Would you like to write about your own life experiences?
Each person’s story is unique,  it may help other people to read your story and realise they are not alone.
If you would like to submit somthing please send an email to the project worker
health@stgeorgeyouth.org

"My story isn't so much about coming out and discovering sexuality, but more about how that ordeal has inspired creativity in me. While I do have my own coming out story filled with all the drama, intrigue, hurt and excommunication, I thought instead I would tell the happier side of the story, which is how I found my passion as a musician. Through perhaps some
divine plan or maybe just coincidence it was around the time that I realised
I was gay that I began to write music.

I grew up at a piano stool from an early age learning classical piano for the majority of my schooling life up until year 12 at which point I decided it would be best if I took a break from piano lessons in order to focus on my HSC. Unfortunately, while I did enjoy school (nerdy, I know) it just couldn't keep me away from music. I picked up my brother's guitar thinking- "I bet I could play this thing." and after googling some instructions online, found myself learning to play the guitar instead of studying. All this time in my senior years of high school I was still in a stage of repression in terms of my sexuality. I hadn't yet dealt with the many confusing urges that I was having and remained blissfully unaware of my unexpressed sexuality.

It was around the time that school ended, right before I began university that I began to realise that I might be gay. In this time of self discovery I found myself learning new things, embracing new emotions and meeting new people. There was so much going on and so much pressure was being put on my mind to cope with new information and issues, I struggled to understand things and to express myself. On a whim I took to my piano stool and thought once again- "I bet I could write a song." I sat there, played and sang and before I knew it, my first song was written on the notebook in front of me. It was called 'Zachery' and it was all about the new friends I had made and what I was feeling about the confusing world of homosexuality.

Looking back on the song now it is a little bit embarrassing. Sort of like when you watch videos of yourself in a school play when you were 8 years old- cute at the time, but very embarrassing. The melody and lyrics are about as cheesy as a Disney song (Which I usually do love, but wouldn't want to be known for). However- I own the song proudly, because it represents a lot of what my life has become. Songwriting lets me express what I'm feeling, and helps me to understand things that are perplexing me. I now write songs not only as a passion, but hopefully what will turn into a career one day. I play gigs around the place and am hoping to start releasing more of my music into the world. I currently record my songs with a talented local musician and producer who then puts them up for sale on his website. If you're interested in checking it out, please have a look at http://quarterpiperecords.com/Talent/Stef/Stef.htm or alternatively I have a myspace, as all burgeoning musicians do! www.myspace.com/stefanjamal

I hope that this story has been interesting and that if you are going through a hard time, remember that creativity can be a great way to cope with that. Even if you've never felt creative- grab some paint and fingerpaint something. You never know."

Stef, 20 years old.

"I grew up in a strict Muslim household, both my parents are migrants. I always knew i was different somehow, but when i was younger, i didn't know that it was because I was a lesbian til much later. When I was a teenager, I had a hard time with my faith, because i knew that i was a lesbian but i didn't want to admit it to myself. I tried to be both religious, and lesbian but I felt very hypocritical. I decided that I could not change my sexuality, and that I was no longer going to practice Islam. My family still don't know that I am a lesbian, and any relationship that i have had so far, Ive had to keep a secret. I only recently came out to my older sister, who, was surprisingly understanding and told me that she still loves me, no matter what. I felt quite alone, knowing that i was a lesbian and that i couldn't tell anyone, for fear of being disowned by my family and friends. After high school, I started telling my friends (who were all fine with it, even my religious friends) I started to feel more comfortable about it. I have had no issues at work, all my work colleagues are fine with knowing that I am gay. I'm not sure how I will tell my parents, but I think if i am in a serious long term relationship, then I would like to introduce her to my family."
 
Layla, 23 years old.
Matthew Mitcham Talking about his Gold Medal Win
 
 My Coming Out Story
This is my story. I hope it helps someone out there.

“The Cantonese word for reminiscing, chum gun, translates literally to digging for roots. It is a well-loved past time of older Hong Kongers to gossip about the long dead and cremated. What I knew about my background was from satellite tv. My loyalties to this small island state were borrowed from stories my parents told me.

When I returned to Hong Kong, I was called a Banana Boy (Hueng Jiu Jai) on a daily basis. Banana, as in yellow on the outside but white on the inside. This was not said in a derogatory manner. Not to say you are not a real Hong Konger, unlike comments that suggest you are not a real Australian. Rather, it is quintessentially Hong Kong to uproot the entire family and move to a country you know nothing about.

But as a member of the first generation of Banana Boys and Girls, we are criticized for having shallow roots just like a banana tree. Loose morals. And most disappointingly, no respect. As a young gay boy my parents often quizzed me about my Chinese-ness. “How will you look after us when we are old?” “How many children will you have?” And most tellingly, “Will you date a Chinese girl or a Westerner?” If only they knew what they know now. As I kid, I thought perhaps I am not Chinese at all.

But growing up, as a gay man, shallow roots grew deeper. Stories my parents told became lessons learnt. Mysteriously their’ hopes and dreams became mine (some more than others). In a sense, looking towards what has passed can give us some idea of what can make us happy for the future. My parents will live with us, I do want children (2 boys 1 girl); although I have met no eligible men as yet, I am sure they will be a Cantonese speaker or willing to learn. Our generation is a strange hybrid fruit. But bananas come in clusters and we are essentially of the same stock.”

Sunny, 22 years

Gay Outback Interviews, The Parents of Central Australia. 

Farmer Dave interviews parents from a massive cattle station in central Australia about their son coming out

 “When I was five years of age, I told my Mum that I would marry a boy from my kindergarten class and live happily ever after with him in a cottage by the sea. The look on her face and the cold silence stung me more than the many nights of prayer that were to follow. I overheard her talking with her sister fearing that I was “bading” a Filipino word that I would later learn was the equivalent to “faggot”. Coming out is a complex process often riddled with trials and tribulations. Paired with the sensitive issues of race, religion and culture, it may seem almost an impossible challenge to meet. Having begun my coming out journey, I have come across many crossroads between my religion, culture and sexuality. The fact that I attended a Catholic High School made my coming out process extremely complicated and difficult. Everyone around me, including myself, believed that homosexuality was frowned upon by God and that it would most certainly lead to nowhere but hell. In a school that was supposedly bound together by our multiculturalism, I found it difficult to find a home as a minority within a community of minorities. I was alienated and bullied for being gay and segregated from the student body. Gradually, however, people became more understanding particularly upon the event that I took time to try and explain my position to people and show them there was nothing to fear but the unknown.
By year 12 I had been elected vice-captain and shone in all aspects of school life. I walked away from school knowing I had done the best I could and changed many people’s perspectives on the issue of homosexuality. Since then, I have begun university and simultaneously begun the process of coming out to my family. Speaking both Filipino and English at home, traditional Filipino family customs and values still prevail in our household. When I told my Mum I was gay, she took it as best she could. Despite her tears and obvious disappointment, I found comfort in her words. She reassured me that today is nothing like yesterday, that the world she raised me in is nothing like the world she grew up in, that the life I’m going to lead will be difficult but that she will be there every step of the way. You never really know what’s waiting around the corner. I am no longer afraid. I know that the implications of my culture, religion and sexuality will continue to plague me with hard decisions and difficult times but having my supportive family and friends around me and the life experiences I have lived, I know I will be okay.”

Jonash Aged 18