Chris Shotton
Date of birth
1968
Biography
Not what, but who
I identify as a gay man. I was born in Gisborne in 1968. I am the youngest of three children. I have two older sisters, Wendy and Belinda. I also have a younger half-brother, Daniel, as my father remarried.
At the age of 18, I left New Zealand for the United Kingdom to work, live, and come out. I resided there for 13 years. I returned to New Zealand in October 1999 and lived in Auckland until 2018, when I returned to Gisborne to live.
I am sharing stories about my life because for change to happen, you have to be part of that change. In the current social climate, most people want to be seen and heard for who they are, not what they are.
Sharing these stories is a highlight in my life. My hope is that people can connect with them. I hope that these stories give someone the courage and strength to move forward with who they are, and to be proud of themselves.
I came out for two reasons, firstly for me, to be me. Secondly, in order to share my life with my family, I had to come out and be honest about who I am.
Chris Shotton
(text used in Pride Tairāwhiti exhibition February 2022 written by Chris Shotton)
I identify as a gay man. I was born in Gisborne in 1968. I am the youngest of three children. I have two older sisters, Wendy and Belinda. I also have a younger half-brother, Daniel, as my father remarried.
At the age of 18, I left New Zealand for the United Kingdom to work, live, and come out. I resided there for 13 years. I returned to New Zealand in October 1999 and lived in Auckland until 2018, when I returned to Gisborne to live.
I am sharing stories about my life because for change to happen, you have to be part of that change. In the current social climate, most people want to be seen and heard for who they are, not what they are.
Sharing these stories is a highlight in my life. My hope is that people can connect with them. I hope that these stories give someone the courage and strength to move forward with who they are, and to be proud of themselves.
I came out for two reasons, firstly for me, to be me. Secondly, in order to share my life with my family, I had to come out and be honest about who I am.
Chris Shotton
(text used in Pride Tairāwhiti exhibition February 2022 written by Chris Shotton)
