Misconceptions about sexuality that he experienced

● Being Masculine → as a gay hockey player → he thinks it was weird

● He states that Hockey has always been very homophobic
● Afraid that his sexual orientation was not accepted by people around him
● Masculine vs being a womanizer
● He thinks that dating more girls could help but it turned out it did not
● Overthinking → not being himself → manipulated

Letter response:
Dear Brock,

How are you? I am Aisha, a grade 11 student in Canada. I am really touched and sorry
about the experiences you have experienced in your letter writing to your younger self.
I’m sure that your letter has helped and brightened a lot of kids or teenagers who are
engaging in the same challenges as you did before.

Firstly, I understand that dealing with masculinity and femininity has been a pain in
your butt as it was really hard to define how to act and be the one you want to be. In
your letter, you stated, “You portray yourself as a confident kid in this hyper-masculine
bravado kind of way, but it’s a fake confidence as opposed to just being yourself.” From
this quote, all I can see is your miserableness, putting yourself in a closet, revealing
everyone as the one you don't want to be. You did not show people the real you in the
industry you like, which affects your early hockey experience.

Secondly, I acknowledge that telling your family and friends that you are gay takes a
really long time of consideration and worry. But do you think having a secret
relationship with a guy is enjoyable? That you have to keep it a secret, not letting anyone
know? This brings severe disadvantages to your relationship and also to yourself.
Throughout your letter, I can feel the hopelessness and the fear of being gay and a
hockey player feels like. This causes yourself being unconfident when encountering
people around you.

To better support someone I know who identifies with the LGBTQ community, I will
be very supportive of all participants who are not confident about their gender identity.
Letting them know that it is not a shame to be gay and they do not have to be sad to shy
to share their social identity. Trying to help them gain their confidence back from being
insecure about who they really are.

At Last, I just wanted to say that I’m so happy that you finally find the true you in your
experience and hope that you could always be yourself.

Regards,
aisha