My name is Dave. From a young age, I knew I experienced the world differently. Growing up in a traditional Roman Catholic Italian family in a small New Jersey town, identity and expectations were clearly defined. Masculinity looked one way, family was everything, and the Church shaped how we understood right and wrong. In that environment, I couldn’t yet name what I felt - but I knew something inside me didn’t align with what I saw around me.

 

By my early teens, that feeling became clearer. The emotions I felt and the connections I formed revealed the truth: I was gay. But accepting this internally didn’t erase the fear. My teenage years and early adulthood were spent in silence - not out of shame, but out of fear of disappointing the people I loved most. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of losing the place I belonged. It’s a burden many LGBTQIA+ people know all too well.

 

At 24, I finally came out to my family. For someone raised with deep cultural and religious roots, this moment could have gone in many directions. But my family responded with unconditional support. My mother even made the moment lighter by joking, “You can help me with my makeup and how I dress!” and I laughed, saying, “I’m not that kind of gay.” That small exchange became a symbol of her acceptance and joy. My parents weren’t just supportive - they were relieved. They were happy I no longer had to hide.

 

My extended family and friends embraced me just as easily. To them, nothing changed. I was still Dave - the same person they had always loved. I recognize how fortunate I am. In a world where many LGBTQIA+ individuals face rejection or hostility, my experience was a blessing that shaped my perspective on love and acceptance.