“There is no ‘us and them.’ There is only us and the people who haven’t met us yet.”

- Micky Angelo Petrillo

The Ripple Effect
A woman with long, curly red hair wearing a pink dress and red high heels standing close to a man with glasses, wearing a black shirt with silver embroidery and patterned pants, in a crowded indoor event space. The woman has her arm around the man's shoulders, and they appear to be interacting in front of an audience.

Since living openly as himself, Micky has become a familiar face at Pride celebrations, schools, faith communities, and civic events across New Jersey and New York. Through his memoir, public speaking, and everyday conversations at his small business, he has encouraged countless people to approach difference with curiosity instead of fear.

A woman with red hair in a pink dress and red high heels stands next to a man with glasses and painted pants, both facing each other and smiling, in a crowded theater or event venue with many seated and standing people in the background.
A woman in a pink, patterned dress and red high heels standing close to a man in black with silver embellishments, at a crowded indoor event or show. Other attendees are seated and standing around, some taking photos or using their phones. The background includes a stage and illuminated screens.
A woman with long red hair in a pink patterned dress and red high heels standing face-to-face with a man with short hair, glasses, black shirt with embroidered design, and sparkly pants in a crowded indoor theater or event space.

“I never set out to be an advocate. I simply decided to stop hiding. Everything else grew from that choice.”

- Micky Angelo Petrillo