Your Haircolor is a Sin!

Imagine being told everyday that someone of your hair color is likely going to be despised by society. From the time your haircolor is first noticeable, you’re an outcast.

Trying to do what is best, your parents might offer some advice once the signs start showing of your haircolor---You might be able to cover it up with a hat, but its still there underneath and someone might see. You could dye your hair, but its a façade which would have to be maintained all the time. Every couple of weeks you’d need to do touch-ups to cover up your haircolor. You wouldn't really be changing it permanently. You could wear a wig, but its also temporary. If it fell off, you’d reveal your identity and be an outcast.

Then imagine being a confused kid who has a haircolor which makes him or her feel unwelcome. Imagine being teased mercilessly in school for having that haircolor. Being spit on, kicked, beaten up, bullied. Have you ever been bullied for something which you have no control over? Sure. But imagine being worried that your own family would ALSO bully you.

Go to church and imagine being told "Someday, your haircolor will maybe change!" Since young children sometimes are born with a haircolor which they won't have as adults. Haircolor could just be temporary! “It’s just a phase you’ll grow out of.”

Imagine having one haircolor as a child which is acceptable… but then imagine growing older and your hair changes colors to something which isn’t acceptable. Who are your real friends? Will you be abandoned by your family? Kicked out of church? Will you try to cover it up again? You’ve always been that haircolor genetically, but its just revealing itself now!

Would your family reject you if they knew about your haircolor? Will your mom find empty boxes of hair dye in the garbage can while cleaning your room after you’ve secretly experimented with changing your appearance so you can fit it?

Maybe you would seek help on the internet since your pastor, teachers and friends wouldn’t understand you. Maybe look online to try to find permanent changes to your haircolor. Experimental laser treatments, shaving one’s head, hair extensions, prayer that your haircolor would change and you’d be normal, etc. ANYTHING to cover up your shameful haircolor.

As a teenager, you might feel excluded not just because people are unkind… but because you don’t know who really loves you.

Maybe you’re in college one day after successfully hiding your true hair color for many years. Then you turn on the TV and find out that people with your hair color have had hate-crimes done against them. People you might know are hospitalized, killed, or attacked outside a nightclub. You wouldn’t feel safe.

You wouldn’t know who loves you for your true self because you’ve had to cover up your haircolor your whole life.

You’d feel shame over yourself. Might even eventually think to kill yourself? Or maybe seek out the company of others whose hair is like yours? Who are open about their haircolor and fight against people who say “That shade is wrong!” “That shade will send you to hell!” or “That haircolor is against the bible!”

Wouldn’t that be awful to have to hide yourself? Cover up your identity? Worry about being the target of a hate-crime.

You’ve probably never had to experience any of those kinds of those in life, unless you’re a homosexual.

Internalized Hate: SSA vs. Gay

In the past, I've been a supporter of the argument of the SSA\SGA vs. gay logic. I understand that some choose to label themselves one way. I understand that labels are designed in such a way that one can change how one is perceived (including by ourselves.)

I also understand Ty Mansfield has spoken out heavily about this topic. He believes that labeling oneself as gay will lead to leaving the church, self-acceptance on "bad" levels, etc.

Whether or not this is true is another blog topic.

What I have noticed is an internalized homophobia which has been festering within the Moho community for years---one which is displayed when one switches from one label to another. You see, many guys say "I have SSA" in an attempt to be known as a safe-stalwart person who is not going to lead anyone astray. When that person changes to "I am gay" he is often times ostracized. Has he changed his personality? I doubt it. Has he committed a felony? Murdered a family of kittens? Kicked a homeless man? Stolen candy from a baby? No. He's merely changed his perspective over time. He's changed the label.

Now, that change of the label MAY or MAY NOT have anything to do with a changing of beliefs, morals, or values. However, it is PERCEIVED that this person's values have changed. Therefore, it is okay to paint a Scarlet Letter on him, metaphorically stone him in the town square, and then ignore him\unfriend him\block him.

I find this deplorable, if for no other reason than to know that Scarlet is not the color this season and no homosexual should be using anything but the highest of fashion trends...

Kidding about that last sentence.

But I do find it deplorable.

Essentially, it is the same definition with only minor differences in what it may, or more likely, MAY NOT be the same individual.

Just because someone has come to a different level of self-acceptance doesn't mean that the person is wicked, evil, should be shunned, ignored or hated.

To me, this is internal homophobia.

We have enough homophobia in the world without finding excuses for more to be brought into our lives by hating ourselves and those we perceive could be enemies or threats.

The only threats out there in the world are hate-filled people.

Don't be one of them.

Confession time... boy style

I have a schoolgirl crush on a guy on facebook. Its kind of silly since I've never met him but I think he's completely adorable. Biracial, super cute, loves the arts...

