I am Taurean Bethea, in 2017 a hate comment was posted on social media about my assumed sexual orientation, “why doesn’t he just come out?” At the time, I was a closeted gay black male, not because of shame, but because coming out as a gay black male can be life threatening, even in the 21st century. However, that comment resonated with me, and I thought about the young kids, our future, who were committing suicide or slipping into depression because of public bullying.

 

On October 17th 2017, three days after my 33rd birthday, I decided to stand with those, young and old, that may have had something that should be celebrated and encouraged framed in hate. I decided to commit my life to helping individuals be unapologetically, WHO THEY ARE and with pride told the world that I am Taurean Bethea, a Gay Black Man from Springfield Massachusetts.