Paris R.
QUEENS, NEW YORK
How would you identify your sexuality?
Gay and proud!
Describe your coming out. Are you coming out in some way by participating in this project?
I was always feminine growing up, and I knew that I was different; it wasn’t until I was a preteen that I understood what gay meant, and then I knew I was gay. Friends said I was gay in high school, but I wasn’t ready to handle it yet. It wasn’t till college, where I flung open the door and was able to say loud and proud, “I’m gay.” I’m pretty sure my parents knew in the back of their minds after watching me singing songs by the Spice Girls covered in body glitter during the fourth grade talent show, but it was still shocking to hear me say it after twenty years.
If you could change one thing about mainstream society to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, what would it be?
There is a lot that I would love to see changed within society, but one issue that’s been on my mind is the HIV epidemic in prisons.
Homophobia is not part of the natural order, it’s an arbitrary invention of this particular time and place
Why should people support same-sex marriage?
I still don’t understand why gay marriage is still even an issue. Homophobia is not part of the natural order, it’s an arbitrary invention of this particular time and place. People, please: enough with the bullshit already!
Why did you want to be a part of this project?
I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Gayface. I’m proud to be a gay man, and grateful for a friend like Ash, who creates such beautiful works of art and has invited me to become part of it. The world can heal itself if the human race will let it!