LGBT Stories

We are returning with the same beloved stories from the queer community with a new name and look!

For the complete show notes click here: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/joshuasstory    

For complete show notes click here: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/season5

Full Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/look-back-episode-laganja-estranja Support LGBTQ Stories Please: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TUSZYAVDZJ9SE  Kevin Adopts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UpyNQIZC1wv1Dgw9ULK1w/    www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com   The host's Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kevingerdes Our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtqstories/ LGBTQ Stories Merch: teespring.com/stores/lgbtqstories Get 10% off Pride Counseling: pridecounseling.com/lgbtqstories Los Angeles Real Estate Services: www.kevingerdesrealestate.com Support This Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ourlgbtqstories Submit Your Story To Our Show: www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/submityourstory  10% off Royalty-Free Music: soundstripe.com?fpr=lgbtq Email: info@lgbtqstoriespodcast.com

Full Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/2020hiatus  Kevin Adopts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UpyNQIZC1wv1Dgw9ULK1w/  www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com   Host's IG: http://www.instagram.com/kevingerdes Guest IG: www.instagram.com/theqreview Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtqstories/ LGBTQ Stories Merch: teespring.com/stores/lgbtqstories Get 10% off Pride Counseling: pridecounseling.com/lgbtqstories Los Angeles Real Estate Services: www.kevingerdesrealestate.com Support This Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ourlgbtqstories 10% off Royalty-Free Music: soundstripe.com?fpr=lgbtq Email: info@lgbtqstoriespodcast.com

Full Episode Show Notes: www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/theqreview www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com   Host's IG: @kevingerdes Guest IG: www.instagram.com/theqreview Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtqstories/ LGBTQ Stories Merch: teespring.com/stores/lgbtqstories Get 10% off Pride Counseling: pridecounseling.com/lgbtqstories Los Angeles Real Estate Services: www.kevingerdesrealestate.com Support This Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/lgbtqstories 10% off Royalty-Free Music: soundstripe.com?fpr=lgbtq Email: info@lgbtqstoriespodcast.com    

Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/fearsofadopting  

Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/maiaakiva  

Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/myadoptionjourney Support Kevin's Adoption Journey: http://www.gofundme.com/kevinadopts  

Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/rabbieeger Support Kevin's Adoption Journey: http://www.gofundme.com/kevinadopts 

Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/kylmyers Support Kevin's Adoption Journey: http://www.gofundme.com/kevinadopts  

Full Show Notes: https://www.lgbtqstoriespodcast.com/post/sept12020 Support Kevin's Adoption Journey: http://www.gofundme.com/keinadopts  

Support LGBT Stories on GoFundMe at http://www.gofundme.com/lgbtstories 

Full Show notes: https://bit.ly/justincaseandtheclosetmonster Anathema Trailer: https://youtu.be/1Jnfl3RNhZY To Purchase or Rent Anathema https://vimeo.com/ondemand/anathema Support LGBT Stories on GoFundMe at http://www.gofundme.com/lgbtstories 

GoFundMe Campaign Link: http://www.gofundme.com/lgbtstories Show Notes Available Here: https://bit.ly/lgbtstoriesgofundme

Click the following link for all the links and show notes discussed in this episode. https://bit.ly/ElenaJoyThurston  Support LGBT Stories on GoFundMe at http://www.gofundme.com/lgbtstories 

Click the following link for all the links and show notes discussed in this episode. https://bit.ly/ElenaJoyThurston  Now Live Streaming LGBT Stories on the LIVIT App! Download the LIVIT app and search for @lgbtstories or click this link! https://17appv2.onelink.me/D7OH/lgbtstories For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. Find it here http://www.patreon.com/lgbtstories

Click the following link for all the links and show notes discussed in this episode. https://bit.ly/johnpierre  For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. Find it here http://www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  

Visit www.pridecounseling.com/lgbtstories for 10% off your entire first month of online therapy right from the comfort of your own home!

Click the following here for all the links and more show notes discussed in this episode. http://bit.ly/kyleshareshisstory For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. Find it here http://www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  

Pick up some LGBT Stories swag here www.ourlgbtstories.com For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  Get 10% off your first month of Pride Counseling with our link today! www.pridecounseling.com/lgbtstories    LGBT Stories Online Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories Twitter: www.twitter.com/lgbtstories Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories    Pick up some LGBT Stories swag here www.ourlgbtstories.com   LGBT Stories is Produced and Hosted by, Kevin Gerdes: www.kevingerdes.com Intern: C.C. Lilford   Get 10% off your first month of Pride Counseling with our link today! www.pridecounseling.com/lgbtstories    For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  Take the LGBT Stories survey http://bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey Copywrite 2016 - LGBT Stories/Kevin Gerdes

Get 10% off your first month of Pride Counseling with our link today! www.pridecounseling.com/lgbtstories    For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. www.patreon.com/lgbtstories    LGBT Stories Online Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories Twitter: www.twitter.com/lgbtstories Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories    Pick up some LGBT Stories swag here www.ourlgbtstories.com   LGBT Stories is Produced and Hosted by, Kevin Gerdes: www.kevingerdes.com Intern: C.C. Lilford   Get 10% off your first month of Pride Counseling with our link today! www.pridecounseling.com/lgbtstories    For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  Take the LGBT Stories survey http://bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey Copywrite 2016 - LGBT Stories/Kevin Gerdes

Click the following here for all the links and more show notes discussed in this episode. http://bit.ly/crystalsharesherstory  For daily episodes listen to our show, The Microcast, on Patreon. Find it here http://www.patreon.com/lgbtstories  

