If you need a reminder that even underwear models have struggled with bullies and being open about their sexual orientation, here you go.
Just in time for pride season, clothing designer Andrew Christian joins many of his most familiar faces and bodies, including Topher Maggio, Ryan Rose, Diego Sans, Jacob Ford and Matt O’Reilly, to appear before the camera and express their vulnerability, as well as how it felt to be ostracized and bullied.
Related Post: 10 Things Required Of All Andrew Christian Models
In a note posted to his site, Christian explains the impetus for the video:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
We decided to share our own stories of how we came to have so much Pride. The road may not always be easy but it is always worth while to come out, be free, and find the love in the world. Hopefully by sharing our stories we are able to further inspire others and continue to help, as the song says, change the world.
Learn more about the guys below.
Chris
heart warming
Dakotahgeo
Possibly one of the most profoundly beautiful videos I’ve seen and the models are all so spot on the mark! All the best to you all!
Pastor George M Melby
Our Bodies, Our Confidence: For gay men.
#abprivilege 😛
Mandin Los Reyes
I was so surprised to realized how much my comming out was similar to Topher Dimaggio
Derick Liu
thank you so much for share those true story
Rich Galey
Beautifully done.
Bob LaBlah
These stories were hard hitting and on the mark. So help me I leave this page wishing I were asian, black, or a mulatto latino. Based on this public service message/confession how much more OBVIOUS can it be that NO ONE in any of those groups ever experienced something like that. And no, I am NOT going to believe nor support a lame, too late claim that this was an oversight on the part of Andrew Christian public relations team. I honestly doubt if one even exists.
Coming just in time for the most unifying event that spans the entire world (even though China, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and nearly every country in Africa north of South Africa do not allow parades) for gays I say it seems right at a half inch short of hard to believe that message wasn’t filmed down here where I live instead of California (assuming).
Please reexamine reality, Andrew Christian. I am beginning to wonder how many hollers from me did you grow up in. It’s 2015 for crying out loud.
Dakotahgeo
‘Blah’ just about describes the comment perfectly. Again, Andrew Christian does a great job and we of stronger mind agree completely with this particular story!
Bob LaBlah
@Dakotahgeo: How fitting (your comment). Now for a little background music from the favorite choir of those of you of stronger mind and eyesight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpZ3jPMM5Ac
Dakotahgeo
@Bob LaBlah: You have excellent taste in choral music but do you have eperience? I’ve been in music since 5 yrs. old, public school music, instrumental, choral, keyboard (pipe organ, Piano), and general music, plus M.Div. and Minister of Music. Your point is?
DarkZephyr
@Our Bodies, Our Confidence: For gay men.: But guys with abs are so hot. You can have self confidence while finding guys with abs hot you know.
Saint Law
Oh so the bloke in the shirt was the designer?
Dakotahgeo
@Bob LaBlah: Still a beautiful piece but quite old now. They need to do a re-do! Soon!
Bob LaBlah
@Dakotahgeo: “Still a beautiful piece but quite old now. They need to do a re-do! Soon!”
I know the feeling. I keep after them for a re-shoot of our (down here) national anthem but they won’t do it. Not that I have anything against lesbian but since it is 2015 I keep saying why not stick a few guys in there. No matter which way they or their supporters slant their response it meant the same and we all knew it. And there lies the problem. Diversity. Or point, if you will.
I have a few front porch lights I have to replace so I hope you will listen to our national anthem in earnest and (barring I fall off the ladder outside and break my neck) I will be back to check to see how you liked it. Please let me know about OUR overall taste in music down here. Ya’ll take care now, here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82dDnv9zeLs
Thomas C. Powlin
It’s never easy…..even years later people are still prejudice and ignorant.
Dug J Doll
B U !