D'Angelo's Story
By D'Angelo,
Former Peer Educator with YouthHIV
My name is D'Angelo,
and I am a 22-year-old gay male. My ethnicity is black
and Hispanic, and I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. I am back
in Washington
now after being away for four years for college, and
I am working full-time to save money for graduate school. I plan to
study for
a master's degree in counseling so that I can be a licensed
youth counselor.
After remembering how hard it was for me to come out and to accept my homosexuality,
I felt the need to help other young people learn to appreciate and become comfortable
with themselves as gay individuals before they experienced some of the same
difficulties that I did. Coming out wasn't as bad an experience, but it was
still tough, nonetheless.
My great grandmother is from the Dominican Republic. I was raised almost completely
within black culture, but there were some Latin influences as well. For instance,
Thanksgiving dinner typically consisted of turkey, collard greens, fried chicken,
chitterlings, flan, arroz con pollo, and chili con carne, among other dishes.
We danced the merengue and the electric slide at family gatherings.
Both black and Hispanic cultures are strong, faithful, and proud—which
can be good and bad when coming to terms with being gay. It's good because
I learned at an early age to be confident and proud of who I am. I learned
that life can bring hard times, but I will survive them and persevere, just
like my ancestors did. It's bad, on the other hand, because black and Hispanic
loved ones can be too strong-willed, faithful, and proud to accept me for the
person that I am. I can remember when I was six-years-old and said to myself, "I'm
goin' to Hell, and Mom, Dad, and everyone are gonna hate me because I like
boys!" Growing up, I knew that my family wouldn't disown me for being
gay, but I did not know if they'd continue to love and treat me the way that
they did before I came out. I tried to deny my sexuality for years, to please
the people in my life; however I was failing to please the most important person
in my life—me! I love my friends and family dearly, but I couldn't live
my life this way any longer. I had to come out!
I am lucky! A number of my friends and family are now aware of my sexuality,
and they are coping positively. I've received more curious questions from them
than I have biased opinions. I feel like they are finally realizing that I
am the same D'Angelo they remember from before learning about my homosexuality.
The only difference is that I love differently from how they expected. I'm
glad that they understand being gay is the only way that I can live my life
and still be comfortable in my own skin.
I like to help other youth of color who are struggling to accept their sexuality
and to come out to their family and community. I understand far too well the
pressures and hardships that they face. Assisting youth of color is my way
of also helping communities that aren't educated about sexual orientation.
That needs to change!
VIEW
STORIES FROM MORE YOUTH ACTIVISTS >>
ARE YOU A YOUTH ACTIVIST? CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR STORY >>
 Send this page to a friend >>
|