Check out our daily Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode.   CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com   Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Check out our DAILY Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode.     FOLLOW MICHAEL ON :    FACEBOOK   MYSTERIES BY MIKE  https://www.facebook.com/MysteriesByMike/     MIRACLE MIKE https://www.facebook.com/MiracleMikeHealer/    ACTOR  https://www.facebook.com/MichaelHennesseyactor/   DINODOGZ https://www.facebook.com/TheDinoDogz/     FOLLOW MICHAEL ON:   INSTAGRAM   ACTOR: https://www.instagram.com/michaelhennesseyactor/    MYSTERIES BY MIKE:  https://www.instagram.com/mysteriesbymike/     HEALING: https://www.instagram.com/iammiraclemike/   DINODOGZ:  https://www.instagram.com/dinodogz/       CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com   Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Check out our DAILY Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode.   Ashley of the podcast, "Girls Ask Guys Show" shares her first kiss story.   CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories  Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com    Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Check out our DAILY Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode. CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com   Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Check out our DAILY Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode. Please help us and take our survey, make your voice heard! www.bit.ly/lgbtstoriesurvey  If you can not remember I began sharing my life story through this segment called, “Me”. It's a fairly new segment of the show only beginning just before we left for our hiatus. Our show LGBT Stories has always been a space where people can come on the show and discuss their lives. And though I was present on all episodes I didn’t ever really spend much time talking about who I am and how this show even got started. Everything about it stems from me. It’s all sorta my brainchild. My own life brought me to the idea of a podcast. It’s all those small pieces that brought me to a larger picture of LGBT Stories. So today, we are going to continue that story. If you have not listened to “Me. episodes 1-4” I HIGHLY encourage you to go listen to them. This is a story that is factual and is best followed in order. Here is a brief recap… I was raised in Maryland, was outed when I was 19 by my brothers, but also sorta by MySpace. Then again at my church at the time and was kicked out. That’s when I met my first serious crush who we are calling, Travis. That didn’t work out because he was an ass, and then I ended up moving to PA. PA didn’t last any longer than a month because I couldn’t deal with cornfields and well… cornfields. So I moved with my brother and his wife to Sarasota Florida. And that brings us to today’s episode.   CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com   Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   Music in this episode is by Stiofàn. www.theartiststiofan.com   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Check out our DAILY Microcast exclusively on Patreon, just visit www.patreon.com/lgbtstories to listen to today’s episode. Today we are sharing a story from a man named, Niko. He is a transgender man, who lives in the mid-west, in Kansas. You know, our show only has a few people who are trans that have told their stories and that has differently been something on my mind. It is very important for me to make sure that we create a show that is a reflection of the entire LGBTQ community. So when Niko reach out to me and told me about who he is, and his story, I was thrilled. And then, as I listened and heard him explain how many times he went through learning who he is, in all very different ways, I was just so unlike anything I have ever had to experience. Connect with Niko online! www.instagram.com/whatsthatniko and www.twitter.com/whatsthatniko CONNECT WITH LGBT STORIES ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. Instagram: www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Our website: www.ourlgbtstories.com   Contact Us: Call us and leave us a short message with what you love about LGBT Stories! Maybe we will use your voice on the show! Simply call 310-750-3841 Email us for all press, advertising, or bookings at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Remember to rate and comment about the show on iTunes so more people can find the show around the world!   IF YOU'RE IN DANGER, CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES 9-1-1 (IN THE UNITED STATES).

Thanks for listening today! LGBT Stories returns on Feb 4th, 2020 with BRAND NEW EPISODES and a new show “LGBT Stories - The Microcast”! In this episode, Kevin shares all the news and updates with you all! www.ourlgbtstories.com   Follow Kevin Gerdes on Social Instagram: www.instagram.com/kevingerdes Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialkevingerdes Twitter: www.twitter.com/kevingerdes www.kevingerdes.com   Join Our Patreon Community! www.patreon.com/lgbtstories   Contact LGBT Stories admin@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text and calls are welcome

Thank you for being the community that you have been this year! Join us on our website at www.ourlgbtstories.com for a new experience!

This episode is dedicated to everyone out there who feels alone and scared today, or during this holiday season. A short episode from our host, Kevin Gerdes, letting you know that you're not alone. If you would like to donate to LGBT Stories you can do so at www.ourlgbtstories.com and then click donate in the menu bar. Additionally, you can also purchase LGBT Storie's merch by clicking shop and shopping at our online store. Remember that 5% of all profits made get donated right to GLSEN this month! If you would like to be on the show, or for press and advertisement opportunities you can email us at admin@ourlgbtstories.com or call us at 310-750-3841 (text works too!) We are surveying the LGBT Stories community to help us get a better idea of who listens to the show. Every time we have asked for this community to come together for good, you all deliver! I am excited to see just how diverse this community is! Please visit bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey now to make your voice heard!   www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.twitter.com/kevingerdes www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories

