It was 1994 and we were only 20 years old and in love, so I thought…until one day he broke off our engagement. He informed me he was gay and had been doing all he could to cover it up from his family and friends, Pastor and fellow church members, and his fellow Army soldiers and authorities. I was such a close-minded person before then. Freaking out at just a sight of a body piercing or tattoo was something I would often then do. A PFLAG member spoke with me by phone for several hours that same night about her gay son and my breakup. After a few counseling sessions and continuous support from PFLAG, I opened up my mind and heart and allowed so many more amazing people into my life afterwards. That breakup changed my life, for the better, forever. I would much rather me the person I am today than the one I was before.
Moving forward…into just these past few years, I found another source of inspiration as well. This time, it was Brandon Hilton. I first discovered him thru his personal youtube videos. I fell in love with his personality instantly as he was so open about not just his sexuality, but simply everything…so much that it amazed me. How could it be Brandon was so comfortable being openly gay with his family and friends and with the world, but my ex-fiance could not be? A different time, a different world…then and now, perhaps? Yet, I still witness others struggle at times with the issue even now. (Just look at the fight just now finally won for DADT.) I interviewed Brandon on my talk show (Coffee Talk with Chelle) a couple of years ago and met him few months later in person on his birthday one evening at a night club in Dallas (Station 4, my favorite). The more we conversed, the more we found in common, including PFLAG helping pave out the paths of our lives, even if in different ways. I was more than thrilled to discover his music and even had the privilege of interviewing him live via webcam from my home with the release of his last album, Nocturnal. From coping with life issues by listening to his music and erasing the negativity from my life after being surrounded by his positive personality, I’m not sure if Brandon will ever know how much he has helped me.
***PreOrder Chelle’s life story book titled after her talk show, “Coffee Talk with Chelle” at www.coffeetalkwithchelle.com (est release date is late Jan 2012)
