By the time I had reached fifth grade, I knew that I was different than other guys my age. While our interest in sports and other hobbies remained the same, our interest in one particular thing set us apart. It was the attraction of the opposite gender. I didn’t understand what it meant when I saw all of my friends getting into relationships with girls and I just remained alone.
It wasn’t until I hoped on YouTube on day and came across a ‘Coming Out Video’ from a young male named Mark Miller. At the time I was looking for ways to tell my friends and family about my revelations regarding my sexual orientation, but I just didn’t know how. So when I searched on YouTube for the best way to tell my family and friends I came across Mark’s video. About a minute into the video, I was instantly hooked. Unlike how many YouTubers tried to reinforce the idea that you should come out despite what anyone would say his idea of coming out was much more realistic.
His belief is that you should come out when you are ready. As a young closeted POC, this was the highlight of my youth. I was so caught up in wanting to please everyone that I began to disregard how my actions would effect me. At the beginning of each video, he likes to start off with his most famous saying:
“Today’s going to be a great day and do you know why? Cause everyday is a great day!!”
At a time when I was most fragile, that quote helped reinforce the idea that everything is going to be okay in the long run. Sure I had heard the “It Gets Better” quote and of course it helped too, but hearing Mark say that at the beginning of each video was so genuine. In each video when he’s not thanking his subscribers he’s working to ensure the lives of LGBT youth are safe.
Just recently, he and his boyfriend, Ethan Hethcote partnered with the Los Angeles LGBT Center on a mission to spread positivity while engaging with their viewers through activities to help support the LGBT community.
Aside from his 407 thousand Instagram followers, 102.7 thousand Twitter followers and 638, 958 YouTube subscribers, he still portrays himself as regular guy who loves life and the people in it. For nearly four years, he has shared his life online with thousands across the globe and since his beginning just a short time ago he has made it his mission to combat negativity by reminding people love is greater than any form of hate.
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