Nicolas G. Janovsky's Blog

Born on May 31st, 1981 on Eglin Air Force Base and now resides in Tampa (Ybor) Florida. Nicolas currently works in politics in advisory and campaign staff roles, organizing to change the balance of Central Florida politics. In addition to education and experience in the political arena; Nicolas has an extensive management background and has worked to develop the campaign structure, messaging and campaign plans of several successfully elected officials. Janovsky has a sincere desire for the mechanics of campaigns and is motivated by issues and candidates, believing in the value of a statesman and not the robotics of ordinary politicians.

In 2011 Janovsky worked on several political campaigns for first time candidates, advised on additional races and worked to support local Domestic Partner Registries, successfully passing in several Florida Cities. Previously in 2004, Nicolas served as a National Advocate for a 501c3 organization that led a successful campaign to defeat a U.S. Congressional candidate, who significantly out fundraised them. Janovsky also lobbied in efforts to have several legislative bills successfully introduced in the Midwest. He has also volunteered personal time and energy for charity and activism work as well, raising approx. $30,000 for the Susan G. Komen race for the cure in Tampa, Florida 2008-2011 for Breast Cancer education and research. In-line with his ideology, Nicolas wrote and published “Gay A New Path Forward” to help create better working and family environments for others. Janovsky has been out spoken in his quest to change the minds and inspire the hearts of many.

“With Gay: A New Path Forward, I hope to enlighten non-Gays by offering them ways to talk to and about Gays in their lives. Through this, I aim to put an end to the stereotyping that plagues everyday language and society and that sets Gays apart from the rest of humanity. I contend that if society could talk about Gays the way they now talk more openly about race, non-Gays would soon discover that their Gay friends and family members were just like them. It is my hope that all individuals would be noted as different in the same manner that people are short, tall, but not otherwise different just because of their sexuality.”

Author of Gay: A New Path Forward. Published In the United States and the United Kingdom. Available at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and is ebooks and kindle formatted. http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic...
Gay: A New Path Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gay: A New Path Forward
by Nicolas Janovsky
WingSpan Press

What we talk about when we talk about 'Gay'.

For too long, the topic of being Gay has long lived under the rock of discrimination, ignorance and misunderstanding. In his new book, Gay: A New Path Forward, author Nicolas Janovsky reaches out to non-Gays with detailed descriptions of Gay life and attitudes. He explains terminology and various aspects of Gay culture through true personal stories of Gay men and women who have struggled with the shame and difficulty of being Gay in a critical and misunderstanding world.

With Gay: A New Path Forward, the author hopes to enlighten non-Gays by offering them ways to talk to and about Gays in their lives. Through this, Nicolas aims to put an end to the stereotyping that plagues everyday language and society and that sets Gays apart from the rest of humanity. The author contends that if society could talk about Gays the way they talk about race, non-Gays would soon discover that their Gay friends and family members were just like them. Nicolas hopes that all individuals would be noted as different in the same manner that people are short, tall, white, black, smart but not otherwise different just because of their sexuality.

From the wealth of information shared in Gay: A New Path Forward, the author hopes to forge a new path for Gays and non-Gays alike, inspiring them to learn from, talk and interact openly with one another. As part of his explanation of Gay culture, Nicolas offers intriguing looks into several of the Gay hotspot neighborhoods in America such as the Boystown district in Chicago and the Chelsea district in New York City, and encourages readers to dip into the wealth of culture and fun available in those locations.

Author Nicolas Janovsky is a native Floridian, and a proud resident of the Gay Tampa suburb of the historic Ybor City district, known locally as GaYbor. Nicolas is openly Gay and works to bring others, Gay and non-Gay alike, into the light of understanding. "Spending time looking for what is missing in your life is futile; if you fail to look within yourself," he says, "When we challenge everything we believe we are… we reveal that which we never knew about our own selves."

Gay: A New Path Forward is published by WingSpan Press, www.wingspanpress.com and is available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com in hardcover (ISBN 978-1-59594-406-1, $26.00), paperback (ISBN 978-1-59594-454-2, $18.00) and Kindle ($9.95)

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Gay: A New Path Forward

My goal is to enlighten non-Gays by offering them ways to talk to and about Gays in their lives. Through this I aim to put an end to the stereotyping that plagues everyday language and society and that sets Gays apart from the rest of humanity. I work to create better family and working environments for Gays. If society could talk about Gays the way we now talk about race, non-Gays would soon discover that their Gay friends and family members were just like them. If we can achieve this I believe all individuals would be noted as different in the same manner that people are short, tall, white, black, but not otherwise different just because of their sexuality.

