Meikel.
He's wildly creative, loyal, compassionate and closeted.
I have long admired his work for its great shapes, wonderful balance, and thought provoking story telling -- so I have to admit, I was a little nervous I wouldn't be able to accurately portray his essence.
Like many of my models, he walked in my studio a bit unsure about how to pose for his portrait, but as we began to talk we both felt more relaxed. He openly shared that he sexually identifies as a gay man, and really struggles because he is seen as very masculine, and therefore, often labeled as a straight man.
"I am constantly having to come out; it happens all the time and it's exhausting. I don't have any gender identity issues, but I find often people don't realize that sexuality and gender are two completely different things. I am a gay man, and I have grown to love that part of myself and no longer run away from that fact. Why do we have to have labels? I just want to be me," he said.
Some labels are hard to wear in today's society, especially when we're forced to explain or justify why we are the way that we are. This idea of unintentional closeting, and constant explanation of oneself is something that I'd never considered before. For this reason, and many others, I am so grateful to know Meikel!
He's wildly creative, loyal, compassionate and closeted.
I have long admired his work for its great shapes, wonderful balance, and thought provoking story telling -- so I have to admit, I was a little nervous I wouldn't be able to accurately portray his essence.
Like many of my models, he walked in my studio a bit unsure about how to pose for his portrait, but as we began to talk we both felt more relaxed. He openly shared that he sexually identifies as a gay man, and really struggles because he is seen as very masculine, and therefore, often labeled as a straight man.
"I am constantly having to come out; it happens all the time and it's exhausting. I don't have any gender identity issues, but I find often people don't realize that sexuality and gender are two completely different things. I am a gay man, and I have grown to love that part of myself and no longer run away from that fact. Why do we have to have labels? I just want to be me," he said.
Some labels are hard to wear in today's society, especially when we're forced to explain or justify why we are the way that we are. This idea of unintentional closeting, and constant explanation of oneself is something that I'd never considered before. For this reason, and many others, I am so grateful to know Meikel!