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The Stories Of Those Who Lost Decades In The Closet
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The Stories Of Those Who Lost Decades In The Closet

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In 2019, we heard a quote from an LGBTQ senior about the years they lost not being their true selves.

This is what inspired the Not Another Second project, celebrating 12 LGBT+ pioneers who have paved the way for generations to come. The film is a personal, touching look into their stories, the struggles they had to face for decades and the fight they each put on, never losing their resilience, humanity and beauty.

Credits: SAGE USA, Watermark Retirement Communities, RXM Creative, Convicts, Karsten Thormaehlen, nAscent Art New York, Dittoe Public Relations.

More info: notanothersecond.com

Not Another Second – The Film

Paulette & Pat

Paulette Thomas-Martin, 68

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Pat Martin, 68

Paul Barby, 84 – The first openly gay man to run for Federal Office Nationwide in 1996

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Reverend Goddess Magora Kennedy, 81

Ray & Richard

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Ray Cunningham, 82

Richard Prescott, 78

Pearl Bennet, 69

Lujira Cooper, 72

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Dominic “Nick” Procaccino, 87

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Ellen “Ellie” Starer, 78

Ronald “Ronnie” Gilliard Ellis Jr., 79

Mark Gustafson, 75

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Andrea Erali

Andrea Erali

Author, Community member

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Art Director

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Andrea Erali

Andrea Erali

Author, Community member

Art Director

Titas Burinskas

Titas Burinskas

Moderator, Community member

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This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

Read less »

Titas Burinskas

Titas Burinskas

Moderator, Community member

This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

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Viviane
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for posting this. I started watching the clip, then had to stop - part of me is happy that they can speak out (not all were closeted for years) and part of me is sad that many had to wait so long. A few years ago, I saw a group of adorable girls (early to mid-teens) attending the Pride Parade and I was so happy to see them comfortably being themselves.

Meeow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is beautiful, they can now be happy to be themselves, love it!

Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Sooo, basically this is "People Who Were Too Afraid To Come Out Are Now Coming Out Once Its More Socially Acceptable"? How brave of them. There's a difference between discovering that you like the opposite sex at a later age and being too afraid to seek your own happiness. The first, its like discovering another continent. Unknown and unexplored. The last one you know the continent is there, you want to go there, you are just too afraid to buy the ticket and go there for yourself because people might react badly. And then suddenly it becomes trendy and cool and now you're joining in. I'm happy they're happy, but I'm 0/10 for admiration of these people. They are people, but not worthy of a pedestal, imo.

Alexis draskinis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or they're coming out because they actually can now. Most of these folks grew up in a time when being gay was morally unacceptable, socially unacceptable, & way more than just frowned upon or deemed "not trendy". Depending on where you lived &/or what religion you were, it could literally be a death sentence. But sure dude, they're finally living their lives as themselves because its "trendy" & on magazine covers...

Load More Replies...
Viviane
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for posting this. I started watching the clip, then had to stop - part of me is happy that they can speak out (not all were closeted for years) and part of me is sad that many had to wait so long. A few years ago, I saw a group of adorable girls (early to mid-teens) attending the Pride Parade and I was so happy to see them comfortably being themselves.

Meeow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is beautiful, they can now be happy to be themselves, love it!

Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Sooo, basically this is "People Who Were Too Afraid To Come Out Are Now Coming Out Once Its More Socially Acceptable"? How brave of them. There's a difference between discovering that you like the opposite sex at a later age and being too afraid to seek your own happiness. The first, its like discovering another continent. Unknown and unexplored. The last one you know the continent is there, you want to go there, you are just too afraid to buy the ticket and go there for yourself because people might react badly. And then suddenly it becomes trendy and cool and now you're joining in. I'm happy they're happy, but I'm 0/10 for admiration of these people. They are people, but not worthy of a pedestal, imo.

Alexis draskinis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or they're coming out because they actually can now. Most of these folks grew up in a time when being gay was morally unacceptable, socially unacceptable, & way more than just frowned upon or deemed "not trendy". Depending on where you lived &/or what religion you were, it could literally be a death sentence. But sure dude, they're finally living their lives as themselves because its "trendy" & on magazine covers...

Load More Replies...
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