Excerpts from GAY: A New Path Forward:
"I have a dream one day people will not be judged by their sexual orientation but by the content of their character." -Derek Eichler M.D.

"Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and there isn't anything different or abnormal about being gay." -Nicolas Janovsky, author

"Our voice dies if we fail to find the ears to listen and the hearts to inspire." -Nicolas Janovsky, author


Gay: A New Path Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gay: A New Path Forward

by Nicolas Janovsky

WingSpan Press

What we talk about when we talk about ‘Gay’.

 For too long, the topic of being Gay has long lived under the rock of discrimination, ignorance and misunderstanding.  In his new book, Gay: A New Path Forward, author Nicolas Janovsky reaches out to non-Gays with detailed descriptions of Gay life and attitudes.  He explains terminology and various aspects of Gay culture through true personal stories of Gay men and women who have struggled with the shame and difficulty of being Gay in a critical and misunderstanding world.

With Gay: A New Path Forward, the author hopes to enlighten non-Gays by offering them ways to talk to and about Gays in their lives.  Through this, Nicolas aims to put an end to the stereotyping that plagues everyday language and society and that sets Gays apart from the rest of humanity.  The author contends that if society could talk about Gays the way they talk about race, non-Gays would soon discover that their Gay friends and family members were just like them.  Nicolas hopes that all individuals would be noted as different in the same manner that people are short, tall, white, black, smart but not otherwise different just because of their sexuality.

From the wealth of information shared in Gay: A New Path Forward, the author hopes to forge a new path for Gays and non-Gays alike, inspiring them to learn from, talk and interact openly with one another.  As part of his explanation of Gay culture, Nicolas offers intriguing looks into several of the Gay hotspot neighborhoods in America such as the Boystown district in Chicago and the Chelsea district in New York City, and encourages readers to dip into the wealth of culture and fun available in those locations.

Author Nicolas Janovsky is a native Floridian, and a proud resident of the Gay Tampa suburb of the historic Ybor City district, known locally as GaYbor.  Nicolas is openly Gay and works to bring others, Gay and non-Gay alike, into the light of understanding.  “Spending time looking for what is missing in your life is futile; if you fail to look within yourself,” he says, “When we challenge everything we believe we are… we reveal that which we never knew about our own selves.”

Gay: A New Path Forward is published by WingSpan Press, www.wingspanpress.com and is available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com in hardcover (ISBN 978-1-59594-406-1, $26.00), paperback (ISBN 978-1-59594-454-2, $18.00) and Kindle ($9.95)

 

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I wish to live in a society where dialogue is exchanged openly and freely about everything that encompasses Gays, Gay Culture and Gay life. I sincerely hope this information is accepted, more freely exchanged and better understood. I dream of a time when being Gay will no longer mean existing as a second-class citizen because of society’s repressive and harmful stereotyping. We are all responsible in the quest for an environment in which all people can flourish, and for achieving our own true potential.

After many years of experience with convincing, persuading and educating those in my life and those whom I care for – heterosexuals mostly – on Gay life and Gay culture, I decided to write this book. More than a project on Gay people and Gay life, this work is an awakening and eye-opening look at Gay existence. While simultaneously covering all the unique adversities Gays face at work, within family dynamics and in their social life, I hope to create stronger bonds between my readers and the Gay people in their lives. These colorful, creative and brilliant people are your co-workers, loved ones, friends and family members. They exist within your life, and the real-world lives they lead are too often unknown.

The culture we live in and the language we use will be explained in detail and in a way that will shine light on many things that may be unknown to you. Further, I will explore the oppression we have faced from policies that have forced us into a second class citizenship. Together we need to recognize how our actions and behaviors have contributed to this oppression. Negative impacts on the people within all our lives can be corrected and better family and working environments can be created. We can use our collective voices to be a bright shining beacon of hope to carve a New Path Forward to a level, equal and just society for all.

I speak from real life experiences and years of shared knowledge with friends, family and co-workers. I have reached out to friends of mine who are among the educated elite, and to those who have a completely different perspective than I because of their own unique experiences. Their insight, combined with research and dissection of my own experiences, has inspired me along the journey of writing this book. I have put my life’s knowledge into this book: 30 years of personal and professional experience as a scholar, holding a Doctorate in Gay Life. I write for and on behalf of all Gay men and women for acknowledgement of them, their lives, their culture and their community, primarily to educate their family members, co-workers, peers, neighbors and friends. My most gracious thanks to those who have contributed to this project. Your contributions are priceless and I am inspired by your brilliance.

