Coming Out, Vol. 3 is the voice of one gay man trying to say: we're only human. It is a message to Czech society, which I would like to thank sincerely for its attitude towards non-heterosexual people. That is what makes projects like this possible. As a member of the LGBT+ community, I appreciate it very much.
Coming Out, Vol. 3 is not just a music project. It's the story of a man who, at 35, decided to start making music. Despite the obstacles, I let my original work be heard because I want to show that you don't have to be perfect right away. If he is ready to learn and sacrifice something for his dream, he can start at any time and with anything. After four years of working on my music, I'm convinced that if you want to, you can really do anything…
“Whoever wants to, finds a way. Who doesn't want to, looks for a reason.” – Jan Werich
And now a few thoughts I'd like to share. This form of expression is very helpful to me and I believe it is important for my happy life…
INSPIRATION & MINDSET
Last year I met François-Henry Bennahmias, former CEO of Audemars Piguet. He is a person full of positive energy. He tells me: “I have never worked, I only do what I enjoy.” It is this mindset that makes the company invest in charitable programs around the world. And I believe that it is also thanks to him that François makes such a positive impression. I am very inspired by this approach.
“To like people and to love people, that is the whole secret and perhaps the only recipe for happiness.” – Jan Werich
HELP & GRATITUDE
I would like to help more. Me and the whole LUI team. Whenever I was able to help someone, it was the warmest feeling. We live for emotions and I believe that living life in this way is correct.
I would like to dedicate this album to Pavlo, who stood by my side the whole time. He made me realize that my heart was in the right place. It is very important to have at least one person in your life who believes in you.
SELF-ESTEEM & REFLECTION
Some time ago, I published a podcast with Pavel about our relationship. In retrospect, I see that it was a desperate attempt to boost self-esteem. I apologize to Paul and to those who had to listen to this. I am learning to be more careful about making judgments about other people because it can greatly affect their lives.
“Don't say you can't if you don't want to.” – Jan Werich
FEAR & COURAGE
Three years ago I was attacked on Náplavka in Prague. He stayed with me that night. I was given the fear of expressing myself, but now I am convinced that fear must not give way. And that if something comes from the heart, it can never be a bad choice.
RELATIONSHIPS & SATISFACTION
The key to a happy life is the quality of interpersonal relationships. If we know that a happy life is based on good relationships, we could apply this knowledge on a societal level. Let's start by not kicking each other on the internet. Expressing your opinions politely and respectfully costs nothing and the impact is incredible.
INTRO
Album Coming Out, Vol. 3 is the voice of one gay man trying to tell the world: we are only human. It is a message from Czech society, which I would like to thank very much for the way the majority treats the minority of non-heterosexual people. And that it is also this attitude of hers, thanks to which similar projects can be created. I think it needs to be said that as a member of the LGBT+ community I really appreciate it.
CONCEPT
Coming Out, Vol. 3 is not just a musical act, however. I would like the whole project to be seen as a story. The story of a man who decided to start making music at the age of 35 because he simply wanted to. And he still wants to, although, of course (as on any other path), he encounters obstacles. That's why I keep listening to my original work, even though I know it's not of good quality, because I'd like to show you where to start. And that you don't have to be perfect at what you want to do. If he is ready to learn and sacrifice something, he can start at any time and with anything. And after 4 years of working on my music, I am already 100% convinced that anything really is possible if you want it.
“Who wants, looks for a way. Those who don't want to look for a reason.” – Jan Werich
HONESTNESS & VOICE OF THE HEART
At the same time, I have a few things on my mind that I would like to share. It is a form of expression that helps me a lot and which, quite possibly, I need to express from time to time for my contented life.
Here we go ;)
❤️ LUI
LUI lost heart. We lost him somewhere along the way. I don't know when, I don't know where and I don't know how. But it happened. And it needs to be put back there. Because only work that is done from the heart has the real power to change something. I will be very happy for any feedback on what you are really interested in and what you would like us to write about for LUI. Honest feedback is very important, without it we can only assume. And considering that our goal is for LUI to be here primarily for you, we would all be very pleased if you would feel free to write about what you would expect from the only Czech LGBT+ magazine. I promise that we will do everything in our power to take this into account in our work and above all to be an honest LGBT+ voice in the Czech media environment. Because I perceive that it is necessary. That it is necessary for a rainbow voice to be heard in our country, which will slightly expand the current (and fortunately varied) range of opinion possibilities.