Tonight he IMed me and of course I swooned. He's not someone I know personally but merely someone I know via Facebook.

We chatted a few minutes.

And of course it was fun to daydream and imagine.

But then reality hits... he's way too popular, masculine, athletic, talented and good looking to go after the out of shape nerdy guy. I should stick to being the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Sometimes I hate crushes and things like that because it makes me daydream about the what-ifs until I hit the reality of "Aint happenin'!"

I'm not the body type that an athletic gym body kind of model person would take one glance at.

Oh well.

At least he acknowledged me. That was nice. :)

Value of Life

"The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world"

The value of life and the lives of others plays an effect on how we treat others. The idea that someone's life is worth more or less because they're gay, straight... white, black or brown... Mormon or Non-Mormon is an idea that haunts my thoughts. We allow ourselves to be unkind to certain groups of people believing that they're, in fact, worth less than others.

How did the slave owners allow themselves to treat their slaves in that way? Because they believe that slaves' lives were worth less than the slave owners' lives. From being beaten into submission, those slaves gradually believed that their lives were also worth less.

Religious views were brought up; quoting the bible to allow for slavery to happen and flourish. Societal propaganda was used to teach that slaves were inferior. Some taught that mulattoes were infertile like mules but were better workers so it was okay to have sex with a slave and have that slave give children. Why? Because the children were part white and thus superior.

But they would compare them to animals.

How did the Nazis go about treating groups as inferior? Propaganda. Teaching children the "truth" about them. Treating Jews and other inferior groups (homosexuals or the disabled as groups) who didn't deserve life. One was proud to not be one of those groups because it meant your life was protected and worth more.

How do we allow ourselves to be unkind to someone based on their sexuality? We often times use religion as a basis.

"God doesn't approve!"
"It is a sin!"
"With God, all things are possible!"
"It was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!"

Or we use biological methods...

"Gays cannot have children biologically!"
"Marriage is between a man and a woman. That's how it has always been. That's how things fit together!"
"If two of the same sex were supposed to be together, they'd be able to have children!"

Or we use societal fears...

"Homosexuality will be taught in school that it is normal!"
"Homosexuality will have to be taught in sex-education classes!"
"Would you want your child converted to that lifestyle?"

All of these methods are used to hurt, disparage and hate others.


Some will say "But its different with blacks and Jews... hating them isn't right because it is something they just ARE!"

Sexuality, as far as I can tell, is an inborn trait. I don't believe that it is a choice. I think there might be societal issues as well. But I was raised in a very sheltered atmosphere and didn't even know what gay people were, but I remember my attractions from an early age.

The biggest problem with believing that some are superior to others is that the "inferior" believe it about themselves. One thing I hate hearing is "WHY should there be a gay pride? Why not a straight pride?!?!"

Well, when you've been told your whole life that something you cannot control decides your worth... when you're told that you're nothing... that you're worthless... THEN you can have a straight-pride festival as a means of balancing the hate from society.

--Post-it Boy

Another avenue...

... After weeks of looking, wondering, hoping and praying... I have found another country which should work.

However, I am now thinking that I need to double my efforts at saving for the house and child to avoid the problems arising where I am denied another adoption opportunity.

I don't want to be alone. I want to be a father.

Feeling dead on the day of the Dead

I thought I had other options for an adoption in Africa... but both countries have complications.

Anyone want to marry me and adopt together as a married couple---but I'd raise the kid completely? Once the adoption is completed we'll divorce and you'll relinquish your rights. In the meantime, I have good health insurance and we'll save money on our taxes.

Sadly, the above seems like my best option. I'm turning into a criminal.

I feel dead on the inside. Truly. I'm losing hope.

My Dreams ... have to change

The Democratic Republic of Congo has issued a statement which says that single individuals cannot adopt from their country anymore. Married couples are having suspensions temporarily as they figure out new adoption laws.

I've been working for 55 hours a week on and off for years to stay on top of things financially. I paid off 25,000 in debts including all my student loans over the past year and a half. I have been working with a credit fixing agency to fix my credit to help me buy a house to prepare for the kid. I have read countless books, websites, blogs, articles, etc.

I think about my adoption everyday. Its what keeps me motivated, to keep trying, to keep working towards that goal. Even home ownership is just a part of the plan to get the child.

I had my heart set on that country.

And now my heart has been stomped on.

Is it possible to have a broken heart even in cases where romantic love isn't involved?

I don't really have a backup plan. Uganda and Nigeria were two options but they're very strict and hard to work with. Haiti allows single men but I need to be 35 years old. Very few places allow for single men to adopt. It is truly unfortunate because I'd be a better father than most men and a better mother-figure than most women.

