1.5M ratings
277k ratings

See, that’s what the app is perfect for.

Sounds perfect Wahhhh, I don’t wanna
Anthony: What was it like for you growing up in North Philly? Manny: I think for me, because I was socially awkward, I would like “ok, I see people playing outside and I just wanna stay in my room.” But my parents would force me to go outside. When I was first struggling with my sexuality, I thought there was no hope. I thought I was gonna be stuck in my room forever but then coming and finding resources, places like Galaei and Mazzoni’s Ally Program, it helps you find yourself and accept who you are. Anthony: So you’re just 18 but if you could tell 14 year old Manny something what would you say? Manny: I think I would tell him everything happens for a reason and you’ll discover things that you may not wanna accept right now but pretty soon, like, everything is gonna be in the light and it’s gonna be all happy and rainbows and you’re gonna be this radical unicorn. just wait for it. Emmanuel “Manny” Coreano, Philadelphia Interviewed by: Anthony Leon

Anthony: What was it like for you growing up in North Philly?

Manny: I think for me, because I was socially awkward, I would like “ok, I see people playing outside and I just wanna stay in my room.” But my parents would force me to go outside.

When I was first struggling with my sexuality, I thought there was no hope. I thought I was gonna be stuck in my room forever but then coming and finding resources, places like Galaei and Mazzoni’s Ally Program, it helps you find yourself and accept who you are.

Anthony: So you’re just 18 but if you could tell 14 year old Manny something what would you say?

Manny: I think I would tell him everything happens for a reason and you’ll discover things that you may not wanna accept right now but pretty soon, like, everything is gonna be in the light and it’s gonna be all happy and rainbows and you’re gonna be this radical unicorn. just wait for it.

Emmanuel “Manny” Coreano, Philadelphia

Interviewed by: Anthony Leon

thegranvarones granvarones queer Latino boricua gay portrait storytelling art phototgraphy photojournalism bnw society bnw life lgbt north philadelphia gay philly philadelphia
Louie: So we have known each other for almost 20 years! I remember always seeing you, Erika and Gabo in Woody’s. Edgar: That was a magical era for me. I was never scared. I mean, you took care of yourself because things happen, but there was no bashing. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico but I found my gay family here. I swear, that was a magical era. You know, you used to see me all the time. I used to club all the time. I wish we could go back because things are so different now. But I can’t complain about my youth. If i had a chance, I’d do it all over again. Everything. Today is my birthday. I am so thankful to have my health and today is about dedicating everything I do to my mom. I lost her a month ago and I miss her warm smile and strength. She always loved me unconditionally. I’m lucky because everyone didn’t have that support. I did. I miss her. Edgar Lynn Ortiz-Rentas, Philadelphia Interviewed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca

Louie: So we have known each other for almost 20 years! I remember always seeing you, Erika and Gabo in Woody’s.

Edgar: That was a magical era for me. I was never scared. I mean, you took care of yourself because things happen, but there was no bashing. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico but I found my gay family here. I swear, that was a magical era. You know, you used to see me all the time. I used to club all the time. I wish we could go back because things are so different now. But I can’t complain about my youth. If i had a chance, I’d do it all over again. Everything.

Today is my birthday. I am so thankful to have my health and today is about dedicating everything I do to my mom. I lost her a month ago and I miss her warm smile and strength. She always loved me unconditionally. I’m lucky because everyone didn’t have that support. I did. I miss her.

Edgar Lynn Ortiz-Rentas, Philadelphia
Interviewed by: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca

thegranvarones granvarones queer Latino boricua gay storytelling portrait photojournalism street photography graffiti philadelphia north philly bnw society bnw life orgullo familia
louie: so how have you been? chris aka krush: i have been ok. my art is picking up despite having major challenges this past year. i am getting to a great space. louie: what is one lesson you learned from those challenges? krush: the most challenging thing i’ve gone through was truely understanding how to love myself for who i actually am and not how people saw me, not trying to be the “KRUSH” on social media and learning to love the Chris I go to bed as. through this experience i learned that peace is good and accepting yourself is part of progression. i want nothing more than to progress. interview by: louie a. ortiz-fonseca krush is a hair and make-up artist/stylist. his work has been printed in both ebony magazine and vibe magazine.

louie: so how have you been?

chris aka krush: i have been ok. my art is picking up despite having major challenges this past year. i am getting to a great space.

louie: what is one lesson you learned from those challenges?

krush: the most challenging thing i’ve gone through was truely understanding how to love myself for who i actually am and not how people saw me, not trying to be the “KRUSH” on social media and learning to love the Chris I go to bed as. through this experience i learned that peace is good and accepting yourself is part of progression. i want nothing more than to progress.

interview by: louie a. ortiz-fonseca

krush is a hair and make-up artist/stylist. his work has been printed in both ebony magazine and vibe magazine.

granvarones the gran varones queer gay latino boricua history LGBTQ portrait style Philadelphia north philadelphia bnw society story telling