it hard with each other.

The gay community in Bratislava is.. .hmm thats the hard question. It is colorful like a rainbow I would say. Mostly you find here a lot of hookups like everywhere I think. Then there are the best guys that you don’t find because they already have boyfriends or they are just hidden, pretending to be straight. And then normal guys like me that are waiting for the right one, while working on myself.

To my younger myself I would give advice about being self-confident and to look at the things from a higher perspective. Every time. And mostly in hard times. Also to know that everything will always be okay, and if it is not, it is not the end. Everything happens for a reason and has its purpose. Always think with your head, don’t let others think for you! Live like a party monster, don’t dream it, be it!”