In this episode of Through Their Eyes, host Ronish sits down with John, an alias used to protect his identity, as he shares his experience of navigating life as a gay man while keeping different parts of his world separate. He reflects on growing up in a male-dominated sporting environment, gradually understanding his attraction to men in his twenties, and choosing to keep his sexuality private from much of his family, friends and professional life. What developed was a double life, where the people in one part of his world knew him differently from those in another.

John speaks openly about finding his place within the gay community, from his nervous first visits to a gay venue to building friendships and relationships that became some of the best years of his life. He shares his experience of eventually telling his sister and mother, whose responses were supportive, while acknowledging that acceptance within his family has often meant something that is understood but rarely discussed. He also reflects on the pressures of working in traditional sporting environments, the impact of homophobia, and the challenges of carrying personal struggles privately, including grief, anxiety and depression.

Together with Ronish, the conversation explores the meaning of privacy, the importance of creating genuinely inclusive sporting environments, and how support can look different for everyone. John offers thoughtful advice to parents and families: keep an open mind, ask questions without judgement, and listen to understand what your loved one is experiencing. Above all, he reminds us that unconditional love, compassion and acceptance are what matter most.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Justin shares his experience of growing up in a conservative Christian environment, where he struggled to reconcile his sexuality with the beliefs and expectations surrounding him. He reflects on feeling different from a young age, learning to hide parts of himself to fit in, and the emotional toll of constantly questioning how he spoke, acted and presented himself to the world. For years, he carried the weight of feeling that something about him needed to change.

Justin speaks openly about coming to terms with his sexuality in his late twenties, after years of trying to suppress his feelings and praying for them to go away. He shares the challenges of building a life that appeared happy and successful while feeling disconnected from his authentic self, and the profound turning point that came when he realised his faith and sexuality did not have to be mutually exclusive. He also reflects on coming out to his friends, sister and parents, and the importance of the love and support that helped him feel seen and heard, even when acceptance was complicated.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the impact of religious exclusion, the mental health challenges that can come from hiding who you are, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe to be themselves. Justin offers thoughtful advice to families supporting someone who has come out: approach conversations gently, ask questions with genuine curiosity, and listen before speaking. Above all, he reminds us that love, patience and understanding can help deepen connections and make it possible for people to live more authentically.

In this episode of Through Their Eyes, Nate shares his deeply personal experience of growing up in a conservative Christian environment, where the expectations placed on him created a growing divide between who he was and the person he felt he needed to be. He reflects on learning from an early age to play a role for his family, church and community, and how years of hiding parts of himself eventually left him feeling isolated from both others and himself.

Nate speaks openly about marrying young, building what appeared to be a happy and successful life, and still feeling that something was missing. He shares the process of first identifying as bisexual, coming out to his wife, and the difficult mental health crisis that followed as he continued to grapple with the gap between who he was and who he felt able to admit he was. He also reflects on the small moments of love and acceptance that helped him realise people could see and care for him, even when he wasn't ready to share his full story.

Together with Leanne, the conversation explores the complicated relationship between faith, sexuality and belonging, and the lasting impact that exclusion can have when it comes from communities that are meant to provide safety and acceptance. Nate also reflects on the burden of constantly masking and adapting to different environments, and the importance of eventually finding the courage and support to live more authentically.