Relationships can be exciting, can be scary. When I think of relationships, I think of connection. I’ve always been very hesitant about relationships. Previously, I have been in a relationship, and it was difficult. I just found it hard to be myself. Even though I didn’t want it to end, I know it would be better if it did.

I’ve just come out of a very serious relationship, and like, it didn’t end on a sour note. We’re still friends and can still talk, and I think that’s really, really nice because a lot of times you see relationships and they fall apart so easily. They’re not friends anymore; they don’t talk.

Us coming from diverse backgrounds, relationships are a very hot topic. Yeah. Are you allowed to date? You’re still in Year 12, aren’t you?

Year, I’m still in school. But no, I’m not allowed to.

I’m Jasmine, and I’m Lebanese. Growing up, as soon as you finish school, you meet someone and get engaged. It wasn’t really an expectation, it was just how it’s done. It shook me a little bit. What have I done wrong to not meet that person?

But I would never change a thing because I’ve found a love for myself, and I love my own company.

I’m Lachie, and I’m gay. I had this friend in high school who had a gay brother, and I was like, “Okay, well that’s easy. I’m gonna tell her, and she’s gonna love me anyway because she loves her brother.” But telling one person made me completely change.

My mum was the first person I told in my family. She’s gonna hate me saying this, but the one line I always remember Mum saying to me that day was, “I don’t care who you marry, as long as they’re rich.” And I just started crying, and it was like all of this pressure that I’d been building up over the years and years came out.

I told Dad, and he laughed at me. It was like, “I know.” Yeah. Ultimately, I had a really easy coming-out experience. I mentor LGBT youth to show them that it’s not always bad and that there are people who love you regardless.