Tag Archives: pictures of gay men

Claudio, Market Analyst, São Paulo

photo by Kevin Truong

Claudio, in his own words: “I’m writing a new chapter in my life. The pages to come are about learning to leave broken dream behind. These pages may seem painful, bitter and harsh, however it’s just the author’s process to find, among the broken sharp pieces, only the fresh, kind, and beautiful tenderness that bonded us.

If each year of our life were a chapter, I am at the chapter 32. The one I moved to Sao Paulo. The one I had to say goodbye to a beautiful lifetime project. The one I had to say hello to a new life.

New apartment, new job, new meetings, but trying to keep the old same sweetness for new dreams that lie ahead.”

Bryce, Scenic and Media Designer, New York City

photo by Kevin Truong

Bryce, in his own words: “Being gay means that I am: me… I suppose? In an ideal world me, being gay wouldn’t be a large part of my life, but alas it is. It means I’m honest with myself and truthfully, I find it hard to compare it to something or really know anything different. It’s normal. A constant.

I think because we are gay (or counter to the “norm”) we are subjected to the idea that we are different, somehow. Lady Gaga has really tapped into that market. [Her motto of: I’m different, you’re different…we’re the same! drives me insane.]

Now, I’ve had my share of glee and heartbreak, but nothing that isn’t relatable to our other straight counterparts. I am honestly no different then my straight male friends except- in our preference of gender.

Nonetheless, being gay is about honesty with myself and the people around me. I don’t try to hide it anymore- I just do me. And I hope that everyone else gay or straight, just does them. Because what’s the fun in being something you are not?

I am 22 years old.

I am a scenic and media designer.

I live in New York City.

And I am gay.”

Wade Addison, Digital Advocate, Brooklyn, NY

photo by Kevin Truong

Photo by Kevin Truong

Wade, in his own words: “Never forget…
When you felt so alone with your thoughts
When you felt like you had no one to turn to
When you thought the world would end if you admitted or accepted your truth
When you prayed night-after-night for God to free you from your “evil” thoughts and attractions
When you tossed and turned over the thought of not having a spouse or a family

Never forget…
The fear that your eyes would wander toward theirs
The pain of exposing yourself to rejection from an unreciprocated crush
The loss of a best friend who misunderstood
The torment that festered inside you
The guilt experienced from such simple, innocent attraction

Never forget…
How you felt as a young boy or girl with that secret
How you blushed because you related to the target of a friend or family member’s slurs
How it took you years to get you where you are today
How people in your life have supported you along the way
How many hardships and hard days you faced just because you are uniquely, beautifully you

Never forget…
Those who are still in such a dark place
Those who are and will be bullied today and tomorrow
Those who have years before they can escape
Those who daily seek to find something to just get them through their day
Those who were and are just like you and me

– – –

In light of not forgetting those LGBTQ teens who are still longing for better days:

For my 25th birthday, my friends helped me launch an initiative called 25 for Trevor. It’s a 25-day campaign to raise $25,000 for The Trevor Project, which is the United States’ leading provider of crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. You can learn more about their resources at www.thetrevorproject.org. I hope its services are soon modeled in other countries, if not already.

To support or learn more about 25 for Trevor, visit www.25fortrevor.com.Your donation goes toward these lifesaving resources that are so imperative for our young friends.”