Contacts:
My e-mail: jakub@lui.cz
Mirka, editor-in-chief: mirka@lui.cz
MINDSET & INSPIRATION
Last year I had the opportunity to meet a man who helped me fundamentally rethink some things. That man is now the former CEO of the Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias. He is a very down-to-earth person, from whom positivity and life satisfaction radiate directly. “I never worked,” he's telling me. “I just do what I enjoy.” And I think that it is primarily this mindset, thanks to which the company invests a lot of money in various charity programs around the world – apart from profit, it also focuses on doing good. She is socially responsible. I believe that this is mainly why François is such a happy and contented person. I want to believe it. And he is a great inspiration to me.
“To like people and to love people, that is the whole secret and perhaps the only recipe for happiness. He who thinks only of himself, impoverishes others for himself, impoverishes himself for others, stunts and perishes.” – Jan Werich
GRATITUDE
We are a politically, economically and legally stable country. We are part of the EU, which provides us with many advantages. It's important to be grateful for what we have (because it's not the norm in the world) and to see the world through a glass-half-full lens. Gratitude can change the whole inner world. I know what I'm talking about.
SIMPLICITY & SATISFACTION
My life was one big pose. Even if I had a million times more material things, it would never make me happy. I believe that a happy life consists in doing work that we enjoy, thanks to which we can be of benefit to those around us. A life of excess can also be a life of fear of losing acquired possessions and the breakdown of relationships (which are the basis for contentment).
MUSIC & MONEY
Over the past four years, I've made just under $45 from music. But it was never about money, I wanted to start. I have set the commission payout threshold at $10,000. Once I reach this amount, I donate it to organizations that do good. I propose to spread the amount between the shelters, however, it is certainly a matter for discussion.
THANK YOU…
LUI will celebrate 15 years in the autumn. The courageous, human and friendly support of our partners has allowed us to be here until now. I sincerely appreciate it very much.
And thank you too, if you've read this far. Coming Out, Vol. 3 is, for me, the most personal project I've ever released. I want people to see what's going on in other people's heads. If this project convinces even one person to listen more to the voice of their heart, then it was worth it.
Thanks so much for reading/listening and… Peace! ☮️
Jacob
HELP & GRATITUDE
So we would like to help more. To be here more for you, our dear readers. Because I know from experience that when I was able to help and it made someone happy/benefited, it was the warmest feeling I know. And since as humans we live for emotions, I know that this is the right way to live life, and this is how I wish to live mine. Because then, I think, this is what a contented human existence looks like in a world that can appear too chaotic and dangerous through the lens of fear.
I would like to dedicate this album to Pavlo. Because if he hadn't been by my side the whole time and wasn't as strong a support as he is for me, I'm not sure I would have been able to open up like this. It was only after a long time that he showed me that my heart is in the right place and even though it wasn't and isn't easy with me, I know that he likes me for who I really am. And I appreciate that very much. I also want to say that it is really very important to have at least one person in your life who sincerely believes in you. And if someone like that appears, it can literally be a life-changing moment. I wish each of you a person like Pavel.
SELF REFLECTION
Some time ago I published a podcast interview with Pavel. We talked about our relationship. Looking back on it now, I realize what a desperate attempt to boost my confidence it was for me. It was the expression of a person who does not believe in himself and therefore needs to prove it to himself elsewhere. And it's sad that Pavel had to become the person who basically caught it. Moreover, publicly. I am very sorry, I deeply apologize to Paja and I also apologize to those who had to listen to that drool. Fortunately, I realized this earlier, so I deleted the podcast some time ago, however, I feel it is important that my apology be made publicly when I have publicly resorted to basically defaming Paul. I'd rather slap myself right now, really…
I have learned many lessons from the last few years, and one of them is how careful we should be when making judgments about other people in public. We never know how much someone will take it to heart and how long it may stay with him/her. And what's worst – how fundamentally one such judgment can dampen or completely suppress the natural potential that person may have. And that's why I'm thinking about what we actually want as Czechs: do we want a nation of people who are afraid to do what they want because everyone around them constantly convinces them that they're not up to it, or do we want a nation of self-confident people who, thanks to the support from the environment dare to realize themselves and thereby be happier in life, and therefore more beneficial to their surroundings? I'll leave the answer to you. I am clear.