Today’s episode is called King of Stars and it features a man names, Ryan Heller. You may know that Ryan is the designer of our logo, but he also told his story on the show year ago. It’s a long, two-part episode and I am so excited to reshape it with you all. Part one is here today, and part two will be released tomorrow. I hope you enjoy Ryan’s story on December 20th, 2016. Please help support LGBT Stories' YouTube channel by subscribing there. The link to do that is bit.ly/lgbtyoutube If you would like to donate to LGBT Stories you can do so at www.ourlgbtstories.com and then click donate in the menu bar. Additionally, you can also purchase LGBT Storie's merch by clicking shop and shopping at our online store. Remember that 5% of all profits made get donated right to GLSEN this month! If you would like to be on the show, or for press and advertisement opportunities you can email us at admin@ourlgbtstories.com or call us at 310-750-3841 (text works too!)   We are surveying the LGBT Stories community to help us get a better idea of who listens to the show. Every time we have asked for this community to come together for good, you all deliver! I am excited to see just how diverse this community is! Please visit bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey now to make your voice heard!   www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.twitter.com/kevingerdes www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories

Today’s episode is called King of Stars and it features a man names, Ryan Heller. You may know that Ryan is the designer of our logo, but he also told his story on the show year ago. It’s a long, two-part episode and I am so excited to reshape it with you all. Part one is here today, and part two will be released tomorrow. I hope you enjoy Ryan’s story on December 9th, 2016. Please help support LGBT Stories' YouTube channel by subscribing there. The link to do that is bit.ly/lgbtyoutube If you would like to donate to LGBT Stories you can do so at www.ourlgbtstories.com and then click donate in the menu bar. Additionally, you can also purchase LGBT Storie's merch by clicking shop and shopping at our online store. Remember that 5% of all profits made get donated right to GLSEN this month! If you would like to be on the show, or for press and advertisement opportunities you can email us at admin@ourlgbtstories.com or call us at 310-750-3841 (text works too!) We are surveying the LGBT Stories community to help us get a better idea of who listens to the show. Every time we have asked for this community to come together for good, you all deliver! I am excited to see just how diverse this community is! Please visit bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey now to make your voice heard!   www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.twitter.com/kevingerdes www.facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories

bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey We are surveying the LGBT Stories community to help us get a better idea of who listens to the show. Every time we have asked for this community to come together for good, you all deliver! I am excited to see just how diverse this community is! Please visit bit.ly/lgbtstoriessurvey now to make your voice heard!

Today's episode is about a man named Ronnie Mugisha. He is an openly gay man. He shares his story about what it was like growing up gay in Uganda. This episode has always been one of the episodes that I (Kevin Gerdes - host) have raved about when telling people about LGBT Stories. Ronnie talks about fighting to stay alive daily, fears that he lost his mother as a result of his coming out, and can't find a way to sustain himself daily. This episode is tough to listen to, but its a very important one at the same time. Please help support LGBT Stories' YouTube channel by subscribing there. The link to do that is bit.ly/lgbtyoutube If you would like to donate to LGBT Stories you can do so at www.ourlgbtstories.com and then click donate in the menu bar. Additionally, you can also purchase LGBT Storie's merch by clicking shop and shopping at our online store. Remember that 5% of all profits made get donated right to GLSEN this month! If you would like to be on the show, or if you have press and advertisement opportunities you can email us at admin@ourlgbtstories.com or call us at 310-750-3841 (text works too!)

Jen Winslow shares her coming out story about being a trans MTF women. This is LGBT Stories. You’ve tuned in during our hiatus month. What that means is we are resting and, prepping for the new year ahead. There won’t be any new episodes of LGBT Stories from December to January, but, that does leave room for us to share some of our best or, or favorite episodes of the show with you all. Thanks for tuning in and we hope that if you haven’t heard these episodes yet that you find them just as moving as we did so many years ago. And if you’ve been with us from the start, I hope that these best of episodes brings you back to the good old days! I hope all your holidays are going great and I can’t wait till you see what we have lined up for you next year!

Hi everyone! Just stopping by to keep you updated. This is a quick little episode.   Starting next Tuesday, December 2nd, 2019 we are going to be kicking off our Best of Series! As we are in this time of hiatus from releasing new episodes, it provides us a wonderful chance to reflect on some of the episodes that have helped us reach the place we are at today. I am excited for you those of you who haven't gotten the chance to hear some of our very first episodes to hear the inspiring stories that our guests like, Ryan Heller, Jen Winslow, Natalie Wood, and so many more have shared with us. The stories of addiction, transformations, and self-identity that they have shared is the true embodiment of LGBT Stories!   So, if you'd like to jump back there now and check those episodes out, be my guest. Or you can play along and take a listen every Tuesday for the next 9 weeks to some of the top episodes we've produced on this show. Be sure to tune back in on Tuesday, December 2nd!   I also want to thank those of you who have answered my call for donations, reviews, and ratings! It is amazing how much yall come together in times of great need. I'd like to read this review that was posted on iTunes on Thanksgiving.    Thank you, everyone, who donates to this show. If you would like to donate anything as little as a few dollars to something more substantial like $100 or more you may do so at our website www.ourlgbtstories.com There you may set up a one time or a recurring donation that is all managed through PayPal. If you're out of the United States don't worry, PayPal should be able to convert everything over for you!   And lastly, we'd love to have you on the show! If you would like to share a coming out story, a story of transformation in away way, or anything else significant, heartwarming, tragic, or the like in regards to LGBTQ culture please email me at admin@ourlgbtstories.com.   I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season! Peace out!

