From Anderson Cooper to Heartstopper, Gay Man Learns the Value of Living for Himself.

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Жыл бұрын

After college and in a serious relationship, Kevin Bentley made a promise to himself and to God: if his parents ever asked him directly, he would tell him he was gay. Sure enough, when his Mom called him one day to share the news that Andersoon Cooper had come out, the conversation quickly turned to Kevin’s sexuality. Keeping his promise, he told his mom that not only was he gay, but he was seeing someone.
Eight years later, Kevin was faced with a similar situation with his father, who was inquiring why he was moving to a different neighborhood and not bringing his roommate along with him. Seizing yet another opportunity to live truthfully, Kevin told his father - to a warm and loving reception - that he was moving in with his boyfriend.
These two experiences stayed with Kevin and resurfaced one evening when he was watching the new popular queer series, ‘Heartstopper.” Seeing the open and honest relationship between the characters and their parents, Kevin realized that, looking back, he should’ve been living for himself all along, rather than living up to what he thought his family wanted.
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Пікірлер: 64

@andrewjackson5805 Жыл бұрын

So grateful. I'm 67yrs old and came out at 63.

@richardbrown1100 Жыл бұрын

Really? Is that possible?

@algomes4292 Жыл бұрын

Enjoy. Maturity has benefits. Mature relationships may give the pursuit more time to know each other. Less intensity. You don’t have to be a twink or have, “the perfect”, body to attract a good person.

@co9971 Жыл бұрын

at least you did. theres a trend of older guys coming out now that ive noticed.

@tolstoy431 Жыл бұрын

IT is NEVER TOO LATE...to come out....and tell who you really are.....Your true colors

@nartarlyiatremaynne1239 Жыл бұрын

I concur with your sentiment 100% The universe rewards the Brave. Well done you ❤ Australia.

@tugboat2030 Жыл бұрын

"I don't think we should talk about this over the phoooooone....." That's a yes.

@samuelpenn4624 Жыл бұрын

He's a handsome young guy and deserves happiness no matter who he loves!

@victreebel170 Жыл бұрын

Haven't even watched this yet, but WATCH HEARTSTOPPER if you haven't. It is pure joy.

@khendralibbey617 Жыл бұрын

It really is! ❤️

@FINEDIAMOND Жыл бұрын

This beautiful man lived in Brooklyn and I’ve never seen him?! 😩 I’m happy for him accepting himself and having few issues with his parents knowing about his sexuality. I wish him all the best!

@tonycollazorappo Жыл бұрын

Now I have to watch heartstopper, lol. I was a foster I really never had parents and was never adopted. I always feel guilty when I tell people I never really had issues with coming out to anyone, I never belonged to any parents.

@khendralibbey617 Жыл бұрын

You won’t regret it. It’s absolutely amazing

@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS Жыл бұрын

Lovely video. I almost wish there was open homophobia in my school in the early 70s and someone was out, but back then I barely heard a whisper and public discourse was almost non-existent (or not so you’d notice as a teen not living in a metropolitan area). Being angry about the open homophobia might have given me the courage to come out as anger be a motivator against injustice. As it was, it took decades (because I was in an otherwise committed marriage until I wasn’t… unrelated to my orientation) and it was the years of ugly discourse from the right that made me want to be defiantly out, and proud, and take social action, and so I did. EVERYONE STAND STRONG AGAINST THE BACKLASH HAPPENING NOW.

@khendralibbey617 Жыл бұрын

Love this. Heartstopper is so powerful ❤️❤️

@jm7804 Жыл бұрын

Live your best life, whatever that is and wherever it might lead you. You're the one who has to look back towards the end and evaluate whether or not you did right by yourself. Virtually everyone else will be gone at that point.... grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, some siblings.

@erichill612 Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this. Wishing you happiness and love.

@teams3345 Жыл бұрын

My mother told me to never tell her I was gay. I never did. But I have lived with my husband for 33 years. She died nine years ago and my emotions released. Not over from her passing but now not having to hold it in. I was 53 at that time.

@user-be5qg7mr1s Жыл бұрын

did she ever visit you? Do you say your partner was a roommate?

