brother: Benjamin “BENJI” (34)

brother: BILLY (35)

Home Location: COOPERSTOWN, Ny

Benjamin, also known as Benji, and his older brother Billy grew up in a quaint town called Cooperstown, NY. Although raised by the same parents, the brothers grew to be very different and distinct people. Billy immediately took to the small-town lifestyle and kept the traditional mindset, along with the rugged, flannel shirts and cowboy hat, while Benji took to a more untraditional and fabulous life... Benji is outspoken, sassy, and emotional and, well, you guessed it, gay. Billy is stoic, hyper masculine and maintains traditional and conservative values. The fellas couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. And sometimes they do!

From a young age the brothers didn't exactly see eye to eye on things like hobbies, sports, girls, etc. Billy always strived to become just like their father, who is a salt of the earth, 3rd generation garbage man, and as you can guess, Benji would rather not get his hands dirty. Billy prefers a quiet evening with a Miller Lite and Benji wants to rage with a mixed drink until dawn. Billy is the typical alpha male; he enjoys building things, hunting, fishing and working on his house. Benji is the feminine one that gets Botox and lip filler, can't stand to build things, and almost threw up when he had to help Billy drag a dead deer after a kill. 

Although it was a struggle for his family to understand and accept Benji’s sexuality, the family loves and supports him as he is. However, that doesn’t mean that they always understand him, his worldview, lifestyle choices, or his insane/over the top fashion choices. So many mesh tops! The divide between the brothers became most evident when Benji discovered Billy was a Trump supporter! The two didn't speak for several days but resolved their issues and realized that blood is thicker than water. The two will butt heads on things like religions, politics and general lifestyle choices, bickering and arguing as brothers do.

There have been times where the small town mindset of a place like Cooperstown would weigh heavy on Benji; often harassed by conservatives and small town minds. As is the case for most young, gay men in a small town, Benji left Cooperstown several years ago for a bigger life in the city. Benji had the opportunity to play "Tigger" at Disneyworld and then lived in West Hollywood for several years, working as a bartender. Living in the gay mecca of Weho helped to underscore and define Benji’s identity and firmly cemented him as a confident and self-actualized gay man. However, the cost of living has recently driven Benji back home to Cooperstown. That’s right. The prodigal brother now returns to his little home town in New York and is back, face to face with his polar opposite brother.

Being back home is bittersweet for Benji. On one hand, he’s around his family who he loves and cherishes. The cost of living is significantly lower, and the quality of life seems much higher. However, moving home comes with a cost: can he truly be himself around his machismo brother and small town friends and family, or will he have to dim his fabulous light while living in a small town?

He is living at home with his father and step-mother but hopes to get his own place soon. He’s been wearing more masculine outfits to avoid potential issues. Billy is happy to have his brother home, but isn’t sure just how to entertain and accept the newly arrived, adult version of his Benji. Now that the brothers are reunited, they will have to learn who they are as adult brothers, not just siblings trying to make their way in the world.

The family jokingly calls Cooperstown "Smithville," as the family owns several businesses, and many members live in close proximity to one another. Everyone knows the Smiths! Dad owns a garbage disposal company and employs Billy who is known locally as the, “cowboy garbage man.” When dad retires he hopes to leave the business to his sons, but it’s unclear if Benji is interested in a life in garbage. Benji’s currently bartending and sorting out the next steps in his life. Billy is currently dating a woman named Madison that he may propose to in the near future. Benji is single and struggles to find an LGBTQ community in his small town.  

These brothers are reaching across the divide of sexuality, gender expression, politics and beliefs and prove that polar opposites exist, but ultimately don’t completely divide family. Watching these disparate siblings find common ground will undoubtedly be tense, unstable and as hysterical as it will be heartwarming.