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Our family. Our stories.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton

MenAlive has amazing, loving and accomplished performers and volunteers; each with stories about strength of character, happiness and pain, gratitude and grace. And while each story is distinctly individual, they all share the common denominator of MenAlive.

What can we learn from the people who have been spotlighted? We see that many mirror the history of our times. They’ve experienced discrimination first-hand, been forced to hide in order to be accepted, and dealt with society’s stigma that being healthy and gay was an oxymoron. Our chorus members have experienced the cold perception that dedication to serving your country is only honorable if you are straight, but the realization that if you’re lucky and resilient, time may provide opportunities to reconcile the wrongs that are forced upon us. These men have shown that you can go from the highs of marching in protest to mourning the slaying of a respected leader all in the same night. They’ve demonstrated that family- however one defines it- is a crucial anchor for all men, that relationships in the gay community are loving and lasting, and that sexual orientation does not limit the ability to raise happy, well-adjusted children.

The men volunteering to share their stories have come from varied backgrounds- large cities and small, rural communities. They’ve distinguished themselves as scholars, become accomplished authors, and built careers as professionals in business, finance, and government. It’s striking how many have dedicated themselves to public service- as educators, therapists, counselors, and medical professionals. While the stories are varied, there’s a common thread of giving and commitment to improving the world- one gay man at a time.

While it remains to be seen just how much more there is to learn from the men who have yet to share their stories. most likely, we’ve just scratched the surface of what our chorus members have to teach and remind us. But we’ll never know unless more men are willing to share their stories. We appreciate those who have let us catch a glimpse and send out a hope that others will share their stories too. It’s all a part of growing within the LGBT community and reaching out to those communities that still have so much to learn.