It’s been 16 years since Dave Graham won hearts with his megawatt smile and endearing honesty. And a lot has changed for the self-proclaimed “token gay cowboy” since his TV debut on the sixth season of Big Brother Australia in 2006.
WATCH: Dave Graham comes out on Big Brother
“Growing up gay in the bush within an extremely conservative and homophobic family and community there were really only two options to being my true self. Move as far away as possible or kill ourselves,” Graham, 42, tells WHO.
But appearing on reality TV gave Graham a third option, allowing him to “come out” to his housemates and the nation and be free to be himself.
“Big Brother is completely responsible for the life I have now as I couldn’t see any other way I could come out,” he explains. “[Back then] I had one goal, which was to show everyone that being gay meant I wasn’t there to hurt or harm anyone. We just wanted to live normal lives.”
As one of the pioneers of helping to normalise gay people appearing in mainstream media, Graham is chuffed with his achievement.
“The Australia we live in today is like a foreign country compared to the one of the early 2000s,” he says. “The acceptance of gay people, both legally and socially, is profound.”
Since dipping his toes into reality TV, Graham has worked hard to make his dreams come true. He’s forged a successful career as a dog trainer and become a dad to four “beautiful” little kids, after donating sperm to three female friends who were single or in lesbian relationships.
“When I came out, I thought children was something I had to shut the door on, so to have genetic kids through being a donor dad has been amazing,” he confesses.
Graham also found his life’s purpose in helping vulnerable youth who are “falling through the cracks”.
He devotes his days to RuffTrack, a program that pairs disengaged teens with a pooch at a farm north-west of Sydney in Riverstone, where they learn skills such as dog training, horticulture and carpentry.
“It’s about giving the teenagers a chance so they can break the cycle and avoid spending a lifetime behind bars,” Graham explains.
His life – as he puts it – is just “about” perfect. The only goal that has remained elusive is finding The One.
“I’ve spent almost 20 years building a life I love and it’s a modern-day fairytale – almost,” he confesses. “I’m ready to settle down and find that forever bloke!” he adds.
As he enters the Big Brother house for a second time, Graham admits he has a new goal and is hoping to use the $250,000 prize money to buy a “forever farm” for RuffTrack.
“This time I’m here to win!” he declares.
Big Brother Australia premieres on May 9, 7.30pm on Channel Seven
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