Coming out in aged care: Michael shares his story

Michael, 76, hid his sexuality as a gay man for more than six decades. In a this Brotherhood video, Michael takes to the podium at a major conference in Melbourne to share his story of coming out while living at a Brotherhood aged care home.

‘I was a confused person, not knowing what I was,’ he said.

‘From the age of about 13, I lived in a fantasy world – not willing to accept reality.’

Two years ago, Michael told support staff at the Brotherhood of St Laurence that he was gay.‘I was determined to be honest with myself,’ he told ABC News when interviewed in October 2015.

Michael first featured in a Brotherhood blog in February last year, after he attended his first Pride March.

‘It’s hard to put into words my feelings of the day,’ he said.

‘I was with my own people. I was at peace.’

With the assistance of the Brotherhood’s Coolibah Centre for disadvantaged older people, Michael will again take part in the march this year, to be held on January 31.

The annual Pride March is part of Melbourne's gay and lesbian arts and culture festival Midsumma , which is taking place from January 17 to February 7.

Learn more about the Brotherhood's work with older people.