CONRAD RICAMORA photographed by Lauren Nakao Winn for Mixed Asian Media

Conrad Ricamora and Wilbur photographed by Charlie Nunn (September 2018)

Conrad Ricamora in France (June 2018)

We have to start teaching our little boys and young men that it's okay to express themselves, that there's nothing wrong with being sensitive, and that aggressive, violent destructive toxic masculinity is not a goal or something to strive to be. And that above all, that we treat everyone with respect, not just people who happen to share the colour of our skin, or gender, or sexual orientation. Conrad Ricamora

Just seeing somebody that has your characteristics on a television show that is seen worldwide just lets you know there's a place for you in the world,. What visibility does in a very subtle way is let people know that they have a seat at the table.

Why a few years ago during grad school did I drag a blade across my wrist? Why ever since then, when I start to get closer to friends and family and intimate partners, why do I run? And to that end, why did Matthew Shepard and Tyler Clementi, “Pulse” night club and thousands of other tragedies happen? All of this pain and trauma couldn’t have happened just because two dudes were attracted to each other. Was this really all because some people think that that’s wrong? THIS HAS TO CHANGE! We exist! LGBT people exist! And have existed forever and we have to be allowed to exist fully and openly in all areas of the world; from Russia to Los Angeles to the deep south!  

Karla Souza and Conrad Ricamora attend XQ Super School Live, presented by EIF, at Barker Hangar on September 8, 2017 in Santa California.

“Find out what you can control and love to do, focus on that, and let all the rest just blissfully slide off your back.”