Survivor Story | James Evans

Growing up in a small town in Midwest America, James Evans always knew he was different. He also knew that his family and hometown would never accept his authentic self if he ever found the courage to be open about his sexuality. He was consumed with self-hatred and carried a constant fear of being "outed" and ostracized by his community. In order to cope with these overwhelming feelings, he turned to substance abuse.

In his final year of high school, Evans' worst fear came true. He was "outed" and his family rejected him. Despite his  previous academic and personal success, the substance abuse and rejection from his family became too much and Evans dropped out one month before graduating high school. He began to seek out relationships with older men who would support him and his substance use financially. These men also made him feel desired, something he had been longing for. He felt completely alone, and these men made that stop, if only for a little while.

It wasn't long until he met someone who offered him a trade ("massage therapy"), a place to stay, and ultimately, some sense of stability. With nowhere else to turn, Evans packed a bag and followed this man. Too late, he realized that the other men in this company weren't massage therapists, but escorts. The money they earned was used to pay for their flights and hotels, and anything left over was "divided amongst the men." Of course, Evans received virtually nothing.

After suffering a psychotic break and being abandoned by the traveling escorts, Evans was left homeless in California. A stranger found him and took him to the hospital, where he was offered treatment for his drug and alcohol abuse. This was the beginning of his road to recovery. It was a long journey, but today he knows that he is loved and valued. He even reconnected with his family. 

To read his full story, visit the Polaris Project.