{"id":75042,"date":"2026-07-24T18:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T16:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/?post_type=magazin&#038;p=75042"},"modified":"2026-09-25T22:34:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T20:34:02","slug":"being-gay-is-not-a-choice","status":"publish","type":"magazin","link":"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/being-gay-is-not-a-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div class=\"cover--lead-in has-spacing--m\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__content typo--tiempos\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"entry-categories\">\n\t<a class=\"post__tag\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine-category\/masculinity\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Masculinity<\/a><\/div>\r\n        <h2 class=\"cover--lead-in__headline headline-size--default\">\r\n            \u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019        <\/h2>\r\n\r\n                    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__text\">\r\n                <p>Dirk and Thomas came out to their families only recently. Today they live together as a couple. In an interview with our author, they talk about their path to an open life. <strong>By <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/finja-bosbach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Finja Bosbach<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n            <\/div>\r\n        \r\n                    <div class=\"cover--lead-in__author\">\r\n                \r\n                    \r\n                            <figure class=\"cover--lead-in__author__image\">\r\n\r\n                                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/finja-bosbach\/\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                \r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260720FB3-68x68.jpg\"\r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260720FB3-68x68.jpg 68w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260720FB3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260720FB3-52x52.jpg 52w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/260720FB3-96x96.jpg 96w\"\r\n                                    width=\"68\"\r\n                                    height=\"68\"\r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n\r\n                                                                    <\/a>\r\n                                \r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                                    <\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in__author -->\r\n        \r\n    <\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in__content -->\r\n\r\n    \r\n        <figure class=\"cover--lead-in__image cover--lead-in__media cover--lead-in__media--image\">\r\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\r\n                src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1920x1280.jpg\"\r\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-150x100.jpg 150w\"\r\n                width=\"1920\"\r\n                height=\"1280\"\r\n                alt=\"\"\r\n                style=\"object-position: 50% 50%\"\r\n            \/>\r\n        <\/figure>\r\n\r\n        \r\n    \r\n<\/div><!-- .cover--lead-in -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>While&nbsp;looking <\/strong>for<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/magazine\/awarded\/markus-heft-fuer-uns-getraeumt\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/magazin\/ausgezeichnet\/markus-heft-fuer-uns-getraeumt\/\">gay men of different generations<\/a>, I came across Dirk and Thomas from the Ruhr. Two men who are bound together not only by their love for each other, but also by a very particular life story.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Both are in their fifties, and both came out only recently. At first they led a classic heteronormative life. Both were married, with a wife, children, a house and a settled routine. At the same time, something had been simmering inside them for years. Questions and doubts about their sexuality kept coming up, but they quickly pushed them to the back of their minds again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">One day they plucked up all their courage \u2013 it had become impossible to keep suppressing what they had felt for so long. So they talked to their wives and children and chose a life in which they no longer had to hide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">What happened next is the exception rather than the rule: the bond with their families remains strong. The conversations became more honest, the relationships deeper. In the self-help group for gay fathers in Essen, where Dirk and Thomas first met, they soon realised that stories like theirs cannot be taken for granted. They told me how their view of <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/magazine-category\/masculinity\/\">\u2018masculinity\u2019<\/a> has changed.<\/p>\n\n\n    <figure class=\"block-photo post__image--full has-spacing--m with-title\">\n\n        <div class=\"post__image__container\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \n                src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1400x933.jpg\"\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-150x100.jpg 150w\"\n                width=\"1400\" \n                height=\"933\"\n                alt=\"\" \n            \/>\n            \n                            <span class=\"post__image__title\">Thomas<\/span>\n                    <\/div><!-- post__image__container -->\n\n        \n    <\/figure><!-- post__image -->\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph is-style-typo--soehne has-spacing--default\"><strong>What does your everyday life together look like today \u2013 and when do you feel most like a family, despite the new set-up and grown-up children?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>Dirk and Thomas:&nbsp;<\/strong>Our everyday life isn&#8217;t all that different from a classic, heteronormative one. But instead of sharing it with our wives, we now share it with each other, with a man. And that&#8217;s exactly where the big difference lies for us, because it feels more authentic, more intense, closer and safer. The mask has come off \u2013 at last we can be who we are.