There is nothing typical about Johnny Begale. He grew up the middle child of three in Niles, Ill., and attended Notre Dame High School for Boys. Begale got his undergraduate degree in accounting from Illinois Weseylan University and, from there, was confused with what he wanted to do. He tried working in the private sector but found that work unfulfilling.
His mother became ill with recurrent uterine cancer and had to help out as an accountant at his family business, Paulina Meat Market. Family is important to Begale and he stayed on with the meat market, learning the trade of a butcher and finally settling into his role as manager of Paulina's sausage kitchen. ( Yeshe manages sausage. )
Begale, still pushing himself, started selling wristbands for Equality America, an organization originally started to raise awareness for marriage equality. Its Facebook page now has nearly 2,000 fans and plays host to Begale's own vlog posts. "I wanted to give others some insight on what it means to be gay. I wanted to help others who, like me, struggled with their sexuality," said Begale.
As for his future, Begale wants to continue to see his non-profit organization grow and continue to reach out to those who are confused or those who need to hear and see a face associated with being gay that, like him, was confused and scared and completely unaware of what it meant to be gay. Eventually, Begale sees himself stepping into the public arena and serving others as a Chicago alderman or as a Congressman. Begale said, "I want to be involved. I love to serve others. It's what it's all about, isn't it?"
For more information on Paulina Meat Market, visit www.paulinameatmarket.com . For more information on Equality America, visit www.equalityamerica.net or "like" Equality America on Facebook.
THE STATS
Age
26
Neighborhood
Roscoe Village
Job title
Manager at Paulina Meat Market;
and founder of Equality America, a
nonprofit group
Relationship status
Single
Hobbies
"Fishing, volleyball, beach going, grilling, gymming it up, traveling, hanging with my family and friends, meeting and getting to know new people, learning new things"
Favorite actor and actress
James Franco and Zooey Deschanel
Dream vacation destination
Egypt
Favorite movie
I Love You, Man