Gabe Clifton says he's fine, and simply wanted to raise awareness. Aucklander Gabe Clifton has expressed thanks for the support he has received since coming out publicly as trans to raise awareness of hatred and harassment he has been subjected to from within the community. In a piece written for GayNZ.com, the manager of Auckland gay sex on site venue Centurian spoke out about the abuse he has faced, in the form of hate mail and approaches to media saying he should be outed. Read "Enough is enough" here “My concern is that this GLBTI community where everybody is ‘pro equality and acceptance’ is the ONLY community where I have ever felt judged, hated or bullied. I have been a boat builder, shop fitter, brick layer, barista and builder. Not once have I ever had a problem,” he wrote. He has the full support of Centurian’s owner Liam Slater, and has received a powerful response to his piece on social media. Some people have expressed anger that such hatred has come from within the community, while others have shared they’ve had similar experiences. Clifton has been widely-praised for his bravery in outing himself and speaking up. “I really appreciate the support I have received but I am strong, always have been, and I'm perfectly fine,” Clifton has responded today. He says he didn’t write the piece because he was seeking sympathy. “We need awareness of what many people in this community are silently having to put up with,” he says. Clifton says a little education goes a long way, and encourages anyone who hears bullying to stand up to the person dishing it out, “politely”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 14th November 2014 - 10:34am