As a child, I quickly learned the harsh truth that being myself wasn’t safe. At just 11 years old, a Time Magazine cover story on homosexuality shattered my world. My innocent question about the men pictured led to my mother’s condemning words, leaving me feeling like I had to hide a fundamental part of who I was.
Growing up was a relentless battle against ridicule and abuse, both at school and at home. Despite the torment, I found solace in the drama club in high school, where I could finally embrace my true self. But the facade shattered when I was outed by my own mother, leading to rejection and a crisis of identity.
Life in New York City as a proud gay man seemed liberating, until an HIV diagnosis brought everything crashing down. With no cure in sight, despair consumed me until a friend introduced me to Louise Hay’s book, “You Can Heal Your Life.” Through affirmations and meditations, my dormant spirituality began to awaken.
Further guided by Marianne Williamson’s teachings and the welcoming embrace of Unity New York, I found a community where diversity was celebrated, and hope flourished. Eric Butterworth’s words in “Discover the Power Within You” resonated deeply, marking the beginning of a profound spiritual journey.
Despite finding success in the Broadway Theatre, I was still haunted by internalized homophobia and self-loathing. Addiction became my escape until the 12 Steps Program led me back to Unity, where I embarked on the path of spiritual recovery.
A box of old report cards from my Catholic school days revealed a surprising truth: straight A’s in religion. Despite my outward rebellion, a seed of spiritual curiosity had always been within me, waiting to bloom.
It took a devastating diagnosis and a battle with addiction to unearth my buried spirituality. Today, over three decades since my HIV diagnosis, I live a life filled with gratitude and purpose. Married to the man I love, with a family of my own, prayer, meditation, and spiritual exploration are the pillars of my existence.
In the words of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Through darkness and light, my journey has led me to rediscover my true nature: a spiritual being on an extraordinary human adventure.
I encourage you to join us this Sunday as we dive into our celebration of Pride Month and the lessons of Coming Out Spiritually!