This is Pri portra: Judge Matthew J. Tone, Staten Island’s first openly gay elected official, broke barriers the face of discrimatn

MATT ROGERS: ‘A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE AN ANTIQUATED, WHEWASHED IMAGE OF WHAT A GAY PERSON IS’
BEFORE STONEWALL, CHERRY GROVE: HOW A BEACH TOWN BEME A GAY 'SAFE HAVEN'
MATHEWS AND BULGER: AT GAY CONEY ISLAND
THIS IS PRI PORTRA: JUDGE MATTHEW J. TONE, STATEN ISLAND’S FIRST OPENLY GAY ELECTED OFFICIAL, BROKE BARRIERS THE FACE OF DISCRIMATN

MATT ROGERS: ‘A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE AN ANTIQUATED, WHEWASHED IMAGE OF WHAT A GAY PERSON IS’

* matthew's island gay *

I’m a 46 year old gay man livg on an island somewhere between Boston and the North Pole. I love them and thank you for postg such great old photos, ads and of urse all the gays! If anyone is doubtg that gay culture exists- they need to see this blog.

BEFORE STONEWALL, CHERRY GROVE: HOW A BEACH TOWN BEME A GAY 'SAFE HAVEN'

Matthew Leifhe’s “To Die Alive” is an arrtg portra of an endurg gay refuge. * matthew's island gay *

Try to fd a place that is n by and for gays as opposed to say your lol hoe of worship. When you feel more secure and acceptg about beg gay you will be a lot more able to whstand the hate and efforts to csh your soul that sounds like your fay and associat might have for you when you e out. Beg more secure about your sexualy will also give you the strength to move on wh your life – move to another cy or untry and start aga as an out gay man.

There are, lerally, half a billn gays the world – you are not alone.

You n start to beef up on your self-nfince by explorg gay culture onle and eventually g to realize that ’s nothg to be ashamed of the slightt. Allow yourself to start to transform the negative to a posive – stead of seeg beg gay as a negative/weakns realize that n be a strength – jt as others lean on relign for strength. Ci are generally more liberal than ral areas and that’s why so many gay men flee the untry and move to the cy.

MATHEWS AND BULGER: AT GAY CONEY ISLAND

The gay clubs are closed, but many of the P “boys” are keepg their summer shar. Can they also keep their social distance? * matthew's island gay *

I’ve seen many turn to alhol or heavy dgs to pe the self-hate (ternalized bee all those around them hate gays) and that jt mak matter a lot worse. I urge you to explore gay life on the ter and figure out what steps to take to eventually get to the pot you are away om all those who would ny the abily to be yourself.