As I remained blurred of my life in Rochester, NY I knew it was beginning to become too small a town for me. I had already been there 8 years after coming out in 1994. I just didn’t know how I would move or where I wanted to go.

This pattern went on for a few years and I had contemplated 4 places to live. Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, and anywhere in California.

I had loved California from when I was little and was fascinated with the Gold Rush era. I loved the idea of a Golden Gate Bridge. I knew about Palm Springs with Sony Bono as the mayor. I loved Hollywood, with their movie stars which I had been in love with as a child.

It reminded me of my time as a boy in New York City, with Rockefeller Center, NBC, movie stars, and that one time I met Penny Marshall.

With all that said, and after dreaming the dream, I met someone who was originally from Roseville. We started dating and I started learning more about my own kinky side which I kept well hidden at 32 years old.

He was unsure, and barely able to make ends meet, and I always wanted to be the one that fixes people. I know that’s not healthy but it took me a long time to figure it out.

When he said he wanted to move to San Francisco, and told me about the Bay Area, I was sold. I had nothing holding me back.

We visited in July of 2003 and I was instantly overwhelmed. So much gay in the Castro, and not to mention my first Up Your Alley street fair (known to many now as Dore Alley).

About a year later, I sold most of what I owned, he connected me with a friend of his who was looking to move from San Jose, bought my plane ticket and the dream began.

On June 1st, 2004 I touched down and stepped foot on what now is home. I had a roommate, about $5k in my pocket, no job and living in the Castro.

Where was this journey taking me?