What We Love About Being Gay: Our Journey to Self-Love and Acceptance

[@LloydA23]

Spiritual Reno nailed it! I like the way he put it - being gay is a gift, not a curse.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

We completely agree! That's a beautiful way to look at it. It's inspiring to see that perspective shared by Reno.❤

[@enzomthethwa5861]

Matt, I agree with you. Having a community of gay men who show their deeper side is such a blessing to have!

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you. Absolutely! It's amazing to see that kind of connection and depth within our community. It's really inspiring.😍 - Matt

[@my2011soul]

Omg, guys. Please, I know that 200 episodes is a lot...and much congratulations, but please stay around as long as you can. I know you have other parts to your lives, but so much of my week revolves around waiting for your next podcast episode. I feel like after listening to literally EVERY episode that I've come to think of each of you as my friend. I'm a 61 year old gay man who's married to my husband for 9 years and together for 33 years. It's been a journey and not 1 single fight between us. We "playfully pick" at each other but we deeply love each other. I came to the relationship with serious baggage from a 6 year relationship before my husband, emotional, physical, sexual and financial. When I met my husband I didn't know that it could be this good. He came along at a time in my life when my life needed to be saved. And he did. I'm in therapy now, for 3 1/2 years with a therapist but now have graduated up to a psychologist who I feel can help me understand myself a bit better and why I still, after living a charmed life, feel sad and guilty all the time. Why i still dwell on the past. I enjoy therapy. My goal is to get off my SSRIs as they make me sweat like a whore in church. Each of you guys give me hope, happiness, curiosity, appreciation and I feel so much love for you all. Please keep going. I look forward to each episode. Whew! Thanks for your time.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Your words mean the world. We're truly honored to be a part of your week and to offer a little bit of joy. Your journey is inspiring, and we're so glad our podcast can be a helpful companion. Keep taking care of yourself, and know that you're not alone.🤗

[@neutralmultiverse8589]

I love this so much! I feel wrapped in a warm cozy blanket when I listen to you guys!

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Aww, that's the sweetest thing to hear! We're so glad our podcast can be your cozy, comforting escape. It means the world to us that you feel that way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!🤩

[@dbisamazing84]

Thank you guys! Recently, out of nowhere, I was just sitting at home and it finally hit me, that I was "beautiful". And what makes me "beautiful" is not what people see on the outside. And that's the beauty that counts MOST!!! To finally realize that, is a relief to my heart and my spirit.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

That's incredible! It's such a powerful moment of self-discovery. Realizing your inner beauty is truly transformative. We're so happy you shared that with us. You deserve to feel beautiful inside and out!😍

[@5928N]

Good discussion. Thank you guys for doing these series.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

We're so glad you enjoyed the discussion! Your support means a lot to us.🥰

[@user-cg5nk9iz6m]

Something that has been showing up for me in a significant way recently is other queers acknowledging, validating, and commending me for my response to and survival of my circumstances. Grew up in midwest USA, conservative Christian family, community, worldview, and very much internalized all of it. Having my queer peers acknowledge that making it through that was indeed a feat of survival has helped me contextualize both the pain of those memories and the residual patterns that I am currently healing from. And on top of that, individuals have told me how much they admire the way that I have flourished and matured in spite of those challenges, and that really helps me to pat myself on the back in a way that my ingrained Christian shame has never allowed me to. It's definitely still work that I'm doing, and I feel like I could go on for pages, but yeah that's what's top of mind for me as I listened to this. Thanks for this podcast, it has been so transformational for me since I was introduced to it a week ago (lol). And I'm just relishing digging through the back log of episodes, so thank you guys so so much.

[@rohun86]

Thank you for the podcast series and the topics you cover, the empathy and openness with which you share and inspire and the variety of experiences you continue to witness and accompany, it’s moving and motivational and a place to return to time and again over the weeks and months. Wish you continued success and growth in your individual and collective practices; would love to see more from you about spirituality and faith and religion, interracial/intercultural relationships and dating. So much power and respect to you namaste 🙏🏽 🌈

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much for your kind words. We're truly humbled to hear that our podcast has had such a positive impact on you. Your support means the world to us. We're always open to exploring new topics, so spirituality, faith, and interracial/intercultural relationships are definitely on our radar. Thanks again for your continued support and encouragement!🥰🤩

[@ISteve_Stevowie]

You guys inspire us each time ❤ Thank you for your love and for sharing your experiences, your true beings 🎉 let’s celebrate together what makes us gay, queer, me, you, us ♥️

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

That's so heartwarming to hear! We're honored to be a source of inspiration for you. Together, we celebrate the unique beauty and diversity of our community. Let's keep spreading love and acceptance.🌈🥰

[@gw6482]

Omg I totally relate with what Reno said about hating oneself and wanting to change oneself so strongly. However now, like him and Michael, I’m living my best gay life, unapologetically and fabulously. Of course I agree with all the important aspects, the history and the rights, but also the sex, the clubs… Amazing episode, what a way to celebrate the 200th episode, here’s for 200 more 🥂

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

It's so inspiring to hear how far you've come! It's amazing to see how embracing your true self can lead to such incredible experiences. Thank you for celebrating with us in our 200th episode!🥰

[@amlp04]

Very good. You went deeper. For a better world.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much, we appreciate it!❤

[@storytellerguate]

Congrats guys!!! Hello from Guatemala 🎆

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Sending our greetings from Canada to Guatemala! Thank you so much for watching the very special episode.🥰

[@ascott2168]

