Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Healthy outlook for equal rights
COLUMN:
During a recent interview I made the comment that ‘‘being gay is not the only thing that defines you’’.
I thought it would be fair to explain what I mean by that before it lands me in trouble.
I have always been a huge fan of working hard, treating people with respect and volunteering for fundraisers to help people in need. So when I think of what defines me, regardless of my sexuality, it is based solely on the above and how well I practice those. Including my beliefs and how I express them within the community.
The fact that I am gay for me personally isn’t a deciding factor on my worth within the world. It is a special part of me but not the only thing that defines me.
As part of the preparation for the Mr Gay World competition in South Africa, from May 21-26, it is a requirement to share what campaigns within the community you are passionate about. This seems like a good forum to begin sharing these.
The first and primary campaign I am most passionate about is the Ending HIV NZ. Being an ambassador for Ending HIV, I have already had the opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally helping to educate, share and promote not only the safer sex practices but also the introduction of PrEP. (PrEP is a ground-breaking HIV prevention drug subsidised by Pharmac).
This includes my own journey with PrEP and its availability in a small town like Blenheim. If we are going to continue to fight for equal rights for all, we must look after our health, not just physically and mentally, but also sexually.
Secondly, and very close to home is suicide, in particular youth suicide.
In 2016, we endured and will keep enduring the loss of ‘our son’ Kingsley, who was 15-years-old. My husband and I welcomed Kingsley into our home, fulltime as parents. He lived with us, he belonged to us and we were solely responsible for him, as fathers. This is a role we will never forget.
When you investigate the stat- istics for New Zealand suicide it is shocking to learn that we have one of the highest suicide rates and unfortunately the suicide rates keep on rising.
I work as a health and wellbeing coach. Not only do I get to work with clients of all ages on their physical being but I also have the privilege of working with young kids that are making some big life decisions. In my opinion, it is the one-on-one contact time with various good community role models that has guided them safely through these times.
This weekend I will attend the Theta Project: Homo House ft. DJ Dan Murphy in Auckland, which Ending HIV NZ is sponsoring. Meanwhile, the voting continues www.mrgayworld.com/ delegates/voting-page- 2018/