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davidfrancis19

It was announced earlier this week that @startouta

It was announced earlier this week that @startoutau , the charity that I have been the Ambassador for the last 5 years, will be winding up and passing the baton to qheadspace, by @headspace_aus

A mental health promotion charity and suicide prevention initiative with a focus on early intervention support for young (and not so young) people of diverse sexuality and gender(DSG), StartOut built an online platform to connect people with mentors and services reaching those who feel most isolated in times of need, particularly those from rural and regional Australia.

I got involved with StartOut because it was something I wish was around when I was a growing up. As Ambassador, I had the privilege of spreading the word around Australia and NZ, even taking our message to the world stage representing Australia at Mr Gay World. It has also afforded me so many amazing opportunities such as marching for StartOut in Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2018, co-hosting both launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, conducting the mentor training in Sydney, handing out hundreds if not thousands of free hugs at LGBTQIA+ events all around Australia and connecting with some of the most inspiring people I will ever hope to meet.

None more inspiring than these two incredible human beings to which huge commendations are owed - @adamwdent and @brendobie_ . Without your initiative, conceptualisation, persistence, hard work, time and money, none of this would ever have been possible. When you embarked on this journey, nothing else like it existed online and it is a testament to the work you have put in that other organisations and charities are now investing in digital solutions to provide support services for DSG people of all ages.

In legacy, StartOut has provided thanks to the countless volunteers, mentors, organisations and board members on the StartOut website with a link to the headspace platform moving forward.

It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been part of something to incredibly rewarding. It is amazing to think about the impact we can unknowingly have on others, just by taking the time to share our lives, our stories and our experiences.

Sometimes all you need is just some 'me' time ...

Sometimes all you need is just some 'me' time ... Oh and bubbles, definitely bubbles! 🛀

After 7 incredible years, today was the last day w

After 7 incredible years, today was the last day working for the company that gave me my start in property development! 👷🏼‍♂️🏗️🚧 I have learnt so much working on some of the biggest and best city defining projects here in Sydney and I'm truly going to miss the amazing people I've worked with and gotten to know over the years!

Although bittersweet, I'm excited to take that next step in my career starting Monday and I'm ready for the new challenges and opportunities that await! Bring it on!!

Appreciation post for this wonderful human being I

Appreciation post for this wonderful human being I'm lucky to call a dear friend! Was such an incredible birthday weekend away and so happy we got to celebrate / get a few more wines under the belt! Even if I am a bit slow and posting the pics 😂 @adamwdent

PIXEL 5 FEATURE TIME! The features don't stop th

PIXEL 5 FEATURE TIME!

The features don't stop there with the new #pixel5 able to check up on you with the new Personal Safety app, survive under fresh water and last all day with increased battery life! This thing is legit smarter than me 🤪

#teampixel #giftfromgoogle #googlepixel5
@madebygoogle @googlepixel

PIXEL 5 FEATURE TIME! Favorite things about the

PIXEL 5 FEATURE TIME!

Favorite things about the new #pixel5 is the Night Sight feature taking amazing photos in low light and nighttime settings without the awful flash! Also 5G is pretty bloody quick!

#teampixel #giftfromgoogle #googlepixel5
@madebygoogle @googlepixel

Fancy me forgetting my speedos! 😉 Haha PIXEL

Fancy me forgetting my speedos! 😉 Haha

PIXEL 5 IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!! Over the next few days I'll be posting more info on all the new amazing features of the #pixel5

#teampixel #giftfromgoogle #googlepixel5
@madebygoogle @googlepixel

Mardi Gras season is upon us! There are so many am

Mardi Gras season is upon us! There are so many amazing venues up and down Oxford St who support the community day in day out providing a safe space for us to eat, drink, meet and party! Check them out tonight or any night you’re in Sydney @stonewallhotel, @universalsydney and @bellocciosyd amongst so many others!! Also thanks to these lovely ladies for the happy snap! @verushka.darling , @missvictoriaanthony and @lada_marks .
📸 @rodsydney
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@sydneymardigras @queerty @gaycities #sydneymardigras #sydneymardigras2020

