This. My best friend is brave and beautiful and he never ceases...

This. My best friend is brave and beautiful and he never ceases to inspire me. ❤️ #Repost @angelo_surmelis

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I avoid the beach, going to a public pool, or using the gym shower. I never take my shirt off in public. I spent a decade of my life (6-16) having my body abused by a group of adults that were supposed to protect me. When I was old enough to admit to myself that I was gay, the very community I wanted so desperately to be a part of didn’t think I was thin enough, muscular enough, or anything enough to belong. As men, we don’t really talk much about our negative body image. Especially when there has been a history of sexual abuse. This past week, due to some unexpected circumstances, my body needed to be observed. To be tested. And even more tests. With results ranging from super scary to we have no idea what’s going on. The bottom line…I’ll be fine. Hell, I’ll be more than fine. I’ll thrive. But in the last week, as I was laying on cold slabs. Being scanned. Moved around and stuck with different tools like a Thanksgiving turkey, I thought of all the years I wasted being ashamed of my body. The one that could lift and move furniture to make someone feel better about their space. The one that could wrap it’s arms around a friend when they were crying. The one that eventually ran as fast as it could from it’s abusers. That body. This body is strong and determined and not a quitter. It’s amazing. Your body is amazing! Hell, it’s a work of art that you should be proud of. As it is. Please don’t spend another second judging it. Comparing it. Being ashamed of it. We walk around every day as little miracles. Celebrate that in yourself and in each other. You guys are spectacularly beautiful. ❤️#dontblendin #hope #love #representationmatters #bodypositive #gaysofinstagram #gaystagram #nofilter #holdinguptheuniverse #bodypositive #bodypositivity #selflovesunday #selflove #loveyourself #youarewanted #youareloved (at Los Angeles, California)