At the time I didn't realize how much that one incident would stand out later on. After Stephen's death (and the horror surrounding the circumstances) it made it so much more difficult to accept what had happened. He wasn't perfect - he was a human being with all the failings that come with it but the hate... sheer hate that was behind his murder angered me so much. Even during the trial of his murderer they tried to blame the victim, as if it was less of a crime just because he was gay and it was his fault. I will never forget my buddy. To this day when I see intolerance, hatefulness, racism, discrimination... I feel that fire burning up inside me which I can barely control (sometimes I can't) and I know much of this is because of that experience.

I remember one incident where I let it boil over - at a party (I was hosting) where a guest made an offensive *remark* about Aboriginal people. I didn't hold back. I bet he has never forgotten it and neither did anyone else within earshot.