Wed. September 23, 2026
CHICAGO, ILL. -
By Michael Oboza, Special to GoPride.com
During my final year as a volunteer photojournalist, I made it my intention to help recognize everyday legends across our intersectional LGBTQ community. I'm grateful to highlight an advocate making a difference simply by showing up authentically in the world. Thank you, Victor Houi, for your time, your voice and your willingness to share your journey.
Being uniquely different means different things to different people. For Victor Houi, clarity arrived only after years of searching for the right words to describe his experiences.
"Before coming out as gay and receiving my autism diagnosis at 19 just two months before graduating high school, life felt like trying to navigate a world without a proper map," Houi said. "As a kid, I didn't have the words or context for my experiences, so I assumed I was just 'normal.' Any behaviors tied to my autism were simply written off as bad behavior or being too hyper, and I spent most of my time being quiet and deeply curious about my surroundings."
Even before he had the vocabulary for his identity, early instincts pointed the way.
"As a kid, I remember keeping pictures of men and tossing away the parts with girls from adult media," Houi said. "Looking back now, realizing I was autistic and gay completely explains why I always felt so uniquely different from everyone else during those years."
Coming to terms with a diagnosis and stepping into self-acceptance often requires unlearning old stigmas.
"After getting diagnosed with autism, I initially had a lot of trouble accepting it because I was led to believe I was normal," Houi said. "I thought being autistic or having any disability was something to be ashamed of, and I couldn't understand what autism was all about. Over time, however, I began to understand it more, shed that shame, and embrace it as a part of who I am. It is now my superpower."
Taking the leap to live openly as a gay man carried its own anxieties, but the response proved transformative.
"Similarly, when I came out on Facebook, I was terrified that I would lose everyone and receive hate comments, especially knowing how certain groups unfairly view the LGBTQ community," Houi said. "But when I checked the comments, I was overjoyed to receive an overwhelming amount of love and support from my friends and family. It was a massive relief to finally step out into the open and no longer have to hide who I am."
Today, Houi views his intersecting identities not as obstacles, but as the foundation of his resilience. His message to others navigating similar paths is grounded in self-worth and genuine community.
"Don't be ashamed of who you are," Houi said. "Use it as a strength. Being LGBTQ and autistic is not a weakness; it is our strength. It may be hard now, but it will get better. Surround yourself with people who will truly love and value you as a person. Find good-quality people who will stand beside you all the way through."
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