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Paul Gosselin
Actor | Writer | Producer
No Reciprocation Necessary
Welcome to my essay corner, a collection of personal reflections and stories I can’t shake. These aren’t hot takes or diary entries, but curated thoughts about caregiving, queerness, family, grief and the odd beauty of being human. New posts land every other Tuesday (or close enough).
Read, relate, roll your eyes, but remember, no need to respond. -- No reciprocation necessary.
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“Backlight” - The Final Year, Part 6
Wardrobe easter eggs, the Fight Club twist, and saying goodbye to Jackie Zeman. A look at Misguided: Episode 22 — "The Legacy"
Sep 16
“Backlight” - The Final Year, Part 5
Terrell Tilford pen-pal magic, an indestructible camcorder, and a candlestick homage to Nadine Cooper. A look at Misguided: Episode 21 — "The Accident"
Sep 14
“Backlight” - The Final Year, Part 4
Kim Zimmer's "commercial sex," Poshmark handcuff mishaps, and closing the door on Paul and Kyle. A look at Misguided: Episode 20 — "The Reunion"
Sep 7
“Backlight” - The Final Year, Part 3
Undisclosed locations, Y&R wardrobe steals, and a dark twist in Paul's bedroom. A look at Misguided: Episode 19 — "The Crush"
Aug 31
"Backlight" - The Final Year, Part 2
High school timelines, rewriting the past, and getting a drink thrown in my face by soap royalty. A look at Misguided: Episode 18 — "The Chemistry"
Aug 24
"Backlight" - The Final Year, Part 1
Sitting in awe as the final season begins, and turning heartbreak into art. A look at Misguided: Episode 17 - "The Comeback"
Aug 17
Nervous Energy
Creating art for yourself, and letting others discover it on their own terms.
Aug 13
"Backlight" - The Pivot Year
All joking aside, it was time for drama, romance, and raising the stakes -- Looking back on Season 3 of Misguided
Aug 10
"Backlight" - The Dream Year
Party crashing, casting panic, and being too funny for Daytime, a look back at Season 2 of Misguided.
Aug 3
"Backlight" - The First Year
Friends, Favors, and a Fanboy's Journey Chasing a Dream... Looking back at Misguided's First Season
Jul 27
Introducing, "Backlight"
Shining a little extra light on the final season of "Misguided," and the road that brought us here.
Jul 24
Behind the Harness & Sash: Mid-Atlantic Weekend
Battling a lost voice on a red-eye flight to DC for my first Mid-Atlantic Leather weekend taught me that stepping into this community doesn't require perfection, just the willingness to show up honestly.
Jan 28
Personal Inventory
As one chapter closes and others quietly take shape, I pause to take inventory. This reflection explores finishing long-term work, the unease that follows completion, and the choice to stay present without rushing toward whatever comes next.
Jan 7
Behind the Harness & Sash: CLAW Leather Thanksgiving
Giving CLAW Leather Thanksgiving one final chance proved surprisingly reviving. I had a floor-13 reunion with friends and stood front and center in the official titleholder lineage photo.
Dec 6, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash: Recent Events
Taking stock of a busy fall as Mr. CMEN Leather, this entry dives into local LA competitions, Palm Springs Pride, and the importance of pacing yourself while deepening community connections.
Nov 23, 2025
Not The Whole Story
Trying to pass my life off as “same old, same old” doesn’t hold up anymore. Somewhere between school pickup and stirring mac and cheese, I realized I’ve built a life that’s fuller, louder, and more mine than I’ve let myself admit.
Nov 15, 2025
Behind the Harness & Sash: Folsom Reflections
Navigating my first Folsom Street Fair as a titleholder meant trading late-night partying for pacing, meeting incredible community leaders, and learning to give myself permission to stand proudly in the spotlight.
Oct 12, 2025
Behind the Sash & Harness - Encuerado Weekend
Balancing a busy film set with my first public appearances as a new titleholder, I stepped out for Encuerado Weekend: finding art, making connections, and getting a warm welcome into the community.
Sep 16, 2025
Back Again, Naturally
From DeadJournal to Tumblr to today, I’m returning to my blogging roots with No Reciprocation Necessary. This first post dives into my early days of oversharing, secret aliases, and soap fandom—and why I’m writing again, with heart and zero expectations.
Jun 24, 2025
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