2019 has been a year filled with so much to be grateful for! This episode is dedicated to that!   Make Donations to LGBT Stories at www.ourlgbtstories.com  Join us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRu9No3E1BX1lDuoY9PkWQ?view_as=subscriber  

Support LGBT Stories by donating or shopping at www.ourlgbtstories.com   Time For A Hiatus - Last Episode Ft. Michael Osborne   re·new·al: the replacing or repair of something that is worn out, run-down, or broken. Friends: Its time for a hiatus. This year, LGBT Stories has grown more than I possibly could have known would happen. We started out slow, not producing many episodes, and had a goal of reaching 100k downloads. I didn't really see how that would happen, so it became nice to think about but didn't seem really realistic. Earlier this year I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, Mike, about the number of downloads the show had, it was just above 40k downloads, 44k to be exact. The conversation was me basically whining about how I wished it had been higher. Mike looked at me and said, "Kevin, don't think about it like that. Think about it as that being 44k people who have listened to your show". That's when it all hit me. That number is huge. 44k people. 44k downloads. Something in that gave me the drive to keep going and to keep going harder. As you all know, I went on this year to producer a total of 3 episodes a week. 12 a month. That is no easy fleet. There are many nights that I haven't slept because I was recording or editing. Then in the morning, I would go out to drive for Uber and try to make some sort of living in-between acting jobs. Starving actor is a real thing. So now its November 18th, 2019, and LGBT Stories has, 130k downloads. That goal of 100k was not only met; it was crushed! And the year isn't even over yet! So whats next? Well, it's all going, to begin with, renewal. Am I worn out? Yes. Am I run-down? Yes. Am I broken? Hell no. Could I use a break to reflect internally, outwardly, spiritually? Sure could. Social media, and overnights recording and editing do not help with. Today will be the last NEW episode of LGBT Stories until February 2020. Don't worry, new pre-recorded episodes will still be pumped into your feeds. We will be using this time to do something I've wanted to do for some time now. From November 26th to January 28th, we will be doing a Best Of series. There have been so many episodes of LGBT Stories that have really shaped what this show is all about. New listeners, I feel missed out on this. And I know that you can always go back and listen on your own time, but I feel like some of these really need to be highlighted as they are stories that have touched so many people over the years. Then on February 4th, 2020, I hope yall are ready for more content... I'm talking podcast episodes, a new streaming platform that we are partnering with, live streams, and it's finally time that LGBT Stories really starts a YouTube presence. So, thank you, everyone, who has donated your money or time to this show. Thank you, Kate Mays, for giving so much to LGBT Stories in the work you've been doing with FKF episodes. They're fun, and we need fun in our lives. Okay, let's chat a bit about what you're going to hear today! The last full-length story of 2019 on LGBT Stories! Years ago, I used to work at The Apple Store here in Los Angeles. I met a man named Michael Osborne. We were never super close at the store just because we fell into different shifts and cliques, so to say. There were A LOT of employees! Anyway, I do follow Michael on Instagram and noticed (like the rest of his followers) that he is a really talented artist. I had no idea. Michael draws tasteful, lifestyle art, of men in the nude. It's pretty awesome. Today Michael is going to tell you the story of how this has changed his life and how renewing the childhood self in him lifted his depression. In a season of renewal, I think this is an excellent episode to end the year on. I encourage you this Holiday season to search for the truth of it all. Not what the commercial industry is trying to sell you. Look more in-depth at the meaning and truth it was all founded on. Get renewed. Renew your spirit.   Follow Michael Osborne www.misterosborne.com www.instagram.com/mister_osborne   CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   First Kiss Friday (FKF) episodes are produced by our intern, Kate Mays. If you'd like to tell the story of your first kiss, send us an email at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Everyone is invited LGBTQ or not!

