LGBT •

"The viral photo of the two military men that got married last week."

The two men are honored by the support they received from people who saw their wedding photo.

(Mirror Daily, United States) – February is the month of the heart, in both meanings. And Valentine’s Day is a national holiday when love is celebrated by all. And as a photo of gay military men kissing goes viral we understand just how much the world has evolved and how beautiful love can be.

Three days before Valentine’s Day, on the 11^th of February, Shane Adriano and Tristian Resz said yes in a small courthouse ceremony surrounded by family and friends. The two military men were planning to exchange nuptials in a small ceremony and start their new, married life with no additional ado.

But things don’t always work out exactly as they were planned and as the photo of gay military men goes viral, the two realized that their love is supported by a lot of people.

After exchanging their vows and being declared officially married by the Springfield judge, Spc. Adriano and Pfc. Resz shared the traditional kiss that seals the ceremony. The photograph that captured this beautiful moment was then shared on a social media platform by the American Association of Military Partners.

Ever since the photograph was shared by the Association, it gathered around five thousand likes and over a thousand shares. Even though some of the hundreds of comments posted were not very friendly, others were very encouraging.

Veterans or people currently serving in the army were among the people who wanted to make sure that their disapproval is heard. But their negativity did not ruin the newlyweds’ day because there were other hundreds of people who were happy to congratulate them and wish them the best of luck in their new marriage.

Specialist Shane Adriano and Private First Class Tristian Resz got married in Missouri in front of family and friends, and because the American Association of Military Partners decided to share their wedding kiss photograph on a social media account, with the rest of the world.

And as the photo of gay military men kissing goes viral we understand the fact that the LGBT community in the Unites States is beginning to receive a lot more love and support than hate.

Negative comments were unavoidable seeing as the two men are a part of the military. The people who served and are currently serving in the military have a tendency of not being the most supportive fans of the LGBT community. But Pfc Shane and Pfc Resz are a proof that there are military men out there who are proud to be gay and in love.

Image source: Facebook

According to new findings from a study conducted on 245 LGBT young adults from California aged 21 to 25, being open about one’s own sexuality while in school or high school paves the way for a more balanced life for the individual, with an increased self-esteem and fewer chances of getting depressed. The study was also supported by the Family Acceptance Project, which is a research and education initiative that takes place at the San Francisco State University. It is strongly involved in promoting the well-being of LGBT children and teenagers.

Being open while they are still adolescents makes it more easier for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people to integrate according to who they are and thus aids them establish their role and place in society with ease. Moreover the authors said in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry that trying to hide one’s true sexuality actually results in more abuse and a continually decreasing self-esteem.

So in other words, what it mandatory right now is to create the adequate environments in which young people feel safe and tolerated so as to be able to truly figure out who they are, or, as Stephen Russell, the study’s lead author said:

“supporting environments so that all kids can figure out and be as true to themselves as they can be. (…) “Until now, a key question about balancing the need to protect LGBT youth from harm while promoting their well-being has not been addressed: Do the benefits of coming out at school outweigh the increased risk of victimization?”

Russell is an expert on adolescent mental health at the University of Arizona in Tucson and decided to make this research when a high school in Okeechobee, Florida wanted to forbid students from creating an LGBT-straight alliance group. The students won the battle after all, but the question regarding their coming out while teenagers still remained.

In other words the study undoubtedly concluded that LGBT-influenced abuse during school was directly linked to difficult and negative adjustment throughout young adulthood. Trying to hide their sexuality only increased abuse.

Stephen Russell also underlined the need for this study to be done in other places throughout the U.S. as well.

Photo of Gay Military Men Kissing Goes Viral

Coming Out in School Helps Build Self-Esteem

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