Wepaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Boricua my brother. My partner and I will celebrate 35 years together on November 12. I’m Nuyorican born in Williamsburg Brooklyn and my beautiful beloved partner born in Rincón Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, but raise in N.J. Beautiful story. God bless you and your family Amen 🙏🏻 🇵🇷🇺🇸🙏🏻.
Great story. I can relate, as a filipino-american I’ve also assimilated and lost a huge sense of my ethnic identity. I feel like I’m spending my 30s reconciling that.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. As an Afro-boriqua I thought I was the only one. Your journey is so beautiful and I felt as if you were talking about me. My new journey begins today. Gracias!
Im glad that he got a second chance at University. As a minority even today it can be hard to feel comfortable when you feel like you are the only person like you there. Luckily as a Latino i joined a program even before i started college and i made friends that helped me stay rooted for my 4 years of college.
I must admit that it feels strange to me to be held back by race or sexuality or poverty. I for one grew up very poor in an abusive family, never money/holidays/gifts/new clothes, I had no friends because I was perceived as gay ( I am Trans ) but I studied, read tons of books, got several night jobs to buy materials and clothes, wrote to a university to get a place and just stayed on track. I had zero emotional support except from my mother, zero administratif help with getting into uni or getting funded but I wasn't going to let a branch stop a train ! It was tough especially being Trans and having also to deal with that and find the right solutions but I did it and I owe it all to my own determination. If you really want Something then jsut go for it and Don't look around for reasons not to. Love your story and am happy that you found your place after such a hard start in life. Stay strong.
@cactaceae123 Hi, thank you, sorry don't have a video, would be too long !! I have begun a book but life has thrown me so many curve balls, deaths and illness and bankrupcy but I'm still smiling ! I do think that having an abusive father, no money or friends really gave me a huge push to do Something with my life. It at least showed me what I didn't want and couldn't bear. In uni in London ( I'm from a tiny scottish village, London was like going to the moon! ) I met some great people once I got used to people actually touching me socially or wanting to be with me. A few month later I was living with the aristocrat family of my new best friend and went to parties with people you only read about but it didn't 'touch' me in I only saw people. My opening line at parties where I knew no one was 'what would you have LIKED to do with your life' and the answers were always in opposition to what they did. In London I also suffered a lot and was beatn and raped three times, once during a kidnap situation that was supposed to end up in death but I escaped naked and hit behind some trash cans. I tend to flourish and grow in difficult situations and have always been given huge responsabilities professionally which has helped to show ME my strengths. In my last jobs I had to travel a lot, Saudi Royal palaces etc the same sad people. I now live totally retired from society and people and am alone with my dogs and my garden. I will finish my book, every day a new chapter seems to pop up. Some memories scare the shit out of me !
@@TheFiown i have no words. but i do have immense respect and gratitude for you. i do hope you finish your book. or, if not, that somehow your story or parts are shared. even this little bit that you have shared does more than you can imagine.
@@TheFiown oh, i lived in Durham with my first partner for three years after I graduated. I loved it. And Scotland, too. I didn't live there but often visited Edinburgh. if i could, i would live in Scotland in a heartbeat. Beautiful country, beautiful people.
@@cactaceae321 Thank you, yes I will finish it, I am currently trying to change house and move to a better climate although this current situation has put a spanner in the works ! I also have to take on board my 87 year old mother who is failing fast and try to give her a comfortable last few years as she needs a lot of care. So much to do but the new house should have better energy than my current one, I do believe in the energies of places and how they affect creativity. My rules in live for myself are never compromise yourself, never complain and of course never explain! I do find joy in comforting people and helping when I can. Some years ago I met a Young homeless guy who was living in the streets as his father had disowned him being gay ! I took him home to give him acces to a shower and food and he stayed eight months ! Everyone said I was nuts but he could have been my brother. Compassion and empathy for others in difficult situations are very important. Years ago I rushed past a homeless guy who tried to talk to me and for some reason I turned back and sat down and spoke to him, it lasted two hours, he was an incredible person. As I left he kissed me on the cheek and told me that he had intended to jump in the river that night and end his life. It makes you think how many times such horrors could be avoided by just 'seeing' someone. God bless
Thank you for these stories. It's so important that these continue to be made Gays don't have any mentors growing up. Listening to these experiences are so valuable I feel
Thank you! I love him more than anything in the world and would give up everything to always be with him. And my first also, I will always love him too. I wouldn't want a snippet of a video giving the wrong impression of who he was and means to me.