I was cautious about naming this book based on its subject: Everything Gay. I was worried that sales might be lost because of the title. Why was this rooted within me and why did I have such an unsettling feeling deep in my gut? I was nervous about the marketing possibilities with a big red title: Gay. I was worried that my own family and co-workers might look poorly upon the tile. Further, those who need to read this text the most may never do so because the cover turned them off, or because they were too worried someone would see them reading it. But I knew that if I gave in to these feelings I would be giving in to exactly that which I wished to eradicate from our society: The inability to openly and freely discuss Gay life, culture, terms, relations, stereotypes and what prevents us from having true equality. So in big, red letters, the title is proud and it screams, demanding attention!

I sincerely thank you the reader for reading this project of my life. If just one young person growing up, or one mature adult avoid injustice or concealing themself because of this text, then I will feel like the most accomplished man in the universe. I hope you use this information to open a door for all of us to walk a New Path Forward. Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and intense conversations. Early in life we learn our unique identity and there isn’t anything different or abnormal about being Gay.Gay: A New Path Forward

[image error] Get a copy of the complete book: http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic... 

In the work place Gays exist in three very unique variations. Each is significant in their differences in acceptance and understanding. More often the company or organization creates the gradient by its corporate culture and ethical operational standards. By creating a G1 environment companies improve employee moral thus maximizing results.

  G1: "Completely Out."

Within this most supportive and accepting environment operates some of the worlds the most admired and successful companies. Coincidentally, these are the same companies that often deliver excellent financial results. Great results are directly related to their corporate culture of inclusion, leading to positive public perception. Such companies are viewed positively for being wiser than our times. Yet, all these environments' ringmasters have done is operate with integrity and deliver results all while embracing and being all that is naturally you! Starbucks and Apple, along with a few other companies, have enacted accepting environments, and, are trailblazers for equality in working environments. Let me ask you a blunt question: are you shocked when you walk into a Starbucks or an Apple store and see an openly Gay employee? NO! You almost expect it. More importantly, do you care? No! Does this expected presence give you anything other than a positive perception of the company these Gay employees work for? Nope! As you have an "ah ha" moment here, my exact point is: you translate this way of conducting business as the most positive operational standard of corporate entities. In fact these two companies have done nothing more than say be Gay, but still do your job. Be freely, openly Gay and be that way while you perform to our expectations. On Starbucks.com, inside it's "about us" section proclaims:

"Starbucks is dedicated to creating a workplace that values and respects people from diverse backgrounds, and enables its employees to do their best work. We honor the unique combination of talents, experiences and perspectives of each partner, making Starbucks success possible."

Further:

"As such we expect our partners to act with a spirit of kinship, tolerance and humanity toward all customers making our brand welcoming to everyone."

I think that sums up my point nicely. I would also like to add, I firmly believe their statement and have seen it in effect first-hand, having worked for Starbucks Coffee Company North America as a store manager. This was the first time I felt comfortable in my own skin while working simply because of their corporate culture of inclusion.

Apple and Starbucks have garnered widespread respect for their ultra-inclusive, professional corporate operations. Of course, the majority of people given this freedom and inclusion conduct themselves with taste and class. For some facts and solid information to back this up, The Human Rights Coalition, (HRC) corporate equality index for 2010, gave both Apple Inc and Starbucks a 100% on their equality report card. Companies such as these two have set the standard for most of corporate America.

  Two, G2 is: "Acknowledgement."

The second way, G2, is a middle of the road, semi-comfortable zone that Gays are acknowledged in. You can't be fully, freely out, but you are acknowledged and therefore feel comfortable discussing your culture, boyfriend or girlfriend at work, to an extent. This is where the majority of corporate America operates, as is required by the public's consumer power. The majority of U.S. citizens would flex their consumer muscle by choosing to spend their incomes elsewhere than a bigoted and discriminatory company.

Racial discrimination, the closest and most similar form of discrimination compared to Gay discrimination demonstrates the need and public demand for companies to operate in corporate cultures of inclusion.

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G3: "Closeted".

