.058 Dominick Whelton

My earliest memory of Dominick is of us taking turns riding an indo board at his old house in Murrieta, California - we must’ve been 11 or 12 years old. Who would’ve guessed that the two of us, each taking a separate path of time and experiences, would turn out to be proud, confident gay men who reconnected almost a decade later. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense that we’d reconnect, especially given Dominick’s acute dedication to his friends and family through kindness and compassion.

As cheesy as it sounds, Dominick was always nice to me, and it meant more than he knew. At a time when I was figuring myself out and when school meant more and more pressures and potential bullies, his sweet demeanor and gentle personality were a reminder of good and decent friends. He has always been this way. Dominick’s wonderful smile is matched with his ability to deconstruct any barrier upon meeting anyone. He embraces people for who they are and listens to what they have to say. He’s intelligent, joyful and charming beyond belief, making him a beautiful presence to be around and be friends with. As we’ve gotten older, it’s been thrilling to see him find success in so many ways, all of which are a direct result of his work ethic, brains and determination to stick with something until it’s finished, with quality. Dominick is like a cousin to me, and that level of friendship and family is something I will never take for granted.

Dominick, thank you so much for being a positive light in this world, especially now. Thank you for being such a supportive friend and confidante to both me and Alejandro. Thank you for always making me laugh and for being up for any adventure. Thank you for coming to visit us in NYC and for celebrating Pride with us! Thank you for always reminding me that kindness prevails and for using your voice and platform for what’s good and important in the world. I am so grateful to have you in my life and know that I always will. Thank you for being all that you are.

-BD