@cactaceae123 I do feel so terribly sorry for Young people striving with problems of Identity. In this world of 'likes' and 'dislikes' and the need for sameness it is a pity that 'difference' is not more often perceived as good and original. Where 'blending in' is the theme and you find yourself dark blooded in a white world or gay or confused in a steady 'straight' one it does not relieve you to know that you are none of the above but Something or somebody else. What a sad bland world it would be if we were all the same and born with the assurance of pre defined Identity and race. We should cultivate our differences, those that define us but subtly, not pushing it as a label. I am glad that the Young have places like this to seek help, advice and assistance now, in my days there was none of that, you poked around in the dark and if you were Lucky you stumbled across some information. I was helped by a Pastor who had a sort of meeting place for minorités, he was himself gay. He did a lot for me in a non religious way but he was questioned by the police about some of his protegés and they killed him and dumpted his body in the river, it was a scandal but not as great as it should have been . YES this does happen outside of movie théâtres! After that I found other help but I did miss him, he was such a good person. God bless.
@@TheFiown omg, i'm so sorry to hear that. i love people and i love humanity. sometimes, it saddens me greatly to know about the many struggles and tragedies that we all face, some greater than others. other times, i feel hope because there is also so much good out there. like your pastor, who helped you and countless others. that is, at least, his beautiful legacy.
Interesting - I'm a white guy well Mediterranean ancestry anyhow. And in addition to English I also know a fair amount of Spanish since I studied it in school and on my own for a period of about 6 years. Shocked a few people with that little fact.
I’m glad he was able to find his way in life, however it’s very hard fo me to understand how can individuals allow themselves to get that feeling of worthlessness.
Wonderful story, I am a little curious as to why dating white men is so important to the part of your story where you expressed now being more open and balanced? The 5 African American men who embraced you for who you are right off the top, and became like the family and valued you, yet you don't mention being open or have had any dating experience with black men. The culture who loved you for you. Thank you for sharing your story, it is not easy being vulnerable. I am just a bit sad that it always has to come around to, and be about, being accepted by white men. Thank you so much.
At least you met the love of your life, Bill. I highly suspect the straight-acting hafu boo had a HUUUge impact on you. I can see that on my boyfriend, too. He's more confident in himself now. And funny enough a lot less stereotypically gay, which was not my intention as I like the antithesis, actually. I mean, how can a relationship work with two people with masculine energy?
I think most of William's psychological scars were self-inflicted. He strikes me as someone who was constantly looking for acceptance from others, as opposed to accepting himself.
R R That often happens if you are born into a culture (ethnic, religious, social, political) that relentlessly condemns your very being as sinful, criminal, disgusting, or just warped. And when the larger society tells you through the various media that you belong to the underclass and are destined to live poor and die, after a worthless life, in prison or in the gutter. Under those circumstances you might find yourself struggling to accept who you really are - or even to know who you are - and it might take a very long time before you start to become comfortable in the skin, in the bones, in the sexuality that nature gave you. Along the way, you can try to be kind.
That literally makes no sense. He was literally born and raised in the ghetto and was able to make it to Cornell University. He said himself that he wasnt accepted by the white people or many other people in college which made him uncomfortable. Literally every human needs acceptance from others especially when they are in a new environment not to mention he was still coming to terms with his sexuality in the 1980s. I really cant believe that you would blame him for having emotional problems.
@cactaceae123 I definitely know how it is. I actually went to college in the early 2000s and had a very similar experience as a minority surrounded by mostly white people on top of being closeted and not being fully rooted in my identity as a Latino. It was rough but i met some great people and got through it. Thank you for sharing your story and i wish you the best :)
I appreciate and love this channel so much. Don’t ever stop.
Wepaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Boricua my brother. My partner and I will celebrate 35 years together on November 12. I’m Nuyorican born in Williamsburg Brooklyn and my beautiful beloved partner born in Rincón Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, but raise in N.J. Beautiful story. God bless you and your family Amen 🙏🏻 🇵🇷🇺🇸🙏🏻.
Williamsburg is a different place today. I miss the old New York
I think my Caribbean background made my coming to terms with being gay a LONG journey but I'm comfortable with my whole self now.
Que guapo jeje. What a nice story. Thanks for sharing your story. 😍😁
Great story. I can relate, as a filipino-american I’ve also assimilated and lost a huge sense of my ethnic identity. I feel like I’m spending my 30s reconciling that.
