ABOUT THE FILM
TRUE COLORS is about four homosexual men and their life stories on how they have dealt with issues concerning love, hate and acceptance.
"This compelling story speaks strongly about the power one holds when the desire for love and acceptance penetrates the walls of hatred and adversity. The heart of the filmmaker shines through as the words and visual images prompt us to think about the ramifications of a society absent of human compassion."
- Taryl Hargens, Arizona K-12 Center -THE CAST
Derek Sandoval
Derek comes from a small closed-minded town that has not seen growth or development probably since day one. His mother comes from a highly religious military family and his father comes from a Hispanic family. Needless to say they had lots of issues growing up. At 16, Derek was emancipated for being gay. Growing up alone at such a young age has definitely made it much harder for him to achieve his goals. Though with all of the trials and tribulations he has gone through, help him stay more focused on the prize at heart.
“Coming out of the closet at an early age has had its ups and downs. The feeling of being completely free and open has been rewarding. At the same time, it has been very hard to have others your own age not accept who you truly are. I have had people scream, hate at me, push me down and try to gay bash me. I have scars that have affected my heart and my body, but it will never take my life. We get one chance in life to be the person that we want and I refuse to be another victim of society and hold on to the bad. Even though I have had much hurt throughout this short 24 years, I have learned and grown from it all. I have become more aware of the change that I can make and I would say it is effectively working. Derek, that’s me, and I wouldn't change anything about my life, family and friends. All these situations have happened and they have brought me closer to my friends and family because we all have to look inside ourselves and learn to change and grow from our mistakes. The best thing is it never stops, I sure as hell will not stop be positive and looking forward instead of looking in the past.”
Dean Cassidy
Born in 1981 in Casa Grande, Arizona population at time just nearing 15,000. Dean is the youngest of three children. Mother and father both worked full time jobs, considered by todays standards as a lower middle class family. Casa Grande up until very recently has had no real gay community, with its population now peeking near some 40, 000 residents. The only real gay influence in his life wasnt until his teenage years, when meeting two college friends of his parents from ASU. Since a young age he had always known he was different but didnt know how his family would accept it, after seeing how his family was with their friends he came out to his parents at 19. His mother has always been very accepting, even at times pointing out potentail boyfriends. His father had some issues dealing with it, questioning his own parenting and also wondering if bottled water had something to do with it.
Dean left small town Casa Grande when he was 23 for much larger Phoenix, where he met his partner of three yrs, lived a modest life and persued his life dream of movie production. After three short years in Phoenix, Dean relocated back to Casa Grande to be closer to his family where he lives today. Currently single and working full time, Dean keeps himself busy in the off time by writing his first book about his life and his families acceptance to his homosexuality. He is also in the process of organizing a GLBT outreach program in Casa Grande to help people who have had the same struggles and questions he had.
Nicholas Jonathan
Welcomed into a life of adversity in working class America, Nicholas grew up in the North Valley in Phoenix, Arizona after relocating from Bartlett, Illinois; less than two years after birth. Struggling with his sexuality early in life, he knew that chasing the kindergarten girls around the playground was not his forte (He played nicely anyway). Developing in a city that lacked much diversity on any scale, Nicholas rebounded in academics as a means of self-identification. Void of any role models to identify with sexually, he worked his way through high school and made the move back to Chicago for college in an attempt to distance himself from all things familiar and start his path to self acceptance. It did not take long for him to gain comfort with his true self and consequently, share that person with his family and friends. Since graduating in 2004, Nicholas has moved back to the Phoenix area to be close to family and build his life as a young professional.
First of all, growing up gay isn't easy no matter where you live, but when you live in a small town like I do, it's just that much harder. Small towns tend to be less supportive, less accepting, and more conservative.
I was born in April 1986 in Mesa Arizona. My mother Liz was from a conservative Catholic family from the mid-west. My dad was from the equally conservative Catholic family. He grew up like many mid-western boys farmer for his family. He followed his brother's footsteps and joined the Air Force.
At a young age, my family moved to Maricopa City. My parents thought a small town would be a great place to raise children, free from corruptions and the hustle of a bigger city. Unfortunately for Lee, he experienced, hatred, bigotry and physical attacks from his peers.
Growing up was pretty rough for me. After coming to terms with myself and I could say it to myself that I am gay, I wanted to find others like me. I wanted to find other people that I could feel comfortable talking to, but where would I ever find them in a small conservative town?
I had no gay friends and no positive gay influences growing up. The images I remember growing up of gay people where mostly negative. If you're gay, especially in a small town it was a close regarded secret. Being gay would shame the family. Lets face it, the first thing parents think of when their child come out to them is "what did I (meaning the parent) do wrong"?
It was only after I got a little older that I discovered more positive side of gay people and gay society by meeting and interacting with gay people. I learned wasn't the only one feeling isolated and experienced hate and predigest growing up.
A year and half ago I made a decision that would have a profound effect for the rest of my life. I slept with a guy who was HIV+ I was young, impressionable and in love. We are not together anymore. He used and manipulated my good nature and me. These are the cards I've been dealt in life. I try to think positive and moving forward in my life. I have no regrets. Why should I? I'm gay and proud to be the person I am.
- Derek Sandoval -