Farmer Dave Graham on Australian Story Part 1

When David Graham came out to his Big Brother housemates in 2006 it was a watershed moment in Australian television.
Graham was one of the many dashing young men who had been cast in the long-running reality series, but kept his sexuality under wraps for several weeks while his housemates - and viewers - got to know his personality.
When he admitted he was "the token gay" in the series it was a revelation to many of his housemates who had presumed his background as a Queensland farmer automatically meant he was heterosexual. For TV viewers it became a soap-opera coming out and a chance to better understand gay Australians that hadn't been seen since in primetime since Gav and Waz on The Block three years earlier.
But Graham's candid personal story was also done without his family's prior knowledge.
In ABC's Australian Story he explains that the public coming out strained an already tense relationship with his traditionalist father.
Following the series, Graham became a pin-up boy for the gay community, with interviews, photo shoots, nightclub appearances, and working with community groups. He personified the myth that no gay men would be caught living in the bush.
But as the youngest of a family with agriculture in its DNA, he had been anointed heir apparent to the family property in rural Queensland. Following Big Brother, some in the family questioned his motivation and competence to inherit the family legacy. In Australian Story he shares some of the challenges that followed his flirt with TV and eventually resolving issues with his father.
"It was very strange. Was it a father saying, 'Forgive me for being not the perfect father'? Or was it a father saying, 'I forgive you for not being the perfect son'? I don't know what it was and what it meant, but I'm glad it happened," he says.
These days Graham continues to belie stereotypes, holding ambitions for a political future with the National Party, while still working towards his dream of returning to the family property.
Australian Story was introduced by Kate Ceberano whom Graham met during an appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
It screened 8pm Monday November 1st on ABC1.

[@andrewaway]

Dave is an admirable guy. That smile is incredible. To have survived with that cold father is amazing.

[@tagulahaz]

Loved dave on BB!! He seems like such a loving genuine bloke:)

[@rozcole3650]

Lovely guy watched in 4/2021 !! Hope all is good with DAVID !!

[@adzgee7]

Hes so good looking. Thats why all the ugly ones bullied him!!!

[@thebiz5942]

No man is "so good looking" to me 🤣🤣🤣

[@adzgee7]

@@thebiz5942 how come?

[@debrak8521]

He's not married but he has 3 daughters now.

[@StankPlanks]

Great story!

[@cloramurphy3838]

Did she say Empire ????

[@samwells218]

Go on survivor next

[@Mabeylater293]

6:07 indigestion???? No, It gives me a reason to call Child Protection Services on your ass!!!

[@thebiz5942]

Ok Karen

[@Mabeylater293]

@@thebiz5942 a Karen who supports equality and will stand up against discrimination against gay people/ children. You have your Karens mixed up.

[@thebiz5942]

@@Mabeylater293 the issue is people are far too sensitive these days, the father obviously loves his son, you just don't like some things that he did that were in the privacy of his own house, I could understand ur point of view if he physically bashed the kid and hurt him like that. I don't agree with some of the shit either tbh but at the end of the day it seems to me the son still loves his father, and the father does love his son. Also, before I forget.. all the Karen's on the planet "want to talk to the manager" and you seem the type

[@Mabeylater293]

@@thebiz5942 I think you are down-playing the serious issue that is homophobia. Homophobic parents still “love” their children while also hurting them tremendously. Love doesn’t behave that way. This fathers language and behavior is appalling.

[@thebiz5942]

@@Mabeylater293 ok Karen

[@lila-rose3612]

So his dad was abusive..

[@bobnob9195]

are you trying to correlate that with David's homosexuality are you?

[@christine39]

I think David is brilliant! 03:23 LOL!

[@19Manymak]

The Aboriginals haha You mean the 'Originals'??? We're still here george :)

[@george42007]

WoW!! Amazing story of brave, if not victimized, pure white Australian farmers... The aboriginals must be totally extinct by now...Noble, nevertheless in touch; among baby lambs, strong white pioneers whose dogs making sure herds are under control, crying participants of reality shows...You know, you are a winner...

[@thebiz5942]

Wtf are U talking about?

[@roxcharlie]

get some male hormones into ya

[@sheenabeck3318]

Stfu u ignorant prick!

[@aaronparker70]

Be respectful. It's a struggle.