Page 24 - Adelante Magazine June 2022

It felt like that young man was in our
presence. He had a secret that he Adelante: This is gay pride month,
saw as a curse and it wasn’t. what does this mean to you?
Tony: It’s just an amazing thing
I wish I could have gone back in time because it’s like a history lesson.
and talked to that young man so that When you think about it, not long ago
he could have lived and not committed in the 1950’s a gay couple could not
suicide. walk down the street holding hands
and that is so important for us. Those
Adelante: What do you hope to do people back then were the ones that
in your role as Mr. Gay World, USA? fought the fight so that I could live this
Tony: I want be an inspiration for kids. life. They fought so that I could sit in a
I want to be a voice for people who car with a crown and wave to people.
don’t have anyone. I want to be a light I think Pride is about celebrating who
for someone who may feel like they we are as a community but also
are in a tunnel in total darkness. remembering how we got here. Also,
how important it is to protect our rights.
Now I’m going to schools and youth I’m sure many people today think this
groups and I’m working with an organ- is just a fun parade, but it’s actually
ization named Campus Pride. We celebrating who we are and saying we
have a lot of things scheduled. I’m will not let the past repeat itself. It also
also doing visits at a lot of the college says to the larger community that we
campuses across the country. are not going anywhere.

I also am publishing a children’s book Adelante: What is your definition of
titled “Gill the Merboy” available in community?
July. It’s a story that focuses on a little Tony: I’ll give you an example. I’m
Merboy who shows kids that boys can part of a community event committee
be mermaids too and that the greatest and just last night we had to vote for
treasure of all is being yourself! I also which flag we would display. There’s a
produced an award winning short film gay flag that is more modern and
and web series called “Far Far Away- inclusive and has the asexual sign and
an LGBTQ twist on the classic fairy- then there’s the traditional gay flag.
tales” which you can find on YouTube. That was the vote. So, which flag do
I believe representation is so we support to represent us?
important in media because
somewhere in the world there is an When the vote got to me I remember
LGBTQ kid who may feel hopeless, thinking, nobody should be left behind.
but they can see theme selves in a A community is basically a family.
story- it sparks that magic that There were people in the group that
tomorrow maybe they’ll find their thought we should keep things the
prince, tomorrow maybe they’ll find traditional way, but I feel we should be
their happily ending, tomorrow things inclusive. We’ve all felt left out at one
will get better. That’s hope and that is time or another and we should try to
one of the strongest things our be inclusive.
community has.
Adelante: You mentioned you’re
Adelante: What kinds of questions going back to make an appearance
do you get asked when you’re out at your high school?
there talking to youth and youth Tony: Yes. I’m going back to my old
groups? high school to make an appearance
Tony: How to deal with your parents. as Mr. Gay World, USA. The very high
A lot of questions about family. I’m school I was made fun of every day I
close to my family so I can relate to the now get to go back and be celebrated.
questions. There are questions about It’s a full circle I guess. I’m excited.
parent’s expectations. Many say their
parents have expectations of them, As one can glean from this interview,
like going to college, to get good jobs, Tony is a very special person with a
get married, have kids, and then they mission that is focused on doing much
may realize their parent’s dreams are good. The Mr. Gay World, USA
not the life they want to live. I tell them pageant surely crowned the
my story or try to make them laugh contestant focused on making the
while we discuss those difficult issues. world a better place through his work
advocating for the up and coming
Adelante: Do you see yourself younger generations.
having a family and kids of your
own? We wish Tony the best in these
Tony: Yes. One day. My goals are to endeavors and we also will be routing
be happy, whether that’s having kids for him when he competes in a few
or a husband, I’d love to live ‘happily months in South Africa for the Mr. Gay
ever after’ with a family and kids, but I World Title. We will keep our readers
don’t want to plan ahead. I just want posted on how that progresses. You
to be in the moment and enjoy this can visit Tony on his Instagram at
amazing adventure I am blessed to @tony.cannoli.
live.
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