JAKE GABLONSKI >Community advocate, 23
I grew up in Katherine in the Northern Territory from birth until 2015, when I moved to Canberra. I came out just before my 21st birthday. I made sure all of my family knew first, then I did the typical millennial thing and put it on Facebook.
It was in the wake of the shooting at the Pulse gay club in Orlando. I wrote: “In honour of those who I feel were my brothers and sisters, I will never hide again.” And so I was out. I was very, very anxious beforehand. I didn’t know what to expect and how the family would react. Everyone was very accepting. Mum said she already knew. There were lots of tears and laughing.
There are a few people I’ve lost touch with since then, I suspect because of coming out. A lot of the boys I used to hang out with—do sport with, go fishing or swimming with and things like that. That’s been tough.
I’m encouraged that people are keen to help their loved ones through the comingout process. Family is everything. I talk to Mum constantly—she’s always there to run things by, to give me advice.
It’s been a pretty crazy experience and a big couple of years. I’m now an ambassador for R U OK? Day and I’ve done a lot of work with them around mental health in both the Indigenous and LGBTI communities. I’m passionate about helping people who are struggling to find where they belong.
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