Long before he started the WCU Online Program to pursue his MSN and become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Jerome A. had a story to tell. Born and raised in the Philippines, the 37-year-old rose to fame by competing in the seventh season of Pinoy Big Brother, the Philippine version of the popular Big Brother franchise. While on the show in 2016, Jerome decided to do something bold and come out as gay on national television.   

鈥淚 did that because I want young people in my country to see that there鈥檚 nothing wrong with being gay or lesbian or whoever you are,鈥� Jerome said. 鈥淎t least one young gay person watching you will have the courage to do the same thing because they know they can participate in the community and make a big change.鈥�   

Coming out, especially to the entire country, was not something Jerome took lightly. His parents didn鈥檛 even know he was gay, so the announcement came as a surprise to everyone around him.   

鈥淚t was tough. I kind of sensed that after this, people were going to be like, 鈥極h my god! We know you鈥檙e gay!鈥� I disregarded all of that information. I told myself, You鈥檙e not doing it because of those people. You鈥檙e not doing it because of the people around you. You鈥檙e doing it because you want to free yourself. It was a very memorable moment.鈥�   

After Jerome left the Big Brother house, he wasn鈥檛 sure how he鈥檇 be received by the public.   

鈥淲hen I was outside after the show, I kind of reviewed all the information that came out. It was everywhere! It was on the news, on social media, and on Google. It was crazy,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that day was the day that I saw myself. That鈥檚 the day I considered myself being fully happy.鈥�   

With this newfound happiness, Jerome found the ambition to pursue something he鈥檇 always wanted: his MSN.   

鈥淚 asked myself, after coming out as a gay person: What鈥檚 next? How are you going to contribute? Because we don鈥檛 live only for ourselves. If you have something to share, you have to talk. If you have something to contribute, you have to work… to pursue my life鈥檚 purpose. This was a good start.鈥�  

Since Jerome鈥檚 confidence and self-love now flow out abundantly, it鈥檚 easy for him to imagine how he might use his experience to help other young LGBTQ+ people in the healthcare space and beyond.   

鈥淚 pursued a nurse practitioner career because I want to specialize in STIs. I want to serve as an advocate for LGBTQ+ people and be someone who is there to provide information,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes, people don鈥檛 open up about their sexual history. They don鈥檛 open up about their sexual encounters. Gay men tend to keep some information to themselves because they鈥檙e scared. I want to help the community.鈥�  

When asked about what advice he鈥檇 give to queer youth in his position, Jerome emphasized the importance of knowing when the time is right.  

鈥淒o not push if you feel like it鈥檚 not the time yet. You always need to have a support system. You always need to consider what will make you happy at the end of the day,鈥� he said.   

Ultimately, Jerome鈥檚 message to the world is one of inclusivity and love, something he carries into his practice and beyond: 鈥淲hether you are male, female, gay, lesbian 鈥� we are all the same.鈥�  

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.