🥰 Congrats on 200 impactful episodes humans 🍾 🥂 Matt - Thank you for bringing awareness to, and owning, being a highly sensitive person as am I 🙃 Reno - Thank you for being open, embracing who you are and living your best life..heels and all 👠 😸 Michael - Thank you for owning being a sexual being…and for being so easy to look at 😌😉😌 Calen - Thank you for your contributions to the Podcast. You’re missed 🧡🧡

[@FlamencoFox]

Gentlemen. I'm a first time listener. As someone who deals with a lot of anxiety and am struggling with doing inner work this was lovely. I've subscribed. Thank you🎉

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Welcome to the podcast! We're so glad you found us and that our content resonates with you. Remember, taking care of your mental health is important. Keep up the good work, and we're here to support you on your journey.🥰

[@SizweKheswa-r4x]

Beautiful, inspired, thank you

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@drick2480]

The name of this podcast is wild but i love your work. I am bi but definitely had to go through a similar journey of self-acceptance even when i really had no community to lean on. Also i was wondering, have you guys ever talked about bottom shaming and stigma against fems in the gay community?

[@sirnaziyeh]

There’s an episode on bottom shaming for sure. Idk if there’s one on fem stigma exclusively, though there is an episode on exploring your femininity 😎

[@drick2480]

@@sirnaziyeh Cool cuz i love my bottoms and fems ;). Will try and find the episode.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Hey there! Thanks so much for listening and sharing your experience. It means a lot to hear that the podcast resonates with people going through similar journeys. You're not alone, and your courage to be open about your identity is inspiring. Keep being amazing!🥰 You may want to join our Facebook group, here's the link: facebook.com/groups/gaymensbrotherhood Here's the link for Bottom Shaming episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4SuonRje7CcZqc

[@drick2480]

@@GayMenGoingDeeper Thank you. Tried to join but got declined lol. Its a new fb account as old one was hacked. Will send an email at some point.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

@@drick2480 Yes, the moderator team is doing their job. You may email them first. We're excited to welcome you!😍

[@barendkamperman1471]

Whoa! Great insights! Thanks. I love using word play and absurd "guerilla attack" humour. Others then join in, like we're playing a game of catch. We are mutli-level beings. Using that adaptively in experience makes life work. "Love and let live" frees me for the best pursuits. I know who I am now and I'm not backing down.

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

That's awesome! Wordplay and absurd humor can be so much fun, and it's great to see how they can bring people together. It sounds like you've really found a way to make life work for you by embracing your multi-level nature. Keep being you!❤💞

[@prosodiac]

Great talk! I'd like to suggest a topic for a new podcast episode. If there is a better way to make suggestions than posting it in the comments, let me know. :) It would be great to see an episode about sex. Here are some aspects that I would find interesting to be discussed: - What's good sex? - How can we have more good sex? - What's a "good amount" of sex? - Why do so many gay men like having sex with strangers regularly? - Why do gay men (especially in online dating) often have scripted sex? (who's top, who's bottom, discussing preferences in advance, following porn scripts, etc.) - Is scripted sex an inevitable part of hook-up culture with strangers? - Is gay sex too performative? - Is performative sex a way to protect yourself from developing intense feelings for your sex partners, which might be more likely if you had sex in a more emotionally available way? - Top vs. bottom: natural drive or learned behavior? - Why do gay men like to think about other men in categories when it comes to sex? (Hunks, chubbies, twinks, daddies, etc.) - How does gay sex differ from straight sex? (Dominance, mentorship, objectification...)

[@drick2480]

Great topics. Sounds like you should start your own podcast to explore these questions!

[@prosodiac]

@@drick2480 Thanks, man! Guess I should. But for now I’m hoping that the Gay Men Going Deeper cover these topics! ;-)

[@drick2480]

@@prosodiac Lets hope they take up your suggestions. You straight bi or gay?

[@prosodiac]

@@drick2480 I’m gay.

[@drick2480]

@@prosodiac Cool. idk why you sounded straight/curious from your questions lol.

[@Sandsplans]

I like what Michael said

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Yes, Michael imparted a lot of thoughts. Which of them highlighted?🤩

[@WynterFyre]

I accepted myself decades ago. That said, I don't love anything about being gay. I learned very early on that if you're not pretty you're invisible. Because of this I don't go to gay events. I don't do Pride. I don't go out of my way to engage with gay people. I have maybe half a dozen gay friends. I'm way out on the fringe of the fringe when it comes to that. I've always said my being gay was like having brown eyes and wanting blue ones, I can want all day but at the end of it I have to accept my eyes the way they are and move on. Finding other people with brown eyes isn't going to make any difference. I wish I could get as excited about being gay as you all do but for me it's nothing to shout about. It's probably the one thing I'd change if I could. Coming out was the single biggest mistake of my life. All it did was make a bad situation worse. It's been a decision that's haunted me all my life. But you can't unring that bell so I have to live with until until I don't. Like I said I wish I could feel about it like you guys do. Cheers.

[@kodyduclos5845]

Reno really shone in this episode 😊 love what he had to say about every gay man having to go through and RECONCILE their own experience. Also, his image of gay men as beacons of love on earth lol I’ve thought of that in a very similar way. Spot-on 🤌 congrats on 200 episodes!

[@GayMenGoingDeeper]

Reno's insights in this episode were really powerful, weren't they? His perspective on gay men as beacons of love resonated with us too. It's a beautiful way to think about our community. Thanks for celebrating with us in our 200th episode! Here's to many more!😍