Feature Friday with Francis Dominic

Happy Friday! We’re so excited to start our Feature Friday series back today with such an amazing person. You probably already know him, follow him on Instagram, and adore his uplifting and beautiful feed, but you’re about to learn a little more about Francis Dominic today and we think you’re going to love him even more. See what we’re talking about below…

On an unforgettable city: My favorite place I’ve ever travelled to is probably Chicago. I loved it so much that I almost moved there. I fell in love with the city because it was fast paced but knew when to be slow. It was a healthy combination of NYC and SF, which I both grew up in. And the men there are so beautiful. I was in awe when I went to Boystown. I appreciated everything it had to offer and if timing was right, maybe I still would.

On the surprising power of MySpace and acceptance: I grew up in The Bay Area. A small town village called San Lorenzo. Right above Oakland, right below Hayward, and across the Bridge from San Francisco. My little village was a little conservative. But me coming out to everyone in the 7th Grade (2006), everyone was so accepting of it. I think even my bullies become accepting of it. And after I did that, it sent a wave of people coming out. Still to this day, my friends I came out to are still my best friends today. When I came out, my sister actually found out via Myspace when I announced it there via Mspace Blog. Then a year later my parents found out on Myspace Page. My Dad was the one who accepted me first and my mom followed right after. I’ve had so much support through it all so it’s been great for me. On top of that, in high-school I was Cheer Captain and also Junior and Senior Class President. So growing up was so much fun! I wish there was more gay kids so I could’ve explored my sexuality more.

On kindness: I was taught to be loving and kind. I followed that my entire life and all I’ve ever shown people is love and kindness unless they deserve something else. I’ve definitely opened my heart to a lot of people. OF course you get hurt along the way but you keep going. You don’t let heartbreak or terrible people slow you down.

An interesting fact: Hahaha! Uhm, I’ve never been treated right by a man?! Hahaha! I’m just kidding. One interesting fact about me is that Francis Dominic is actually my first two names.

On his favorite part about himself: MY LEGS. They’re so powerful and I love them so much!

On his greatest joys in life: Being with my friends, being with my family, creating from nothing to something, and watching my own dreams come true.

On coming out: It was 2006. I was in seventh grade, I was 13. And it was so nerve wrecking at first but everything went smoothly after. I came out to my friends first and they were all so supportive from the start. My Sister was my rock. My Dad was the most accepting at first and then my Mom followed. No backlash, thank the universe! Everyone was so kind to me. My heart was so open to everyone.

On what really matters after coming out: I am so strong and I really didn’t care about what people thought. I just cared about what I thought and how I saw myself so that’s all that really mattered.

On his advice to LGBTQ+ youth: I would say you will have your time! Stay so fucking strong and get out of where you are so you can grow and blossom! Make sure you have a support system to fall back on. Just know that you’re so loved already by so many people that don’t know you. We’re all waiting for you because it does get better!

On an important realization: Realizing that seeking validation and attention from men wasn’t the way to go about life. You’ll be doing that forever. So I took myself on a self-love journey. I re-wired my brain to choose me and be on my side. It’s so hard being Gay, Person of Color, and flamboyant. It’s like all the things in life were made to be against you but regardless you keep going. The only validation you need is the one that comes from you.

On his biggest inspiration: Myself. I can’t stress that enough. Loving myself and being so strong for myself has gotten me through a lot in life. I deserve the same opportunities, the same love, and the same happiness as my friends around me. SO if no one is going to give me that seat at the table, I’ll make my own table!

On his life in 5 years: Hopefully writing in your cottage with my 6th - 7th book and somewhere high on the NYT Best Seller’s. Also for my friends and myself to be at some point of a higher degree. And probably have my Mom move closer to SoCal.