“Don't say you can't if you don't want to. Because the days will come very soon when it will be much worse: you will want a change and then you won't be able to.” – Jan Werich
FEAR, ASHES & PHOENIX
Three years ago, I and my partner at the time were attacked by a group of aggressors on Náplavka in Prague. It was a Friday night, I was (quite) drunk and acting weird. Even before I went to the police, I thought a lot about whether I should report the whole situation. Because I realize my share of guilt (represented by alcohol). I discussed this with many witnesses and the result was that what really provoked the assailants and what really started the whole argument was the fact that my partner and I were holding hands. That we are, therefore, “the weak beasts that we can attack, because there are more of us and they do not fight.” That's why I decided the way I did. Because I know this isn't right and it shouldn't happen to anyone.
Why am I writing this… Because that night stayed with me. And only now I can see how fundamentally it was reflected in the way I had arranged things in my head until then. I must therefore confess that I simply got scared. Fear of expressing yourself, fear of doing your job. And it just shows. Especially when you're doing something that only your eyes can see… However, thanks to the last few months alone, I have gained the space to rearrange everything the way it should be, and I am currently internally convinced that fear must not give way. And if what I'm thinking comes from the heart, it can never be a bad choice.
RELATIONSHIPS & LIFE SATISFACTION
I think the key to a happy life is the quality of interpersonal relationships. Personally, I know that I still have to work on this and I am working on it. But why am I writing this… Because if we know that a happy life is one where relationships work well, perhaps we could apply this knowledge on a societal level as well. We can start by not kicking each other on the Internet. And if we want to express our different opinion, we always have the opportunity to express it politely and with respect. It costs nothing, anyone can do it, and the impact is incredible. So why not?
It also seems to me that we lack a collective approach to the mental health of the Czech Republic. As if in recent years it has been suffocated by politically motivated disputes. Which, unfortunately, is hard not to succumb to. In this regard, I must congratulate the Czech Seznam team for their extremely high level of professionalism and for their diligence. The Seznam team behind the journalism division of Seznam Newsfeed includes, among other things, editors who control what appears in the comments section under articles on platforms operated by Seznam. They not only don't let anything hateful out, they also try to educate people – as soon as someone writes something untrue, the Seznam editors comment on his post with a factually based true statement. Their approach is a beautiful example of awareness of one's own influence and its responsible grasp, not only with the help of the radio, but also with the heart. It is a very beautiful and symbolic step that clearly contributes to the cultivation of the Czech public space. And I think that we would all benefit if all Czech publishing houses took a similar approach to this issue. We would certainly have significantly less public hatred here after some time.
❤️ CZECH REPUBLIC
LGBT+ people want only one thing: to exist peacefully. Without their existence being the subject of a hideous and inherently very primitive political rivalry. Without constantly having to read nasty things about ourselves in comments on the internet. Why does someone always need to insert themselves into other people's lives?
What I find the worst about all things is when I see it work. When I know about countries where minorities live together peacefully without attacking each other. A country where LGBT+ people are not publicly attacked and where the right legal protection exists. Why does it work somewhere and not here? What kind of West are we playing at?
“Once a person is, he should look to be. And when he looks to be, and he is, he should be what he is, and not be what he is not, as is the case in many cases.” – Jan Werich
GRATITUDE & SIMPLICITY
I don't believe that people are evil. They are not. We are all good at heart, but unfortunately we are also very trusting, which is then used by individuals for their own personal gain. Not the majority. I've come to realize that what makes us human is above all the fact that we have our hearts in the right place and know how to use them in our daily decisions. And I really believe and want to believe that if a person sends out good, he receives good. And vice versa – if a person emits negation, then it is no wonder that his life is full of negation.
How important it is to be grateful for all that we have as a society and which is definitely not the standard in the world. Just the fact that we are a politically, economically and legally stable country, that it is safe here (so far) and that we can be part of the EU, which provides us with so many advantages! This is really not the world standard and we are very privileged in this corner of the world. Sometimes it's worth remembering and giving thanks for. Many people in this world are not so lucky.
