A gay black
couple has opened up about how they fight back against stereotypes
about their race and sexuality.
Dominic
and Nick are a gay couple who have been together for over seven years
and have known each other since they were teenagers.
The pair
recently shared their heartwarming story on The Way We Met, an Instagram
account which documents “real, beautiful love stories”.
The pair met
during high school. They did not go to the same school but were nearby to each
other and were friendly.
Nick explained:
“Dominic and I met as teenagers. We went to different high schools but they
were close in proximity, so we had a lot of mutual friends.
“High school
was also the time period in which we both came out to our families, although at
separate times and unknowingly of each other’s personal journeys.”
However,
education drew them both to different parts of the country.
“After
graduating high school, life took me and Dominic in different directions,” Nick
explained. “He went on to attend UFC in Orlando while I went to college in
Kentucky.”
The pair
reconnected when Nick was in Orlando visiting a friend and Dominic asked to
meet and have dinner. The two hit it off, and they have been together ever
since.
However, they
were still long distance for a number seven years before finally being reunited
and living with each other in Brooklyn and getting engaged.
“That night we
talked for 4 hours and shut down the restaurant. Shortly after, Dominic asked
if we could make it official and so our long distance relationship began. But
the distance wouldn’t be ending anytime soon. After college, I moved to New
York for work and Dominic moved to D.C. to go to law school at Georgetown
University.
“Finally, after
7 years of the back and forth, we are finally living together in Brooklyn… and
engaged! Dominic and I feel lucky to have found love at such a young age,” Nick
added.
They said:
“Falling in love with another black man was scary in ways neither of us could
have ever imagined,” Nick said. “It forced us to face the very real resistance
from society for being not only homosexuals but black men as well.
“We
had to confront the stereotypes of being largely defined as
uneducated, disloyal, untrustworthy, and unreliable individuals. But together
we chose to rise above those prejudices and rewrite our own story- one of
inspiration.”
The pair
explained that they want others to see that their partnership “is marked by
achievement, love, friendship, respect, and unconditional support.”
“We hope to
encourage other black and brown men and boys everywhere to
be true to who they are. And when they find love in each other’s eyes, to
know that their love is just as strong and beautiful as anyone else’s.”
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