manly whenever I was around strangers.Coming from a mixed North African, French and Scottish background, the idea of not fitting into society’s ‘norms’ as both a brown and a gay man spurred me to push away my true identity for years.
As a child and young teen, all I wanted to do was try to find a way to ‘cure’ myself and be like everyone else.It’s been years since I first told people I’m gay, and I’m still figuring out how to stand confidently in my identity.Now, aged 25, I am in a relationship.
Despite being very happy and content with my life, you won’t see me and my boyfriend acting like a couple in public.The fear of being assaulted because we hold hands or because we are acting too ‘feminine’ constantly runs through my mind – why would.