Coverboy: Justyn
Justyn has more in common with his sister than the fact that he’s gay and she’s lesbian. He also carries his sibling’s DNA. “I had a bone marrow transplant for leukemia in December,” he says. “My sister was able to be my donor. I’m 100 percent my sister’s female DNA — though all the skin and hair cells are still mine.” He laughs. “I was worried about, like, is my eye color going to change?”
Needless to say, his eyes did not change color. But the great news is that the 36-year-old Maryland native is now cancer-free and freshly minted, as it were. “My immune system is basically only like eight months old,” he says with a smile. “So I have to get all my vaccines again.”
Justyn, who works at Express, has always harbored a love for fashion. “I think my mom knew [I was gay] when she got the call from the babysitter that I wouldn’t get on the kindergarten bus because I wouldn’t wear blue socks with black shoes,” he says. “Even in kindergarten I loved dressing up. I always wanted to wear my white dress shoes with jeans.”
What’s on your nightstand?
A tree, a statue, a lamp. Usually my cell phone’s laying there.
A tree? On your nightstand?
It’s a fake weeping willow tree. I like to think of my bedroom as a paradise. I have one on each side of the bed. It just creates this warm little getaway.
What’s in your nightstand drawer?
Lotion, pictures, cards. A remote. It’s a hodgepodge drawer with a bunch of everything.
Are you a night owl or early riser?
Night owl, definitely. I could live during the night and sleep during the day with no problem.
What’s the last thing you bought?
Squeaky balls. I have two Shiba Inus and they love squeaky balls. It’s crazy, because they only last for probably 20 minutes. They chew them up to get the squeaker out and then it’s over, you have to buy them a new one.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
The power to heal — as in mind, body and soul. I mean, heal from anything from a disease to hatred to a broken heart. I love this world, but the world needs a lot of healing. If I had that power, I’d just feel like I could make the world a better place.
What’s the last thing you binge watched?
Game of Thrones. Love Khaleesi, mother of dragons.
What’s the last movie you saw?
The Secret Life of Pets. It was okay. I liked Finding Dory better. I thought it would be a little more of what the pets would do in their daily life, and this was more like a big excursion that they went on.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
Joey Lawrence, from Brotherly Love. He just was an attractive, goofy, guy.
Name three musical artists you’re currently listening to?
The Weeknd, Sia, and Ariana Grande.
What are your three favorite night spots?
Uproar — it’s a newer bar but it’s just very relaxed and non-judgmental. I also like Town and Nellie’s.
What’s your drink of choice?
It doesn’t really have a name. Grape-flavored vodka and Diet Coke. You don’t taste the Diet Coke and you don’t taste the vodka. It’s like a grape Skittle. Before you know it you’re drinking it and then you’re done. I like something that doesn’t make me think that I’m drinking alcohol.
Pick three people, living or dead, that you’d like to have this grape-flavored concoction with?
Cher — I know totally gay, but I’ve always been impressed with how she could reinvent herself not only as an artist but as a fashion icon. Michelangelo — I love his artwork and his detail to the human anatomy. Some of the best artists are scientists. And my mom. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here.
What’s your pet peeve?
Slow drivers in the fast lane.
What’s your favorite food?
Pizza, especially from Angelina’s Pizza, right outside of town. It’s the best pizza.
What animal would you be?
A white tiger. They’re rare, they’re strong, and they’re beautiful.
Boxers, briefs or other?
Briefs.
Grindr, Scruff or in person?
Definitely in person. You can’t change the good old fashion of just meeting somebody in person and getting to know them. Online, or even through texts, you just don’t get a real understanding of who a person is.
How many dates have you had this year with guys you’ve met on an app?
Two.
How many of those were good?
Zero. It was awkward. The chemistry that should have been made in person wasn’t there.
What’s your biggest turn on?
Confidence, but humble about it.
What’s your biggest turnoff?
Someone that’s egotistical.
Define good in bed.
Someone you connect with and can laugh and have a good time with and not be all serious and just do the duty.
What’s the most unusual place you’ve had sex?
I’m not this type of person, but a long time ago I did have sex in a sports equipment storage facility.
Did you dress in any of the gear?
Unfortunately, no.
What’s the most memorable pick up line that you’ve heard?
A guy told me that if he could create his perfect man, he would look like me.
Did it work?
It got me talking to him, but the compatibility just wasn’t there, unfortunately.
Favorite make-out music?
The song Pillowtalk.
Apple or Android?
Apple.
Marvel or DC?
Marvel.
Guardians of the Galaxy or Suicide Squad?
Neither.
Beyonce or Lady Gaga?
Lady Gaga.
Salad or Big Mac?
Big Mac, without the salad parts.
Butter or margarine?
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.
Sausage or bacon?
Neither, I’ll just take the pancakes.
Donald or Hillary?
Neither.
Who then?
I don’t know. They both scare me. That’s why I’m still trying to determine what’s the best options. Is there an “Option C”?
One of them has to be president.
It’s something that everybody’s going to have to really take seriously. I don’t think you can make a quick decision of who to pick.
What’s your greatest fear?
Not living my life
If your home was burning what’s the first thing you’d grab while leaving?
My two dogs.
What was your first pet’s name and the street you grew up on?
Alvin and Pinecrest.
That would be your porn name. What would Alvin Pinecrest be known for in the porn world?
With that combination what comes to mind is a burly, nerdy lumberjack.
Does size really matter?
No, it’s all about the connection. If you don’t have the connection it doesn’t matter what the size is.
What would you like to be remembered for?
For going out of my way to make people happy and to do what’s right. For random acts of kindness.
What do you like best about your life?
My friends and my family.
What do you like least about your life? Or about yourself?
I don’t spend enough time by myself. I tend to put others first.
Would you rather live longer or be wealthier?
Longer. I’d rather be able to see more stuff.
Who’s your idol?
It sounds corny, I would say my mom. Always a hard worker and always there whenever my sister and I need it. Always told us to fight for what’s right no matter if we were wrong.
What are you most grateful for?
To be here.
What’s your motto?
Live life to the fullest, because life’s too short. Take in all the good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly, and as Pitbull would say, every day above ground is a great day.
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