El Camino for Minus18

From 27 June, I will be walking the Camino de Santiago. A 775km pilgrimage trail across Northern Spain. I will aim to complete it in 26 days.

As part of my journey I'm fundraising for Minus18. Australia's champions for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer Youth.

Minus18 is a youth driven network that provides peer support and resources, school/work related workshops, events and campaigns to LGBTIQ people, families, allies, schools and workplaces.

Growing up in a small town in New Zealand and knowing I was gay from a young age, my only knowledge that LGBTIQ people existed was through TV - Ellen DeGeneres, Willow (Buffy), Matt (Melrose Place), Queer As Folk (UK), Will & Grace, Carol and Susan (Friends) and Richard Hatch (Survivor).

I was a very shy kid so it wasn't until I was 19 when I met my first openly gay friend. He introduced me to a LGBTIQ youth network that he was involved with and my life changed forever. The network allowed me to meet new friends, build confidence to speak about being gay to family and friends, become empowered to stand up to discrimination, learn about issues facing the LGBTIQ community, sexual health education, and to generally feel positive about myself. I felt like I belonged somewhere.

Minus18 is a vital network for Australia's youth so please donate and follow my journey along the Camino.