The model and content creator reflects on his journey of coming out later in life, embracing pride month as a time for personal reflection, and finding the right support systems.
When I first encountered Liam Labrooy, he was a reserved teenager with long dark hair framing his face. He consistently sported a simple ensemble at high school parties: a plain black t-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He was introverted and reserved, a complete departure from the vibrant individual he is today. In an exclusive interview with LIFESTYLE.INQ, the well-traveled 25-year-old delves into his experience as a member of the queer community. He opens up candidly about his emancipating journey of self-discovery and self-expression through fashion, culminating in his courageous decision to embrace his true self. Wearing a thrifted red vest, Dejour jeans, and Doc Martens, Liam vividly recollects his multicultural upbringing and shares how he found a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Despite Manila being his home, Liam does not have an ounce of Filipino heritage in his blood. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, his mother is British and his father is of Asian-European descent. However, the entire family holds Australian passports, automatically making Liam Australian. When he was only two months old, Liam and his family settled in Boracay, where his parents played a pivotal role in the island’s nascent hospitality and restaurant industry. Liam fondly reminisces about his time on the island and describes the overwhelming feeling of homecoming whenever he returns for the holidays. He says, “It always feels like home. When I stroll around the island, people recognize me from my childhood.” After leaving Boracay, they briefly resided on a beach in Thailand called Koh Samui for a year before returning to their beloved Philippines. Liam later pursued his studies in Los Angeles and Switzerland, ultimately returning to the City of Angels for his college education at Pepperdine University in Malibu. There, he focused on a Major in Public Relations, and it was during this transformative period that his world began to shift. Alongside the inevitable challenges of living independently and managing his own household and car, he juggled two internships with international organizations. Liam considers this time in his life as one of profound self-discovery, as he became fully immersed in a city where his true identity remained unknown. He shares, “I had the opportunity to reinvent myself to some extent. My time in L.A. helped me delve into my roots. I frequented gay bars (shoutout to WeHo) and delved deeper into queer culture. It was a period in my life when I was entirely focused on myself and my aspirations, making it the perfect time for me to come out.”
Liam discloses his gradual process of coming out, acknowledging the support he received from those around him. However, it took time for him to accept his sexuality internally. When thoughts regarding his sexual orientation emerged, he would either ignore them or pretend they never happened. Before he officially came out, he was fully aware that everyone already knew. Nevertheless, the journey of stepping out of the shadows was far from smooth. He reflects, “One aspect that people often overlook when discussing their coming out experiences is the internal struggle.” Liam slowly revealed his true self, initially through online messages rather than face-to-face conversations. He explains, “I began by messaging my closest friends one by one. Once I sent the ‘I am gay’ message, I would toss my phone to the other side of the room and avoid checking it for a while. If I was on vacation, I found it easier to message people since I wouldn’t have to deal with them in person.” It was a gradual and ongoing process, but the response he received upon coming out was largely positive. Through a combination of support and personal introspection, Liam gradually embraced his truth. Wearing a thrifted bowling shirt and Marni x Uniqlo pants, he transformed his appearance significantly after coming out. Gone were the days of black t-shirts and jeans, except for model castings. Liam embraced a buzz-cut hairstyle, leaving no room for concealment, and occasionally dyed his hair in vibrant colors such as blonde, blue, green, purple, and pink. As he played around with hair color, he expanded his experimentation to his fashion choices. A fan of textures, layering, and accessories, he confesses, “For the longest time, I feared handbags. I considered them too feminine, thinking that carrying one would inadvertently reveal my sexual orientation.” Now, it is unlikely to spot Liam without a tote, whether it be his Bottega or his trusted black Shoppee handbag during a night out. Although Liam draws inspiration from fashion personalities like Fai Khadra, Evan Mock, Marc Forne, Manu Rios, Kit Price, and Andrea Faccio, he strives to avoid imitation. He admires their unique styles and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in personal expression. Liam states, “While it is great to draw inspiration from those around you or online, I aim to infuse my own twist into things.”
Liam’s style choices have become his trademark mode of individuality, influenced by both his mood and daily vibe. With utmost certainty, he declares, “I wear whatever I want, whenever I want.” As Pride Month approaches, Liam views it as a period of self-reflection rather than merely a time of awareness-raising discussions or parades. He expresses, “I enjoy the parties and celebrations that come with Pride Month, but I also take the opportunity to internalize and contemplate what brings me joy and how I can continue pursuing it. It’s like having a ‘New Year, New Me’ mindset.” While Liam embodies a carefree and lighthearted energy, he acknowledges the challenges that arise from local culture. He discloses that some people react with pity upon discovering his sexual orientation. However, Liam rises above such comments, remaining unfazed and unaffected by them. He shares, “It took time, but I am genuinely content with being my authentic self. I embrace my gay identity wholeheartedly. If I hadn’t come out, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. My fashion choices would be different, I wouldn’t be working in my current field, and I wouldn’t have the incredible people surrounding me.” Dressed in an H&M tank top and Urban Revivo jacket, Liam wears a chain from Homura Design, signifying his determination to continue expressing his individuality.
As Liam plans for the future during this Pride Month, he contends that as he becomes more comfortable with himself, the possibilities are endless. He admits, “Will I remain a model forever? Probably not. Influencer? Not really.” However, he refuses to cease creating and pursuing his passions. Liam eagerly embraces the unexpected. Through vibrant hair, bold fashion choices, and an unwavering refusal to conform, Liam expresses his authenticity and finds strength in staying true to himself. He consistently acknowledges the people who provided unwavering support throughout his coming-out journey. As our conversation concludes, he emphasizes the significance of finding one’s community, even if it entails expanding beyond familiar faces. He concludes, “I am immensely grateful that I tackled internal obstacles during my coming out process and had a strong support system around me. I recognize that this isn’t always the case for everyone. Nowadays, there is always someone out there ready to support you. You just need to find them. If you happen to be reading this and need someone to talk to, my DMs are always open.” Liam Labrooy, a bold and confident advocate for embracing one’s unique identity, ardently encourages others to embrace their authenticity. Grateful for the support he has received, he is determined to pay it forward with vibrancy and color in all aspects of his life.
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