Truly, I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.

So now the question is... should I just get married for tax and adoption purposes?

Sometimes... I'm humble and honest

There's a song posted by two gay BYU students singing I Stand All Amazed which made me reflect on my life and the choices that I've made. Sometimes I get very honest with my feelings and leave myself vulnerable.

Here is my list of "Sometimes"---

Sometimes I'm cynical or bitter to cover up the immense amount of pain I go through. Stress over money, my future, the fact that I feel unloved and alone much of the time... Its hard for me.

Sometimes I wonder if the Savior really does care for me. And if he does, why did he put me into this body which was destined for gayness? While I've never talked to the singer on facebook that I added as a friend basically because he's a leader within the gay Mormon community and because he's cute, the idea that I did so just because he's attractive proves to me that I'm one of those shallow gays at times. I like pretty boys, not pretty girls! Why would I be made this way? What sort of cosmic joke am I the punchline of?

Sometimes I hate that my sexuality keeps me from being a dad in an easy way. Guys are supposed to have sex with their wives and bring beautiful babies into the world. And be good fathers. Not have to surf through adoption websites and look into outsourcing surrogacy to India.

Sometimes I get embarrassed admitting to the hundreds of hours I've spent thinking about being a dad. Or the fact that I have looked into sending sperm samples to foreign countries and choosing egg donors online---all because I want it so badly. Not many men would do that. And yet, the church still sees me as an inappropriate alternative to a traditional family despite me wanting it more than a lot of married men?

Sometimes I hate that I see people who don't appreciate being a father or don't appreciate their children. So I get bitter. And I get jealous from sitting in Sacrament Meeting seeing all the people with their babies and children. And I am alone in church with no one to be in my family or sit on the row with me. It sucks. And I cannot help but to blame God at times for my tabernacle of a body enjoying the wrong sex.

Sometimes I hate being in my situation in life. Knowing that I will always be an outsider.

Sometimes I really wish I had a man in my life who would love me---who would support me. Care about me. And want to be a father with me. Its not about sex. Its about love.

Sometimes I look at my own life and I think ... What did you do, Post-it Boy? What kind of life have you turned out?

Sometimes I worry that my dedication to the church, however minimal, is all in vain. And I'm just an idiot to follow a group which preaches hate mixed with love.

Sometimes I hate that I feel my life has no hope. I cling to the hope of my adoption. The other day, I thought "What if it doesn't happen?" and scary to admit... I said "Well, then my life won't happen."

Sometimes I wish I could just Stand all Amazed with the same faith I used to have. Believing that my life would all be good in the end. That my life wasn't all a cosmic joke. Or that my faith was real and not imagined.

Sometimes I just hate so many things around me in my life. Almost like I have no escape.

Sometimes I hate that to open up, I have to write a blog of "Sometimes" anonymously.

The end.

Healing

I didn't plan on such an outpouring of support.

I didn't expect such a large response from my previous post.

I also didn't write it for attention.

But I am very glad I did.

Faith destroying angel

When I was a baby, my parents did their best.

We were all Latter-day Saints. I was born on Easter Sunday. I was my mom's favorite Easter present. I was taught the gospel from the beginning. I was taught the commandments.

Although I don't have proof, I think I had already begun a life of struggles as soon as I was conceived.



When I was a child, I believed what I was told. I never questioned it.

A commandment was a commandment. A rule was a rule.

I was obsessive compulsive, although I didn't know it at the time, so it worked.




When I became a teenager, I developed my sexuality. I didn't know what it meant.

But, a commandment was a commandment. A rule was a rule.

I'm obsessive compulsive. I didn't know it. But I had ideas in my head which didn't go away. Ideas which said "You have to follow each commandment! Hide away! Don't let anyone know!" It worked.




When I was a young man, around 19 years old, I first told someone about my attractions.

I joined support groups online. I sought for friendships and acceptance.

Commandments were so important. I yearned for friends who I could talk to about this in person. I wanted to be perfect. I wanted a family.

I'm obsessive compulsive, though I should have known it, I didn't. The need to be loved by friends in my situation was so strong, I thought about it all the time. I worried I'd find the wrong people to be friends with. It worked... for a while.




When I went to college, I continued the support groups. I found some people who I thought were friends.

I found out that I had horrible rumors spread about me. Friends who I thought were friends were unkind. And cruel. They said I was a whore, a cross-dresser, and obviously evil. I hadn't done anything to get those labels.

But, commandments are commandments. I tried to forgive. I tried to be a friend. But I got depressed and suicidal.

I'm obsessive compulsive. My therapist said I should have always known. I spent over a year in therapy. It worked. I became a new person. More confident. And considering marriage.