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Even if our daily life no longer revolves around our families, they still play a big part in our lives. Tolerance on both sides, and the unquestionable fact that this is how things are, form the basis of our partnership. Our families are part of both of us and always will be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Because our wives and daughters accept us as we are and respect us as a couple, getting together is completely normal. Our families have grown as a result, and we hope that one day we&#8217;ll be able to celebrate occasions such as Easter, Christmas and birthdays together as a patchwork family.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n<div class=\"photo-grid grid-layout--2col-4 has-spacing--m\">\n\n            \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-768x1152.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-1920x2880.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-1400x2100.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-1050x1575.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-670x1005.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-420x630.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1-scaled.jpg 1707w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"1152\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n                    \n                \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-768x512.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-150x100.jpg 150w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"512\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n            \n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n    \n    <div id=\"quote-block_3141ea0831097076e9c6a04d82322d0f\" class=\"block-quote has-spacing--m\">\n        <figure class=\"quote\">\n            <blockquote>\n                <p><strong>Honestly, I&#8217;ve only felt<\/strong> like a real man since I came out<\/p>\n            <\/blockquote>\n\n            <figcaption>\n\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"portrait--inline\" src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6-1-52x52.jpg\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\" alt=\"\" \/>\n                            <span>Thomas<\/span>\n            <\/figcaption>\n            \n        <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph is-style-typo--soehne has-spacing--default\"><strong>How has your relationship with your children and former partners developed since you came out?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Our relationship with our daughters and wives has become closer since we came out. We may have lost our wives, but we&#8217;ve gained very good friends. An important part of it is treating each other with respect and as equals. The fact that we&#8217;re gay plays more of a minor role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Even though our daughters, who are now grown up, are accepting, they were afraid for the family \u2013 especially at first. They asked themselves: \u2018What&#8217;s going to happen to Mum and Dad now? Will they split up? What will happen to us as a family?\u2019 Those were our daughters&#8217; main fears.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">But even though we live apart from our wives and have gone our separate ways, our paths still cross now and then \u2013 whether at family get-togethers, with friends and acquaintances, or even on short holidays together. What matters to our daughters is that they are part of our new lives and can see that family is still important to us. Regular get-togethers and staying in touch in between confirm that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph is-style-typo--soehne has-spacing--default\"><strong>How has your understanding of masculinity changed over time \u2013 particularly in the interplay between fatherhood, homosexuality and social expectations?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>Dirk:<\/strong>&nbsp;I&#8217;ve never felt masculine in the classic sense. Typically male behaviour always put me off (and still does). There has always been a slightly feminine streak in me, but it doesn&#8217;t show on the outside. For me it&#8217;s more of a feeling \u2013 a lovely feeling that I can now enjoy without embarrassment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <figure class=\"block-photo post__image--full has-spacing--m no-title\">\n\n        <div class=\"post__image__container\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \n                src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1400x933.jpg\"\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-150x100.jpg 150w\"\n                width=\"1400\" \n                height=\"933\"\n                alt=\"\" \n            \/>\n            \n                    <\/div><!-- post__image__container -->\n\n        \n    <\/figure><!-- post__image -->\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph is-style-typo--soehne has-spacing--default\"><strong>Did you have to leave certain ideas of masculinity behind in order to live the way you do today?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>Dirk: <\/strong>At heart I feel like a man, with a bit of a feminine side. Now, at last, I can show and live my homosexual side as a gay man, without having to hide or suppress it. It&#8217;s not my understanding of masculinity that has changed \u2013 it&#8217;s my understanding of my true self. After my (inner) coming out, I accepted it as it is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>Thomas:&nbsp;<\/strong>Honestly, I&#8217;ve only felt like a real man since I came out. It was only when I came out that I could really make sense of my feelings. Today I live more as a man than I did before.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph is-style-typo--soehne has-spacing--default\"><strong>What advice would you give other men in similar situations \u2013 especially those who are still struggling with themselves or the people around them?