SCBP Extraordinary, Everyday People

Tell our readers how you guys met.  (They both laughed)

Cory:  I'll let you answer this one.

Calvin:  (smiling from ear to ear) we met in the locker room at work after our shift one night.  I asked him to let me use his cell phone because my battery was dead.  I just wanted to get his number.  I texted him later and told him I had something to tell him but he could not tell anyone.  I asked him out and here we are four years later.

Wow, so you guys met at work!  That's like a dream come true for a lot of girls . . . lol

So being that you work together, how do the guys at work accept your relationship?

Cory:  The guys on our job are really comfortable with us.  They don't treat us any different.  They talk to me about their problems and treat us just like any one else. 

Calvin:  Speak for yourself.  There are a few guys who stopped talking to me once they found out but for the most part, they treat me good too.

What does your family think of your lifestyle and you guys living together?

Calvin:  At first it was a little hard for my mom to accept us being that she is in the church, but as time passed, she came around.  She said I was her son no matter what and she loved me just the same.

Cory:  It was a little hard for my mom as well, but things are getting better.  As for the rest of my family, they never had a problem with it.  I have to keep my grandmother from taking my man, lol

What challenges do you face in day to day life being a young, black gay couple?

Cory:  We don't really face any problems because we are not really out like that.  Most people see us and don't think we are gay.  Our neighbors accept us for who we are.  We treat them with respect and we get the same in return.

Knowing the both of you personally, I know that you are both in the church.  What type of role does that play in your life?

Cory & Calvin:  Without God in your life, things are really hard.  You need God in your life no matter who you are.

What advice would you give to the gay commun ity both those in relationships and those hoping to be in a relationship?

Cory:  Wow! I would tell them it is not easy.  It is something you have to work at.  Anything worth having is worth working hard for.  Don't give up!!!

Calvin:  The biggest thing to me is love, trust, and communication.  You have to love the person you are with through all you go through.  You have to learn to trust them when you are not together.  And most importantly, learn to communicate.  That means listen to the things they say as well as expressing your concerns.

What advice do you have for the new, younger genereation in the gay life?

Cory:  One of the biggest things I would say is, you do not have to go overboard to be noticed.  Sometimes less is more.  It does not have to be everyone's business that you are gay.

Calvin:  Just show people the same respect you wish to receive. . .

This interview could have gone on forever!  It was such a please visiting with Cory and Calvin.  These guys are very approachable and fun loving.  They have their head on straight and are good role models for the younger generation because they are doing it the right way.  Working together for a common goal; proving that live is possible is you work at it. 

Thank you for your time and interest!  Please fell free to contact us here at South Carolina Black Pride or me personally at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you know an extraordinary, everyday person or you feel that you are that person, you can share your story here.

~John Caldwell, Editor for SCBP Extraordinary, Everyday People