Who could forget Karamo Brownfrom MTV's The Real World: Philadelphia? While there were plenty of
![REAL WORLD ALUMNI KARAMO BROWN DISCUSSES BEING A SINGLE-GAY FATHER AND MANAGING HIS CAREER, "I'M SINGLE, I'M OPENLY GAY AND I'M YOUNG"]( "REAL WORLD ALUMNI KARAMO BROWN DISCUSSES BEING A SINGLE-GAY FATHER AND MANAGING HIS CAREER, \"I'M SINGLE, I'M OPENLY GAY AND I'M YOUNG\"")
gay cast members on the 14-seasons prior to the 15th one, but that was the first time there were two homosexual men cast including William Hernandez.
Womens' hearts were crushed when the then 23-year old admitted being gay during the second episode of the season "'Out' in Philadelphia." During the season Karamo was uncomfortable with his sexuality being on display in front of the cameras, as evident in his fling with a man named Dorian he met at a club.
Now at the age of 32 the model and television host lives in Los Angeles with his two sons Jason and Chris. Speaking to Chris Witherspoon of The Grio, Karamo discussed how he found out he was a father after The Real World wrapped up, ignorant comments from his sons classmates and teachers, plus more.
ON HOW HE FOUND OUT HE WAS A FATHER
“My best friend at the time, she and I, being young kids had a relationship and she got pregnant, but I wasn’t aware of it,” Brown said. “Years later after being on The Real World I was coming home one day and there was a stack of papers on the doorstep for back child support, and I was like, ‘wow, there’s a kid out there in the world that has my name.’”
Brown, who was living in Los Angeles as the time, put a halt to his career ambitions, moved back to his home state of Texas, and began the process of adopting his son Jason.
Brown remained in Texas building his new relation with Jason, and also bonded with Jason’s younger brother, Chris. Chris and Brown had an immediate bond and eventually the former Real World star not only gained full custody of his son Jason, but also Jason’s younger brother Chris.
![REAL WORLD ALUMNI KARAMO BROWN DISCUSSES BEING A SINGLE-GAY FATHER AND MANAGING HIS CAREER, "I'M SINGLE, I'M OPENLY GAY AND I'M YOUNG"]( "REAL WORLD ALUMNI KARAMO BROWN DISCUSSES BEING A SINGLE-GAY FATHER AND MANAGING HIS CAREER, \"I'M SINGLE, I'M OPENLY GAY AND I'M YOUNG\"")
More of his interview after the break.
ON DEALING WITH THE OBSTACLES OF BEING SINGLE, GAY, AND A FATHER
“I’m single, I’m openly gay and I’m young,” he said. “So I still have all of these dreams and things that I want to do for me. I’m trying to figure how do to put time aside for myself so that I feel fulfilled, but also at the same rate balance time with my sons and make sure that they have everything they need.”
Brown’s sons Jason, 16, and Chris, 13, speak to their mother on a regular basis, although she lives in Texas, but Brown says he often feels as though he plays the role of both mom and dad.
“For the most part I play mom and dad. I cook every single night. Dinner is on the table every single night at 7:30 on the dot. I wash clothes and when one of my sons has a cut they come to me and I have to nurture them and make sure they know that they are loved and the cut will heal.”
Brown says his sons are popular and loved in their school.
Jason is an advocate for the gay community although he identifies as a straight and has a girlfriend, and when he sees someone being put down for their sexuality he constantly stands up. “I sit back and I’m amazed that somebody this young can be such a leader,” Brown says of his older son.
Although Jason and Chris have thus far had positive experiences in school, they have had their fair share of obstacles.
“The biggest challenge is how ugly the world can be. Even though we’re in a different time students can make rude comments, as well as teachers,” Brown admitted. “There have been teachers who have said, ‘oh so if we talk to your wife, she’ll understand;’ and they know there’s no wife at home. It’s difficult getting past peoples ignorance and educating them so that they understand and know not to make those comments anymore.”
HIS ADVICE TO OTHER FATHERS
“There are so many guys that I went to college with that decided to take a different path when they found out that they had a child. Fatherhood is an honor and men should be strong enough to step up to the plate,” Brown adds. “Our family, though it may be different from the outside looking in, we are no different. My household is ran the same way it was with my parents, who were a mother and father with their kids. Love is love and people need to just accept that.”
[THE GRIO]
Womens' hearts were crushed when the then 23-year old admitted being gay during the second episode of the season "'Out' in Philadelphia." During the season Karamo was uncomfortable with his sexuality being on display in front of the cameras, as evident in his fling with a man named Dorian he met at a club.
Now at the age of 32 the model and television host lives in Los Angeles with his two sons Jason and Chris. Speaking to Chris Witherspoon of The Grio, Karamo discussed how he found out he was a father after The Real World wrapped up, ignorant comments from his sons classmates and teachers, plus more.
ON HOW HE FOUND OUT HE WAS A FATHER
“My best friend at the time, she and I, being young kids had a relationship and she got pregnant, but I wasn’t aware of it,” Brown said. “Years later after being on The Real World I was coming home one day and there was a stack of papers on the doorstep for back child support, and I was like, ‘wow, there’s a kid out there in the world that has my name.’”
Brown, who was living in Los Angeles as the time, put a halt to his career ambitions, moved back to his home state of Texas, and began the process of adopting his son Jason.
Brown remained in Texas building his new relation with Jason, and also bonded with Jason’s younger brother, Chris. Chris and Brown had an immediate bond and eventually the former Real World star not only gained full custody of his son Jason, but also Jason’s younger brother Chris.
More of his interview after the break.
ON DEALING WITH THE OBSTACLES OF BEING SINGLE, GAY, AND A FATHER
“I’m single, I’m openly gay and I’m young,” he said. “So I still have all of these dreams and things that I want to do for me. I’m trying to figure how do to put time aside for myself so that I feel fulfilled, but also at the same rate balance time with my sons and make sure that they have everything they need.”
Brown’s sons Jason, 16, and Chris, 13, speak to their mother on a regular basis, although she lives in Texas, but Brown says he often feels as though he plays the role of both mom and dad.
“For the most part I play mom and dad. I cook every single night. Dinner is on the table every single night at 7:30 on the dot. I wash clothes and when one of my sons has a cut they come to me and I have to nurture them and make sure they know that they are loved and the cut will heal.”
Brown says his sons are popular and loved in their school.
Jason is an advocate for the gay community although he identifies as a straight and has a girlfriend, and when he sees someone being put down for their sexuality he constantly stands up. “I sit back and I’m amazed that somebody this young can be such a leader,” Brown says of his older son.
Although Jason and Chris have thus far had positive experiences in school, they have had their fair share of obstacles.
“The biggest challenge is how ugly the world can be. Even though we’re in a different time students can make rude comments, as well as teachers,” Brown admitted. “There have been teachers who have said, ‘oh so if we talk to your wife, she’ll understand;’ and they know there’s no wife at home. It’s difficult getting past peoples ignorance and educating them so that they understand and know not to make those comments anymore.”
HIS ADVICE TO OTHER FATHERS
“There are so many guys that I went to college with that decided to take a different path when they found out that they had a child. Fatherhood is an honor and men should be strong enough to step up to the plate,” Brown adds. “Our family, though it may be different from the outside looking in, we are no different. My household is ran the same way it was with my parents, who were a mother and father with their kids. Love is love and people need to just accept that.”
[THE GRIO]