This blog is the product of Brian Gryphon. Although some blogs are designed to host a variety of conversations and debates, this is more of a journal; it presents some of my photographic work, rambling on various issues (generally from a progressive’s point of view) as well as reviewing the work of other artists/ designers using web-based POD (“print on demand”) galleries and shops. The blog title (Deep Within I Know I’m Free) is from this poem of mine from the ’80s.

selected images through the decadesBiography
When asked for a short biography, I offer “a Queer NeuroDiverse Can-American from ON, currently living in OH. Card reader, designer, photographer, poet, Sister Flirt TOPI, ULC ordained. Partially retired from the grind- but fully engaged in recovering from decades of trauma.”

I was born in Toronto over 60 years ago- the third of four children. I’m at least the third generation of a cross-border family. Mom was born in the USA (her Mother was from Canada and her father from the US) but moved to Canada to marry her first husband. Dad was born in Canada; his father was from Ireland while his Mom was born in Canada but raised by a relative in upstate New York. Mom’s older brother was born in Canada but moved to the USA to join the USAF during WW II – and raised two families (at different times) in the US. My brother (and family) now lives and works in the USA while our two sisters (and families) continue to live in south-western Ontario.

In addition to working various full-time jobs since leaving school, I have been producing photographic images for 5 decades. My first assignment was for the high school yearbook. I offer my photography & design on apparel & gift items, and as frame-able prints. My on-line history goes back to CompuServe, Freenets and 2400 baud modems. In fact, Dad introduced me to ‘puters by letting me write code (in ‘basic‘) for the IBM-5150. Now I operate a number of web-sites and on-line shops.

Baptized in the United Church of Canada while young and again in The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto as an adult, I’ve studied a wide variety of spiritual traditions; nature-based ‘pagan’ as well as ‘major world religions’. I now identify as a “nontheist spiritual humanist” and am ordained in the Universal Life Church, licensed to perform weddings in Ohio and available to bless queer unions or other events of personal significance.

Coming Out Again
I Came Out (as gay) in 1978. I’ve shared that story in this post. This century I prefer the term Queer.

I’ve also used this blog to Come Out as both spiritual and a kinkster as well as a Sister in the Toronto Order of Perpetual Indulgence. More recently, to Come Out as a Tarot/Oracle Card Reader.

In November 2023 I Came Out as NeuroDiverse and Clinically Depressed.

You Want More?
For even more intimate details, check out the 100 Details About Me and Queer Connexions pages. Messages may be sent via my various social media accounts or to briangryphon(at)yahoo(dot)com.