At the same time, it has proven to me that if a person begins to be (ideally daily) grateful for his life, after a while his brain shifts to a different position – he begins to look at the whole world through this lens. Through the lens of joy for what I have, and not through the lens of sadness for what I don't have. Rejoicing in what I have (and that it is not enough) is really the basis for changing the inner world. And as we know, the inner world creates the outer world.
SIMPLICITY & SATISFACTION
It seems to me that my previous life was one big pose. A role that was getting tighter and tighter for me. I remember that moment that happened at the beginning of the year: it suddenly clicked on me that even if I had all these material things around me a million times more than I had, it would never make me happy. Things suddenly stopped having value. I only need as much as I need to live in a market economy, the rest are desires. I don't want to be controlled by them.
In this regard, I believe in a Chinese proverb, which says that if a person wants to be satisfied in his life, it can only be done by doing work that he enjoys and is therefore a benefit to those around him. It makes sense to me and I would like to live by that philosophy. In addition, the ancient Greeks already claimed that the right life is one that is lived in pursuit of personal potential. The author of the idea is the great Aristotle himself, and I believe that if his teachings have remained with us to this day, there is certainly a reason for it.
Excess is probably harmful. A person needs relatively little to live. He needs as much as will make him happy. And if someone enjoys building empires and being stressed out for the rest of their lives only to end up sitting on a pile of gold, that's their choice. Nothing is good, nothing is bad. Happiness is a very subjective concept for each of us. And each of us finds happiness in something different. I already have some experiences in life and I think that a life that is lived in excess is at the same time a life that is partly lived in fear. From the loss of possessions and the fear that relationships (which are the basis of a happy life) will succumb to greed.
MUSIC & MONEY
I don't understand people who want to be famous just to be famous. Why? Why would anyone knowingly want to subject themselves to incredibly intense pressure about who they can and cannot be and how to shape their existence to please them? Why should someone consciously want to feed their ego with such dangerous food and thereby voluntarily throw themselves into a cage controlled by deceptive perceptions?
“Arrogance is a wig to cover mental baldness.” – Jan Werich
I'm posting here how much I've been able to earn working on music for the last 4 years that I've been doing it. Sure, my work was certainly not of high quality in the beginning, however, I have already described the reasons why I let it hang publicly here… Just under $45. That's the income so far. Anyway, it wasn't about the money, I just wanted to get started. And it was necessary to take the first step.
However, since I am an ambitious guy and I like to fulfill my dreams, I set the limit for paying the commission as high as possible, i.e. 10,000 US dollars. Anyway… I don't know how realistic it is or not, but since we have made it clear at LUI that we would like to do more good, I have a proposal: as soon as the right to pay the commission arises, I will donate the entire amount to organizations that do good in our country. Last year and this year, we already supported LGBT+ organizations and the Klokánek organization helping disadvantaged children, so I would like to donate this amount to other organizations this time. As the owner of a canine friend, I suggest perhaps spreading the entire amount between the shelters, because I know they need the money and a lot of those innocent lives lie in the hands of a few very worthy people.
Anyway, it's just a proposal, we can easily agree on the final composition publicly. I will try to share the result again around the beginning of December, it would be great if we could use the Christmas period to deliver gifts.
LUI 15
This autumn, LUI will be with us for 15 years. Its first issue saw the light of day on the very significant holiday for freedom, November 17, 2009. We have come a long way since then, often full of pitfalls, and as it goes in life, we will certainly encounter more obstacles in our efforts. But we are ready and armed with experiences from previous years. I would also like to sincerely thank our partners, many of whom have been with us for a very long time. It is largely your courage, humanity, and, of course, friendship that allows us to still be here, 15 years after our founding. I genuinely appreciate that.
Thank You...
In conclusion, I would like to thank you very much if you have read this far. "Coming Out, Vol. 3" is the most personal project I have ever worked on. The goal from the beginning was to pour out my heart so that people can see what really goes on in others' minds. To show a bit of authenticity in a world that may be a little suffocated by illusion. To show that there is goodness in people. It's a cliché, but this is how I see it: if this project convinces even one person to give more space to the voice of their heart, then it was definitely worth it.
Thank you very much for reading/listening and... Peace! ☮️
Jakub