Mardi Gras season is upon us! For last minute cost

Mardi Gras season is upon us! For last minute costume ideas you gotta head to Oxford St where the guys at @bangclothingsydney and @dalymale_ will look after you! Or pick up a book at @bookshopdarlo and make sure to swing by the Rainbow Crossing 🌈 just behind Taylor Square! .
📸 @rodsydney
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@sydneymardigras @queerty @gaycities #sydneymardigras #sydneymardigras2020 #oxfordstreet

Mardi Gras season is upon us! Everywhere you look

Mardi Gras season is upon us! Everywhere you look around Sydney, there’s rainbows 🌈 out in celebration and support! Best beach recommendation for any overseas visitors to Oz ... Bondi Beach for the place to get the best sun and talent viewing opportunities 😉 .
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📸 @rodsydney
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@sydneymardigras @queerty @gaycities #sydneymardigras2020 #sydneymardigras #bondibeach

Another incredible weekend at the Big Gay Out @Auc

Another incredible weekend at the Big Gay Out @AucklandPride event! Met some pretty amazing people this trip including @jacindaardern, the one and only @courtneyact and all the @mrgaynewzealand contestants doing such awesome work in the community! Until next time Auckland! ✌🏼

Always the Jokester amongst the Green Team 💚 at

Always the Jokester amongst the Green Team 💚 at the Google #TeamPixel Games! .
Met so many fun and amazing people whilst trialing the #NewGoogleAssistant features! .
Even though we didn’t we, we made the podium but I kinda ate my medal before the photo 🍪 whoops 🤷🏼‍♂️ #pixel4 @googlepixel

When you try and take a selfie with a drunk friend

When you try and take a selfie with a drunk friend and it takes at least 5 shots to get it right ... swipe for the outtakes 😂 #quokkaselfie #rottnestisland @rottnestislandwa

Probably my best angle tbh ... @grandmirageresort

Probably my best angle tbh ... @grandmirageresort #grandmirageresort

Bali Trip Part 2 article was luxury on a whole oth

Bali Trip Part 2 article was luxury on a whole other level at @samaberesort from my own private villa to some of the most incredible food! Read the article on @yourgaynation ... #samaberesort

Bali Trip Part 1 article about my stay at the incr

Bali Trip Part 1 article about my stay at the incredible @grandmirageresort is now live on @yourgaynation ... go check it out and let me know what you think!! Part 2 coming next week!! #grandmirageresort

If you thought one of me was bad ... 3 is just ask

If you thought one of me was bad ... 3 is just asking for trouble.
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This room was literally pitch black before the #pixel4 worked it's magic with the Night Sight feature! Thanks @j.e.s.sica__ for your photography skills, got the shot in 1 😉 #giftfromgoogle #teampixel @googlepixel

The new #Pixel4 launch event went a little wacky w

The new #Pixel4 launch event went a little wacky with the backdrops ... so why not embrace it? ✴️ #giftfromgoogle #teampixel @googlepixel

Okay so Night Sight on the new #Pixel4 is kind of

Okay so Night Sight on the new #Pixel4 is kind of amaze!! 🤙🏼 #giftfromgoogle #teampixel @googlepixel

Today is International Coming Out day which presen

Today is International Coming Out day which presents an opportunity to reflect on your own story and how that can help others with their own personal journey.
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My biggest learning was that you don’t just come out once ... you consciously make a decision whether to do so every day of your life. It was always hardest with close friends and family but it extends to new people you meet every day whether at work or socially. Do I tell them? What will they think? Will it change their perception of me?.
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Sure, it gets easier but how can we rephrase it; change the language; and flip the perception? Think about it as a privilege to those we choose to tell and invite in to share this part of our lives with. We are our best selves when we are our true selves and we’re most comfortable when we are in control of our own narrative.
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So continue to share stories of when you ‘invited in’ others to your fabulous life so those who haven’t quite yet found their voice will be comforted by those who have.
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#teampixel #invitedin #internationalcomingoutday