At college, I continued my therapy. I got a girlfriend. I was so scared. I needed help to figure out what to do. Who could a guy turn to?

I turned to people who I thought were friends. They told my girlfriend about dangerous threats in my life. Imagined threats. Things I could have handled on my own.

Commandments became harder. But I still worked through them. I tried to make my pre-engagement work. We broke up. I closed my heart to the marriage commandment. A seed had been planted. I was lonely. I cut my wrist in college, wanting to die. I went to my only trusted friend for support. He never asked what happened. He just was my friend.

I'm obsessive compulsive. I always have been. I thought about this for a long time. I became bitter.




Now I am a single adult. I don't go to therapy. I don't have a girlfriend. I am bitter.

I don't turn to friends much. I don't try as much. I don't believe in marriage for me. I now find it too challenging. I don't like going to church.

Commandments are a hassle. I follow some. I don't worry about others. I don't like my life all the time. So I focus on other things. I still want a family. But I have to go about it as a single man. Maybe I hate God sometimes because of my pain. Maybe I hate the church culture. But have you ever thought as to why I might be that way before deciding what kind of person I am?

I'm obsessive compulsive. Struggle with depression. Get anxiety often. I have hypoglycemia. I'm gay. Mormon. Unmarried. And feel alone.



Years have gone by. I now struggle with faith. I now struggle with a lot of things. I feel that people might view me as a threat---either from past rumors about me still clung to---or from my current language in my posts. I feel that some might see me as someone purposely try to destroy faith. Really, I'm trying to work through my OCD, depression and anxiety disorders in order to find my faith balance. Maybe my faith that I will find will be different from the past.

Maybe I won't succeed.

I thought that NorthStar was where I'd find faith again.

I apologize if I have ruined anyone's faith as I struggle to find my own way.

Maybe I won't ever find a place where I can turn for comfort.

But I'm not a threat. And I'm not a destroyer.

I'm me. Post-it Boy.

My own change...

I'm not talking about change therapy, although that is "the" hot topic for the Moho community. Much like an episode of The View, this hot topic is much discussed and argued about.

No, my change is something physical which I am working on. THE GYM.

I've gone through spurts in the past where I go to the gym. Its not always been fun for me. Usually interrupted by illness and then I stop going.

About a month and a half ago, I joined a gym. I go nearly everyday although I miss plenty due to illness, a wedding, etc. But I am sticking with it. I am sticking with a diet plan which is low in salt and sugar, high in fresh vegetables and fruit and healthy lean proteins. I have lost about 5-6 lbs since joining the gym. I have been meeting with a personal trainer who is a total jerk but who helps me to continue on.

I have seen a change in my belief about myself as I've improved myself physically. I feel more masculine. I feel more confident. I feel better about myself.

It doesn't take a lot of work to make a change. And that change is more effective than the years I spent trying to change my orientation which took years of my life with no results.

So work on making change in your life whatever that means. :)

Why I am the way that I am... Part 4

I'm overly sensitive at times, I suppose. I hate rejection. Even if its small ways.

Recently I saw someone on the street who I thought was a friend---a member of the Moho community who I befriended when he was new to the group. Only to discover that evidently he's not a friend, really. A simple hello was ignored. I've been taken off his facebook friends' list after not having done anything to hurt him. I hadn't even spoken to him online in a year. Why the removal unless its something personal against me?

I don't know why but I see more and more rejection from these types of people in my future. People who refuse to accept me the way that I am despite them being supposed leaders of this community. I'm not expecting a bunch of deep late-night chats but a simple hello would have sufficed. If he'd just said "Hello Brad!" it would have been fine. Our eyes made contact for crying out loud. I am tall. Not easily missed.

So ridiculous.

Why do I feel sometimes that life is just an extension of the schoolyard playground of being ignored? Had no friends in elementary school. Now I'm in my 30's and I'm treated basically the same way. Ignored and rejected by people.

Am I so irreverent and beyond hope that I'm not even worthy of friendship from N* leaders?

So thats why I am sensitive. I had a bad childhood. I don't know why I should be ignored now when I don't think I've done anything wrong.

Why I am the way I am... Part 3

For years I have been an outcast caused originally by my peers and later self-imposed.

I was teased relentlessly as a child. For that reason I kind of went into my own coccoon. I was very shy. Hardly ever spoke. So many ideas were in my head, but I never shared them. (Now I never STOP sharing them.)

As I got older, I opened up more fully. However, I still go into a sort of self-imposed isolation when I'm feeling down or depressed.

One reason why I'm the way that I am---I am a very sensitive person. I don't knowingly try to hurt anyone even when my words sometimes do.

