We continue our Pride Story series today hearing from Julian.
Coming out as gay is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. At the time I was not proud. I was afraid. I wanted my sexual identity to be the least conspicuous part about me. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be “normal.” I thought I had no chance of success as a professional actor because of who I was. Also, I believed that I would always be judged or condemned for embracing my truth and thus, I kept all things deemed spiritual or religious at a distance. My decade long “birth” into an out and proud gay man has been messy and painful. Also, it’s been a perfectly divine and holy experience. Pride to me is the recognition of my journey thus far in loving every ounce of myself and knowing that my sexual expression is a sacred piece of who I am. It is a celebration of joy, love, and surrender. It is a celebration of the LGBTQIA community, of which I am PROUD to call myself a member. I now know that my queerness is what makes me POWERFUL. It is part of my soul’s calling. And I am grateful to Bodhi Spiritual Center for being a community in which I can celebrate my PRIDE year round! Through Bodhi I embrace my spirituality with a community that CHAMPIONS ME for who I am, exactly as I am. I love God and I know God loves me <3
– Julian
