The following portraits include the abstracted image and personal stories of men and women in the LGBTQ community. The exhibition will be on display throughout the month of April at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
William Webb III
Antiques Dealer and Visual Artist - St. Paul, Minnesota
“A typical day for me begins with watching the sunrise and drinking coffee from my loft in St. Paul. I’ll then commute to my small vintage antiques shop across the border in rural Wisconsin or traverse the Minnesota countryside in search of antiques and interesting home goods to either sell or collect.
I was 14 or 15 years old when I first identified as gay. However, I used to have crushes on girls when I was much younger. It wasn’t until adolescence when I met someone of the same sex whom I gradually developed an affection for.
I have never experienced personally any direct form of homophobia. I’ve been very fortunate to have peers, coworkers, family members, and friends who’ve been most supportive. I’ve come out to a lot of people in general and always had a positive experience with them.
The most exciting change regarding gay rights that occurred during my lifetime was the 2015 U.S. Supreme court ruling legalizing gay marriage. It happened on my birthday. So, that was extra special. I had never thought seriously about the possibility of marriage until my 30’s when my emotions and tastes matured. I wasn't especially active for gay rights as a young man either. I was out. But, it took me a very long time to develop more confident and meaningful relationships with people I felt would be good candidates for a lifetime of intimate companionship.
If I could give advice to other gay folks it would be to not be afraid. Come out with ease and confidence. Be yourself. Rebel against fear and feelings of rejection. Nearly everyone you meet WILL NOT CARE about your sexuality. Also, tell your crush that you LOVE them. Never deny the feelings in your heart. Take those risks in self expression. Resist self destructive behaviors like drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy sexual relationships with strangers that you don’t necessarily care about. Stay true to yourself and your personal values & instincts about things. Focus on real life values like work, education, or raising a family, and things will be just fine.
“A typical day for me begins with watching the sunrise and drinking coffee from my loft in St. Paul. I’ll then commute to my small vintage antiques shop across the border in rural Wisconsin or traverse the Minnesota countryside in search of antiques and interesting home goods to either sell or collect.
I was 14 or 15 years old when I first identified as gay. However, I used to have crushes on girls when I was much younger. It wasn’t until adolescence when I met someone of the same sex whom I gradually developed an affection for.
I have never experienced personally any direct form of homophobia. I’ve been very fortunate to have peers, coworkers, family members, and friends who’ve been most supportive. I’ve come out to a lot of people in general and always had a positive experience with them.
The most exciting change regarding gay rights that occurred during my lifetime was the 2015 U.S. Supreme court ruling legalizing gay marriage. It happened on my birthday. So, that was extra special. I had never thought seriously about the possibility of marriage until my 30’s when my emotions and tastes matured. I wasn't especially active for gay rights as a young man either. I was out. But, it took me a very long time to develop more confident and meaningful relationships with people I felt would be good candidates for a lifetime of intimate companionship.
If I could give advice to other gay folks it would be to not be afraid. Come out with ease and confidence. Be yourself. Rebel against fear and feelings of rejection. Nearly everyone you meet WILL NOT CARE about your sexuality. Also, tell your crush that you LOVE them. Never deny the feelings in your heart. Take those risks in self expression. Resist self destructive behaviors like drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy sexual relationships with strangers that you don’t necessarily care about. Stay true to yourself and your personal values & instincts about things. Focus on real life values like work, education, or raising a family, and things will be just fine.