Why I am the way I am... part 2

When I was younger, I thought everything was possible through the Gospel. Meaning, I thought that if I was good enough, prayed enough, went to church and did everything I was supposed to do, that I'd be healed and everything would become normal.

I used to read Chris Heimerdinger books and felt they were like scripture.

I used to listen to John Bytheway and thought he was so amazing.

I used to love LDS music.

I used to think that the only music which was appropriate was sung by LDS singers or broadway showtunes.

I used to think swearing was equal in its gravity as alcohol and drug use. All were forbidden and proof that the person was "bad and evil..."

And I really did used to think that the outside-the-LDS-world, people were out to get me and trick me into evil just like them. I secluded myself and isolated myself as I thought I'd been taught to live---

As I got older, I realized the world is wicked in parts but there's a lot of good there. I realized that as I got older and my sins became bigger---much worse than swearing---that I was still a good person deep down. As I got older, I went to nearly two years of therapy to get over the self-hatred that consumed my life. I also tried to recover from homosexuality. I almost got married. I went to therapy groups and Evergreen support things. I even was present when NorthStar was founded. I saw dozens of friends leave the church until it felt like I was the only one left.

I gradually turned my back on LDS culture seeing as how I feel, at times, it has ruined my train of thinking and made my life a mess.

I came to hate so much of the Gospel because it has altered so much my life that I cannot leave or stay without being tormented. I felt like I lost years of my life trying to find a cure which I firmly believe will never come in this life. And I am beginning to doubt if the next life even exists in the way we think it does.

I'm glad I have some standards in life. But I wish I didn't put myself through hell to get to the point I am now.

So when I'm a bit jaded, you can see why. I'm old, alone, and bitter. But still trying to figure out a balance.

Why I am the way I am... Part 1

I've gotten some flack in the last few years due to my being seen as liberal. Perhaps I am seen as a threat to people's security in the sense that I bring up ideas which are generally shunned by the Moho community? Perhaps it is because I make people uncomfortable with my doubts, issues of faith, or my lack of a desire to really try as hard? Maybe its because the LDS community tends to be very conservative and I am more moderate---with a leaning towards liberality on social issues?

I want everyone to know that I am not a bad person. I don't consider myself wicked or unkind or even irreverent... Even if I think differently from others. I believe that God loves me despite my choices, including those which will alienate me from the Mormon community at large.

I want to write a series of blog posts about why I am the way I am. People often question my desire for fatherhood, especially single-fatherhood. Before I continue, I want to say that I have prayed about my decision and I am following the answer to those prayers. However, people might wonder about my decision and why I am making that choice.

Why would I push myself into such an awkward situation within my own life and within the Mormon community? Why would I choose to segregate myself with the liberal view that I, as a single-gay-man, could raise a child as well if not better than any other person or couple? Am I a heretic for saying so and believing in that?

I truly don't believe I'm a heretic.

We're taught in the gospel that we're supposed to have families. However, for those like me who are not attracted to women but still have a desire for a family, we're in an awkward bind. I think that every Moho has to figure out where he or she belongs in the gospel perspective. So why am I the way I am about children?

Today I was listening to the song "The Spark of Creation" from the musical Children of Eden. In the show, God the Father has created two children and wishes for them to remain innocent and pure. Eve, in this song, discusses that there's a little spark inside of her which makes her want more in life.

Excerpts from this song which spoke to me:

I've got a hunger burning inside me, can not be denied
I've got feeling that the Father who made us
When he was kindling a pulse in my veins
He left a tiny spark of that fire, smoldering inside

The spark of creation, is flickering within me
The spark of creation,is blazing in my blood
A bit of the fire that lit up the stars
And breathed life into the mud, the first inspiration
The spark of creation

The spark of creation, is burning bright within me
The spark of creation, won't let me rest at all
Until I discover or build or uncover
A thing that I can call, my celebration
Of the spark of creation

The spark of creation, may it burn forever
The spark creation, I am a keeper of the flame
We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure
Each perfect day the same
Endless vacation
Well that's alright if you're a kind crustacean
But when you're born with an imagination
Sooner or later you're feeling the fire get higher and higher
The spark of creation!!!



I am not a crustacean. I was born with this spark of creation---this spark of wanting to be a father---this spark of wanting to create and build a life for myself. I don't need to create a child physically or pass along my genetic coding to be a father. I wish to be a father to an unloved child or children who would otherwise have no future or hope---

I knew from an early age that I was different, but should that difference which I never asked for or wanted prevent me from fulfilling my destiny of fatherhood?

I told my mother a few months ago that I was given a special gift. I love people with a pure love. It actually is mentioned in my patriarchal blessing. I have a heart that is so big to love all the unloved people of the world---in the case of my adoption plans, my heart is big enough for all the children of the world. My heart wasn't made in a way where I could love a woman as a partner in life. I see women as shopping partners and friends, and nothing else.

