DNA Exclusive: Alex Greenwich On Fighting Back Against Homophobia
Alex Greenwich is the Independent MP for the seat of Sydney in the New South Wales Parliament. After a shocking tweet posted by a fellow MP, he was subject to what he calls “an avalanche of hate” that even included death threats.
Understandably, his mental and physical health suffered, and his workplace, the New South Wales Parliament, suddenly felt unsafe.
Since then, he’s worked hard to recover and has shared his story in DNA #310, which is out today.
“Like many others, I’ve been intensely attacked for my sexuality, and I’ve done this exclusive with DNA to share the impacts of this, my ongoing mental health journey, and the importance of finding the strength to celebrate sexuality in the face of these attacks,” he says.
The DNA feature, written by Andrew M Potts, also includes photography by Christian Scott that shows off Alex’s remarkable commitment to improving his physical health.
“I wanted to challenge the image of me that… others have tried to put into the world, and I think these photos achieve that goal perfectly,” he says. “Improving my fitness and strength was just as important for my brain as my body.”
Alex’s story is a reminder that anyone can become the victim of homophobia, even those in privileged positions, and that no matter who you are, these attacks can be seriously damaging.
“You can’t let the haters win, and you also can’t do it alone. It’s so important to ask for help, whether it’s from a psychologist, lawyer, personal trainer, your partner, parent or a close friend,” he says.
Alex contacted DNA earlier this year to discuss the potential of this feature and the photography that would accompany it. His goal was to hit reset on the public discourse around him, and he was prepared to put in the work to make it happen. This involved regular gym sessions to get into shape – a process he says also helped improve his mental health, which had taken a hammering. Alex’s dedication to this process and his discipline have been admirable.
DNA #310 is out now. Click HERE to grab your copy.
