"The Truth About Who We Are..."

Jakub, Counselor, Prague, Czech Republic by thegaymenproject

photos by Kevin Truong

Jakub, in his own words: "(Being gay means) Happiness and fear together. Although I fear what obstacles can come in the future – I really want to have children – I so enjoy being different and fight for equal human rights. I honestly don’t like to say “I’m gay“ out loud because I’m simply a person, a human being. The one absolutely worth it.

Surviving elementary school was my first great success. I was bullied that time and finding another world outside my school actually brought me many friends and options as well. It shaped my life to who I am now. Although I’ve never thought I would be active in the gay rights, suddenly my friends told me: “Whoa, you are an activist!“ I was never thinking about it like this. I am part of the online LGBT counselling project and Prague Pride team and things are getting bigger and bigger. And I so enjoy being part of the change of our society.

I knew I was different at the age of 12. But I couldn’t name it, that feeling was so strange. My classmates at the elementary school were quicker in understanding what is actually happening. They felt my difference and started calling me a faggot etc. It was the toughest time for me. At the age of 20 I came out to my parents. I think they already knew because my "friend" visited me very often so suddenly he was presented to them as my boyfriend. They were not very happy about it, but they’ve got over it. And (hopefully) my last coming out happened a few weeks ago, at the age of 29, I was interviewed to one of the biggest Czech newspapers about my coming out in order to support the online LGBT counselling project. I had my picture all over the page and guess what – my 90 y/o grandfather, who was the only one from my family who didn’t know – has a subscription. You can figure out the rest of the story…

(The gay community in Prague is) Layered. I tend to be a minority in a minority quite often, being always a little bit different than others. Anyways, while I am friends with gay activists and geeks, I am always curious to meet other tribes. Here you can find twinks, jocks, bears and even those guys who have perfect haircut, fitting shirt, holding a glass of mojito while standing along the riverbank. Otters? Weasels? God knows but you can definitely find all of those types in Prague, especially all together during the Prague Pride march.

(Advice to my younger self) Get over it. Bad crap happens to everybody and you have to get over, because it’s your life."

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"Fear Eats the Soul"