God doesn't make mistakes though. My heart wasn't made with an error. Maybe, just maybe, that spark of creation combined with the heart made big enough to love the unloved was made on purpose. There are children out there who would benefit from my overwhelming love for them and their innocence. Why should I deny them that love merely because it is unacceptable to most people in the LDS community---?

Why stay?

My good friend made a comment yesterday which was difficult but also refreshing to hear:

              "If you weren't working for the church, you wouldn't be active in the church."

It was hard to hear because I've always felt like I am a good person who works really hard to be a good person. I don't love the church. I have issues with it. And I work for the church. Its not easy.

But I am trying my best in my limited understanding of what my best really means.

I don't think my friend who made that statement was doing so to rock my boat or to be unkind. I know he wasn't since he is not that type of person. I know he was giving his honest and sincere opinion about my future in the church.

It was still hard to hear. Especially coming from someone who has known me since my BYU days---so he's seen the ups and downs of my life.

I have not been able to balance my attractions and love for men with my faith. I'm not sure if it really is possible completely without having a hole in one area of my life.

You know what is funny, though... when I think of being a father, I don't see a hole in my heart. I will be able to fill it with a lot of love for my future children. Sure, I'll be the whore of babylon on the Block being a single father by choice---and undoubtedly be the subject of much gossip and unkind comments. However, I think that without being a father, I wouldn't be able to stay in the church even in my limited "fake smile" sort of way for more than another year or two.

When I brought up my testimony issues on the NorthStar facebook page, I got various responses. Some offered thanks for bringing up the topic. Others felt I was bashing. I do not do this sort of thing on purpose. I don't think I'm a basher of the church. One person even questioned why I'm still there in the group as I've brought the topic up before and seem to be making no progress. Is it my fault that I am making no progress? Maybe. Its hard to know where to go and what to do.

I kind of wish I wasn't so alone in this. I'd be a great father. It really sucks big monkey testicles that I was given this challenge in life to make fatherhood really hard. I can handle the fake smiles and doing my best if I wasn't alone and incapable of easily having a family without drama and pain associated with it.

Gay Eye for the SSA Guy: Clothing, part 1

Clothing makes the man... but the right clothing can make the man fabulous!

I think some men hear clothing and they assume that I am referring to expensive, name-brand clothing. I actually don't care for brand names as mcuh as I care about the right styles, fits, and shapes. A man can look sharply dressed in clothing from Walmart IF he knows the rules.

I don't think fashion requires one to be following all the trends. In fact, I say most trends are not good ideas. I think being timeless and sophisticated is more important than being trendy. Adding a few trendy articles of clothing can really make your outfit special. However, if fashion isn't your thing, then think "timeless" when picking clothing. Choosing darker denims, simple striped dress button down shirts, and some great jackets will go a lot further than spending a lot of time and money on outfits.

Before I write the next blogs which will go into more things about fit and style, I thought I'd list a few things which I see which are Fashion Do's ... but mostly Don'ts.  

General things to avoid:

1) Wearing two kinds of denim at once. I actually DO like denim together but it has to be two different styles of denim. I think a dark denim jacket looks good with medium colored jeans. But I wouldn't wear dark denim with dark denim. For this reason, I say to avoid wearing two styles of denim UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

2) Pleated pants. Never found a pair which looked nice. Wear flat-front trousers. They are slimming (as they visually do not add weight or bulk to your waist as do pleats.)

3) Anything you wore in High School. Unless you graduated within the last 5 years, any clothing you wore (short of it being completely timeless) should be avoided. I have met people who wear clothing which they literally wore in High School. I have a single pair of board shorts which I own from those days.

4) Socks with Sandals. I personally hate seeing socks with sandals. It should never happen.

5) Wearing "comfortable" clothes: Sweatpants and pajamas are great lounging clothes. They're great to snuggle up with someone. But outside the house? No thanks. Put on a pair of jeans.

6) Wearing too many trends: Especially if you're 20-30 years older than anyone else wearing the same trendy outfit. I think one trendy thing (such as wearing a bow-tie, interesting sweater, etc.)

7) Holiday Themed Clothing: If it has Santa, reindeer, the Easter Bunny or glows with lights, it is probably a bad idea. Thank your Aunt Myrtle for the present, wear it once when she sees, and then mysteriously lose it in your bag for Deseret Industries.

Gay Eye for the SSA Guy: Body Part 5, Make-Betters

I think to begin a beauty make-better (as opposed to makeover) was need to sit back and honestly take a look at our appearance.

Make a list of 5 specific attributes you love about yourself.

