Matt Cullen has made it his mission to destigmatize topics like gay sex work and amplify issues such as the misrepresentation of trans men and women
BY JOSH BEISLE
On his popular YouTube show, Our Queer Life, Matt Cullen shines the spotlight on those in the community who have lived in the shadows for too long: ballroom queens, gay Orthodox Jews, gay cowboys in rodeo, adult film stars, and trans women who are addicted to plastic surgery.
Matt’s belief is that viewers who identify with the people he spotlights in Our Queer Life may get a better understanding of them and perhaps, feel a bit of empathy for their plights. “In these divided times, it is more important than ever before that the LGBTQ+ community and its allies make an effort to find common ground with one another. We’re stronger together, so let us stand united.”
Here a few excerpts from an interview we conducted with Cullen last month.
For the full interview go to www.thefightmag.com.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned from interviewing so many people who are fighting to live their authentic true selves?
The biggest lesson I have learned is the true inner resilience we have as human beings. In the darkest of times, the people I have interviewed have been able to pick themselves up and live another day. Their strength is something I carry with me everywhere I go.
Is there one key element that all of these people share? Where do they get their strength?
I think it is the want for love and true acceptance. I think it’s what we all desire: acceptance for who we are, for how we choose to live our lives, and for who we love. Many of the guests I’ve had on have lost contact with their family since choosing to live authentically for themselves, and while that is horrible, I think many find their strength through that as well. Realizing that sometimes, when you want to live your life for yourself and no one else, you may lose people in your life. But through that, you find your inner strength. We truly have one life to live, and it’s for us to live and no one else.
Is the queer community a true rainbow of acceptance or do we simply co-exist in our own letters (LGBTQ) and labels within the community?
While I would like to think that the queer community is a true rainbow of acceptance, I think, lately, there has been a lot of segregation within the letters of our community. I truly hope that my series helps bridge those separations. We are stronger together as one.
What do you hope viewers ultimately take away from the Our Queer Life series?
I hope they are reminded how strong, unique, layered, and truly beautiful LGBTQ+ people are. The stories we share on Our Queer Life make me proud to be a part of the community.
New episodes of “Our Queer Life” air weekly on youtube.com/@OurQueerLife
