Gattison
My name is Gattison, and I am a Bisexual Progressive Christian.
Growing up, the church was my second home, and my faith was my compass, guiding every step I took. As I entered adulthood, I began to accept a part of me I didn't feel comfortable embracing before – my attraction to men.
Pronouns: he/him
Photo credit: Gattison archives
Knowing the complexities of faith and sexuality, I felt an inevitable conversation looming with someone I deeply respected: my spiritual mentor and pastor. With a mix of apprehension and hope, I approached him. 'Can our bond withstand our differing views? Can we still walk in unity and love?' To which he replied with doubt, 'I don't know.'
That response set off an excruciatingly painful process of deconstruction, reshaping everything I thought I knew. It forced me to think deeply and practically about the conditionality of love. It prompted me to consider this question: 'If love is unconditional, then where exactly are the sacred boundaries of love?' To this day, I'm still contemplating that question.
This question has driven me to embody love in everything I do. I realized that I could infuse my skills and talents, my passion and ambition with this love. For me, it's through melodies and style. That love even led me to create House of Gattison, my own luxury streetwear brand. It's where fashion meets music, aiming to empower and uplift fellow independent artists.
In reflection, that pivotal 'I don't know' moment was a blessing in disguise. It challenged me to stand firm in my beliefs and spread love in unique ways. You may be reading this and have had a life experience that has been void of real, authentic unconditional love. But, if you can recognize what it's like to live without true, unconditional love, then you know what love should feel like, and you know how transformative that love could be. And THAT'S precisely why you're the best candidate to embody what love truly is.
Photo credit: Gattison archives