@minlowonlin924 Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry that you had to experience that- we're never fully prepared for life will affect those around us. I hope you know that you are loved!

@LMays-cu2hp Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing things with you and a part of your life. Continue success with you and your boyfriends.

@camecex Жыл бұрын

All the best to him

@cassandragunkel6101 Жыл бұрын

I wish more of us had the courage to be authentic with our parents sooner in our journeys. I believe that we miss out on the loving support that true parents can give. If not support, then we are handed with another truth and can move on to creating a family that loves our authentic selves.

@earldegrey Жыл бұрын

Love this story, I had the same philosophy with my family. When they asked I knew they were ready to deal with the reality of it.

@respectmyopinion7412 Жыл бұрын

It was hard coming out to my parents but honestly we shouldn’t have to come out to any mfn body!

@iamsupercaleb3572 Жыл бұрын

Im Happy for you. Sending love&Hugs from the Philippines.. 😘😘😘❤❤❤

@jeffrey8783 Жыл бұрын

I have always felt so very sorry for anyone for any reason who could not be themselves all their lives. I am 74 and I knew I was gay at around eight, but didn't know what it was called. Never hid anything and told my mother and father when I was sixteen. In 74 years the greatest thing that has ever happened to me was being gay and as each year that has gone by and each decade and the more I have seen how hetersexual men are (not all but most), the happier I am that I am gay. Being gay for me has never been just about sex, but rather the way my mind is, which is totally opposite than a straight man. I have been lucky in love with my partner/husband of 46 years. I have also been very fortunate to have never been rejected by anyone in my whole life. This could be because I have a steriotype appearance of a straight person, masculine, into sports in school....BUT a completely different brain and I have navigated through my life never in the closet and as open to the world as a heterosexual. I have understood many reasons why people stay in the closet,. but not that many. Everyone had a reason that they themselves thought were valid reasons. The following I have lived by and it has made me aware of people and my surroundings all my life: There are three forces in this world responsible the the death of billions (YES, billions) of people and animals since the beginning of time. They are Religion, Culture, and Ignorance. And they will be here on Earth until the very last person takes their last breath.

@bookertable Жыл бұрын

A beautiful story 😘

@nartarlyiatremaynne1239 Жыл бұрын

Kevin the universe was showing off when you were made. The universe rewards the Brave. You are Brave beyond words. ❤ Australia July 2020

@robertwaldron5508 Жыл бұрын

Coming out is not as easy as it seems. Love is love ❤️ if you are happy, go on with your life in a respectful way. Bless your heart ❤️

@johnkeating362 Жыл бұрын

For a second, when his mother asked if he was seeing anyone, I thought was going to say “yes, Anderson Cooper”, LOL.

@sfreddy Жыл бұрын

Lovely. I salute and support my brothers and sisters. What I will say is it appears to me, I may be wrong, he comes from an educated and affluent family. Whether we like it or not, that usually makes a difference. All people should feel ok about being gay regardless of their place in life.

@joseserrano1501 Жыл бұрын

Lo que se ve, no se pregunta... El ilustre y talentos Juan Gabriel. Saludos desde México 🇲🇽

@joelbotello1235 Жыл бұрын

I'm happy for you live your life to fullest be happy with who you are hunny !!

@specialforces4947 Жыл бұрын

Lovely story

@teams3345 Жыл бұрын

Not just over her passing but not having to keep it in any longer. I felt free. But I did honor her request.

@jennifersinclair5988 Жыл бұрын

nice video, nice young guy, I wish you every happiness.

@DannyLTerry Жыл бұрын

I am so very Happy for you and your partner. I Love your PARENTS MAKE sure that you always look out for them. Enjoy your LIFE MAKE sure to help the least of these. Love Joy and Peace

@rspen2142 Жыл бұрын

It's weird to me that we are living in such a progressive time and there are still older men, whom I know, that still are closeted; which I understand why, of course... I even know people whom they have never discussed their sexuality with that, many times say, "Everyone knows their gay." or " They've never been with a woman." etc. My heart goes out to them because it is a hard life that makes for even more difficult conversations.

@rspen2142 Жыл бұрын

@@The_Black_Anarchist I stated that I understand why.

