Teen comes out as gay in front of packed assembly at Catholic high school
A senior student at one of Sydney’s most prestigious Catholic high schools has received a standing ovation after coming out as gay during a packed assembly.
Standing in front of his teachers and 1500 students, Finn Stannard delivered a speech to St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, that he had been working on for the past four years.
A far cry from the Year 8 student who would hide in his room in the dark, Finn confidently announced to his peers and educators that he was gay during his keynote address in June, the full transcript of which has now been published online by SBS News.
“It took me 18 months after realising that I was gay to tell my parents. Coming out was a scary experience,” he said in the speech.
“Even though I knew my parents loved me there is always a fear that comes with telling those you love something important and I was afraid of changing myself in their eyes.
“Life was easier living as the straight eldest son. I had spent so long behind the façade of a confident, heterosexual man that I wasn’t sure if I knew how to be me.”
After being the subject of “countless rumours and unpleasant jokes”, Finn struggled with symptoms of depression and anxiety and feared what reaction he would receive from his friends.
“I didn’t know it was possible to be myself at school. I felt that if I was gay – or different – I could never be accepted. I quickly grew tired of hiding behind the mask I’d made for myself,” he explained.
“My main fear was no longer being accepted, of losing my friends, and being the subject of derogatory jokes.”
But after much deliberation he was overwhelmed by the support he received from friends and family. It was this level of understanding that encouraged Finn to share his experiences with his fellow students.
“Surround yourself with the people who let you live as your true self and never be afraid of asking for help,” he said.
Two of St Ignatius’ most notable alumni former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his deputy Barnaby Joyce opposed last year’s same-sex plebiscite but despite their high profiles, they don’t represent their former school when it comes to this matter, Principal Paul Hines said.
“I’m not sure anyone chooses their sexuality, that’s who they are and therefore we need to be open to that and to accept it and to make sure we live in communities of inclusion – and with that will come diversity,” Dr Hines told SBS News.
Since the speech, Finn has attended his school formal with his boyfriend Tom Moiso.
He said the most enjoyable part of the evening was “seeing all these other people with their dates and not feeling any different”.