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">We would advise other men who are still struggling with themselves or those around them to listen deep inside themselves. To ask themselves questions such as: Who am I? What am I? Who do I want to be? These were all questions that preoccupied us intensely while we were finding ourselves, and in a way tormented us, because at first we couldn&#8217;t find any answers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">For most men in similar situations, the family is the most precious thing to protect \u2013 after all, as fathers and husbands we once took on a responsibility. We don&#8217;t want coming out to leave a trail of broken pieces behind. But that is unavoidable, at least at first, once that one sentence \u2013 \u2018I&#8217;m gay\u2019 \u2013 has been said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n    \n    <div id=\"quote-block_432626ceecdc475da60d930117ba105e\" class=\"block-quote has-spacing--m\">\n        <figure class=\"quote\">\n            <blockquote>\n                <p><strong>It&#8217;s not my understanding<\/strong> of masculinity that has changed \u2013 it&#8217;s my understanding of my true self<\/p>\n            <\/blockquote>\n\n            <figcaption>\n\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"portrait--inline\" src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1-52x52.jpg\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\" alt=\"\" \/>\n                            <span>Dirk<\/span>\n            <\/figcaption>\n            \n        <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n    <figure class=\"block-photo post__image--full has-spacing--m with-title\">\n\n        <div class=\"post__image__container\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \n                src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1400x933.jpg\"\n                srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-150x100.jpg 150w\"\n                width=\"1400\" \n                height=\"933\"\n                alt=\"\" \n            \/>\n            \n                            <span class=\"post__image__title\">Dirk and Thomas<\/span>\n                    <\/div><!-- post__image__container -->\n\n        \n    <\/figure><!-- post__image -->\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\"><strong>Dirk and Thomas: <\/strong>But if we want to take responsibility, we have to do so first and foremost for ourselves \u2013 we have to be at peace with ourselves. If there&#8217;s an imbalance here, it inevitably leads to inner conflict and noticeable dissatisfaction. The people around you can feel that dissatisfaction too, and often see it. Many people confirmed that to us after we came out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">Many of them were glad to finally have an answer. In the end, dissatisfaction and inner conflict lead to escalation, which has to be avoided at all costs. Escalation leads to arguments. Arguments lead to a lack of respect. All of that can only end with the family breaking apart \u2013 which nobody wants.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post__paragraph has-spacing--default\">We can tell other men our own personal story with a clear conscience, because thanks to the appreciation shown by our families, our friends and acquaintances, and our colleagues, it has turned out well. Perhaps what follows is just as important as the often life-saving sentence \u2018I&#8217;m gay\u2019: be true to yourself and live your life! You only get one!<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n<div class=\"photo-grid grid-layout--2col-4 has-spacing--m\">\n\n            \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-768x1152.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-1920x2880.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-1400x2100.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-1050x1575.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-670x1005.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-420x630.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8-scaled.jpg 1707w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"1152\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n                    \n                \n\n            <div class=\"photo-grid__image\">\n\n                <figure>\n\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \n                        src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-768x1152.jpg\" \n                        srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-1920x2880.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-1400x2100.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-1050x1575.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-670x1005.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-420x630.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9-scaled.jpg 1707w\" \n                        width=\"768\"  \n                        height=\"1152\" \n                        alt=\"\"  \n                    \/>\n\n                    \n                    \n                <\/figure>\n\n            <\/div><!-- photo-grid__image -->    \n\n\n            \n\n            \n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-spacing--default has-spacing--default\">\n<div class=\"devider has-spacing--none\">\n    <hr>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n    <div id=\"lead-in-block_4de53b2eb1181b7a88de470db4868d0a\" class=\"block-lead-in typo--default font-size--xl has-spacing--s width--default\">\n        <p><strong>Recommended by the editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"teaser-grid grid-layout--3col has-spacing--s width--inline\">\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/being-gay-is-not-a-choice\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                \u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Dirk and Thomas came out to their families only recently. Today they live together as a couple. In an interview with our author, they talk about their path to an open life.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x512.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-150x100.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"512\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/i-was-a-hitler-caricature\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                \u2018I was a Hitler caricature from a bad Hollywood film\u2019                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>He used to march through the streets in a leather coat, carrying the Reich war flag, giving hate speeches and dreaming of the great revolution. Today Axel Reitz works in extremism prevention.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-768x512.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Janek-Stempel_AxelReitz-1317-150x100.