Greens MP breaks down during maiden speech

A Greens MP has shared his emotional story of coming out, the importance of inclusivity and addressing Australia's mental health crisis during his first speech to federal parliament. Source: Youtube/Australian Greens

Video transcript

STEPHEN BATES: I spent my teenage years knowing I was gay and doing everything in my power to hide it. I told myself I would force myself to get married to a woman, have kids, and live in the suburbs because that is what you did, that is what you had to do, that is what was expected of me. I was lucky enough to have a very supportive-- sorry. To have a-- sorry.

To have a very supportive family to come out to. But-- [? I can't do it. ?] But I spent years hiding myself because I could not see anyone in my world who was openly gay. This is so much harder than I thought it would be.

[LAUGHTER]

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