Support LGBT Stories by donating here www.ourlgbtstories.com     Today we pick back up, on this journey of mine with me telling you a more about my first ever sorta real relationship with a man. Well, for me, at least it was real. The joy, excitement, fantasy, sadness, pain, and sorrow all were as real as they could get. I was a young, not even 20-year-old boy at the time, who thought he found the love of his life. Lord, was I wrong.   As I mentioned in last week's episode, Travis (who's name isn't really Travis) and I met via the website, craigslist.com. The first day that we met, we had sex (which was also the first time I ever had anal sex with anyone).  If you would like to hear more about that, I implore you to go listen to last week's episode "Me. #3". Okay, moving on...   I think it's safe to say that just about everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity falls hard for the first person that they have sex with. And that's what happened to me. Looking back, it is clear that Travis and I had two very different agendas.   See, he was so hot and cold. One day he wanted me over for a hot piece of ass, and the next, he would act like he didn't even know me, or more like, I was a bother to him. Meanwhile, here I am, all nieve just wanting to get married and run off into the sunset. I think the power dynamic in age was a major factor in all this.   The friendship/relationship continued into something where I knew what to expect. When Travis called, I would go running. Why, because I was "in love." Kids, this isn't, love. This is a childhood infatuation. I am not saying that the things I was feeling at the time were not valid and did not feel real, because they were, and did. But it wasn't at all, love.   Love is feeling completely and utterly supported. It's feeling valued and respected. Love is when you know that you can show up as you are to a relationship, and your partner encourages you to be just that, and even wants more of that from you. Love is in the moments of difficulty when things get hard, and you're not shamed for your feelings, but embraced for having feelings and living in the honesty of them. Love is peaceful. It is looking into someone's eyes when you speak to them, desiring their intimacy. Love is, unknowing - yet willing. Love is unconditional.   What I had with Travis was not... love.   He and I would start to spend more time together. We went from spending time only in his house to random outings, sometimes stopping by his work for coffee (he worked at Starbucks). Ew... is this some unconscious reason for my infatuation with Starbucks? Yeah, another thing I need to look at. Maryland isn't all that amazing when you're that age, but then again, where, in America, is. We would go shopping at Target or out to lunch, simple things. There was a time when we were driving in his car, he had a Saturn Vue (kids the company went under, oh the foreshadowing imagery).   I finally got the nerve to hold his hand. It probably took everything in me. Remember, at this point, I'm really nothing more than a side piece. But the fact that we were hanging out in public more started to make me feel like maybe he was actually into me? So we are sitting there, he is driving, I'm in the passenger seat, and I reach over to grab his hand, and when mine touches his, he pulls away and says, "Kevin, no." I was so embarrassed. But I did what I did so well. I stayed small and said, "Okay," and went on like it didn't bother me. But it did. His constant toying with my heart, pulling me in, and pushing me away really was breaking me inside. But, little Kevin, he just wanted to be loved. All he wanted was to feel love. So I put a smile back on my face and went about the day together.    Here is where things take a major turn for Travis and me. One day I get a call from him asking me if I wanted to go to an old military fort that is in Baltimore. It's no longer used, but it a historical land that people go and visit. You can't grow up in Maryland (one of the first 13 colonies) and not be a patriot. Of course, I said yes and headed over to his house. We jump in his car and head out for the day. Something was so different. Like really different. Travis was warmer, kinder, all around, more interested in me. On the way there, he grabbed and held my hand. WHAT! Wait a minute, what is happening? The man whom I have been drooling over and fucking for how many months now; was actually holding my hand; as we are on our way out to cute day adventure? OMG, I can finally die now... but not really cause I want more.   Okay, so we get there right. We park and start walking around, looking at the ruins and etc. Actually, it was pretty cool, old cannons, and jail cells. It was something out of a history book. Then literally, the best moment of my entire life up until this point happens. And any LGBTQ person will most likely agree with me. We decide to sit down on this small hill out in the open. Its a beautiful summer day in Maryland to which made it all so much better. I sit down, and Travis comes up from behind me and sort gets on his knees and then wraps his arms around me, just holding me. Holy shit... every fiber of my body is going crazy. For the first time in my life, I am living in my truth OUT IN PUBLIC. And I didn't care who saw. All that matter was that moment of pure bliss. Then, he gets up and says, "Let's go." Boom, that was it. It was all over. From there, I believe we stopped at McDonald's and got lunch, and honestly, I don't remember the rest of the day. This was the last time I remember being intimate with Travis.   Travis got cold again. Calls were not as frequent, and I do think that as that behavior surfaced again, I got tired of the back and forth. I have to be honest, I am not really the type of person that lets things go. Well, at 33, I am much more willing to now in life, but at that time, not so much. Maybe it was just life letting me know things with Travis, and I was over. It was then that things with my church were falling apart and that I end up moving to Pennsylvania. As I mentioned before, being me being in PA and him being in MD was just too much to maintain. So, we feel apart, and I didn't hear from him again until I contacted him in my mid-twenties.   And that's it for this week. Next week, I'll pick back up in Florida. A place where I was finally a 100% out gay man living on his own, doing whatever he wanted. Sound fun, right? Well, don't be fooled. I was young. And dumb. To be continued.   CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   First Kiss Friday (FKF) episodes are produced by our intern, Kate Mays. If you'd like to tell the story of your first kiss, send us an email at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Everyone is invited LGBTQ or not!