@cactaceae123 aww yeah, thanks for recognizing that. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. As an Afro-boriqua I thought I was the only one. Your journey is so beautiful and I felt as if you were talking about me. My new journey begins today. Gracias!
THX FOR SHARING ANOTHER ANGLE OF YOUR COMING OUT STORY. LOVED IT! STAY SAFE MUCH LOVE*
Im glad that he got a second chance at University. As a minority even today it can be hard to feel comfortable when you feel like you are the only person like you there. Luckily as a Latino i joined a program even before i started college and i made friends that helped me stay rooted for my 4 years of college.
@cactaceae123 Yes we love a smart, educated Latino man. *claps*
Your message elates me. I feel so good. Thank you!
Awesome message for anyone with self doubt! Thank You!
I must admit that it feels strange to me to be held back by race or sexuality or poverty. I for one grew up very poor in an abusive family, never money/holidays/gifts/new clothes, I had no friends because I was perceived as gay ( I am Trans ) but I studied, read tons of books, got several night jobs to buy materials and clothes, wrote to a university to get a place and just stayed on track. I had zero emotional support except from my mother, zero administratif help with getting into uni or getting funded but I wasn't going to let a branch stop a train ! It was tough especially being Trans and having also to deal with that and find the right solutions but I did it and I owe it all to my own determination. If you really want Something then jsut go for it and Don't look around for reasons not to. Love your story and am happy that you found your place after such a hard start in life. Stay strong.
@cactaceae123 Hi, thank you, sorry don't have a video, would be too long !! I have begun a book but life has thrown me so many curve balls, deaths and illness and bankrupcy but I'm still smiling ! I do think that having an abusive father, no money or friends really gave me a huge push to do Something with my life. It at least showed me what I didn't want and couldn't bear. In uni in London ( I'm from a tiny scottish village, London was like going to the moon! ) I met some great people once I got used to people actually touching me socially or wanting to be with me. A few month later I was living with the aristocrat family of my new best friend and went to parties with people you only read about but it didn't 'touch' me in I only saw people. My opening line at parties where I knew no one was 'what would you have LIKED to do with your life' and the answers were always in opposition to what they did. In London I also suffered a lot and was beatn and raped three times, once during a kidnap situation that was supposed to end up in death but I escaped naked and hit behind some trash cans. I tend to flourish and grow in difficult situations and have always been given huge responsabilities professionally which has helped to show ME my strengths. In my last jobs I had to travel a lot, Saudi Royal palaces etc the same sad people. I now live totally retired from society and people and am alone with my dogs and my garden. I will finish my book, every day a new chapter seems to pop up. Some memories scare the shit out of me !
@@TheFiown i have no words. but i do have immense respect and gratitude for you. i do hope you finish your book. or, if not, that somehow your story or parts are shared. even this little bit that you have shared does more than you can imagine.
@@TheFiown oh, i lived in Durham with my first partner for three years after I graduated. I loved it. And Scotland, too. I didn't live there but often visited Edinburgh. if i could, i would live in Scotland in a heartbeat. Beautiful country, beautiful people.
@@cactaceae321 Thank you, yes I will finish it, I am currently trying to change house and move to a better climate although this current situation has put a spanner in the works ! I also have to take on board my 87 year old mother who is failing fast and try to give her a comfortable last few years as she needs a lot of care. So much to do but the new house should have better energy than my current one, I do believe in the energies of places and how they affect creativity. My rules in live for myself are never compromise yourself, never complain and of course never explain! I do find joy in comforting people and helping when I can. Some years ago I met a Young homeless guy who was living in the streets as his father had disowned him being gay ! I took him home to give him acces to a shower and food and he stayed eight months ! Everyone said I was nuts but he could have been my brother. Compassion and empathy for others in difficult situations are very important. Years ago I rushed past a homeless guy who tried to talk to me and for some reason I turned back and sat down and spoke to him, it lasted two hours, he was an incredible person. As I left he kissed me on the cheek and told me that he had intended to jump in the river that night and end his life. It makes you think how many times such horrors could be avoided by just 'seeing' someone. God bless
This video is so relatable! Thanks you so much for sharing your story :-)
A beautiful story!
Thank you for these stories. It's so important that these continue to be made
Gays don't have any mentors growing up. Listening to these experiences are so valuable I feel
WOW! What a wonderful story I really learned alot.
