Brian | Tampa, FL

I’ve been raised in and out of Philly most of my life. And as far as Philly being good for me at that time in my life, no. I needed structure and I was going down the wrong road being here which is why my parents made the decision to send me to Louisiana. The scene was such a culture shock for me when move there. I was completely ignorant to anything other than Philadelphia. When I moved back it was like I never left and nothing changed.

First gay club? It was a club in New Orleans called club fusions. I was 18 and I went with my older brother. I remember being so uncomfortable because it wasn’t was I was used to. I remember getting hit on all night and after my brother got a couple drinks for me I let loose and started to enjoy myself. I moved to New Orleans right after high school to live with my dad. My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of Philadelphia.

I do get the question what are you mixed with and as soon as I say Dominican people are like “Aahhhh, that’s what it is.”

Brian, He/Him/His
Tampa, Florida

Interviewed & photographed by: louie a. ortiz-fonseca