Back to work tomorrow after an incredible 2 weeks

Back to work tomorrow after an incredible 2 weeks off in Bali! I ask myself ... do I really need this job? Can’t I just lay in the pool forever? @samaberesort #samaberesort

Washing away all my sins as I leave Bali wishing I

Washing away all my sins as I leave Bali wishing I could stay at @samaberesort forever! #samaberesort

Private pool? Don’t mind if I do 🏝 @samaberes

Private pool? Don’t mind if I do 🏝 @samaberesort #samaberesort

Discussing more than just monkey business 🙈🙉

Discussing more than just monkey business 🙈🙉🙊 @grandmirageresort #grandmirageresort

Moved from the night bed to the day bed 🏝 @gran

Moved from the night bed to the day bed 🏝 @grandmirageresort #grandmirageresort

Was a struggle to get out of bed this morning, luc

Was a struggle to get out of bed this morning, lucky I had my hot chocolate to get me through @grandmirageresort #grandmirageresort

How about this for a winters day in Brissy ☀️☀️☀️ so of course I had to make the most of it!!
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Thanks @fvbypeppers for looking after us all weekend! The pool and spa were epic!

In case you missed my appearance on @celebnamegame

In case you missed my appearance on @celebnamegameau with @grantdenyer, we made the final round!! @calbowilson and I were totally on the same wavelength! @johnny_ruffo you did alright too 😆 ... @chadd_08 got unlucky at the end but boy did we have some fun!! #celebnamegameau

As Pride Month comes to a close around the world i

As Pride Month comes to a close around the world it’s incredible to think how far we’ve come since the Stonewall Riots 50 years ago!
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With the original @sydneymardigras protests held in June 1978, it’s an important time of the year to reflect on how we have turned these protest movements into an incredible celebration of love, acceptance and equality!
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It’s an absolute pleasure to know, work with and highlight so many people and organizations that do so much to foster a sense of community for others, such as those I met at the Sydney Mardi Gras parade this year!
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@wear_it_purple @brisbanetritons @sydneydanceco
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#loveislove #pride #gay

Lucky enough to walk the red carpet for the world

Lucky enough to walk the red carpet for the world premiere of @sequininablueroom at this year’s @sydfilmfest ... an incredibly well put together queer movie reflecting on the very confronting reality of hook up apps in the gay community! 🏳️‍🌈 Plus the main guy is super cute! Haha 💙😆 Dressed by @paulanthonymen

**GIVEAWAY** . I swear my parents make up half the

**GIVEAWAY**
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I swear my parents make up half the embarrassing stories from my childhood they tell my friends 🙈 ... and half the words they use 😂 but now Google Home Hub lets me voice activate YouTube around the house so I can be reminded of them whenever I want! .
And with Mothers Day just around the corner, @google have given me a Google Home Hub to give away ... all you have to do is share in the comments section below some of your favourite (or most embarrassing) family moments you’d like to show off on your new Google Home Hub! .
Family can mean different things to different people within our community 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦👨‍👧‍👧 The winner will be announced via my Instagram Stories this time next week so whether you spend Mother’s Day with your Mum, Dad, siblings, partner or closest friends make sure you tag them in the post below to share in the fun *cough* embarrassment too!
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@madebygoogle #giftfromgoogle

What an absolutely fantastic night at @sydneymardi

What an absolutely fantastic night at @sydneymardigras celebrating 41 years of being FEARLESS!! I met some incredible people and had the most amazing time thanks to @googlepixel #teampixel .
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@theveronicasmusic @jessicaveronica @lisa_veronica @takayah @mattywilson @neighbours @10peachau @tontenn @yourgaynation and @menofpaulanthony for dressing me last night too! #sydneymardigras #mardigras2019 #befearless

Have you seen the joyous faces of equal love aroun

Have you seen the joyous faces of equal love around Surry Hills and Chippendale? Every time I walk past, it warms my heart to know that as a society we came together and fought for equality
Amazing work @scottie.marsh and @absolut_au for this campaign! Visibility is so important which is the essence behind #SydneyMardiGras #BeFearless #MardiGras2019 #absolutlove

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