Welcome to the Moth podcast. I'm Travis Coxon, Chief of Staff at the Moth and your host for this episode.

In the Gifts of Imperfection, my personal hero, Brunay Brown, writes,

Owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest thing we'll ever do.

This can feel particularly true for those of us in the queer community.

So in honor of Pride Month, this week we're featuring two stories, all about the courage to be your authentic self.

First up is Tomas De Vila, who told this story at our annual gala, the Mothball.

I was lucky enough to be there that night, and you could feel the room hanging on his every word. Here's Tomas live at the Moth.

So clearly I was in the Navy.

But one day I'm on my ship and I'm floating around in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

And I hear ding ding ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

Now, for me, that means it's lunchtime.

So I immediately drop everything that I'm doing,

and I run to the galley as fast as I can

because today is pizza day.

And anybody who's been in the Navy can tell you

that pizza day is the best day.

So I sit down, I take my first bite, and I'm sitting there, and all of a sudden that's when it happens.

But Alistadabula, chief wants to see you in his office right now.

Shit.

See, no one goes to see the chief unless you're in trouble.

Or you're in big trouble.

So I get down there as fast as I can.

...