William, this is awesome and so interesting as a study into humanity. Thank you, bro........Ray
Thanks, I really appreciate, Ray. :)
I appreciate his beautiful story of love! He is very handsome! Much love from Brooklyn!
Beautiful story
thank you :)
Thank You for sharing your story and life experiences! Whoever your boyfriend is, they are very lucky to have you in their life.
Thank you! I love him more than anything in the world and would give up everything to always be with him. And my first also, I will always love him too. I wouldn't want a snippet of a video giving the wrong impression of who he was and means to me.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Fantastic story and I can relate. Thank you for sharing your experience and articulating what I have had trouble articulating and struggling with.
I'm so glad it helps. Thank you for sharing that.
Society might try to put us into categories but we are much better at doing it ourselves ! No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
@cactaceae123 I do feel so terribly sorry for Young people striving with problems of Identity. In this world of 'likes' and 'dislikes' and the need for sameness it is a pity that 'difference' is not more often perceived as good and original. Where 'blending in' is the theme and you find yourself dark blooded in a white world or gay or confused in a steady 'straight' one it does not relieve you to know that you are none of the above but Something or somebody else. What a sad bland world it would be if we were all the same and born with the assurance of pre defined Identity and race. We should cultivate our differences, those that define us but subtly, not pushing it as a label. I am glad that the Young have places like this to seek help, advice and assistance now, in my days there was none of that, you poked around in the dark and if you were Lucky you stumbled across some information. I was helped by a Pastor who had a sort of meeting place for minorités, he was himself gay. He did a lot for me in a non religious way but he was questioned by the police about some of his protegés and they killed him and dumpted his body in the river, it was a scandal but not as great as it should have been . YES this does happen outside of movie théâtres! After that I found other help but I did miss him, he was such a good person. God bless.
@@TheFiown omg, i'm so sorry to hear that. i love people and i love humanity. sometimes, it saddens me greatly to know about the many struggles and tragedies that we all face, some greater than others. other times, i feel hope because there is also so much good out there. like your pastor, who helped you and countless others. that is, at least, his beautiful legacy.
Interesting - I'm a white guy well Mediterranean ancestry anyhow. And in addition to English I also know a fair amount of Spanish since I studied it in school and on my own for a period of about 6 years. Shocked a few people with that little fact.
Nailed it!
Great.
I’m glad he was able to find his way in life, however it’s very hard fo me to understand how can individuals allow themselves to get that feeling of worthlessness.
Wonderful story, I am a little curious as to why dating white men is so important to the part of your story where you expressed now being more open and balanced? The 5 African American men who embraced you for who you are right off the top, and became like the family and valued you, yet you don't mention being open or have had any dating experience with black men. The culture who loved you for you. Thank you for sharing your story, it is not easy being vulnerable. I am just a bit sad that it always has to come around to, and be about, being accepted by white men. Thank you so much.
At least you met the love of your life, Bill.
I highly suspect the straight-acting hafu boo had a HUUUge impact on you.
I can see that on my boyfriend, too.
He's more confident in himself now.
And funny enough a lot less stereotypically gay, which was not my intention as I like the antithesis, actually.
I mean, how can a relationship work with two people with masculine energy?
Me encanta
Very good looking man
7:28 oooohhhh insert other race in that statement and would it be broadcast?
I think most of William's psychological scars were self-inflicted. He strikes me as someone who was constantly looking for acceptance from others, as opposed to accepting himself.
R R That often happens if you are born into a culture (ethnic, religious, social, political) that relentlessly condemns your very being as sinful, criminal, disgusting, or just warped. And when the larger society tells you through the various media that you belong to the underclass and are destined to live poor and die, after a worthless life, in prison or in the gutter.
Under those circumstances you might find yourself struggling to accept who you really are - or even to know who you are - and it might take a very long time before you start to become comfortable in the skin, in the bones, in the sexuality that nature gave you.
Along the way, you can try to be kind.
That literally makes no sense. He was literally born and raised in the ghetto and was able to make it to Cornell University. He said himself that he wasnt accepted by the white people or many other people in college which made him uncomfortable. Literally every human needs acceptance from others especially when they are in a new environment not to mention he was still coming to terms with his sexuality in the 1980s. I really cant believe that you would blame him for having emotional problems.
@cactaceae123 I definitely know how it is. I actually went to college in the early 2000s and had a very similar experience as a minority surrounded by mostly white people on top of being closeted and not being fully rooted in my identity as a Latino. It was rough but i met some great people and got through it. Thank you for sharing your story and i wish you the best :)