[Onscreen title] How Brisbane Hustlers helped Gwyn accept himself

Growing up in south east Queensland and being half Filipino, half Australian, you definitely didn't want to be gay. Coming from a religious family, and mum being a very strong Catholic, she would make it clear that being gay was a sin and that you'd go to hell and lots of bad things would happen. 

So obviously when you're four years old and, you know, the person that you love the most is also, if she found out that you were gay, could potentially hate you or not love you, it just made you always in in fear of being found out.

I struggled a lot with confidence, self-worth. It was actually when my mum had a brain aneurysm and almost lost her life, and she would have died not knowing, you know, my big secret. My heart was racing and I was scared and I had tears behind my eyes and I was shaking and I just said it.

It was just silence for about 15 minutes, literally silence, and then both of us just started crying. She said, I just want my son to know that I support him. When she said that it was like a weight completely lifted off my shoulders. 

Now mum's a gay activist. Before if I had a problem, especially regarding my sexuality, I had absolutely no one to talk to. 

After joining the Hustlers, I've learned to, I've just, I've learnt to love myself and I realise what it's like to be happy. It's funny, it's like a blanket, but at the same time it's it's very physical sport. 

For anyone who's struggling to come out, I think the most important thing is come out when they're ready. Don't worry because when you when you leave high school, or as you get older, there's a whole world out there that will love you and take care of you, you just got to make sure you look for it.

[Onscreen URL] ReachOut.com/sexuality