Florence. "I'm a father, a husband, and gay." Alessio, the other catwalk

WHEN he realized he liked boys, he was eleven, but his first memories date back to elementary school. He came out at 14, along with being kicked out of his home. Today, Alessio Cuvello, 24, a three-year-old son and an ex-wife (married in church), a personal trainer and nightclub poster boy, lives with his partner in Milan and is one of the 15 finalists in Mister Gay Italia, the beauty contest organized by Gay.it, a portal directed by Alessio De Giorgi, with the patronage of Arcigay (the grand finals are tonight at Mamamia in Torre del Lago). The prize, the organizers explain, is awarded to the Italian gay boy who is not only the most handsome, but also "the most representative," whose story, that is, "serves as an example on the path to equal dignity."
of LGBT people.".
The organizers introduce him as a "family man.".
«"Yes, I've always been gay, but I was married to a woman, with whom I had a son I adore. We're separated now, but we've remained very good friends.".
Did his wife know about his sexual orientation?
«Certainly, but that doesn't mean a homosexual can't also fall in love with a woman, and without being bisexual».
She was fine with it, though.
«"Yes. I was honest with her: I told her that at that moment I didn't feel the need for a man by my side, although I didn't rule out the possibility that it could happen again.".
And it happened again?
«After four years of marriage, I felt attracted to men again. And rather than cheat on her, I confessed it to her. It was hard at the time, she was prepared,
But the end of a relationship is never easy. But then everything went well.".
When did you realize you were gay?
«"In elementary school. I lived with my grandparents. I was born in Sicily, but they raised me in Novara. Instinctively, I tried to repress myself, I forced myself to look at the girls, but there was no way, I didn't like them. I felt that inside me...
there was something different.".
And then?
«In the sixth grade, I start to show myself for who I am. But that's a terrible age; my classmates make my life hell. I put up with it until eighth grade, and then I say enough, I don't care, whatever happens. One day, coming home from school, I take a deep breath and say it: I'm gay.
To the grandparents. And how did it go?
«Kicked out of my house, right there and then. Since then, I've never seen them again, nor any of my family. With the little money I had, I took the train to Milan, where luckily there were people ready to welcome me. I was chatting online and had met a slightly older guy who became my partner for a few years.
Have you ever run into any danger or attempted exploitation?
«"Yes, but thank God I didn't have to defend myself. My friends always helped me, and I was never in any danger. Today, I'm the one defending others from bullying, which unfortunately exists.".
But what's it like to live as a gay man in Italy?
«"Easier than before. Many more kids are coming out, without running into major problems. It's funny, though, when I hear people say the number of gays is increasing. But don't worry, it's only the number of people coming out that's increasing.".