Support LGBT Stories by donating here www.ourlgbtstories.com   Last week I shared with you all about what it was like for me to come out or be outed, I should say, at the church I had been attending. I shared with you the stares that I received from people who I called "Family" and how I attended "Self-confrontation" classes to "confront" my gayness. 
 I also began talking a bit about my move to Pennsylvania. We will get more into that today, for sure. 
 However, I'd like to briefly discuss something about church and homosexuality. As I listened back to last week's episode, preparing for today's, I felt as though I left things on a difficult note regarding the intersection of homosexuality and Christianity. And honestly, after sharing what I went through, one might say that I was justified... I mean, it's my experience, right? Yes. But, that's not who I am today, and it might not even be who that church is today. I have no idea. I don't attend that church anymore, obviously. How would I know if they've changed? All I can hope for it that God has shown them how He loves all his creation, no matter their orientation. It's apparent that the entire experience is still hard on my heart; otherwise, why would I have left it like such. Maybe that's something I should start looking at again. 
 The Christian church has its problems, yes, but I can say that my experience with it today is vastly different than it has ever been. Today I am part of a church in Hollywood called Ecclesia and have never felt so loved and supported for the person I am, just as I am. But more of that to come in the next coming weeks. I simply thought it'd be nice for me to circle back around and make note that I am a believer, still. Some churches just miss the mark, and others, like Ecclesia, are much closer to the mission of Jesus than others. 
 Okay, let's get back to the story of Me. 
 Here I am, in York County, PA. In the city of Dover. I'm talking cornfields and, small-town USA. What the hell was my mom thinking? I knew NO ONE! Well, my cousin, Vincent, and his family were already living there, but STILL. Really PA? Okay, deep breath, I can do this. First things first, find a job. If it was 2019, I'm sure my first action would have been more like, First things first, pull out iPhone, open up Grindr. But I digress. 
 I ended up landing at a job at a local steak house called, Texas Road House as a "Busboy". Long story short, I lasted there I believe the most 2 weeks before I simply could not deal anymore. Again, here I am, in a place of utter uncomfortably. I can just tell that I stick out like a sore thumb. I just wasn't vibing. 
 Meanwhile, in my off time, I can remember going to a few local bars with my cousin and his friends. It wasn't so bad, but I don't know; it just wasn't my thing. Honestly, I don't even know how we got in, I wasn't even 21 yet. Even at 33 years old, I don't go out and party. Partly due to the fact that I am so damn busy, but hey, aren't we all? 
 And to make matters worse, I knew not one other gay person. Not one! It was like I was starting all over. The guy I first slept with and fell hard for a few years prior was back in Maryland, and traveling there just was too much. My friends who I would go parting with, in DC and Baltimore, simply fell victim to, out of sight, out of mind. It was all just a sad and lonely time of my life. 
 I knew that I needed to change my current reality. I couldn't stay here. My older brother, Phil, and his wife Vicky were living in Florida at the time, why don't I go live with them? So I went to my mom and asked her what she thought about it? She said, "Talk to Phil, and if he says 'Yes,' then you can go." And that's what I did and what he said. 
 I believe a week or two went by before once again; all my belongings were packed into my 2005 VW Jetta, and I was embarking on the 16-hour drive to Sarasota, Florida. Here is where I as a young gay "Twink," started to thrive, or so what I thought was thriving. 
 But before we leave the Maryland/Pennsylvania territories, I'd like to share with you all the story of my first time with a man. 
 So let's backtrack. His name was, we will call him, Travis. I was 18 at the time and using craigslist.com for all the wrong reasons! If you know, then you know. I'm certainly not giving any more explanation on that one. One night I meet a guy, Travis, via the site. I head over to his house in Glen Burnie, MD. Cute little neighborhood in a single-family home. He was I believe between 22-24 at the time. He met me outside in my car and told me that we had to be very quiet because his parents were at home in bed. 
 Lord, so many triggers! Okay, moving on. We get to his room, and I can remember feeling just so envious of his space. He was like an adult! So much stuff and so put together. The intense attraction was inevitable. We talked for a little before doing anything, just all small talk getting to know each other, I guess? I mean, maybe there was some sort of natural connection? Who knows. However, we never ended up doing anything more than me giving his oral sex. I don't remember anything more of that night, other than getting home and knowing that I wanted to be his boyfriend. 
 As you know, from what I shared about my life already, that didn't happen. This was the beginning of about a friendship/sexual relationship of me giving myself away at his beck and call. It was unhealthy, and I was taken great advantage of. This is a pattern that would continue until my late 20's. Travis was the man who I would go on to have anal sex with for the first time. I'm going on record to say, the first time was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Painful yet, blissful all at the same time. So weird, life... you are weird. But don't get worried boys, Travis simply must have had no idea, or didn't care about what or how he was doing it, because it gets oh so much better. Just educate yourself first! Please, for the sanity for your butthole... educated yourself, your partner, and YOU TAKE THE LEAD! Hey, all you tops out there, the bottom is in control, not you! Again, an entirely different episode for an entirely different time. 
 Let's end things there. Next week I will share more about mine and Travis sorta relationship and continue on as I move to Florida and meet my first-ever boyfriend! 
 Till then, thanks for listening. I would love to know what you think about this segment of the show in the comments on iTunes or on social media. Thanks again to everyone who has already told me how much you love it. That means so much to me. 
 Enjoy the rest of your week, you'll hear from us on Friday for FKF. Until then, be sure to keep loving one another!   CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

www.ourlgbtstories.com   Hi everyone, today, in place of our regularly scheduled story episode, I would like to spend some time with a few updates about where LGBT Stories is at and where we are going! I thought it would be lovely to share some of the ratings and reviews LGBT Stories has gotten over the last few weeks on iTunes! Seeing these come through is hugely encouraging. I have to be honest, even though I see the numbers daily of how the podcast is doing, it's easy for me to go to a place of wondering if anyone is even listening. When I see your ratings and comments on iTunes, man, it just fills me up! If you would like to support us by rating us with a 5-star rating, I would be forever grateful! Simply open the Apple podcast app on your iPhone, search for the show, and scroll down. You'll see the rest from there. Some of you might wonder what happens with donations? Well, that's a great question. It goes right back into the show. It cost money to host our show on all these different platforms, social media marketing to spread the word of new episodes takes time and money, and it also goes back into getting new merch for yall to win and buy! And that is only a few of the different things that it takes to keep this beast running! This week alone, I spent $250 on audio equipment that I wasn't expecting to spend. But hey! Y'all need excellent sound quality, so its totally worth it! All this to say that your donations are being put to work! If you'd like to contribute to LGBT Stories by donating or buying some merch, you can easily do that by going to our website at www.ourlgbtstories.com and clicking donate or shop at the top of the screen! Let's talk about future episodes! As the holidays are coming up, I would love to release special Thanksgiving and Christmas Day episodes! If you or someone you know has a coming-out story of them coming out to their family on Thanksgiving or Christmas day in the past, please email me at admin@ourlgbtstories.com with your contact info! I would love for you or them to tell that story on the show, and we air it on its respective day this holiday season! Don't wait on this... the holidays are closer than you think! If you don't know, every month, we donate 5% of all profits made on merch sales to a non-profit voted on by the LGBT Stories community. This is how it works. On the first of the month, I post a Facebook poll in the private LGBT Stories group with choices of who you would like us to make the donation to. Once a day or two has passed, the org with the most votes wins and will receive the donation on behalf of all of you. So, this month, the winner is "The Trevor Project." That means that if you purchase any of our merch from our website, 5% of our profit will be donated to The Trevor Project! Amazing right! The last thing I want to share with you all is our weekly giveaway! Every week we want to give away a free merch item to one of our listeners! And we are making it really easy to win! Simply go to our IG and like the latest photo from that week promoting the week's giveaway! You must follow us, like the photo, and tag two of your friends in the comments to be eligible to win! It's that simple. The winner will be chosen every Saturday! Well, that's it, everyone! I hope you enjoyed all the updates! Looking forward to tomorrow's "Me." episode as we continue going on the journey of my life. Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging as I share my personal story on the show. Always remember, keep loving one another.   CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”. www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   First Kiss Friday (FKF) episodes are produced by our intern, Kate Mays. If you'd like to tell the story of your first kiss, send us an email at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Everyone is invited LGBTQ or not!

