Tag Archives: the gay men project

Joseph, Actor and Director, Baltimore

photo by Kevin Truong

Joseph, in his own words: “”For me being gay, especially in these times, needs to be political. We are in the midst of a civil rights movement based on our sexuality. My politics is art, and my art is theatre. As a gay artist I have a responsibility to give voice to my community and tell our stories. Co-founding one of the countries few queer-centered theatre companies, Iron Crow Theatre, was very important to me and a significant step both politically and in my longing for storytelling through theatre. Through working in the theatre I can explore the human experience, and it has become my passion and a responsibility. And that human experience very much includes mine as a gay man.

I also have the honor to also be an arts educator. I teach at one of the two high schools for performing arts in the Baltimore area (One could consider it the FAME of Baltimore, I feel like I am part “Mr. Farrell, part “Ms. Lydia”…watch out Debbie Allen). I am amazed and very moved by the number of out LGBT kids in my school. And I am often overwhelmed with their sense of identity, courage and joy in/for who they are. There lives today is very far from the scared teenager at an all boys Catholic high school that was my expereince in the late 80’s.

I am very lucky to have a wonderfully supportive and open family who have always accepted me for who I am, including my sexuality. I came out at 20 years old and felt like I never looked back. I spent a number of years as a professional drag artist while I lived in NYC. How many people can say that their parents came to see them perform in drag, often with their friends in tow! Now those are really great parents! Early on in my coming out process, my parents seemed to be able to leave the questions of “why” and “how” about my sexuality behind in order to celebrate my individuality. I am very grateful for that and for them.”

Donnie, Assistant Director, New York City

photo by Kevin Truong

Donnie, in his own words: “Being gay means to me that I have to take on the world in ways that people think are not possible. I believe that people assume from the beginning when they meet a gay person that we are going to be to much to handle and have no values. But I have always known that I was different and that at the same time wanted to compete in the world with the big dogs. Being gay means to me just having my say in the world.

I have some amazing people in my life and the only challenge that I feel that I have faced was not feeling like I could come out sooner. I have learned that you have to love yourself before anyone can love you. That is something that I’m learning everyday of my life because at times I’m allowing others to love me and return forget about self loving.

When it comes to the gay scene in Boston I often wonder myself what is it. I have not experience much of the gay scene here and I don’t think that I really want to. The New York scene is a scene that I think is very interesting. There are places that I have been that are just full of men who are on the down low to places were you meet gay men who are working in Education to Finance. I think the NY scene is one of the most amazing scenes I have witnessed and at the same time as I get old my scene continues to change.

(With regards to my coming out story) On September 12, 2009 I remember waking up crying because I had to call and tell my father that I was in fact gay. That was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do and I was so relieved that I felt so comfortable telling all of my friends. I don’t think of myself as someone who came out. I just feel that I allowed myself to feel comfortable with my sexuality and wanted to feel comfortable in the place I was at the time. My friends were totally fine with the fact that I was gay and if they weren’t it wouldn’t really matter because I needed to be happy.”

A Note From Aaron in Guam…

“Hafa adai (hello) Kevin,

Greetings from the beautiful paradise of Guam! I hope this e-mail finds you in good spirits. I am so moved and inspired by your project (http://thegaymenproject.com) and was delighted to read that you wanted people from across the world to share their stories.

Here is mine (ours)-

My name is Aaron and I am 25 years old. My boyfriend (partner) is Donald Rubinstein and he is 65 years old.

I was an actor for an independent Filipino-American movie that was shot on and showcased in Guam the Philippines. On Guam, Donald was a VIP ticket holder for all movies in the film festival (which included the movie I was in). At the film festival, we started a conversation about the economic and social inequality (that exists on island) that was analyzed in one of the films. Donald asked me if we could have a coffee date to further discuss this issue. I agreed.

What was originally set to be a coffee date, became dinner at a fine dining restaurant. And the rest was history.

Despite our age difference of four decades (whew! wow, right?!), we manage to make it work. There is never a dull moment when we are together. Our conversations last hours upon hours, from morning to night.

Since we’ve been together (over 16 months and counting), we have travelled to eight different countries. Waking up to him and falling a sleep next to him is priceless.

We love, care for, and adore one another. He is a blessing to me and for that I am truly thankful.

Here are some pictures of us.

Sincerely,

Aaron and Donald”