Kelvin High School is big - 1300 Students. For new students, the challenge is to find a peer group to quickly identify with, or be lost in the shuffle. As a then-closeted gay man, I felt I was in a unique situation - finding friends who accepted me for who I was in the massive arena of available friends. Kelvin is a largely liberal high school with a very diverse student body, creating relatively ideal circumstances for coming out. I found a group of friends who understood me to an extent, but couldn't relate as much as I needed.

I found myself adhering to hetero-normative standards. I attempted to be "one of the boys" in my early high school years, but remained uncomfortable in my own skin. Finding little solace in the modest gay community at Kelvin, I decided to enroll at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. I hardly knew what to expect, but I was determined to improve.

The Collegiate became my haven - the racial, economic, and social diversity of the school reminded me of the importance of being unique. I discovered a friend group that represented a variety of backgrounds who had all left their previous schools to seek a better high school experience. I spent two months at The Collegiate before coming out - a record in comparison to my two years at Kelvin. My support system was incredible - my parents, friends and professors were open and welcoming, not simply "tolerant" or "accepting."

I found my greatest obstacle in coming out during high school was the lack of context. "Hi son, how was your day?" "I'm gay, mom." It hardly flows naturally. My first relationship provided me the context I needed, which I found during my time at The Collegiate. I was very fortunate to come out in place that valued diversity and openness. High school is often characterized by its turbulence, and rarely by its kind moments and personal breakthroughs. I will always reflect fondly on my time in high school as a period of personal growth with a few minor speedbumps.