Inspired by the open letter from Nowra High's class of 2001, the former Bomaderry High student was compelled to share his story.

“When I came out at the back end of year 12, it was on the back end of six years of bullying over my perceived homosexuality,” he said.

“Clearly others knew before I did.

“The hateful things said in the playground and the media in light of the push to change the law in Tasmania forbidding homosexuality, led to me attempting to take my own life on three occasions.

“It felt easier than what I was going through.”

Twenty years on, in a happy, loving relationship, with two children, Chris attended his high school reunion.

He was relieved that much had changed since high school.

“To go to our reunion and hear the amount of support from everyone in my year I talked to, all incredulous that we should have to go through this hate fest, and the associated smear from the no campaign was wonderful,” he said.

“It was a wonderful night, and many a good conversation was had, particularly about how far we have come in the past 20 years.”

Chris, who now lives in Raymond Terrace, cherished the time he spent in Nowra on the weekend.

“To be back in my home town on the very weekend Marriage Equality Gilmore hosted their picnic and bridge walk was simply amazing to see,” he said.

“I had the chance to swing by the picnic, and to see the sheer number of people, not all of them members of the LGBTQI community blew me away.

“Here, in my home town that I will always love, was that love being reflected back at me.”

Chris looks forward to the day he can marry his partner.

“I hate that we are being subjected to this farce(postal vote), and it is my fervent desire that the High Court will strike it down,” he said.

“For the first time in my life though, I feel sure in the knowledge that the majority of people in Australia want to see this injustice and prejudice erased, and give me the same opportunity as everyone else, to marry the person I love.”

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