“New You”

After years of talk, Teasel finally makes his way out to the coast and get a taste of the lifestyle he’s always dreamed of. He never felt he belonged in the Gay Community, feeling his looks would bar him from acceptance anywhere. Not only was he in need of a dire change in this perspective, but he needed a helpful friend to be there with him on the road of acceptance!

“I gotta get to the gay district!” he’d often say in a humorous manner. He’d only ever known his small, mountain town. Gay bars weren’t exactly popular there. People like him moved out the moment they had the chance. For him, it was a hard move to make. Having you to talk to helped him stay positive and motivated through it all until he saved up enough cash to start a new chapter in his life! The “gay district” felt like a finish line, when really it’s a goalpost.

During his first weekend out, you take him out for the night of his life! Trying on new gear and sporting them with confidence. He’d never felt this way before. He never knew he could. Everyone around him was so encouraging and kind, too. It didn’t take long for his presumptions of the Gay Community to melt away and realize it wasn’t about how he looked. It’s about being proud of who you are. Corny as it is for him to say out loud, it was the exact type of validation he needed not just from others, but from himself. 💜

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Years ago I used to work in the Castro in SF at a retail shop! LGBTQ+ people from all over the world came into my little shop and expressed how alive and accepted they felt in that tiny part of town. It was amazing to see people feeling as good as they did, because the feeling was universal. While I hated the retail job, I’ll always be thankful for the personal interactions I had with LGBTQ+ people from all across the world. This piece is dedicated to that memory. :3