Moody & Gay: EP4: Navigating my Sexuality Online
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- I've been an out artist now for ten years but I still struggle to properly present my sexuality...I'm looking back at the mistakes I've made, lessons I've learned, and how I hope to grow....
First, it was too much...
I started out by acquiescing to photographers and a culture that made me feel as if my greatest virtue were my looks and body only to have these images not only overshadow my music but sometimes turn away the very people who would most benefit from hearing my message.
I spent years thinking that whatever got me the most attention the easiest would benefit me as an indie artist with a minimal budget. I tried with all my heart to turn whatever uncomfortable, sexual attention I got into a deeper, connection through my art -
After 5 years of this, I was exhausted and unsure if whether my minimal success was a sign of my lack of talent or my simply misrepresenting myself or trying to connect with the wrong audience...
Then the pendulum swung the other way...
I hid my body. I stopped participating in the local gay art or music scene and threw myself more into the local music and open mic scene. I stopped reaching out to gay media and press.
I wasn't surprised when a lot of my social media engagement went down as I knew that many of the early followers of my pages we there for the pics and not interested in my music or me as a deeper entity -
I tried getting more creative about sharing my story, something I'd always done to an extent but I think got lost in the sea of chest hair (LOL)
Has something been lost?
At this point, I'm ready to reclaim my sexuality on my own terms - I know I messed it up at first by making myself too one dimensional but now I feel like I've totally censored myself and am trying to find a better balance.
First and foremost, I am a deeply feeling, vulnerable and compassionate artist - but I am also a sensual man and I hate that because the human body is so taboo and our culture so hypersexualized that I can't somehow integrate my physicality into my image without negating myself as a serious musician.
Moving Forward:
Though I am not regularly shooting with body photographers the way I once did, I have started a regular collaboration in which I am starting to explore a more fleshed-out version of myself (pardon the pun) -
The goal is to get lots of diverse photos exploring all the different facets of my artists using not just my face but also my body -
The difference is, I'm working with a portrait photographer with a strong sense of my lyrics and the same goals as my own. We are hoping to put together a book of photos to go with the lyrics of the next album. We have both strived to connect images and words so I am excited about this moving forward and if/when I do share my body in these shoots it is not purely sexual but also revelatory, trepidatious, cautious, concerned...all the things I'm feeling when I reveal myself both physically and emotionally...
We are just getting back to work now with the pandemic but I'm excited to share more soon...
xBG
Your honesty and vulnerability in your artistic journey are quite moving.❤
Thank you David, and thank you or taking this journey with me
Look at all the famous singers in the world, most made it by their looks, so if born with good looks use it for all it's benefits,Both singing and looks go together well.
Thanks Bob...and Tim!
You had to say don't Google image search you! LoL. My first memory of you was the photo taken in front of the old carousel building in Asbury Park. That building is very much a part of my childhood. And, although I have saved a copy of it in my own files, it was missing on Google!! Do what you need to do. People will find you one way or another. Some will 'get you' and some will not. As long as you get yourself, not much else really matters.
haha well I mean tbh I've worked hard to bury a lot of those photos with new stuff that works more to the image I"m working with now....but the internet is forever and I don't regret living my life and I own my story. That image should be on Tumblr somewhere...sadly, who knows where that went as Tumblr is now caput...but yes, I love those carousel shots!!!
That was great, Brett. This is a subject that every artist deals with regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Much to say, but I'll tell you directly.
Thanks Peter! Yeah, I think every artist and honestly, every person with an online presence deals with this in some sense these days you know?
keep searching you, the inner you. the past was your blast, don't ever blame it all to yourself, slowly take good breathing and you can feel inside you, what you want and what you need. be truly honest with you, from start to end of this video, what you said reflecting me now, period. all I can do is to learn knowing me, haven't even complete 1% of me, let along 100%. we're all the same, slowly we can connect deeply once knowing each other's flaw and goodness. keep pedaling.
Love the music and the video!
Thank you David!
Really very interesting listen you about this matter...... as you are my hero , I love your words......
Thanks Jorge! I'm so honored to share this journey with you 🥰
@@BrettGleason A great honour receive your words Brett. I recognize your apartment!!!!!
balance is always good
great 👍🏻
Thanks Lawrence!
Finding the true inner self is a journey. It's more difficult if you're in a spotlight. You are a very very sensitive person in the best possible way, you will balance it just right one day. Observation: if you do not stay true to yourself it will destroy you, I'm sure that you feel it. You are not a natural born faker.
Do not (I repeat NOT) regret anything that you have been through in the past. Every single bit of it co-created today's Brett Gleason and he is wonderful so no regrets. The best lessons that life gives you are painful or/and embarassing. Happiness is great but teaches you nothing.
Internet made this planet sufficating for people like you, I understand that but social media mania is not going away. Quite the contrary. There is only one thing that someone like you (a sensitive artist) can do: adapt, make the most out of it and do not force yourself to do something that you are uncomfortable with. Okay, three. But you know what I mean.
Don't be afraid to use your looks to get what you want, embrace it. Within your comfort zone.
Btw I admire your honesty and if I'll see any haters here I'll kick their backside.
And now I'm going to look up those sexy photos of you :)
wish i knew you 10 years ago, and can see you as a gymnist
Maaf lpercakapannya jangan panjang panjang