Outside-The-Liners

Video + Vintage Photos

Aug 11, 2024

Living and loving outside the lines isn’t easy, but for those of us born this way, it’s the only way…to truly be ourselves anyway.

In a world obsessed with fitting into boxes and checking off the right labels, stepping out and defining life on our own terms takes courage.

Years ago, I read (and re-read) Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. In case you missed it, its subtitle, “The Story of Success,” gives you a good idea about its focus but does leave out a deep dive on failure too.

I found it a fascinating read. But after two full reads, I wanted to know the REST of the story. Because it leaves out the vast middle ground—somewhere between “success” and “failure”—where so many of us live.

In my worldview, we “outside-the-liners” aren’t (usually) the ones making headlines or breaking records. But we’re here, a lot of us are queer, and much of the world is still not used to it.

Despite trying hard to color inside the line, I’ve been coloring outside them since I was old enough to hold a crayon. And while I’ve had my share of successes (and failures), on this rollercoaster we call life, on most days, I do my best to stay on track.

My life may not be as extraordinary as some would imagine or like, but it’s (mostly) filled with authenticity, creativity, and the daily struggle to remain true to myself.

I do my best to keep the struggle under wraps. But like everyone, I have moments of doubt and fear. And moments of delight and inspiration too. Human.

As a crayon-wielding “outside-the-liner,” I may not have a blueprint or a guidebook, but I do have a coloring book (or two). I also have my passions, beliefs, and my deep sense of purpose that goes beyond any external measure of success.

To celebrate this way of life, I created a montage featuring those who, at least in the frozen moments of vintage photos, look to have lived their best lives.

They’re the ones who inspire me to keep going, to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Because in the end, it’s not about fitting in or standing out—it’s about living a life that feels right, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Or even to myself sometimes.

Here’s to all fellow “outside-the-liners,” finding our way, one step at a time.

Keep doing you, boo!
Clint