"It was out of fear and for me, it became like a life or death situation."

Shurka thinks the new bill should make his job a little easier. He still remembers how he felt when he heard Brown decry

New Yorker Mathew Shurka came out at the age of 16 to his initially supportive father, who promised to love his son no matter what, and to always stay by his son's side. However, his father's thinking became more and more influenced by homophobia and harmful stereotypes surrounding the gay community.

Out on the road, Mathew listened with growing astonishment to Jacob's story. Jacob hadn't really wanted to end their relationship