G3 is the third and most debilitating way of existence in the professional world/corporate America. For example, DADT- Don't Ask Don't Tell. This is the Military's policy of mandating that sexual identity be withheld. Did any of us truly believe there weren't lesbians serving in the Air force? Or that Gay men weren't serving our country within the Army? No one was fooled that Gays proudly and honorably served, yet they were mandated to hide who they are or face a humiliating discharge. This shameful act of hiding one's true self at work, from peers and superiors is wildly unacceptable. In a homophobic or un-accepting, non-acknowledging environment (G3), Gays are suppressed and fear ridicule and discrimination. This begins a downward spiral of depleting self-esteem and further threatens a person's mental and physical well being. Some individuals become trapped in these environments because their psyche is drastically damaged from having to live as a second-class citizen by being Gay, which is just the same as racial inequality suppressed groups based on race. A G3 environment suppresses Gays. And on top of that, a person is now working in a job that they are terrified of being themselves at. The integrity of their armor is damaged, so many continue on this destructive professional career path to nowhere far too long. G3 environments kill dreams and destroy hope. I have personally worked in a G3 environment for an unmentioned company that today I believe has done a better job broadening their policies than my horrific experiences as a teenage employee in the 1990's, always fearing I would be exposed for who I am. Thus, I existed in G3 and went to extreme lengths, concealing that I was a Gay male. I will leave this home improvement company unnamed.

[image error] Order the book http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic...

I wish to live in a society where dialogue is exchanged openly and freely about everything that encompasses Gays, Gay Culture and Gay life. I sincerely hope this information is accepted, more freely exchanged and better understood. I dream of a time when being Gay will no longer mean existing as a second-class citizen because of society’s repressive and harmful stereotyping. We are all responsible in the quest for an environment in which all people can flourish, and for achieving our own true potential.

After many years of experience with convincing, persuading and educating those in my life and those whom I care for – heterosexuals mostly – on Gay life and Gay culture, I decided to write this book. More than a project on Gay people and Gay life, this work is an awakening and eye-opening look at Gay existence. While simultaneously covering all the unique adversities Gays face at work, within family dynamics and in their social life, I hope to create stronger bonds between my readers and the Gay people in their lives. These colorful, creative and brilliant people are your co-workers, loved ones, friends and family members. They exist within your life, and the real-world lives they lead are too often unknown.

The culture we live in and the language we use will be explained in detail and in a way that will shine light on many things that may be unknown to you. Further, I will explore the oppression we have faced from policies that have forced us into a second class citizenship. Together we need to recognize how our actions and behaviors have contributed to this oppression. Negative impacts on the people within all our lives can be corrected and better family and working environments can be created. We can use our collective voices to be a bright shining beacon of hope to carve a New Path Forward to a level, equal and just society for all.

I speak from real life experiences and years of shared knowledge with friends, family and co-workers. I have reached out to friends of mine who are among the educated elite, and to those who have a completely different perspective than I because of their own unique experiences. Their insight, combined with research and dissection of my own experiences, has inspired me along the journey of writing this book. I have put my life’s knowledge into this book: 30 years of personal and professional experience as a scholar, holding a Doctorate in Gay Life. I write for and on behalf of all Gay men and women for acknowledgement of them, their lives, their culture and their community, primarily to educate their family members, co-workers, peers, neighbors and friends. My most gracious thanks to those who have contributed to this project. Your contributions are priceless and I am inspired by your brilliance.

I was cautious about naming this book based on its subject: Everything Gay. I was worried that sales might be lost because of the title. Why was this rooted within me and why did I have such an unsettling feeling deep in my gut? I was nervous about the marketing possibilities with a big red title: Gay. I was worried that my own family and co-workers might look poorly upon the tile. Further, those who need to read this text the most may never do so because the cover turned them off, or because they were too worried someone would see them reading it. But I knew that if I gave in to these feelings I would be giving in to exactly that which I wished to eradicate from our society: The inability to openly and freely discuss Gay life, culture, terms, relations, stereotypes and what prevents us from having true equality.  So in big, red letters, the title is proud and it screams, demanding attention!

I sincerely thank you the reader for reading this project of my life. If just one young person growing up, or one mature adult avoid injustice or concealing themself because of this text, then I will feel like the most accomplished man in the universe. I hope you use this information to open a door for all of us to walk a New Path Forward. Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and intense conversations. Early in life we learn our unique identity and there isn’t anything different or abnormal about being Gay.

[image error] Order the book http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic...

I wish to live in a society where dialogue is exchanged openly and freely about everything that encompasses Gays, Gay Culture and Gay life. I sincerely hope this information is accepted, more freely exchanged and better understood. I dream of a time when being Gay will no longer mean existing as a second-class citizen because of society’s repressive and harmful stereotyping. We are all responsible in the quest for an environment in which all people can flourish, and for achieving our own true potential.

