Gay people are not free from discrimination and it is time we speak up!

"Gay" was always a touchy subject in my life. Having been brought up in an Afrikaans family, anything that was not "normal" would very rarely be a topic of conversation in our house.

My rugby-playing dad and my religious mom were the Christian rocks on which our little foundation was built.

I vividly remember sitting around the braai one Saturday night as a 12-year-old and my mom saying to me: "I don't know what I would do if one of my children turned out a 'moffie'."

I knew I was gay. I knew it was wrong. But I couldn't help it.

For years I tried to change my way of thinking, fearing eternal condemnation as society's judgement rang in my ears. 

I went through school more than 43 kilograms overweight, not part of the popular crowd and trying to hide who I was.

I was bullied relentlessly and even physically assaulted by one of my fellow learners.

The lights finally went on when living in the UK for two years. 

My best friend outed me at the hotel where we worked. At first I was furious with him, but his words forced me to make peace with who I am. 

And that led to an important realisation: Being gay is not abnormal. 

Suddenly, I was accepted for who I was and could truly be myself. I started to get to know myself and at the age of 20 I could finally start living.

Why am I sharing this story?

Because it propelled me into pursuing a career in broadcasting. Subconsciously I wanted to be in with the popular crowd, so I pursued a career as an entertainment journalist.

I have been actively involved in the LGBTI community helping young people, who face the same struggles I did, to come to terms with their sexuality and to share their truth with their families and friends.

I came out to my parents at a very late age and it took them some time to come to terms with me being gay. Now thankfully they are supportive of my partner, whom I have been dating for four years.

That is why it makes me so mad when people like Afrikaans relationship and sex-preacher Gretha Wiid goes around schools telling young people being gay is caused by abuse and neglect. 

Or playing the piano could "turn you gay". 

It makes me sick to the stomach.

I idolise my dad and to this day I aspire to be like him. My parents have been happily married for more than 34 years and the biggest lesson I was taught is to love unconditionally.

Our youth have become more outspoken and comfortable with their sexuality - some coming out from as young as the age of 9 - with parents more receptive to the idea that their child could be gay, bisexual or transsexual.

We have laid the groundwork to "normalising" a gay relationship and creating awareness around the LGBTI community but there is still a long way to go. 

Teens are still committing suicide because they are told that what they are feeling is wrong.

Women are still victims of corrective rape.

Society still frowns upon same-sex couples showing affection in public spaces. 

Someone once asked me when I "decided" to become gay. My reply was simple: if sexual orientation is a choice, can you choose to be heterosexual?

The time has come for false prophets stop preaching about homosexuality, when they simply have no idea of the pain and suffering endured by members of the LGBTI community on a daily basis.

Before you start preaching eternal condemnation, think about that lonely teen boy or girl in the corner of the assembly hall who might be battling with his or her feelings. Think about the serious repercussions your words might have on that person.

In the words of Afrikaans singer/songwriter Bouwer Bosch: Liefde Wen....ALWAYS!