A Documentary By Devon Jacob Yaffe

Saturday, March 16th I met a brilliant and inspiring young man at the PFLAG Regional meeting in Los Angeles. He spoke from his heart, he shared his vulnerability, and he showed the power of putting yourself out on a limb and stretching. Of course, as a life coach, I always encourage my clients to stretch, tip toe out onto limbs, and allow their vulnerability to be their teacher. Devon Jacob Yaffe personified this mantra and was one of the most inspiring moments of the day.

Saturday, March 16th I met a brilliant and inspiring young man at the PFLAG Regional meeting in Los Angeles. He spoke from his heart, he shared his vulnerability, and he showed the power of putting yourself out on a limb and stretching. Of course, as a life coach, I always encourage my clients to stretch, tip toe out onto limbs, and allow their vulnerability to be their teacher. Devon Jacob Yaffe personified this mantra and was one of the most inspiring moments of the day.

Devon’s Story

Going into his senior year of high school, Devon was given the task of creating a senior project, a research project, based on a topic of any personal interest desired.  After careful consideration he decided on a project that was close to home: Overcoming Adversities as a Gay Teen. He choose a topic that he would be most compelled to work on during the entire fall semester of school. To choose a topic on something he had no interest in would have been silly in his mind. By choosing the topic, so closely reflecting his own life story, Devon was determined he had to do the topic justice. As a newly active member of LGBT community he reached out to the gay community in order to hear the stories of other gay youth. His documentary tells the story of ten gay males, ages ranging from fifteen to eighty-two. He shot a compelling short film that shows how each of them overcame their own adversities as a gay teen throughout each generation.

When given the guidelines, he decided to do more than just a high school project.  He wanted to take this beyond high school and into the world.  He felt so strongly about his project that there was no turning back and that deep down he knew this was going to be something life changing.  During the process of this project his world changed, as his eyes were opened to a community in which he regretfully realized he wasn’t actively involved in. Now, after learning so much about this incredible world, he felt compelled to become involved with the community and possibly become a gay rights activist. He explored unknown territory for many gay teens, and has created one of the best kinds of  documentaries there is: the true life testimony of those who have grown  up gay in a heterosexual world.

I am proud to have met this young man and feel that he did this project justice. It is now my pleasure to share his video with you. I also leave you with one question…“What adversity is standing in front of you that is leading you to believe that you can’t be or have everything in your life that you desire?”