Make another list of 5 specific attributes of things you'd like to improve. In my case, I've done this so I am including a list of things I'd like to improve on where I've already written them out as goals.

Here's an example love list:

1) Eyebrows
2) Eyes
3) Clear facial skin
4) Height
5) Jawline

Improve List

1) Improve skin on rest of body
2) Work on removing blemishes (or minimizing them)
3) Lost 15 lbs from body weight
4) Be more particular with body hair trimming\grooming
5) Improve health of hair


Nothing on the list is impossible to do. Nothing is extreme. All of these items are achievable with time and effort.

For example, I love the skin on my face. Why? Because I use face masks. Sure, it doesn't sound super masculine. However, I get compliments on how nice my skin looks. Its not too oily or covered in blemishes. I'm hoping when wrinkles start showing up, I will be able to downplay those by taking care of my skin now.

If I want to improve the skin on the rest of my body, I can look into getting better moisturizers, body scrubs, and soaps. There are lots of natural ways to improve one's skin too from around the house ingredients. I've seen some people who make scrubs from things like oatmeal and sugar.

Every couple of weeks, I have what I call an "At Home Spa Night" which usually involves me, a bath tub, candles and a lot of products. I'll use bubble baths, salts, scrubs, etc. You name it, I own it. I love Bath and Body Works, Body Shop, and all sorts of smelly soap products. I'll take a long bath, shave, trim my eyebrows, use a face mask, etc. By the end of the time, my body feels so relaxed and fresh. Its truly lovely. I need to someday get a house with a large jacuzzi tub to make it even more pleasant.

The reason I bring these things up is that there are little ways in which we can improve our spirits and our beliefs about ourselves. Even doing things like making your skin look its best, smelling your best, and feeling good... will make you more positive about your outward appearance. Others will notice it too. Especially if you're not one who normally spends much time on yourself.

Gay eye for the SSA guy: Body Part 4, Natural Beauty

There's a lot of talk on my blog about self-defeating attitudes and ideas which are in our minds.

I've talked to a lot of people who say things like "I wish I were cute!" or "I wish I were attractive."

Although unconventional, this is almost a form of a black and white thinking pattern. At the very least, it is a thought process which is unhealthy. Why? Because most people think that attractiveness is completely genetic. As we cannot alter our genetics, it would seem like an unreachable goal. In many peoples' minds, one is either attractive or unattractive as if there was a barrier or wall separating the two groups.

I don't think there is as much of a barrier as we sometimes imagine.

Attractiveness is about 50% natural genetics and 50% what we make of our genetics.

This is all my personal opinion. 

I think there are people who are born much more attractive than others. I think there are also people who are less attractive naturally than others. But I think that truly unattractive and truly attractive people make up only a small amount of the population. Probably less than 10% for both groups. Which means that 80% of people fall somewhere in between the Quasimodos and the Romeos. Chances are, most of us fit into the 80% range.

However, if 50% of our looks is based on genetics and 50% is made up of other parts of ourselves, then everyone has a chance to improve themselves on the attractiveness scale.

How many of us complain about our appearance and do nothing about it? Do you take care of your skin? Do you use nice hair products? Try to stay in fashion? Or have you given up?

If 50% of how you look is not something inborn, there's a lot of improvement which could be done.

I think a lot of people have given up on improving themselves.

I'm not talking about giving everyone a full-on makeover. I could never do that. But I think that everyone could have a make-better. Everyone could improve themselves.

If you think you're unattractive or ugly, then I think we can work on that.

I bet you're better looking than you think you are. We just have to get over some of that self-defeating attitude inducing beliefs.

Gay Eye for the SSA Guy: Body Part 3... loving the naked us

Warning: This entry talks about nudity. Not in a gross way or a perverted way. But some people are more sensitive, hence the warning. 

I think a lot of what messes with our body image is self-imposed.

If we tell ourselves that our body isn't worth anything, then we have BECOME worthless at least mentally.

A lot of guys I know complain about their bodies not being as good as others. They have issues with body acceptance at the gym so badly that they won't even change in front of others. They wear a t-shirt in the pool. Or they complain openly about their bodies.

One bit of advice... we need to change how MENTALLY you see your body even more so than visually changing your body through the right clothing shapes and styles to maximize your body's appearance.

1) Make small goals to overcome some of your mentally-blocking self-defeating thoughts.

I used to be VERY self conscious at the gym at school. I wouldn't change in front of anyone. This stems from when I was a kid and I'd be teased in gym class. I'd find a far corner and change there, even as an adult. I loved to go swimming though and so I would have to get totally naked in the locker room. (I don't know why people ever swim with underwear on---I find it gross)

So I would start by changing far from others. Then I'd move to the same aisle as someone else---then change under a towel. Then I'd forget the towel and just change making sure no one saw "anything."

