My name is Aaron I am 29 and I currently live in Melbourne Victoria. My journey to Australia began in May 13 1987(From Philippines) to Sydney. My first school was in a public school in Mosman very affluent suburb in Sydney also very monocultural. The kids were welcoming although I thought I went to Australia for Holiday not to migrate. I knew I liked to be around boys at the Age of 6 but this was a more of crushes and daydreaming. In 1988 I moved to a catholic co ed primary school and I knew by the time I reached 7 years old, I developed a strong attraction towards males. In 1990 when I was in Year 4 I had a crush on the teacher who was on placement, I was one of his favourite students. In 1992 when I was in Year 6 I knew I was gay the anglo males used to call me chinky Chinese, (although I wasn’t) go back home I was yelled, pushed and spat upon. Believe it or not even though i am camp most times I never did barbie dolls cubby houses or dress ups lol, I was quiet during primary school because I knew I has same sex attracted.

I then did another 6 years at a private catholic boys school in a middle class suburb of Chatswood, by the time I reached year 11 1997, a letter of how I felt towards one of my good friends decided to post and circulate a semi love letter I wrote to him, this went on to Year 12 which is why I only got average marks at the HSC. I knew I was sexually active but had no avenues to explore with another guy.

May 2002 I finally came out to my parents at the age of 21, what they didn’t realize how much damage I have received for the psychological abuse from Anglo males. As a GAM(Gay Asian Male) I had to do a second coming out as 5- 10 years ago being Asian in the gay community particularly in Sydney was seen as unattractive and undesirable I was made to feel like a second class citizen. Till today I know subconsciously I still struggle with these most times. What I realize is that I had no satisfaction from the gay clubbing scene and found more gay friends through christian networks. Often as an ethnic gay man who grew up in Australia then trying to fit in the gay party scene was not easy, often I and my other brothers and Sisters would be judged for being ethnic or indigenous often overlooked.Since relocating to Melbourne just over 2 years ago i realise homosexuality is not a “white “ thing and I am not alone I also felt my journey with God was and is restoring I have met accepting gay christian men in 2 years. Why would I want to be picked on and yelled at and ostracized. Nobody no matter what orientation they are should NOT have to put up with exclusion/sexual racism. I am who I am and I know I am attracted slightly more into Caucasian gay men but I didn’t choose this, this isn’t a choice after all I have lived in Australia for almost 24 years. I am still a working progress and on a journey to feel more comfortable in my own skin. To all gay men and Lesbians of an ethnic background be proud be unashamed of your heritage you have every right to be part of gay and Lesbian Community. There are beautiful people of all cultures/nationalities. I am now part of the Collins St Baptist Church Melbourne and happily settled

Hi Ann Maree

Thanking you for hearing my story, all is good, working progress

Aaron

Hi Ian

Yes I totally agree in fact I went to the very first meeting of freedom 2 be back in 2005 whilst still living in Sydney, they are a good bunch

Hi love your reply and good sense of humour all is good, thanks for your kind words and encouragement

Aaron

Hi Aaron,

A friendly welcome from moi and thanks for sharing some of your journey.

Yep, our physical look and makeup doesn’t and shouldn’t define who we are or what we can achieve

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for sharing your story. Your raise an important issue.

I hate racism and think God does too. God does not discriminate and we have no right to either. As Christians, and especially as LGBT Christians who have experienced discrimination regarding our sexuality, we should be the light of the world and be examples through our acceptance and love for one another, regardless of race or ethnicity. We should be the ones seeking justice and standing up for others who are denied their rights or experience prejudice in any situation. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. MLK Jr.

People may feel an attraction to people of different races, or to only their own race, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to be rude or hurtful by their words or actions. I think a lot of “racial attraction” is “nurture” not “nature” anyway – its mostly what people grow up with or get used to. I know many many white guys for example who say they don’t like Asian guys until they live in or visit a big Asian city and meet or get to know some really great people, and then suddenly they don’t see a particular race anymore, just people.

In the past I have been more attracted to ABWG (anything but white guys), but living in Tokyo I know there are some places I just can’t go because foreigners (non-Asian) are not welcome. Meanwhile, when I visited clubs in NYC (Lord have mercy) with an Asian friend, I was really upset by the way he was treated.

Unfortunately racism is a real problem in the community, and in the church, and in every community, but that is one reason why Jesus came, to break down the dividing walls between races and people and to bring everyone back to God in the unity of the Spirit. Once we fall in love with God, get our eyes on Jesus and get filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit we start to see and love others as Jesus sees and loves them. We see who they are in the spirit, not black or white or asian, not male or female, but all one in Christ Jesus, and he becomes everything to everyone.

Right now I’m listening to a song by Reba Rambo McGuire “Lord, make us one river, one body of water, one people, united by your love, latter rain keep falling, Spirit pour down on us, till we’re just one river, one body of water, one river flowing forth …”

Anyway, I think the key is to continue to keep our hearts right and walk in love and forgiveness, even when others are stupid or racist. Its the love and light in us that makes people ashamed of their hatred in the end. Live above the junk of this world by just loving people.

Bless you Aaron. Glad you feel settled and accepted at your church. I hope you enjoy making friends here.

Timothy

Don’t compliment me too much. I might grow wings and fly back to heaven. It is better for your sake that I remain among you for a while. 0:)

Timothy

That was the most Intelligent reply/response I have heard ever since coming out at the age of 21 8 years ago. Look everyone has different personality types preferences and im not asking for guys to change their preferences, but you know what since moving to ” Multicultural Melbourne” its the best because there are beautiful Gay men and Women from all different cultures/nationalities.

I know God has worked in my life and placed people who I never thought would be a friend or interact with, so for me I too have a lot of lessons to learn not to prejudge and most of all not to use “reverse racism” so believe me I have been confronted about these areas of improvement but it is done out of love.

Thank you and have a good day

Aaron

Hi Azza,

Welcome to F2B. You cant tell in this post but I’m asian too

I always view growing up in Australia as an asian is a unique experience, especially if you came here as a child. As you grow older and into your teenage/university years I realised I’m not a typical aussie bloke nor am I a typical “native” asian bloke. I dont really like playing footy and drink beer, nor do i eat every meal with chopsticks. On top of that, I had to deal with the whole gay/christian issue as well. But I learn that no matter where you go there will always be people who like you and people who dont like you based on your race and culture. Its sad but it’s true. You may not be able to change the world but you can always change your outlook in life. And you will find great people around you who loves you just as you are.

Keep in touch, especially when you’re up in Sydney again.

Cheers

Nick

Hi Nick

Im glad your enjoying Sydney, look your right no matter where you go people will like you people wont , but keep in mind thoughts and prayers etc so that I may have a change of outlook and that God will bring people into my life that are good influence and christ like, you guys in Sydney are doing well, funny that since moving to Melbourne 2 and a half years ago everything seems to grow change and develop in Sydney

thanks for your encouragement

Aaron