After Addiction Ends His Political Career, Gay Man Bounces Back And Finds A New Purpose In Life. 

This is a great story and happy you found a great path forward. I'm 43 and still struggle immensely with finding meaningful connection with gay men. I find that 99% of gay men I try to connect with on social meeting apps, dating apps, even at meetup groups are just looking for sex and no one seems to want to get to know me for an actual friendship or relationship. The only community I have seen is with gay sports leagues, which I'm not interested in, and with alcohol recovery groups since then tend to be ongoing and I'm not an alcoholic. Over the past few years I've constantly done things alone like going to the theatre, eating in restaurants alone, going on vacation alone, etc. I think pursuing gay community is sort of a never ending quest that never seems to get anywhere, but lately I've tried to focus on just being content being alone and doing things alone.

It's good to have a friend who told you how it was. So glad for you

Aaron, fantastic, thanks for your courage in telling your story so openly and sincerely. What I learned in counseling is that the more secrets we have, the sicker we are. We all need to be open, especially with ourselves. Thanks, man..........Ray

You are amazing. So much of your reasons why mirror what were mine. The rooms of recovery gave back what I gave away to addiction. Loved seeing this!

VERY PROUD OF YOU! YOU FELL DOWN, BUT YOU GOT BACK UP. AND THAT'S A GREAT THING! HAVE MY PRAYER"S SUPPORT & LOVE. MUCH LOVE*

I don’t understand as a gay man myself, the self destructive forces which drive so many other gay men, but this man, is not only handsome but highly intelligent and articulate! It was a real pleasure listening to his story. Should he choose, he will one day be a steadfast partner to some lucky man, but also perhaps a father. Every happiness to him.

Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. Recovering Addict from Chicago, Illinois.

I'm happy for him! Stay strong!

You go Aaron stay focused and never ever give up . Life's GOOD.👍👍😁

I really feel for you. Nothing is worth having to go through all that. So glad you are so much better and I hope your life continues improve every day. Stay well.

Awesome story! “Winter always turns to spring.” Thank you for sharing.

What a great story. So happy to hear you’re doing well.

Thank you. You have my love and support.

I 100% heart felt your story. Thanks for sharing honestly and I care for you. If you ever come to Malaysia for holiday, I will bring you to travel around, just being your friend and support each other

So happy you found your beautiful self and soul. Only the best to you ♥️

If I were to have the opportunity I would thank your friend for saving you so that we did not lose a brave and talented individual. Aaron, I hope you continue to serve as an inspiration to others.

Congratulations and continued happiness and success in your life. You deserve it !!!

Thank you for sharing such an honest and personal story. Really happy that you have recovered!

May God bless you and hope you fine that meaningful connection your looking for.

One day at a time- I value your story!

i am looking in my area for community and find that all been closed out or abandoned ( groups, associations, meetups etc ) only one stayed strong but its so far away from my house. i ll get involve as a volunteer during pride next year and that will be that kind of opportunity that i seek to meet people who are involved with desire to make a difference on a voluntary basis. i have this call inside to go that route, so thats what lll do about it. 💕

Preach brother. Love you

So happy for you.

What a great story and openness, I can relate to so much in this content!

Fortunately, you had a good friend when you hit rock bottom to let you know that you needed help, Now, you're paying it forward.

This is a great story and an inspirational one.

This is a absolutely beautiful story from a even more beautiful man thank you for sharing this the world need this

Thank you for sharing your story. Celebrate your life and success every day, as there are many not so lucky to come out the other side.