After many years of experience with convincing, persuading and educating those in my life and those whom I care for – heterosexuals mostly – on Gay life and Gay culture, I decided to write this book. More than a project on Gay people and Gay life, this work is an awakening and eye-opening look at Gay existence. While simultaneously covering all the unique adversities Gays face at work, within family dynamics and in their social life, I hope to create stronger bonds between my readers and the Gay people in their lives. These colorful, creative and brilliant people are your co-workers, loved ones, friends and family members. They exist within your life, and the real-world lives they lead are too often unknown.

The culture we live in and the language we use will be explained in detail and in a way that will shine light on many things that may be unknown to you. Further, I will explore the oppression we have faced from policies that have forced us into a second class citizenship. Together we need to recognize how our actions and behaviors have contributed to this oppression. Negative impacts on the people within all our lives can be corrected and better family and working environments can be created. We can use our collective voices to be a bright shining beacon of hope to carve a New Path Forward to a level, equal and just society for all.

I speak from real life experiences and years of shared knowledge with friends, family and co-workers. I have reached out to friends of mine who are among the educated elite, and to those who have a completely different perspective than I because of their own unique experiences. Their insight, combined with research and dissection of my own experiences, has inspired me along the journey of writing this book. I have put my life’s knowledge into this book: 30 years of personal and professional experience as a scholar, holding a Doctorate in Gay Life. I write for and on behalf of all Gay men and women for acknowledgement of them, their lives, their culture and their community, primarily to educate their family members, co-workers, peers, neighbors and friends. My most gracious thanks to those who have contributed to this project. Your contributions are priceless and I am inspired by your brilliance.

I was cautious about naming this book based on its subject: Everything Gay. I was worried that sales might be lost because of the title. Why was this rooted within me and why did I have such an unsettling feeling deep in my gut? I was nervous about the marketing possibilities with a big red title: Gay. I was worried that my own family and co-workers might look poorly upon the tile. Further, those who need to read this text the most may never do so because the cover turned them off, or because they were too worried someone would see them reading it. But I knew that if I gave in to these feelings I would be giving in to exactly that which I wished to eradicate from our society: The inability to openly and freely discuss Gay life, culture, terms, relations, stereotypes and what prevents us from having true equality.  So in big, red letters, the title is proud and it screams, demanding attention!

I sincerely thank you the reader for reading this project of my life. If just one young person growing up, or one mature adult avoid injustice or concealing themself because of this text, then I will feel like the most accomplished man in the universe. I hope you use this information to open a door for all of us to walk a New Path Forward. Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and intense conversations. Early in life we learn our unique identity and there isn’t anything different or abnormal about being Gay.

[image error] Order the book http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic...

I wish to live in a society where dialogue is exchanged openly and freely about everything that encompasses Gays, Gay Culture and Gay life. I sincerely hope this information is accepted, more freely exchanged and better understood. I dream of a time when being Gay will no longer mean existing as a second-class citizen because of society’s repressive and harmful stereotyping. We are all responsible in the quest for an environment in which all people can flourish, and for achieving our own true potential.

After many years of experience with convincing, persuading and educating those in my life and those whom I care for – heterosexuals mostly – on Gay life and Gay culture, I decided to write this book. More than a project on Gay people and Gay life, this work is an awakening and eye-opening look at Gay existence. While simultaneously covering all the unique adversities Gays face at work, within family dynamics and in their social life, I hope to create stronger bonds between my readers and the Gay people in their lives. These colorful, creative and brilliant people are your co-workers, loved ones, friends and family members. They exist within your life, and the real-world lives they lead are too often unknown.

The culture we live in and the language we use will be explained in detail and in a way that will shine light on many things that may be unknown to you. Further, I will explore the oppression we have faced from policies that have forced us into a second class citizenship. Together we need to recognize how our actions and behaviors have contributed to this oppression. Negative impacts on the people within all our lives can be corrected and better family and working environments can be created. We can use our collective voices to be a bright shining beacon of hope to carve a New Path Forward to a level, equal and just society for all.

I speak from real life experiences and years of shared knowledge with friends, family and co-workers. I have reached out to friends of mine who are among the educated elite, and to those who have a completely different perspective than I because of their own unique experiences. Their insight, combined with research and dissection of my own experiences, has inspired me along the journey of writing this book. I have put my life’s knowledge into this book: 30 years of personal and professional experience as a scholar, holding a Doctorate in Gay Life. I write for and on behalf of all Gay men and women for acknowledgement of them, their lives, their culture and their community, primarily to educate their family members, co-workers, peers, neighbors and friends. My most gracious thanks to those who have contributed to this project. Your contributions are priceless and I am inspired by your brilliance.

