Charles 'Charlie' Castro shares his journey of coming out, family, and self-acceptance

CHICAGO, ILL. - By Michael Oboza, Special to GoPride.com

During my final year as a volunteer photojournalist, I made it my intentional mission to recognize everyday legends across our LGBTQ community. I am grateful to help acknowledge a veterinary technician. Thank you, Charles “Charlie” Castro, for your time, legacy, and sharing your wisdom.

For some, a double life is survival.

"I came out to my parents at 16 and 17," Charles "Charlie" Castro said. "Prior to that, I was living a double life. With friends or at school, I was out and proud, but closeted at home. There were many layers of fear preventing me from feeling comfortable coming out to my parents, growing up religious, being the firstborn son with a macho father, and really figuring myself out in real time."

"It has mostly been a liberating experience since fully coming into myself."

Being true to yourself is self-love, love like nothing else.

"Coming out to anyone who wasn't my parents was easy," Castro recalled. "I was nervous to tell my mom, but she had known for a while, so I was relieved that I not only felt comfortable telling her but finally did it. Coming out to my father was a different experience."

"The biggest thing that stopped me from coming out to him was the fear of how he'd react," he continued. "He made it very clear that he would not accept me if I were, and through going to church, would instill the thought that I would be going to hell. That never sat right with me because that meant that I could be an outstanding person who was always doing good things in life, but being gay would negate all that and automatically condemn me. But I ultimately decided to come out because I didn't want to live a lie anymore. Our relationship never progressed after that point, but I maintained a relationship with him up until last year."

"Besides the experience with him, I've always lived proudly with who I am."

Respecting oneself and others is a selective collaboration.

"It might sound cheesy but be there for one another," Castro said. "Everyone's life path is different and unique, so I think it's important to be receptive and understanding to others' experiences."

"I also think we need to give others and ourselves some grace as we continually evolve," he added. "As long as you're not homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, misogynistic, racist, or any other indicator of being a shitty person, live your life."

"Surround yourself with people who make you feel like you can be yourself."