Thanks for your story ☺️

Congratulations on your recovery bro

Beautiful story

'It was fun , until it wasn't !..." i hear that from those lucky enuf to recover and save their lives ... Thank you for being honest and courageous, vulnerable and authentic !! you / WE ARE WORTH THE WORK ! hugs ,

Exactly how my ex treats me after walking away having been forced to start a family...yet no one will let me speak for myself

Fico feliz em saber que você está se reorganizando. A vida é chata mesma. Para todos nós. E com a droga fica tudo ainda mais complicado. Agora, o trabalho que você está fazendo sem dúvida torna a vida mais suportável. A interação com pessoas de um grupo, de uma comunidade, dá prazer; embora efetivamente não elimine a nossa sensação de solidão. Somos solitários em essência. Nascemos sós e morreremos sós. Mesmo que a bordo de uma aeronave com trezentos passageiros caindo vertiginosamente num estol irrecuperável, podemos até gritar juntos, mas nossas mortes serão individuais. Então, considero tudo o que passamos na vida são experiências válidas, importantes, que nos levam no devido tempo, a fazermos tipo cursos de vida. E algo me diz que você já está na fase de pós-graduação, de doutorado. Espero que um dia, no Logos, no Universo, eu encontre explicações que satisfaçam a minha curiosidade quanto às nossas trajetórias de vids :)

Your a Lovely Soul , I’m so Glad You Found Your Purpose. Congratulations for getting Clean and choosing You.🙏🏽

Very inspirational - thank you for sharing your story.

I am glad you found the truth, to liberate yourself, you found peace.

He's so cute too

Yep - we burn bright and then run towards the cliff - sending love - what happened is natural, frightening and part of who we are - it’s because we are good at what we do and then there is the abyss.

I wish him all THE BEST

We never know what others are facing so it’s best to be kind and gentle with each other rather than cruel and callous😊. Its amazing how God and the universe will guide us to our life’s purpose.

It's really sad how difficult it is to make gay friends. It's like guys don't want to be your friend unless you have model good looks or something. I've basically just given up and now pretty much keep to myself.

He got privilege, in a good way; encouraging, and positivity.

Great story. You are a brave soul good for you .

I'm glad hes doing better hes such a great guy

inspiring story from a good man. i wish u the best! 2020 & i can't believe bathhouses n Chicago r still open.

Feel well be well.

You don't need to hold a press conference. When I was a transit director I was not out, but very publicly supported gay rights and gay rights legislation. Because of my public positions my later public coming out surprised no one. 🌈

Awesome story. Fuck this channel is a goldmine.

Great story. 👍

Private investigators should be regulated and illegal in some cases. If borders on stalking

Good that the youngster found his way...

Wow hiring a private investigator? Very disturbing

so admire you.

inspirational!

STAY SOBER..PRAYERS UP

God bless you 💜

❤❤❤

If a reality tv show host can become PRESIDENT, honey anything is possible!!

This type of story is all too common with gay men. Trust me. I know.

Ehh.....won the loto pretty much and pissed it away. Drugs and sex and being nasty. Could have had a great life. Glad he is better now. Why do so many of us have to destroy ourselves.

He was ADICKTED.

Thief and a liar. He ran as an independent first and didn't get elected. He then posed as a Republican and was acting as such earning the trust of those around him. He then used his position to make several awful and determimental decisions that adversely affected the lives of Lake County residents. He speaks about his recklessness was when he was living in Chicago, embezzling funds to support his drug use, and hosting certain parties that resulted in his illness (which is treatable). The P.I. investigation was for his embezzling money not for him being gay. Don't let him fool you. He was reckless and never charged for his misdeeds. No return of money. No charges. I honestly feel for him, but he was a wolf from the very beginning. Don't believe me? Do your digging. He's never learned his lesson because he's been protected by his new community because he never had the guts to come forward like Terry Wepler of Libertyville did as a sitting mayor (where Aaron went to H.S.). Again, no hatred here. I watched a close family member struggle to breathe with pneumonia caused by longterm AIDS affliction. It's not what it used to be. Lawlor acted for himself the entire time while serving and there are others who were on the board at the time who got away scot free despite their atrocious service.

Another stunningly handsome and gifted man who "needed" drugs. Tough to grasp, in my opinion, with one exception. Guys who do not have a Bible-based belief system seem lost, in my opinion. I'm gay and average-looking at best. Tried pot once, in the Navy. Now I don't touch alcohol. I consider myself a Christian. Life is not easy, but it's more difficult with drugs and alcohol, in my opinion.