@rspen2142 Жыл бұрын

@@The_Black_Anarchist For those who actually feel a need to have them and then proceed to do so... This wouldn't apply to you, now would it???? And, many times it's not the closeted person that wants to have the conversation; but those that you love who force you to have the conversation...

@rspen2142 Жыл бұрын

@@The_Black_Anarchist You have a great night!

@davidcooper177 Жыл бұрын

WHY DO LGBTQIA HAVE TO JUSTIFY THEIR SEXUALITY TO SOCIETY AND FAMILY? IF ONE IS A HETEROSEXUAL, NO ONE QUESTIONS HIM/HER AND PUT THE PERSON ON TRIAL TO JUSTIFY THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION FOR BEING OR STRAIGHT. AS SEXUALITY IS CLEARLY DETERMINED BY NATURE AND GENETICS. NO ONE WAKES UP ONE DAY TO CHOOSE HIS/HER SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO BE GAY OR STRAIGHT. THE DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, ABUSE, AND EVEN KILLING THAT LGBTQ HAVE TO FACE AROUND THE WORLD IS ENORMOUS AND A GREAT DETERRENT FACTOR.

@alwaysuseless Жыл бұрын

What does "determined by nature" mean? There is no clear, universal reason or cause for sexual attraction. What's unfortunate is that humans often discriminate against people who identify with a group or category different from the one they identify with.

@davidcooper177 Жыл бұрын

@@alwaysuseless WELL, 100% HETEROSEXUAL IS NOT GOING TO BE ATTRACTED TO MEN, AND 100% HOMOSEXUAL IS NOT GOING TO BE ATTRACTED TO WOMEN, WHICH MEANS THAT A PHYSIOLOGICAL SEXUAL AROUSAL DOESN'T BEGIN. AS SEXUAL ORIENTATION and SEXUAL AROUSAL START IN THE BRAIN. THEREFORE, UNTIL SCIENCE/PSYCHIATRY DETERMINE AND ISOLATE THE GENETICS AND PART OF the BRAIN WHERE CONTROL OF THE SUBJECTS IN QUESTION IS DETERMINED, We have to go by field observational behavioral outcome.

@alwaysuseless Жыл бұрын

@@davidcooper177 The science of sexual attraction has not advanced to the point where we can confidently assign percentages to people's experiences of sexual attraction. I agree with the real point of your original post and your reply. Homophobia, like sexism, racism, and ageism, is indefensible. Loosely speaking, I knew I was gay by the time I was 5. This pseudo-fact, of course, became more compelling and consequential when I hit puberty.

@davidcooper177 Жыл бұрын

@@alwaysuseless I agree with your point. My statements are simply a bunch of hypothesis based on my experience and my observation of others. I am not stating any scientific finding and conclusion. For my hypothesis to be proven true or false, of course the scientific community has to conduct research inorder to make the proper determination, understanding, and conclusion. I am not sure where in the brain that sexual orientation is controlled, and which genetic blueprints contribute to the determination of sexual orientation. To make matters more complicated, add bisexuality and asexuality subjects in to the mix. It is a very complex and very complicated issue. I can't wait to find out what science discovers about this subject that has been puzzling humanity for thousands of years. I like to see the finding while I am alive.

@jdmmg4904 Жыл бұрын

@StevieP. Жыл бұрын

I don't think he came out the closest, he must have come out the pantry because he's a snack.

@iamtlc4u Жыл бұрын

Sad that this spirit is affecting so many black men.

@src3360 Жыл бұрын

A promise to god?? Hunny....🙄

@RedRiverMan Жыл бұрын

whats wrong with that? most gay people in the world-like most other people in the world believe in and pray to God, even when their religions might condemn them and that is just great to me. Also, its more common that gay folks of colour are praying people and that is a part of our culture that we don't abandon because we come out. Gay isnt a religion, its just an orientation. I'm proud and excited to be a Black Christian Gay man and I am glad this young brother is still talking to God.

@src3360 Жыл бұрын

@@RedRiverMan Good for you 👍🏻

@khendralibbey617 Жыл бұрын

@@src3360 you realize gay people can be Christians right? Those hateful people that claim to be Christians are actually the opposite of what Christianity is actually about. 😬