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT LGBT STORIES! Donate at www.ourlgbtstories.com   Kevin Gerdes shares his story in this new segment of LGBT Stories called, "Me." In the last episode of "Me." I left off talking a bit about LGBT Stories. Specifically, I was sharing the fears I experienced as I was gearing up to begin launching episodes. It was just new for me to start taking a public stance on my gayness. All my life, even well into my coming out years, being gay was always something I had been able to address or not. So as the idea of LGBT Stories grew bigger and bigger, I knew that I was running into a place where, once this began, there isn't much turning back. What I am about to embark on is going to be big and is going to be very public. Boy, was I right? Today LGBT Stories has over 120k downloads; it streams on iTunes Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, Stitcher Radio, Podbean, iHeart Radio, Downcast, Luminary, and so many more platforms that I can't list them all. All over the world, on every continent, people are listening to this podcast. Who would have known that some kid from little old Pasadena, Maryland, would have been able to create something like LGBT Stories, and it'd impact so many people's lives? I would be lying if I said I didn't always have big dreams in life. If I said, I hadn't always wanted to see my name in lights or entertain masses of people. I have. When I was an early teen, I can remember that I would pretend to perform for all the posters on my walls. I would put on big concerts in my room, imagining that the celebrities in the posters were people who came to see me singing my latest tracks. And as I was there pretending, every time I would just escape to a place where I would see all their faces light up in the joy of the experience I was able to provide to them - my concert. So the desire to impact people's lives in a real positive way has always been there for me. But right now, I want to return back to my life after high school. After I graduated, I didn't really have much going on. In Pennsylvania, my mom had been building a new home, and it would be ready in about a year - we were moving. Needless to say, I was not interested in this one bit. I just finished high school, and all I wanted to do was experience this time of my life with my friends. And I had a new set of friends from my church at the time of only like 2 years, I wasn't ready to leave all that. I thought of this great idea to ask my best friend at the time if he was cool if I moved in with him and his father. Of course, he was down, so the next thing was for us to speak with his dad. And that's what we did. Mr. Steve was okay with it, and before I knew it, I was out of my mom's house and living with my bestie (who I totally had a crush on) and his very Christian father. By now, I am 19 years old, out of the closest, and living in Maryland, starting life as an "adult." It would only be about 6 months before I found myself heading to Pennsylvania with my car packed with all my belongings to move back in with my mom. You guessed it, things didn't end well with my friend's very Christian father and the fact that I am gay. Here's where things start to get a bit crazy. Little did I know that the reason Mr. Steve agreed to let me live with them was so that I can be converted back to heterosexuality (as if there was anything to convert BACK to, bitch I was born this way). I remember having a conversation with him that if I wanted to live with him and his son that I had to take what my church called, "Self-confrontation classes". This was a weekly class that was designed to help the student confront their sins in life and change their ways. Look, I was 19 years old, I just had a very scary coming out experience, and my ex-girlfriend had told everyone at our very right-wing church that I am gay. Being as impressionable as I am, and looking for someone to tell me that it's all going to be okay, I agreed to go to the classes. Every week I would show up to my church in Bowie, Maryland and attend these classes with a group of people all there looking to cure their sinful habits. I won't lie, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought this is what was going to help me in life. Meanwhile, my church (a place where I had been a regular member of, was baptized at, and where sang on the worship team) had told me that I could no longer speak with any of the youth at the church and that I was only allowed to associate with the kids in the college-level classes. They basically pushed me out as much as they could without kicking me out. And even then, no one wanted anything to do with me. I was the openly gay kid coming to church every week. If you only knew how much the stares burned holes into me as I walked down the halls. After some time I just couldn't take any of it anymore. I went home and sat down with Mr. Steve. I told him that the self-confrontation classes are not something I was willing to do anymore, that it just didn't seem right to me. His reply - "Well, if you're not going to go to the classes, then you can not live here anymore." It hurt. Here was this guy I had built such a great friendship with, almost a father figure in my life, just kicking me out. About a week later, I was heading to Pennsylvania. Goodbye Maryland, goodbye Faith Community Church, goodbye highschool friends, goodbye everything that I knew of who I was. This would begin the next big chapter of my life. From here I go back to Pennsylvania, then to Florida, Indiana, and then Hollywood. But more of that, next week.   Follow Kevin Online www.kevingerdes.com www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.twitter.com/kevingerdes www.facebook.com/officialkevingerdes   Follow LGBT Stories on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories Follow Kevin Gerdes on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/kevingerdes   Donate and shop at www.ourlgbtstories.com   INTRO/OUTRO SONG: "4 Letters" Artist: Stiofán Available now on Spotify www.instagram.com/theartiststiofan  

