The GLBT community is in the process of great change. In the 35 years since Stonewall, our community has made huge strides establishing itself in society. Yet, ironically, as we have carved out a clear public profile, we have simultaneously lost track of one another. The GLBT community is broad and diverse, but in many respects we have splintered into factions whose paths rarely cross.

“Portrait of a Community” aims to correct this imbalance. Each portrait will be a snapshot of an individual in his or her unique environment, and will include a conversation about the substance of that person’s life and the cornerstones of his or her GLBT experience.

In this way, in time, this column will create a complete portrait of our community – one member at a time.

Name: Tim Marzullo a.k.a. GotMeMassage.com

Age: One of these is correct: 27, 30, 35, 39, 45, 51

Self Definition: A silly, big-hearted person who truly cares about the people whose paths I cross

Where were you at 9 a.m. last Sunday morning? At home cleaning the pool and preparing to leave for Dana Point to spend a beautiful day with friends on their yacht

What person has influenced you more than any other, and how? Besides my mother (yes I am a mama’s boy) this would be my current partner of eight years. Since meeting him my life has been an amazing rollercoaster ride that I would not change one bit. Every single experience has taught me that life is truly what you make it and happiness comes from within.

When don’t you feel equal? I used to have big issues about not feeling equal. People (including people in the GLBT community!) can be so critical of one another causing us all to feel “less than” at one time or another when we don’t need to. Over time I have come to realize that each of us is made up of a trillion cells with the same two goals in mind: to love and to be loved. Not everyone understands this yet, but, in time, hopefully everyone will.

Where were you last Wednesday at noon? I was having lunch at the Top of the Park with my fun group of GSDBA (Greater San Diego Business Association) members at our business networking group

When was the last time you felt proud? Every moment!

If there was a defining moment in your life, what was it? When I ran away from home at 16 and came to San Diego and realized “I was not in Kansas anymore.” It was either sink or swim and I swam!

Where were you at 10 p.m. last Friday night? I was on the couch with my sexy boyfriend watching “American Idol” and “Big Brother,” which we tape and save to watch together every week.

What is your most immediate goal? To finish classes to get my HHP (Holistic Health Practitioner) license

When do you feel total joy? On a daily basis when I am in alignment with what I am supposed to be doing in life