I was cautious about naming this book based on its subject: Everything Gay. I was worried that sales might be lost because of the title. Why was this rooted within me and why did I have such an unsettling feeling deep in my gut? I was nervous about the marketing possibilities with a big red title: Gay. I was worried that my own family and co-workers might look poorly upon the tile. Further, those who need to read this text the most may never do so because the cover turned them off, or because they were too worried someone would see them reading it. But I knew that if I gave in to these feelings I would be giving in to exactly that which I wished to eradicate from our society: The inability to openly and freely discuss Gay life, culture, terms, relations, stereotypes and what prevents us from having true equality.  So in big, red letters, the title is proud and it screams, demanding attention!

I sincerely thank you the reader for reading this project of my life. If just one young person growing up, or one mature adult avoid injustice or concealing themself because of this text, then I will feel like the most accomplished man in the universe. I hope you use this information to open a door for all of us to walk a New Path Forward. Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and intense conversations. Early in life we learn our unique identity and there isn’t anything different or abnormal about being Gay.

[image error] Order the book http://www.amazon.com/Gay-Forward-Nic...

I wish to live in a society where dialogue is exchanged openly and freely about everything that encompasses Gays, Gay Culture and Gay life. I sincerely hope this information is accepted, more freely exchanged and better understood. I dream of a time when being Gay will no longer mean existing as a second-class citizen because of society’s repressive and harmful stereotyping. We are all responsible in the quest for an environment in which all people can flourish, and for achieving our own true potential.

After many years of experience with convincing, persuading and educating those in my life and those whom I care for – heterosexuals mostly – on Gay life and Gay culture, I decided to write this book. More than a project on Gay people and Gay life, this work is an awakening and eye-opening look at Gay existence. While simultaneously covering all the unique adversities Gays face at work, within family dynamics and in their social life, I hope to create stronger bonds between my readers and the Gay people in their lives. These colorful, creative and brilliant people are your co-workers, loved ones, friends and family members. They exist within your life, and the real-world lives they lead are too often unknown.

The culture we live in and the language we use will be explained in detail and in a way that will shine light on many things that may be unknown to you. Further, I will explore the oppression we have faced from policies that have forced us into a second class citizenship. Together we need to recognize how our actions and behaviors have contributed to this oppression. Negative impacts on the people within all our lives can be corrected and better family and working environments can be created. We can use our collective voices to be a bright shining beacon of hope to carve a New Path Forward to a level, equal and just society for all.

I speak from real life experiences and years of shared knowledge with friends, family and co-workers. I have reached out to friends of mine who are among the educated elite, and to those who have a completely different perspective than I because of their own unique experiences. Their insight, combined with research and dissection of my own experiences, has inspired me along the journey of writing this book. I have put my life’s knowledge into this book: 30 years of personal and professional experience as a scholar, holding a Doctorate in Gay Life. I write for and on behalf of all Gay men and women for acknowledgement of them, their lives, their culture and their community, primarily to educate their family members, co-workers, peers, neighbors and friends. My most gracious thanks to those who have contributed to this project. Your contributions are priceless and I am inspired by your brilliance.

I was cautious about naming this book based on its subject: Everything Gay. I was worried that sales might be lost because of the title. Why was this rooted within me and why did I have such an unsettling feeling deep in my gut? I was nervous about the marketing possibilities with a big red title: Gay. I was worried that my own family and co-workers might look poorly upon the tile. Further, those who need to read this text the most may never do so because the cover turned them off, or because they were too worried someone would see them reading it. But I knew that if I gave in to these feelings I would be giving in to exactly that which I wished to eradicate from our society: The inability to openly and freely discuss Gay life, culture, terms, relations, stereotypes and what prevents us from having true equality.  So in big, red letters, the title is proud and it screams, demanding attention!

I sincerely thank you the reader for reading this project of my life. If just one young person growing up, or one mature adult avoid injustice or concealing themself because of this text, then I will feel like the most accomplished man in the universe. I hope you use this information to open a door for all of us to walk a New Path Forward. Life would be boring without a difference of opinion and intense conversations. Early in life we learn our unique identity and there isn’t anything different or abnormal about being Gay.