The gay man you see is not me. The feminine mannerisms, or the so-called “lifestyle” that I live are not me.

I am a son who was raised to respect his parents and the women in his life, and to love people of other faiths, and those with a skin tone different from my own. I am an uncle who hopes to teach his nephews to survive elementary school, and a grandson who hurts when he is not welcome at family gatherings.

I am a student who is overwhelmed by balancing my grades, a job, a social life. I am not the fashion-obsessed shop-a-holic, or the helpless AIDS patient the media portrays me as. I am a man who dreams of spending my life with an intelligent, dedicated partner, and raising an elegant daughter, or a creative son, yet fears a life of loneliness.

My queerness is a part of me because it strengthens me, it teaches me, it hurts me. Please don’t judge me by my sexuality.

Please see me for me.