I always had a
preference for male celebrities and male fictional characters which includes my
favourite male pop groups Mcfly and Busted. But it wasn’t until later on during
my college years when I developed a crush on one of the Mcfly band members
Danny Jones which made me consider that I am attracted to guys. This first
started when he was on this TV show Popstar to Operastar, he may not have won
but I was inspired by his efforts.
Later on, I made
some friends on an online forum. Two of them were gay, one of them came out
long ago before I knew him, the other came out to us. Of course, I accepted
them but I was wondering when will be the day when I come out?
Within the same
year, I discovered the movie Watercolours which was an LGBTQ movie which I became
interested in. All of these above factors
have helped me consider that I am gay and I eventually came out to my Mum
during a random conversation; she accepted me (the conversation was about how I'm more interested in the clothing that the guys worn on Strictly Comes Dancing - the one that the other Mcfly member Harry Judd have appeared in) . I then came out to my brother,
father and my friends who all accepted me too. Some of them said that they had
a hunch that I was gay with some signs including me preferring to look at
pictures of men. I was rather relieved that I had been accepted for who I am. I’ve bought
Watercolours for Christmas; it was a very emotional movie. I even took part in the Gay Pride march which was a great experience despite the weather.
Coming out has also
helped me to meet other LGBTQ people and get to know celebrities coming out, especially on Youtube were I've learned about their coming out experience and issues. Among the first LGBTQ Youtubers I've watched includes Mark Millar, Ethan Hethcote, Matthew Lush, Connor Franta and Austin Wallis as well as Tom Daley (and found many more LGBTQ Youtubers from that point on including Him and Him Bryan and Pascal, PK Creedon, Stevie Blaine and Daniel Miller).
I became more aware of many issues involving the LGBTQ community and learned that being LGBTQ is not always sunshine and rainbows. It's all about fighting for equally with resilient as we face discrimination and persecution here and there including laws that prevents us from loving who we love, bigots who tries to deny our existence and violence that takes on people's lives just because on who we are which is why we need pride; to show that even if there is so much to do regarding to equality, we keep on remaining strong no matter how hard it is by being ourselves, educating others and spread more love and acceptance. Here's a related quote:
"Gay pride was not born to celebrate being gay, but our right to exist without persecution. So instead of wondering why there isn't a straight pride movement, be thankful that you don't need one"
As we continue to fight for our rights, I have to remember to be grateful that there are more people on the side of equality, backing us up and calling out homophobia (and other forms of discrimination) along with every step forward and progress including the number of countries that legalese same sex marriage. It may not always be easy being LGBTQ but we have come so far as we become more accepted and we all must band together as we fight for our rights and for a brighter future for equality everywhere. Giving in is not an option.
So I can thank my friends and family for accepting me for who I am
along with many factors that helped to make me realize my sexuality including
my crush on Danny Jones and Watercolours (as well as Harry Judd for the aforementioned conversation) .
