The following is a written response (a letter) to a video that we posted on Youtube to promote the documentary. His identity is anonymous, but if you read this letter, we thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is people like you who inspire us to continue our project.


Artwork: Hector Silva / artbyhector.com

When men watch the video preview of the film- many times they are compelled to write a quick thank you note for making the documentary.

 

 

hey man….intense from a subject that existed…..

i read through your profile….looked at everything and everyone i could…..

my names guillermo…or memio….

i live in south texas in a small city known as mcallen….i have been in los angeles and tend to visit cause of my closest inspirations that tend to reside there….

i am 33 right now and but i have seen just part of what the gay latino society is about…..crazy how it might sound but everytime i go to l.a……and leave…i cry….why cause the culture of the city itself plus the life of a latino exsist there where i feel at home. Even in 1996 when i joined the military i wasnt to aware on what the angels have a hold for me. but to me it opened my hands to where i didnt feel as much of that anger that made my life difficult on what i was…..before i even experienced it it felt wrong but felt so right. it became to where i felt even in my own hometown, i didnt feel i belonged there. during the military i knew what i was,,,,,but being a marine made it to where the closet was made of metal…sound proof…and hidden. because being a marine, it supposed to be that hardcore man world where evfen the worst of things wont ever hurt you or express feelin. it was just another constrictive lie i had to live. was gettin close to my 4th year and the way i felt bout loving another ….i could not stay. so in other words i left cause i wanted that feeling of loving another man and it feel normal. and even fair. los angeles made me discover myself more….and it still does. L.A. can have its bad side , but as far as me…i seen the good side where living gay and latino is accepted as the normal life..(depends who your hangin with). but it put me at ease to where i actually feel i am home. i felt i left a part of me that needed to rest…kinda like takin someone to where they feel out of place…but evne then ….the true me feels out of place……but i know where that place if…i found it and it makes me smile….knowin what los angeles has done for me…..maybe thats why they call it the city of angels…..cause its where angles are that make you feel at ease and accepted . i am just a latino thats gay that feels the stereotype was branded into society as it being feminine and just always sexual with no respect…. but to me love is intense and amazing where loving someone is as normal to you….your neighbor……your boss…..your friend…..but there is a shame that not everyone knows how we can see it…

i hope i didnt bore you…lol….but jus t thought that i am lookin on what your doin and i think it has to be expressed….because i feel it will let people know that the stereotype….is just what it is….”just a stereotype”. i praise you on what your doin. thank you….y se cuidan!!

guillermo