CW: Body Talk, Weight, Body Image My body is a vessel, more than it is a temple. It’s my means of existence, a form of my communication, decorated to match my personality and interests, and the very object that shapes, informs, guides, changes, and develops my thoughts. Without this vessel, I couldn’t think of these Read more

Introspection. From October 23rd, 2000 – the day I entered this world – until September 27th, 2018 – the day I was outed – I had to hide who I was. Even after being outed, I was forced to conceal my being until I was independent, financially, physically, and socially. The closet was not only Read more

To whom am I pointing? Pride today is difficult. I appreciate the notion, the very idea, of having a month to celebrate our minority community. In fact, I think the existence of Pride Month is necessary for progressing the acceptance, recognition, and visibility of our community. I am not the type to suggest that progress Read more

Most people understand the idea of family — the people in one’s life that are concrete and lack the ability to be exiled. Typically one’s family consists of blood, married, and adopted relatives, all of which share at least one common ancestor. It’s, unfortunately, not always the case that a family has exile-impossibility. We see Read more

I am not a parent.  Most parents I know suggest that they want the best for their children; they want their children to lead a life of happiness, healthiness, and success. These three attributes though, are subjective. An exact model for achieving happiness, healthiness, and success does not exist; each of us determines our own Read more

When I came out as gay in 2018, I was met with quite a few, “Well, yeah, I already knew that” or “Just like we always thought.” A terribly unwelcomed, unnecessary, and unimportant way to respond; Those thoughts should be kept to oneself. Frankly, do I much care about these comments one way or the Read more

Motherhood is a funny little concept, isn’t it? Yes, it is. In theory, it has a simple definition that’s easy to understand, but in practice, well, some may feel confined.  Asking any person reading this, or anyone in your life, how they define motherhood, how they feel about their mother, how they identify with motherhood, Read more

My brother, Andrew Joseph Katsbulas, was born on June 12th, 2006. I was 5 years old. From the moment I found out my mom was pregnant – which I don’t quite remember – to the moment he arrived, I was consumed with my eagerness to meet him. My older sister, Serena, and I did not Read more

Where do I begin with the one that got away? Our story is so long, so bold, and so brash. A view, a hickey, and string of your tattoos. A hookup, album release, and versatility between the two. A cheater, a liar, but somehow still, “I love you”. We’ve crossed this city, back and forth, Read more