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   Michael Vaccaro Sometimes life can feel so lonely and as though no one "gets you." It's times like this when life feels like it's out to get you. Like it has this unbeatable doom for you to be alone FOREVER. I've experienced that feeling before. It's very uncomfortable to go through. Some people are able to hold a pocket of hope in their mind's eye. A small yet not insignificant bit of fantasy that something, somewhere, someday is waiting on you to arrive to it. And when you do, everything makes sense. Michael Vaccaro came across a poem once, and never let it go. Till this day, he carries that poem in his pocket. Today you're going to hear a story of how two men were connected years before ever meeting or knowing each other existed all because of a simple poem. The natural wonder that Michael had led him to hold onto this poem year after year after year. Then one day, he meets its author. What unfolds from there is pure beauty. This is a story that is bound to move you. It will most likely tug your heartstrings. Before Michael ever met his husband, its as though he was emotionally protected by him - having this poem to put hope in. And after his husband left, he continued leaving blessings in Michael's life. Giving him the gift of awareness of what life is all about: something more, something more significant than the physical. I hope you enjoy today's story. It's important to note that Michael Vaccaro permitted me to use his story in today's episode. The audio used today was initially sourced from a video I came across on facebook called "That Moment Death Becomes Less Scary" and was produced by "Soul Pancake." LGBT Stories is not the original producer of this audio and own none of the rights to it. It's simply a beautiful story that I knew I wanted to share with you all here. Enjoy!   CONNECT WITH MICHAEL www.instagram.com/MichaelVaccaro www.twitter.com/MichaelVaccaro www.Facebook.com/Michael.Vaccaro  https://www.youtube.com/user/ChildOfTheSeventies1?fbclid=IwAR2sqqhwNKaCA94mx3cAVHl43bVGBu7S1KdcrzZG1cPCx1qZ-bYSTn7HggQ   Check out more content from Soul Pancake www.soulpancake.com   CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”.   www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   HANNAH ROBERTS  Hannah is a heterosexual woman, and she is sharing her first kiss story on the show today! Some of you might ask why she is doing this. Or why we have a straight person on this show? Well, "LGBT Stories" is all about inclusion and sharing everyday experiences in hopes of unity two communities - the LGBTQ community and the heterosexual community.   We feel that by bringing on straight people to the show from time to time that it'll help display our commonalities. I mean, we all cry, laugh, experience hardships, and joy, right? Well, why not talk about this all with everyone?   Rather than preaching inclusion, we are walking the talk!     CONNECT WITH us ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”.   www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Support LGBT Stories by donating or shopping at www.ourlgbtstories.com   Finding My Inner Self - James Lucas   Today's guest is someone I've known for I'd say somewhere around 3 years now. His name is James Lucas, and he and I are actually roommates. When I first met James, he had been sharing with me and a few mutual friends different stories of his life and some of the struggles that he had been experiencing. I couldn't help but more personally introduce myself to him, as we seemed to have a lot in common. I can remember just being there to let him know that if he wanted some support, it was here for him. That was the start of a beautiful friendship. I have wanted James to share his story on the show for a few years now; however, the timing for him just hadn't been right. And now, finally, my friend is opening up with you all his incredible story. James tells us what it was like growing up gay on a British island, what it felt like when his father passed away when James was in his early 20's, and how hiding from the world in the safety of his childish home negatively impacted his ability to open up intimately, later in life. Well - until now, that is. Today you'll see how put-together James has become and how he is thriving - allowing himself to try new things and address the reasons why he lived in so much isolation growing up. James is someone that I know loves being of service to others in need and sees the value of a Friday evening at home watching Netflix with his beautiful dog. If you ask me, he has done an incredible job balancing his natural tendency to retreat with the part of his heart that loves supporting others - in whatever way he can.   CONNECT WITH us ONLINE! If you haven’t joined our facebook group yet just go to facebook.com/groups/lgbtstories and click “Join”.   www.instagram.com/ourlgbtstories www.instagram.com/kevingerdes www.instagram.com/ignitedpulseproductions www.ourlgbtstories.com www.kevingerdes.com   CONTACT US contact@ourlgbtstories.com 310-750-3841 text or call us 24/7

Please donate to LGBT Stories now! Visit www.ourlgbtstories.com and click Donate at the top of the screen.   JOE FILIPPONE  Today Joe is sharing his FKF story with us, and whoa did this one get me going! Joe is a storyteller for sure! I'm going to note now that this episode is a bit racy. If you're not 18+, this is going to be an episode that I ask that you please skip over this episode. However, if you're not under 18, then strap on your seatbelt or hold onto something tight and bolted down because Joe is graphic! He starts his story by talking about how he'd had sex with people before ever kissing anyone and how the two never seemed to go hand in hand — honestly, I related. There have been times that I had sex with someone and kissing just wasn't on the table. There is something so intimate about kissing that I tend to reserve for someone there is a deep connection to. Odd how sex gets so thrown around, yet kissing doesn't... but that is a story for another day — something that I'll most likely get talking about on a Wednesday, "Me." episode. Joe does an excellent job sharing the experience of his first kiss. It was passionate and thrilling. Honestly, he makes me somewhat jealous! This is a fun episode. I hope you enjoy it and that your weekends all are fabulous!   First Kiss Friday (FKF) episodes are produced by our intern, Kate Mays. If you'd like to tell the story of your first kiss, send us an email at admin@ourlgbtstories.com   Everyone is invited LGBTQ or not!   FOLLOW JOE FILIPPONE ONLINE http://www.joefilippone.webs.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2063780/ http://www.twitter.com/joefilippone http://www.take180.com/m/joefilippone http://joefilippone.blogspot.com