Eventually I got to the point I chose the closest locker area and just changed regardless if there were a dozen people around.

You know what I learned? No one was looking at me or judging me except for me. I had become the person who was teasing and taunting myself in the locker room because I told myself I wasn't good enough to be naked in front of others, even for the 4-5 seconds it took.

Maybe you have a similar problem. If so, make small goals to work on it. 

The gym is just one way to set goals. Maybe you have other goals you need to work on. Start small and realistic---and you'll be fine. :) 

2) Find beauty in your body.

Look hard and find something about yourself you DO like. Maybe you have nice eyes, good hair, or even skin tone.

If you dislike everything, find something small. And then tell yourself everyday how much you like that aspect of yourself.

I used to stand in the mirror and look at all my flaws. Later, I refused to look at flaws and look at things I liked. My image changed---I hadn't lost weight. I hadn't gotten more muscular. But instead I noticed how soft my hands are (I love lotions!)... I also noticed how my eyebrows are shaped perfectly and just need a bit of trimming to be flawless. I noticed my jawline which I get compliments on. 

3) Write affirmations down. And never talk down about yourself!

Post them on your mirror. Things like "No matter what I look like, I'm still worth something to the most important person I know... ME!" or "I like myself no matter what."

Even if you don't fully believe those affirmations, tell yourself them. With time, you'll begin to change the way you see yourself.

Don't say negative comments about your appearance. Thumper said "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" Fill your life and mind with POSITIVE thoughts and you'll see POSITIVE reactions. Even if you don't always believe them. If you DO say something negative, say "But that's just fine by me! I'm still worth something!" at the end. WHY? Because even if you weigh 600 lbs, you're still a human and have the same worth as a supermodel. If I say "I am fat," then it is self defeating. If I say "I am fat, but I'm still worth something and its okay!" then it is self-accepting and much more positive.

To be honest, I never lost weight when I was self-defeating and full of negativity.

4) If you have issues "down there" with size, chances are most men feel the same way about them. There's not a lot of things one can do to enlarge their penis. I don't agree with it either. Losing weight will help since if you're skinnier, your size will appear longer. Shaving or trimming pubic hair also visually enlarges. However, size is most seen when flaccid. The guys you see at the gym who are larger probably are not AS different as you are when erect. If someone has a 2 inch flaccid penis, it might enlarge to 6 inches. If someone has a 4 inch flaccid penis, it might enlarge just to 6.5.

Penis envy sometimes actually comes from pornography. Since we see those men who are so hung and perfect. Well, one thing you might not realize is that most porn stars are actually very short (Sometimes only 5 foot 3 or 5 foot 4) which means that their penis appears larger. I'm over 6 feet tall so of course I don't appear as big in comparison to the rest of my body. Why? Because I'm tall!

I actually once saw a guy from my ward at the gym. He was NOT big. But he had a great body. Totally ripped. But I was bigger than he was. It didn't make me feel better than him. Actually, it made me realize something "We're all more alike than different... at least down there."

Even changing ourselves in minimal ways---such as visually by shaving---can alter how we see ourselves mentally. If you like body hair, then work on telling yourself a positive affirmation such as "I might not be as big as I'd like to be, but that is just fine! I'm me and I'm awesome!"

5) Some people have told me that going to nudist activities has helped them be more accepting of their bodies. I've met a lot of Mohos who have gone to nude beaches and felt more masculine. I've gone to a nude beach. It was great. Nudists tend to be very welcoming of others and non-judgmental. It allows the person to see others naked in a non-sexual sense just like going to a gym. If you're not comfortable being naked in front of people you know, you can always go to a beach by yourself when you're on vacation. No one will know you. No one will care. And you know who will also hopefully not care or notice? YOU! Since we need to stop this self-defeating attitude.

6) I used to think I had a big butt and would be embarrassed. Until one day a female latina friend came up to me and said "You know why latinas think you're hot? Because you have a butt and can dance!" After that, I learned to love my butt. Why? Change of perspective! I stopped seeing it as a flaw, and started loving it. I mentally changed how I saw myself.

7) Did I really just say I loved my butt? Geez. The things I admit to.

8) Don't compare yourself to models in magazines, actors on tv, etc. Why? Because they're photoshopped, altered, and pulled through a wringer to get to look like that. They're almost inhuman.

Compare yourself to no one. Just be happy within your own skin.

9) Remind yourself everyday that a pot of gold covered in rotting garbage has the same worth as a perfectly clean pot of gold. YOU have immense worth no matter what you look like, your size, shape, etc.

Learn to love yourself! Since this is the one body you'll have in this life. So you might as well love the way you look. :)