Tag Archives: pictures of gay men

Eric, Marketing Geek, Montreal

photo by Kevin Truong

Eric, in his own words: “Maybe it’s because of the open-mindedness of Montreal and the way this city embraces the LGBT community, but I feel like being a gay man doesn’t have as much to do with homosexuality as much as it does self-admittance.

I am blessed to have grown up in a city like Montreal, in a mega-super liberal family and with friends who did everything they possibly could to make my coming out so enjoyable. My life isn’t “just as good” as it was prior to my coming out; it’s much much better. I think I’d be very unhappy if I were still closeted. I think that the suppression would prevent me from enjoying many of the things I love in my life that are completely unrelated to my sexuality.

Like I said, being gay is more about a general self-acceptance or self-admittance process. Yes, your sexuality is crucial, but I like to think that it goes way beyond that. I believe coming out is the first step, the first exercise of profound introspection. The thought process that comes with that is what I really treasure; being able to take the time to listen to yourself and take action upon your honest conclusions despite what others might say. I think being gay is about transparency and authenticity, not just you vs. society but also you vs. you (that’s usually the trickiest one). That’s what being gay actually helps you prioritize: your own personal welfare over your concern of other people’s opinions. And it’s always going to be work in progress. I like looking back at the past 4 years of my life and measuring where I was against what I’ve become. To add to that, I’m really excited about what’s coming next.

So when I look at any gay man, proudly wearing either hair or glitter on his chest (or both), I see a courageous person who was able to face his true self and change the things that didn’t make him happy.”

Reiner, Graphic Designer, Panama City

photo by Kevin Truong

Reiner, in his own words: “I used to think being gay, meant about rejections from the people you love, about the body, about parties, about sex and I was really scare about it but now I know that being gay its much bigger than that, it’s about being who you are no matter what, it’s about to loving yourself and always be proud.

Coming out for me was really easy and I’m very lucky I have the must wonderfull mother I can ever ask for, and I thought will be harder then that because I was comparing with my other friends experiences and I told her because I was in a relationship, I was traveling all the time and I was sick of so many lies, so I decided to make her part of my life and was a very emotional momment.

I was really scared and with my brother there to support me and I told her and she was like “so? what you expect me to do? You’re my son I have to love you no matter what” and she started to cry when she was talking, then my brother was crying too, and she hug me and told me “no matter what I will be here for you, because I love you and I am proud of you” and the very next day she was treating me like always just like my brothers, my dad and my friends when I came out with them.

So my story doesn’t have drama or hate and that’s why I feel lucky and proud to be gay. When it’s about to be gay in Panama its kind of hard because there is a lot of gossips and jealousy in this country, that’s why I refuse to let those with dirty feet walk through my mind, and just be happy.”

Kevin, Managing Director, Washington D.C.

photo by Kevin Truong

Kevin, in his own words: “For me, the heart doesn’t know the difference in race, sexuality, age, socioeconomic status, religion or really anything else for that matter; the heart only knows how I feel when I am in love. That love starts with loving yourself and every gay man has to go through the process of loving himself in a world where that love is not universally reciprocated. Coming out is a daunting, terrifying process but it is a liberation as well. Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, coming out as a gay man changes everything and you are finally able to truly be whole and know that you are living a life of honesty and truth after spending so much time “hidden”. It eventually becomes important to recognize that your sexuality is important, but it is a facet of who you are as a person and all the pieces have to be nurtured to create a complete, happy person but that path is walked by each person in their own way, with their own uniqueness and at their own pace. My own path has had it’s ups and downs, but I am stronger and more confident having walked it than had I remained “closeted”. I wish for each gay man to find his inner strength and walk that path towards loving self-acceptance.

I have been so lucky to find a wonderful community of friends in DC that have become my family in so many ways. These beautiful, loving, caring, brilliant men have supported and bolstered me and each other to be confident and strong as gay men. When I moved to DC, I made that decision because I wanted to be in a city that had a strong community and I wanted to be a part of that community. I can say that the gay men in DC are a wondrous mix of diversity from all over the globe and that creates a really amazing community. The gay men here have a tremendous passion to positively affect change and there is a level of activism that is un-paralleled in many other places and that energy creates a sense of accomplishment and pride in who we are and how we are trying to lead change to strengthen our community.

Be true to yourself and never compromise on your needs and eventually, all will be as it should be…”