I suppose the main challenges in my life was me, myself and I. I was very critical of myself and have always had high expectations of myself. I was my worst enemy. And the greatest success was overcoming my fear of losing to myself. I used to think that I was not good enough, but now, I would tell myself that I am pretty awesome. I may not be perfect, but I know that I am worth it.

I personally knew I was gay when I was very young, about 9 or 10. I didn’t really know what being gay was all about then, but I knew I liked men more than women. I was more attracted to men than the opposite sex. As I was growing up, I dated girls mainly because I was always taught that way, and that was what society at large taught me; however, I was never really comfortable holding their hands or even being intimate with them. I’d always imagine what it would be like to be intimate with another man. Coming from a Mormon family, it was hard to admit that you are gay because they have expectations. Expectations of being married, having a family and being an active church member and doing the “so-called” right thing. I served my mission in Hong Kong as a missionary for the church, and being away from home for 2 years and always surrounded by men, it was tough, but I hung on to the belief that I would someday also get married with and have a family. But as the months went on and years came by, I realized that I am really gay and nothing in this world would change how I felt about men. So, at the age of 21, after my first junior year in college, I decided I wasn’t going to lie to myself hence I came out and told my parents and family that I am gay. Since then I have been happier and feel free.

I suppose the gay community in Kuala Lumpur is pretty similar to the ones around the world. Boys will be boys.