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"512\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/thin-on-top\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Thin on top                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>TikTok routines, rosemary oil, transplants: the market for hair-loss treatments is booming. Hair may be just hair in the end \u2013 but it&#8217;s never quite that simple.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-768x768.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-1920x1920.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-1400x1400.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-1050x1050.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-670x670.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-52x52.jpg 52w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-68x68.jpg 68w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/04_Hermann_Noah-96x96.jpg 96w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"768\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n        <\/div><!-- .teaser-grid -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"teaser-grid grid-layout--3col has-spacing--s width--inline\">\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/misogyny-in-the-feed\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Misogyny in the feed: when algorithms shape reality                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Misogynistic content spreads rapidly on social media. For many young women, it is no longer a digital phenomenon but part of everyday life. An investigation into quiet radicalisation, a lack of prevention and the consequences in real life.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-768x1024.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-1400x1867.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-1050x1400.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-670x893.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-420x560.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-350x467.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-640x853.jpg 640w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DSC_9117-4-150x200.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"1024\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/born-to-perform\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Born to perform?                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>From engine to muscle, from horsepower to watts: a bike shop reveals how men relate to technology and status today \u2013 and whether anything has really changed.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-768x1154.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-768x1154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-1920x2886.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-1400x2104.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-1050x1578.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-670x1007.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-420x631.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-350x526.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-300x451.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Reda_Isabel_Maennlichkeit-0020-scaled.jpg 1703w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"1154\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n                <article class=\"post-teaser\">\r\n\r\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/old-boys-old-conflicts\/\" rel=\"permalink\">\r\n\r\n                        <div class=\"post-teaser__content\">\r\n\r\n                            <span class=\"entry-categories\">Masculinity<\/span>\r\n                            <h3 class=\"post-teaser__headline\">\r\n                                Old boys, old conflicts?                            <\/h3>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"post-teaser__excerpt\">\r\n                                <p>Every year, the Coburger Convent draws thousands of fraternity members to Coburg. While some celebrate tradition, others criticise its all-male structures, its torchlight processions and the way it deals with its own history.<\/p>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <\/div><!-- .post-teaser__content -->\r\n\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                            <figure class=\"post-teaser__image\">\r\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  \r\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-768x512.jpg\" \r\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-1050x700.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-670x447.jpg 670w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CoburgerConvent-3-3-150x100.jpg 150w\" \r\n                                    width=\"768\"  \r\n                                    height=\"512\" \r\n                                    alt=\"\"\r\n                                \/>\r\n                            <\/figure>\r\n\r\n                        \r\n                    \r\n                    <\/a>\r\n\r\n                <\/article><!--- .post-teaser-->\r\n\r\n            \r\n        <\/div><!-- .teaser-grid -->\r\n\r\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"btn-wrapper has-spacing--m\">\n        <a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/\" target=\"_blank\">TO THE MAGAZINE HOMEPAGE<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":73897,"template":"","tags":[371,379,381],"magazinkategorie":[377],"class_list":["post-75042","magazin","type-magazin","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-familie-beziehungen-en","tag-maennlichkeit-en","tag-queer-en","magazinkategorie-masculinity"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>\u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019 &#8211; Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Dirk and Thomas came out to their families only recently. Today they live together as a couple. In an interview with our author, they talk about their path to an open life.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/visualjournalism.de\/en\/magazine\/masculinity\/being-gay-is-not-a-choice\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u2018Being gay is not a choice\u2019\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dirk and Thomas came out to their families only recently. Today they live together as a couple. 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